September 9, 2009
It looks like Tropical Cyclone 3B has finally pushed through. Much improved weather has settled over the region. The team plans to move to Camp 1 tomorrow for the night – weather permitting.
IMG Guide Greg Vernovage and Sherpa Sirdar Ang Pasang are meeting with the Tibet Mountaineering Association and some of the other climbing teams to discuss route fixing. It’s time to start climbing!
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
September 7, 2009
Greg called in this morning to report that the weather around Cho Oyu has been pretty nasty lately. [Tropical Cyclone 3B slid north out of the Bay of Bengal and pumped moisture and wind into the Nepal Himalayas.] Greg reported that they have had snow and wind the last few days but the forecast is improving. The team is safe and sound at ABC and plans to do an acclimatization hike towards Camp 1 tomorrow and weather permitting the Sherpas will carry to C1.
A total of 8 other groups have rolled into ABC so far and several more are at Base Camp. We’re out in front so that’s good!
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
September 4, 2009
Greg called in yesterday…The team has arrived at Cho Oyu Advanced Base Camp (ABC).
Over the next few days they’ll get out some of their climbing gear and practice some of the needed skills for the upcoming climb while continuing to acclimatize. They’ll make the move to Camp 1 late this weekend or early next week as conditions and weather allow…
That’s all for now…
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
September 2, 2009
Eric Simonson just spoke with IMG Guide Greg Vernovage and all is well at Base Camp on Cho Oyu… They’ve had a few days at BC now and have been on a couple acclimatization hikes so now it’s time to head uphill!
It’s evening there now so the team has already had dinner and should be heading to bed soon having already made their preparations to move to Intermediate Camp (17,400ft) tomorrow morning.
That’s all for now…
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
August 30, 2009
Eric Simonson talked to IMG Guide Greg Vernovage on the sat phone last night… The team had arrived at Base Camp and they’re all doing fine. The Sherpas had Base Camp already set up and Greg says everything looks good!
The team will spend a couple days at BC before they move up to Intermediate Camp later this week.
That’s all for now…
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
August 30, 2009
Everything is moving right along on our Cho Oyu Expedition in Tibet. The team had a successful acclimatization hike this morning before they depart for Base Camp tomorrow. It’ll be a smaller group at dinner tonight as most of the Sherpa have left for Base Camp to prepare for the rest of the teams arrival.
The climbers will spend a few days at BC before they move up to Intermediate Camp later this week.
28 yaks are scheduled to arrive at BC in a couple days!
That’s all for now…
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
August 25, 2009
Don’t miss “30 Days On The Ruth” a slideshow featuring IMG Guides Mark Allen and Ben Kurdt along with Mt. Rainier Park Ranger Phillipe Wheelock.
The slideshow will feature photos from their expedition to put up new routes in the Ruth Amphitheater in Alaska.
When: Thursday, August 27th at 7:00PM
Where: Outdoor Research Retail Store (2203 1st Ave. South)
How Much: $5
Cause: All proceeds from the door and the raffle will go towards the Index Climbing Fund. Outdoor Research will also be donating 10% of their sales from that day to the fund.
***Space is limited so please call OR at 206-971-1496 to RSVP.
And yes… snacks and drinks will be provided.
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
August 23, 2009
IMG Guide Greg Vernovage dropped us an email from Kathmandu this morning and said that most of the team has arrived in Nepal and those that haven’t they’ll pick up along the way.
So with most of the team on hand they had the Team Welcome Dinner at the historical Rum Doodle Restaurant.
The team is in great spirits and are already getting along well despite their language differences. So with Visas in hand they’re off to Tibet!!
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
Aug. 20, 2009
A few of us took another flight around Mt. Rainier yesterday…Â Warm weather continues out here which is quite obvious after looking at the Muir Snowfield yesterday. It’s amazing how fast things change up there as the summer sun beats down on the mountain.Tons of crevasses on the snowfield have made themselves visible over the past few weeks which makes crampons virtually mandatory to get to Muir these days…
The first two photos below show Camp Muir (just in the saddle on the ridge in front) and the ice and crevasses that are now exposed. The third photo shows the trail up the snowfield and the lack of snow that’s typically there this time of year…
Thanks again to IMG Guide Jenni Fogle for flying us around Mt Rainier!
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
August 15, 2009
Yesterday, some of us enjoyed a leisurely morning shopping in the town of Aquas Calientes, while the remainder of us journeyed to Machu Picchu early in the morning to ascend Machu Picchu mountain. This was a very steep and strenuous climb up more Inca steps, and well worth the effort.
Later that afternoon we boarded our train from Aquas Calientes for a beautiful and scenic ride which included some cultural entertainment along the way. The cultural entertainment continued in Cuzco during our celebration dinner with an excellent Peruvian band. The end of the evening was spent learning how to Salsa dance at one of Cuzco’s well known discos.
Some of the highlights of the 2009 Machu Picchu trek included ascending the many rock steps of the Inca trail up the Abra de Huarmihuanusca (“Dead Womans Pass”) at an elevation of 13,769 feet. Our second pass, Abra de Runkuracay, 13,113 feet, brought us to Phuyupatamarca (“Cloud-level Town”). The day at Machu Picchu itself was a sight that can only be witnessed in person. We were extremely lucky to catch some of the first sun rays of the day from our first vantage point at Intipunku, the gateway to the sun.
So now we have come to the end of our 10 day journey and we have all safely arrived back to the city of Cuzco, Peru. We will all now travel together to Lima by plane and take our respective flights back home. I cannot thank our Peruvian IMG team down here enough for making this a trip of a lifetime. The teamwork of Jamie and Maximo, our Peruvian guides, represented to us that they are truly passionate about their country. We are extremely grateful for their hospitality. Everyone that participated on this trek did an amazing job, it’s just too bad we don’t have another week to spend together!
Ciao y suerte,
Eric Remza
