Kili Team Moving To Barancco Camp Today

January 22, 2010

Eben Reckord and Ang Jangbu called on the sat phone from Shira Plateau, a bit over 12,000 feet, to say that the group moved up to the Shira Camp yesterday, and are doing well.Â This expansive volcanic plateau on the southwest side of Kilimanjaro is a dramatic feature with big views, weird plants, and a feeling that the summit is finally getting within reach.

Today, the group will climb to 14,500 feet near Lava Tower, then drop down to Barancco Camp (about 13,000 feet).Â It is nice hiking above timberline, and great acclimatization for the higher altitudes ahead!

Eric Simonson

Rest Break Is Over – Off To Cayambe

January 22, 2010

Phil called in today to say they’re on their way to climb Cayambe – where both the temperature and latitude are both 0. They spent the last couple nights at La Cienega (Pic 1 below) resting and getting ready for the next climb. On their off days they spent some time at the Sasquisili Market (Pic 2 below) and having a nice dinner at San Augustine (Pic 3 below).

One of the climbers on this trip, Mark Ursino, writes up some great reports and takes some great photos. He’s been checking in from a few of the stops and has some great details and photos from this trip. Check it out!

More after the climb of Cayambe…

Tye chapman
Hacienda La Cienega

Sasquisili Market

Dinner at San Augustine (IMG Stock Photo)

Aconcagua Team Carried To High Camp

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.

Photo: Ted Fairhurst

A couple more days like today and yesterday and they’ll get their chance!

More to come…

Tye Chapman

Aconcagua Team At C2

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.Â They’ll either carry to C3 or enjoy a well deserved rest day tomorrow.

Tye Chapman

Kili Team At 10,000ft

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.Â 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.Â So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Aconcagua Team At C1 – Carrying To C2 Today

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).

IMG Stock Image (Photo by Ted Fairhurst)

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

Ershler and Team Climbing Cotopaxi Tonight

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.

Hut on Cotopaxi

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

Ecuador Team Has Great Acclimatization Hike

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”Â 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

Aconcagua Team Enjoyed Base Camp – Time To Climb

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.

Sunrise at Camp 1

The weather is good and the team sends “hugs and kisses” to everyone back home.

Aconcagua Itinerary (subject to change)

Tye Chapman

Kili Team Ready To Go!

January 18,2010

Porters carrying loads. (Photo: Adam Angel) 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

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