January 2, 2011
Greg Vernovage called in this evening. All continues to go well. The team has now carried to high camp, about 12,500 ft. They are right on schedule. Tomorrow will be a rest day at low camp, a bit under 10,000 ft. Weather forecast remains good. Team remains strong. This is all very good news.
Phil Ershler
Looking down to low camp from high camp (Photo: Pat McCrann)
January 2, 2011
A view from the top
Good news from South America. The team stood on top today, January 2nd. Weather was never perfect but never bad. Sort of threatening all day but nothing ever materialized and the winds stayed low. Just what the doctor ordered for the team to summit. They’ll head to Plaza Mulas on the 3rd and be at the trail head on the 4th. Nice job, gang. Aconcagua may be one of the world’s most underestimated mountains. Make no mistake, climbing Aconcagua without porters and pre-established camps is a real mountaineering challenge.
Congratulations to Eben and crew.
Phil Ershler
January 1, 2011
The New Year has begun for IMG with great news from three continents.
The last Kilimanjaro expedition for 2010 is on their way home after another great climb and safari. IMG Senior Guide, Ang Jangbu Sherpa, reports that the safari finished in fine fashion. Seeing the ‘big five’ was easy. They even saw a cheetah take down a wildebeest on their second day. Most members are flying straight home with a few heading to Zanzibar for a few more days in Africa.
We also heard from Eben Reckord and our current Aconcagua expedition yesterday. News there is that the team carried to high camp yesterday, about 19,500 ft., and hopes to occupy high camp today. Weather is holding and the group is trying to squeeze in a summit bid before things change.
And, we received a phone call from Greg Vernovage just as 2010 was coming to an end. His team of 6 climbers, with IMG Senior Guide, Aaron Mainer, had carried to low camp on Vinson yesterday in perfect weather and conditions. Their plan is to kick off the first day of 2011 with a move to low camp. Altitude there is just under 10,000 ft. They’re right on schedule and need to be as we’ll be sending off our final expedition of the season later this week under the leadership of IMG Senior Guide and 3 time Seven Summiter, Mike Hamill. There was something at the end of his transmission about ‘bubbly’ which also made it down to the Ice.
Happy 2011 to all our current, past and future summit teams and to all friends and family following the IMG blog.
Phil Ershler
December 30, 2010
Ang Jangbu reported that the descent from Kili went smoothly. After a big celebration dinner back at the hotel, the team flew to Serengeti to begin their safari. It sounds like the wildlife got the memo that they were coming, because they saw 4 of the Big 5 on the first day, including the elusive leopard. Everyone is having a great time and the team heads for the lodge at Ndutu today.
Eric Simonson
Giraffes pose for safari spectators
All aboard the IL 76 (Photo: Pat McCrann)
December 29, 2010
The team was out the hotel door at 5:30 this morning. It takes about 3 hours to get everyone picked up, to the airport and through security and settled in on the IL76. Then, it’s 4 hours in the air to the new ice runway at the Union Glacier.
The adventure begins.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2010
IL 76 Russian Cargo Jet (Photo: Pat McCrann)
Nice to report that Greg Vernovage and team of 6 climbers has arrived in Punta and with all their gear.
Shopping is complete, packing is complete, their briefing is complete and they will be loading the big Russian cargo jet, an IL76, with gear this afternoon. Plan is for a flight to the Ice the morning of the 29th. Forecast is promising. That would put the team right on schedule.
When/if the calls comes tomorrow morning that the flight is a ‘go’, it’ll be a mad rush to grab that last shower and breakfast, dress, clear hotel bills and be ready for the pick up. Got to love that.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2010
The team’s carried now to C2. That’s up and through the Ameghino Saddle and onto the upper part of the Guanacos Route. Nice. These are big days and you’ve got to give the guys/gals credit – they’re working hard. Aconcagua isn’t a technical mountain, at least by most routes, but it is a very physical one. Anyone who summits Aconcagua without porters has earned their stripes.
We are losing one of our climbers. A nasty cold has just made it too risky to continue for one member. He hung tight to C1 but knew it would only get worse up higher. Good decision. Hard sometimes to not let desire sway your judgment.
Phil Ershler
Rocky terrain makes for a strenuous ascent
December 27, 2010
One of the many vistas along the way.
Eben called on 12/26 to let us know that the carry to C1 went well. All members got the job done. It’s not an easy carry. C1 is located at just over 16,000 ft so that makes it a good pull from base camp. The terrain is a lot of lose rock, which makes the walking even more strenuous.
Next call should be to let us know that the team has moved to C1. That’s a real milestone in the trip. Getting everyone and all the gear to C1 in reasonable shape is no small accomplishment.
Phil Ershler
Follow their progress via the SPOT Tracker Eben is carrying.
December 27, 2010
View of Kilimanjaro
Ang Jangbu called in via satellite phone this morning from Mweka Camp to report that the team had a good summit day, and all have descended to camp for the night. Tomorrow they will finish their descent and make their way back to the hotel for some much deserved R&R. We’ll look forward to hearing from them tomorrow!
Eric Simonson
December 25, 2010
While you enjoy your Christmas cocoa in front of your fireplace we’ve got lots of climbers out there enjoying some cocoa of their own around the stoves and in their tents.
Happy Holidays from all of us here at IMG!
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Aconcagua
Plaza Argentina
What would most people say to celebrating Christmas at base camp on Aconcagua, at 13,600 ft? It’s a place called Plaza Argentina. Most, I think, would say “that’s nutsâ€. But that’s exactly where our current Aconcagua crew was last night, with guides Eben Reckord and Kelly Ryan. And, they’re loving it. Probably no place they’d rather be. They’re ending this year by starting a big adventure. Pretty cool, huh? So far, so good.  Always a few headaches on arrival to a new and higher altitude but it’s all par for the course. Christmas day will be a rest day for the team. They’re wishing all of us and we’re wishing all of them a very Merry Christmas!
Phil Ershler
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Vinson
Greg on Christmas Morning en route to Vinson
One Vinson expedition for this season is now complete and another one is about to begin. Senior IMG Guide, Greg Vernovage, leaves Christmas morning to meet a new team of IMG climbers for an attempt on Vinson Massif. IMG Senior Guide, Aaron Mainer, will meet them on the Ice. It’ll be Aaron’s second trip of the season. What a great New Year’s resolution – climb Vinson Massif. Now that’s what we call a heck of a way to start off the new year.
The weather is slowly warming up in Antarctica but doesn’t mean that the team can’t still experience temperatures in the minus 20-30 degree F range. It’s all relative. Christmas in the air and New Year’s on the Ice. Fairly impressive stuff. I bet they’ll sneak a little wine or champagne into the food bags.
Phil Ershler
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Kilimanjaro
The Barranco Wall trail heading for Karanga is visible climbing from lower left to upper right.
Ang Jangbu reports by Thuraya satellite phone that the team had a good hike to Barranco yesterday, at 13000 feet.  En route, the trail took them to 14,500 feet, just below Lava Tower, where the team was snowed on! They took it nice and slow, with the long ascent and descent. Great acclimatization! Everyone is doing well.  Today they will be heading to Karanga, for another night at 13,000. Machame is a great route, what a prime acclimatization profile!
Eric Simonson
