October 2, 2009

IMG Senior Guide, John Colver, reported in from Baranco Camp at approx. 13000 ft.  The camp sits directly under the Breach Wall of Kilimanjaro and is probably the most scenic of camps on the mountain.  All team members are now in camp and ready to tackle the Baranco Wall tomorrow morning.  One team member has decided his high point has been reached.  Always a tough decision but a smart one.  He’ll descend with several staff members in the morning down the Umbwe route and will be able to reconnect with the team for safari.

Tomorrow’s camp is Karanga at approx. 13500 ft.  Then it’s a short day to high camp and a shot at the summit.  A little snowfall was encountered today but temperatures haven’t been particularly cold.  All’s still on track for a summit in 3 days. 

Phil Ershler

October 1, 2009

John Colver called in today from the Shira Plateau.  The camp here is at about 12,500 ft.  Huge expansive area with unobstructed views of the mountain. 

All continues to go well.  Tomorrow is a bigger day.  The trail takes the team up to over 14,500 ft and then back down to about 13,000 ft at the Baranco Camp.  Perfect for acclimatization but you always feel bad about losing altitude.  Just part of the game on a big mountain like Kilimanjaro.

Phil Ershler

September 30, 2009

IMG Guide John Colver just called in from Machame camp at 10,000 ft. on the side of Kilimanjaro.  The group has now completed their first full day of the climb.  About 4000 vertical feet were covered in less than 6 hours.  Everyone’s well, ready for dinner and a good sleep.  The one lost piece of luggage arrived as schedule so the group got off without a hitch.

More to follow as additional reports are received. 

Phil Ershler

September 21, 2009

Phil Ershler called in last night (10:21pm PST – 8:21am in Tanzania) after summitting Kili with 14 of his team members on top! The weather was good and the team moved uphill in good form and in good time!

They’ll head down past their High Camp at Barafu Hut on down to Mweka Hut in the forest… Then they’re off on safari in the Serenghetti!

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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager

September 18, 2009

Phil called in from what has become his annual September Kilimanjaro climb…

The group had a good day after an afternoon rainstorm which lasted for about an hour.  They started the morning at the Shira Plateau in the zone of ‘weird plants’ native to the high mountain of Africa and finished the day at 13,000ft at the Baranco Hut after climbing to 14,500 for acclimatization.

Weather is clear and looks good for next few days.  Tomorrow they plan traverse below the Southern Glaciers on their way to Karanga Valley camp at 13,500’.

No issues, all is well!

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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager