Ecuador Team Summits Antisana

Jan 17, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael called to report that the Ecuador team stood on top of Antisana (18,875 ft) early this morning. The team enjoyed clear, cold, windless conditions, climbing through the early morning to stand on top of the stunning peak. The team heads to IMG Guide Romulo’s house this evening for an authentic Ecuadorian meal and some of the team will continue on in the coming days to attempt Chimborazo.

The IMG Ecuador Team climbs Antisana this morning (Porter McMichael)

The IMG Ecuador Team stands on top of Antisana (Porter McMichael)

All is well in Ecuador!

Team 3 On Top!

January 16, 2023

IMG Aconcagua Team 3 on the summit! (Jason Tanguay)

We are happy to report that our third Aconcagua team reached the summit earlier today! The group had decent weather and a great climb to the top. Now they will descend back to Plaza de Mulas and catch their helicopter ride back to Mendoza!

For more expedition updates, keep following along on our blog and social media.

Audrey Simonson

Success in South America!

Jan 14, 2023 – Big news from both of our teams in South America! Senior Guide Porter McMichael to report that the entire Ecuador team stood on top of Cayambe this morning in a thick cloud. The team had a safe descent back to their low camp and will continue on their expedition tomorrow with Antisana in their sights in the coming days.

IMG Ecuador stands on top of Cayambe this morning (Porter McMichael)

Senior Guide Jason Tanguay reported that the entire Aconcagua Team 3 stood on top of Aconcagua this morning. The team climbed through snowy conditions and stood on top of South America, enjoying a few minutes of the thin air before returning safely back to high camp. The team will descend to Plaza de Mulas tomorrow morning and hope to fly back to the trailhead tomorrow.

Aconcagua Team 3 Moving to Camp 3!

January 13, 2023 – As high winds subside and a weather window appears, Jason Tanguay, IMG Senior Guide in Argentina, reports that Team 3 is preparing to move to Camp 3.Â This will be their High Camp on Aconcagua, and they will soon be ready for their summit push!Â Good luck Jason & Team.Â All is well in Argentina!

Fresh snow at High Camp. (Peter Adams)

Ecuador Team Training & Imminent Summit Attempt

January 13, 2023-Â Checking in from Ecuador, IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael reports a successful day of training on the lower slopes of Cayambe.Â The team will return to the hut, at nearly 16,000′, to rest before their summit attempt.Â All is well in Ecuador!

The Ecuador Team poses on the lower slopes of Cayambe after a fun and informative day of training. (Porter McMichael)

Aconcagua Team 2 in Mendoza; Team 3 Waiting on Weather at Camp 2

January 11, 2023 – IMG Senior Guides Jonny Schrock and Jason Tanguay checking in from Argentina to give updates on their teams’ progress.

Team 2 is back in Mendoza for some well-deserved rest and relaxation after battling high winds and deep snow on their summit bid.Â Team 3Â is hunkered down at Camp 2 waiting to strike for Camp 3, and then the summit, as soon as the winds abate.Â Good job and good luck to each of them!

For those who want a little more- a geography lesson:Â Aconcagua actually has two base camps, each serving different routes.Â On the West side, we have Plaza de Mulas, part of the Horcones Valley Normal Route, which Jonny’s Team 2 descended to after traversing around Aconcagua to Camp 3 for their summit bid.Â On the East side, we have Plaza Argentina, part of the False Polish Route, the camp from which our teams depart from for their summit attempt.

All is well in Argentina!

IMG Team 2 above Camp 3 on Aconcagua. (Jonny Schrock)

Routes & Base Camps on Aconcagua

Ecuador Team Climbs Imbabura

January 11, 2023-Â Porter McMichael, IMG’s Senior Guide in Ecuador reporting that the Ecuador team has has a successfulÂ summit of Imbabura.Â With Fuya Fuya and now Imbabura under their belts, the team is well-acclimatized and ready to begin their Cayambe attempt.

All is well in Ecuador.Â Good luck Porter and team!

IMG’s Ecuador team acclimatizes on Imbabura prior to their Cayambe attempt. (Porter McMichael)

On the upper reaches of Imbabura (Porter McMichael)

IMG Aconcagua Team 2 Returns to Plaza De Mulas

Jan 10, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Jonathan Schrock called from Aconcagua Base Camp to report that Aconcagua Team 2 was turned around in challenging climbing conditions yesterday during their summit attempt. The team was forced to return to high-camp after encountering deep snow, turning around at about 21,000ft. The team gave it their all, and with a hard effort under their belt, they are safely down at the base camp on the West side of Aconcagua. The team will fly via helicopter back to the trailhead in the coming days and return to Mendoza.

IMG Team 3, let by Jason Tanguay, is at Camp 2 waiting out the current windy conditions and hoping for a summit attempt later in the week. All is well in Argentina!

IMG climbers above high-camp on Aconcagua (Jonathan Schrock)

IMG Climbers take a break from breaking trail in deep snow (Jonathan Schrock)

Ecuador Team Climbs Fuya Fuya

Jan 10, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael checked in from Ecuador reporting that the team has had a busy couple of days. Yesterday the team hiked to a historical equator marker from the 1700s (pictured) before having a scenic lunch on their way from Quito to Otovalo. The team had a restful night in the picturesque Otovalo and woke up early to acclimatize on the nearby Fuya Fuya (14,000ft). While the team was turned around due to stormy weather, they enjoyed the scenery and position the mountain had to offer. Tomorrow the team will attempt Imbabura, their final preparatory hike before attempting Cayambe. All is well in Ecuador!

IMG climbers ascend Fuya Fuya in the mist (Porter McMichael)

The team poses by a historic equatorial marker from the 1700s (Porter McMichael)

IMG Vinson Team Flies Home

Jan 10, 2023 –

IMG Chief Guide Justin Merle and our winter Vinson team report that all is well in the Southern Hemisphere. Yesterday, they said their goodbyes to Antarctica made it safely back to Punta Arenas at the tip of South America. The team had a successful expedition, with all team members standing on top of the tallest point in Antarctica, enjoying surprisingly warm weather. This wraps another successful season in Antarctica and on Vinson Massif.

The view from Vinson Base Camp (Justin Merle)

The IMG 2023 Vinson Team stands on the summit of Vinson (Justin Merle)

The IMG Vinson team boards the small engine plane to return to Union Glacier (Justin Merle)