January 22, 2010
Ben called in again today to relay that they successfully carried to High Camp today and will take their well deserved rest day tomorrow to regain some energies and acclimatize a bit more before heading back up to High Camp. Once at HC they’ll wait for a solid weather window before taking a shot at the summit. Right now the weather is holding strong.
A couple more days like today and yesterday and they’ll get their chance!
More to come…
Tye Chapman
January 20, 2010
IMG Guide Ben Kurdt called in today after the team had pulled into Camp 2 for the night. The team continues to be strong and move efficiently. The weather today was “stellar” with not a breath of wind up high. They’ll either carry to C3 or enjoy a well deserved rest day tomorrow.
Tye Chapman
January 20, 2010
IMG guides Eben Reckord and Ang Jangbu called down from Machame Camp at 10,000 feet, and reported that the group did well today. Starting at the Hotel in Moshi, they traveled to the Machame Gate by jeep, at about 6,000 feet.
After their check in with the Kili Park rangers, they started the climb, ascending through the thick jungle of the lower slopes until they broke out of the forest at the camp, just in time to avoid an afternoon rain shower. So far so good!
Eric Simonson
January 19, 2010
IMG Guide Ben Kurdt called in yesterday to report that the team had successfully carried to Camp 1 and set up tents in some nasty weather. Good practice for everybody and everybody did great. Today they were scheduled to carry to Camp 2 also known as Helicopter Camp (17,800ft).
If all goes as planned they’ll move up to C2 tomorrow then relax and enjoy a well deserved rest day on Thursday.
The team is strong and doing well.
Tye Chapman
January 19, 2010
Phil called in late yesterday afternoon to report that the team had a a great training day on the lower slopes of Cotopaxi and even dropped off some things at the hut before heading back to the hacienda.
Summit night is tonight. They’ll head back up to the hut this morning, get situated, grab a bite to eat and try to get some sleep. Sleeping at 16,000ft is never easy but they’ll do their best to get some rest. An early morning start should get them to the summit a little after dawn.
More to come…
Tye Chapman
January 18, 2010
Phil called in from Ecuador over the weekend and reports that the team had a great acclimatization hike of Pasachoa. They left Quito nice and early and swung by “La Maltilde” for a great little breakfast. La Maltilde is owned by some of Phil’s close friends so they open the place up for us and serve a great breakfast. The team gets a chance to try many of the fruits and juices Ecuador has to offer.
After breakfast the team had a great day hiking 13,766ft Pasachoa. They wrapped up the day by staying at a hacienda near the mountain called Tierra del Volcan. Today they’ll head to Cotopaxi for some more acclimatization and a training review session. One more night at Tierra del Volcan and then it’s up to the hut on Cotopaxi for the summit attempt.
All is well in Ecuador!
Tye Chapman
January 18, 2010
IMG Guide Ben Kurdt called in to relay that the team is doing well and enjoyed their acclimatization time at Base Camp, but now it’s time to get to work.
They pulled into Base Camp on the 15th and enjoyed a full rest day on the 16th and planned to carry to Camp 1 yesterday and move to Camp 1 today.
The weather is good and the team sends “hugs and kisses” to everyone back home.
Aconcagua Itinerary (subject to change)
Tye Chapman
January 18,2010
IMG guides Eben Reckord and Ang Jangbu Sherpa arrived in Tanzania over the weekend and were awaiting the Kili Team’s arrival.
The group was scheduled to have a free day yesterday to get organized, visit the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project, shake off some jet lag, and get their bearings in Africa. After porter loads were weighed it was back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep to prepare for an early departure this morning to the Machame Gates to start the climb.
Eric Simonson
January 15, 2010
Phil Ershler called in today from Ecuador – one of his favorite trips!
The team all showed up on time and with all of their gear, which is half the battle! Now the adventure can really begin. Today they’ll be doing some urban acclimatization. Quito sits at nearly 10,000ft so going for a walk there is a little different than most cities. Heck the stairs in the hotel can be quite the obstacle the first day!
Tomorrow they plan on checking out the Saturday market in Otavalo. This is one of the best markets in Ecuador. Folks from all over converge on this small town at a crossroads to take care of their everyday business.
They’ll return to Quito tomorrow afternoon for the final preparations. Breakfast on Sunday will be in the countryside at a beautiful and unique restaurant owned by some friends. The team will then do an acclimatization climb of Pasochoa. The night will be spent at a small hacienda called Tiera del Volcan. It’s at about 12,000 ft. making it a great place for the team to continue to acclimatize.
More to come…
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
January 14, 2010
IMG Guide Ben Kurdt just called in from the trail on Day 2 of the trek to Aconcagua Base Camp… The team just wrapped upa picninc lunch in between Pampa de Lenas and Casa de Piedra. The weather is good and everyone is feeling great. If the clouds stay at bay they’ll get a glimpse of the mountain later today. All is well!
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
