October 26, 2009
Justin Merle called on the sat phone from Camp 1 to report that the team moved up to there today. The weather and conditions are good and if all goes well, they will move up to Camp 2 tomorrow.
—Eric
Ama Dablam Climbers Reach Base Camp
October 22, 2009
IMG leader Justin Merle reports that the Ama Dablam team is now at the base camp. After hiking to Everest BC and climbing Lobuche Peak for acclimatization, and a couple days of rest in Dingboche, they are all set and ready to start climbing.
Ang Pasang and Ang Tshering have the Ama Dablam BC all buffed out, and they will do their puja tomorrow, then start moving up. The loads for the upper camps are ready to start moving up by yaks to below the start of the South Ridge route. Justin reports the weather has been stable and the conditions look reasonably good.
—Eric Simonson
IMG Bhutan Trip Ends a Success
October 21, 2009
This time we got an email from IMG Bhutan leader, Mike Hamill. He said that everyone’s now in Thimpu, Bhutan’s capital city, and that all is well. Shopping and sightseeing are the order of the day prior to driving back to Paro. The only airport in country is in Paro and flights out are typically earlier in the morning so it’s just easier to spend the night there prior to heading for Bangkok.
They did it. 14 days on the trail and everyone came through without a scratch. Bhutan’s a special country, perhaps the most exotic travel destination in the world. If IMG goes back in 2010, don’t miss it. No one comes home unchanged.
Thanks to all our team members: Kim and John, Michael and Eboli, Sam and Sasha, Jean and Chuck. And remember, ‘gross national happiness.’
—Phil Ershler
Interested in exploring Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness yourself? Click for all the details »
25th Anniversary of Phil Ershler’s first Everest Summit
October 20, 2009
Today marks 25 years since Phil Ershler made the first American ascent of the North Face of Everest. His first Everest summit was achieved in a solo climb where his one and only oxygen bottle ran out on the upper mountain. He went on to the top, descended safely, and did it in 1984 when going to Everest was a bit like going to the moon.
Phil was on the cutting edge of high altitude mountaineering in those days. He led Bass and Well’s ’83 Everest trip, reached the summit of Kangchenjunga from the North in ’89, climbed to within a few hundred feet of the summit of K2 in ’90 w/o O2 (via the remote North Ridge). As members of several of those early American teams that ventured to the Himalayas, we remember clearly what it was like back then: no other teams on the mountain, no fixed ropes unless we put them in ourselves, no sherpas, no tourists, no sat phones, no rescue, no nothing!
In the years that followed those exploits, Phil has continued to distinguish himself as a remarkable mountain guide, who has personally led well over a hundred expeditions around the world and inspired a whole generation of guides and customers. All of us who have climbed and worked with him are continually amazed by his perseverance, good humor, even keel, and great judgment. He is a real asset for us here at IMG. Way to go, Phil!
—Eric Simonson and George Dunn
Read the full story and see more photos on Phil Ershler’s 25th Everest Anniversary Page »
IMG Bhutan Team Enjoying Himalayan Hot Springs
October 19, 2009
I talked to Mike late last evening, which means morning in Bhutan on the 19th. They’d just finished breakfast and were ready to leave for their final day of trekking. Last night was spent in Gaza (9750′) and included a soak in the hot springs there. They visited a large monastery in Gaza before dropping down to the hot springs . Other than the occasional blister, the team has done well. Perfect weather since getting soaked the first couple of days on the trail.
They’re heading now to Damji at about 7500′. One last night in a tent and they’ll be driving for Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan, on the 20th. No real need for a shower as they got clean at the Gaza hot spring. They’ll likely take one regardless at the Hotel Druk.
Phil Ershler
IMG Climbers Summit Lobuche Peak, Nepal
October 19, 2009
Justin Merle called on the sat phone to say the climbers successfully climbed Lobuche. He reports that the snow conditions were excellent up high and the weather has been good. They used about 400m of fixed rope going up to the ridge and had a nice summit day.
Now they have now descended down to Dingboche for a couple rest days before moving up to Ama Dablam BC.
Eric Simonson
IMG Bhutan Team in Laya at 12,600′
October 15, 2009
Another big day for the team trekking through Bhutan, and another very successful day. Up and over Sinche La at 16,400 feet and now in the village of Laya . Weather remains perfect with no signs of changing. The group has just walked back about 100 years in time. At 12,600 feet, Laya is a very special place. The women have a unique way of dressing and will show off their unique dances tomorrow evening for the team around a bonfire.
Two nights in Laya with a full day of rest now for the crew. There’s a school in town, and I’m sure the team will pay a visit tomorrow. The group will be talking about this part of the trek for a long time.
And most importantly, everyone is doing well. Strong and no major problems with the altitude. That’s huge. The hot springs of Gasa are now only a few days away.
Phil Ershler
IMG Bhutan Team at 13,900′
October 13, 2009
Talked to IMG lead guide, Mike Hamill yesterday. Weather has improved and all are doing well. No altitude issues and the team is handing the rigors of the trek well.
Yesterday would have been a long day, reaching the village of Shomuthang at about 13,900 ft. Next couple of days will again be about 8 hours of walking. They’ll be heading for Robluthang at 13,600 ft today and going over Jari La at just under 16,000 ft to get there. The views never cease to amaze. So far, so good.
Phil Ershler
IMG Himalayan Team in Dingboche, Nepal
October 13, 2009
IMG Leader Justin Merle reports from Dingboche that the team is doing well. Today they are enjoying a rest day, with some day hikes, the last internet contact for a few days, and hot showers.
The weather has been normal for the autumn trekking season, with sunny mornings for the most part, and afternoon clouds. The climbers have packed the Lobuche climbing gear to be taken straight to Lobuche BC, where they will head after the trip to Everest Base Camp. Tomorrow they head up the big hill of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, to Lobuche village. So far, so good!
Eric Simonson
Ama Dablam Update
October 10, 2009
IMG Leader Justin Merle reports from Namche Bazaar that everyone arrived yesterday in good shape. Today they visited the weekly market and did some acclimatization hiking. Everything is going well and the team expects to move up the valley tomorrow to Tengboche monastery.
Eric Simonson
