February 2, 2010

Climbing is easy.  Travel is tough.  And, if that’s true, the current Aconcagua trip should be great!  All the crew arrived on time and with all the luggage.  Securing the permit in Mendoza was an easy process, and the team’s already in Penitentes.  That’s the base of the mountain and where the gang is now doing their final gear sort and making up loads for the mules.  Nice to have the mules to take the group gear into base camp at about 13,600 ft.  IMG Senior Guides, Mike Hamill and Greg Vernovage are being joined by Martin, our Argentine guide, and our IMG Operations Manager, Tye Chapman, and our group of 9 climbers.  That’s a full boat!

I’ll bet many of you have spoken with Tye on the phone or traded emails with him regarding an IMG program.  And how about Mike?  Remember seeing him featured on Show 3 of this year’s Discovery Channel Everest program?  And then there’s Greg.  Nothing like having a guide climbing with you who was the coach of the US Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team that competed in the Sydney Olympic games!  Oh yeah, did I mention they won the GOLD?

We really do have a super team on Aconcagua right now and we’ll keep you posted on their progress.  Remember, no news is good news.  IMG guides tend to be more focused on climbing than blogging but we’ll get the news out as soon as they check back in.  It’s time now for them to do a bit of walking!

Phil Ershler

January 29, 2010

The challenges for our team began in Mendoza at the beginning of our trip, when one of our team member’s luggage did not arrive! Not the end of the world but a hurdle nonetheless. In the end we got him set-up with something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!

With the Mendoza chores done we set out to climb the mountain. Everybody was strong and fit and ready to climb. Basecamp was our first goal… Everybody made it although we had to say goodbye to a team member shortly thereafter as some blisters were too nasty to overcome. He’s a trooper and will be back!

Over the next few days we made our carries up through the different camps and had our eyes on the summit the whole time… Summit day – overcast and snowy but manageable… We descended into some weather but nothing the team couldn’t handle and at 12 hours round trip we made pretty good time!

We woke up on the morning of the 25th, packed up camp, and walked the 3.5 hrs down from High Camp to Plaza de Mules (i.e.  the basecamp on the Normal Route, which provides for a more convenient exit).  We enjoyed the rudimentary pleasures that base camp provided such as pizza, coke, tables, chairs, hard tent, etc…  The following morning we traded out our mountaineering boots and attire for trekking boots/sneakers and swiftly dispatched the 16 mile walk out with smiles on our faces knowing that Aconcagua was gracious enough to let us stand on top and walk away safely.

We wrapped up the trip at a nice little restaurant here in Mendoza which, believe it or not, was recently rated 7th best in the world! It did not disappoint. Great steaks, wine and a wonderful atmosphere.

By now most of the team has headed home and the trip has come to a close and we are all thankful for the experience!

Cheers,

Ben

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