August 27, 2010
On the road to Nyalam
Our IMG Cho Oyu Sirdar, Ang Passang, called at 07:30 Nepal time this morning to inform everyone is doing well and that they have now reached Nyalam (12,300 feet) where the members will spend two nights to acclimatize. Tomorrow the Sherpas will push on to Tingri, to get in position to start working on Base Camp. So far everyone is doing well.
Eric Simonson
August, 26, 2010
Mt. Rainier moonset and spectacular wildflowers (Photo by Rick Saez- JanSport)
Guest Blogger Rick Saez from JanSport dropped us a line this morning with a sweet photo taken inside Mt. Rainier National Park earlier this week so we asked him to crank out a blog post for us… Mt. Rainier moonset and spectacular wildflowers (Photo by Rick Saez- JanSport) Derrick and I had a great meeting with the IMG Team Monday. We spent some time getting feedback on the JanSport Tahoma packs they’ve been and using for the 2010 Rainier Season. The overall feedback was very positive as everyone that used the pack felt it is a great pack for Rainier as well as other Alpine environments. They gave us some terrific ideas for improvements too.
We also discussed the Salish and Talus and got great reviews on them as well. We then spent some time discussing future ideas, which of course I can’t tell you about other than to say there will be some cool stuff coming soon!
After the meeting the guys gave Derrick and I a great tip on a short hike we could do with our limited time left that afternoon. We raced up the hill to Paradise and hiked up the Deadhorse Creek trail. The wildflowers were at their peak. I got up early the next morning to go back up and photograph the moonset, which was awesome!
Thanks guys!
Rick Saez
JanSport
August 26, 2010
Cusco (Photo by Eric Remza)
Phil called via sat phone from Agua Calientes, where the team enjoyed the night cleaning up after their successful trek. After some last minute shopping this morning, they will hop a two-hour train heading towards Cusco, then connect with their private bus to finish the trip.
A great end to a great trek!
Phil Ershler
August 25, 2010
Ang Passang called at 07:30 Nepal time this morning to inform everyone is doing well and they are on their way to Nyalam where the members will spend two nights to acclimatize.
Ang Jangbu
The new paved road on the way to Nyalam
A view of Nyalam town from the road
August 25, 2010
Machu Picchu from Intipunku (Photo by Eric Remza)
Phil called in to report all is well in Peru.
Today the walk on the trail came to a narrow flight of stone steps leading upwards into a small stone structure. This is Intipunku, and through the rectangular doorway, they could see the ruins of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku, a pathway led them directly to Machu Picchu itself, and a descent of over an hour took them down to the actual ruins.
It was a touch foggy but it burned off with the sunrise to give the team a beautiful day in the ruins. They’re all back at the hotel at Agua Calientes doing some last minute shopping. A celebration dinner tonight and they’re off to Cuszco tomorrow.
Tye Chapman
Ang
Zhangmu
Jangbu reports that the team reached Kodari border OK this morning. They had some delay between Barabise and Kodari due to a landslide overnight but managed to get through and did not have to switch to different bus on the other side. The team had lunch in Kodari while Raju and CMA staff did the custom & border formalities. Members reached Zhangmu (13:30 Nepal time) and Sherpas are on their way after loading up the gear on two CMA trucks– they should reach there by 14:00 (Nepal time). Once they reach Zhangmu, Kaji will buy fresh food items.
We had a message later from Mike Hamill saying that they were safely across the border with the whole team and all the gear and had met the Chinese Liaison Officer.  He noted that the border crossing is much more involved than it was in the past but all the paperwork was in order so it wasn’t a problem. They are all set to head up to Nyalam in the morning, and the road heading up the canyon sounds like it is clear, despite recent heavy rains.
Eric Simonson
Phil called in at 1:30pm Peru time. They were just crossing the third and final pass of the trek, ready for the big long downhill stretch in to camp for the night. The final leg today should take them just a couple more hours.
All are doing well and the weather is good. They are looking forward to Machu Picchu tomorrow.
More tomorrow…
George Dunn
Hiking the Inca Trail.
Phil called in at 1:40 pm Peru time to check in. Everybody’s doing great. They just topped over Abra de Huarmihuanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 13,769 feet and are headed to camp 2 for the evening.
Tomorrow the trail climbs steeply up the opposite side of the valley wall, towards the second pass, Abra de Runkuracay, 3,998m (13,113′). After the pass, the trail descends towards a valley containing a shallow lake. Here, the trail changes from a dirt path to a narrow stone roadway, the beginning of the “true” Inca Trail. They’ll end the day at our camp at the high pass with a spectacular 360 degree panorama.
A great trip so far!
Tye Chapman
August 23, 2010
Ang Jangbu reports good news, we got our Chinese visas this evening. We have returned passports to the members along with a copy of visa to each member.
The container truck left Kathmandu at around 1:45 pm and reached Kodari 7:30 pm. Just talked to Danuru and Raju in Kodari–they plan clear customs before the rest of the team member get there around 10am tomorrow. Â The members are having group dinner right now at the Rumdoodle, and they are scheduled to depart 05:30 am tomorrow.
Eric Simonson
August 23, 2010
Ruins along the trail.
Phil called in late yesterday (they’re plus 2 hours in Peru) to report that all is well. It was a touch cloudy yesterday which kept the temps nice and cool. They enjoyed some Incan ruins along the way, a nice big lunch and a huge dinner in the evening. A great day all around.
Day 2 of the trek to Machu Picchu takes them up into the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains and over Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point along the Inca Trail (4200m/13,800ft).
Tye Chapman
