December 10, 2009
After a successful summit the Vinson team made it back to Patriot Hills yesterday and is taking a well-deserved break to celebrate their summit… They just hope the break isn’t too long and visibility improves so flights off the ice resume to take them back to Punta Arenas, Chile and onto their homes for the holidays…
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
December 7, 2009
Phil called in this afternoon with great news – 100% on top of Vinson Massif (16,067ft)! The weather finally cooperated and gave them a “great summit day”.
They’ll pull back into Vinson Base Camp tomorrow where they’ll catch a flight back to Patriot Hills and hopefully connect soon thereafter to Punta Arenas, Chile.
All is well in Antarctica… Great job everybody!
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
More on Vinson Massif.
December 7, 2009
Phill called in yesterday to tell us that the team is dug in at High Camp (13,000ft) waiting out the cold, the clouds and the wind. It looks like the weather is going to turn and give them a chance at the summit today…Everybody is feeling strong and ready to stretch the legs.
If they do summit today they’ll head on down to Vinson Base Camp tomorrow.
Think warm thoughts…
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
December 3, 2009
Phil called in a bit ago and said that all is well on the ice. They carried to High Camp yesterday and are enjoying a day off today. They’ll head up to HC tomorrow and spend the night and if all goes as planned they’ll touch the top on Saturday. Everybody is doing great so we’ll wait for the call from Phil over the weekend…
Stay tuned…
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
December 2, 2009
Phil called in this morning to report that the team successfully carried to C1 yesterday in good form. It was about a 6 hour day in clear conditions – everybody is doing well. After a cold night last night they planned to carry to High Camp today and weather permitting they’ll take tomorrow as a rest day and head up to High Camp on Friday. All is well from C1 on Vinson!
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
December 1, 2009
Phil called in to report that his Vinson Team landed on the ice on the 28th an quickly made it to Vinson Base Camp. They spent the 29th organizing their gear then made a carry to C1 on the 30th in some great weather.
The plan is to move to C1 today weather permitting…
Stay tuned!
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
November 29, 2009
Phil Ershler called in at 9am Saturday the 28th, Punta Arenas time.
They just got the call, and the weather is a go, so they will be heading to the airport in one hour. The members are all excited and looking forward to a grand adventure.
The team was lucky to be delayed only one day by weather in Punta, which is way above the norm. All is well with the team.
-George Dunn
November 19, 2009
IMG Partner Phil Ershler breaks down some layering options for the alpine environment. Check it out and compare it to what you’ve got in your pack.
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
November 16, 2009
Received word over the weekend that our November Mexico team, led by Peter Anderson, had picked off another summit. Let’s see – that makes them two for two. Nice job, gang. Report had it that the weather was about as good as they were going to get. Stars a bunch, knock your socks off sunrise and views for as far as you could see. And everyone climbing with Peter, Oso and Fernando went right to the tippy top. Not easy for everyone but nothing worthwhile usually is.
The trip ended as it should. Everyone safe, great success and pretty happy about the whole week. Oh yeah, that plus a good steak dinner. Flights home were Sunday and now it’s time for everyone to get back to the office. And, of course, to start planning the next adventure.
Phil Ershler
November 12, 2009
Peter Anderson, IMG Senior Guide, reported in last night from the city of Puebla. Safety and success was the message. In Peter’s words, “we slayed the ‘sleeping lady’â€. ‘Sleeping lady’ is a name used for Ixtacciuatl. Even though the ascent from high camp wasn’t that long, it is a long day. Up to the summit, back to high camp, pack, walk back to the road and then drive to Puebla. But it’s all worthwhile with Ixta in the rear view mirror.
Today, the team’s off to the town of Tlachichuca. A nice lunch with our Mexican partners, the Reyes family, and then it’s off to the Piedre Grande refugio. Orizaba, their next objective, will be waiting for them early Friday morning.
Let’s hope the good news continues. One down and one to go.
Phil Ershler
