October 10, 2009

It’s a wrap, in this case a Kilimanjaro wrap.  The final group of the fall season is on their way home.  Everyone had a fantastic time on safari. Within four hours of touching down in the Serengeti, they’d seen giraffes, leopard and cheetah.  Just before dusk, they watched close up as two lions took down a cape buffalo. In fact, one of the lions ran right past the Land Cruisers to get it!

Reports from the team are that camps and lodges were outstanding. Drivers Emmanuel and Simba were first rate, and no one got eaten. I think we have some pretty excited and pretty satisfied climbers.  Well done, gang.

Want some Kili bragging rights and lion near-misses of your own?

Phil Ershler

October 9, 2009

All IMG Kilimanjaro trips for the winter of 2010 already full?  Has demand outpaced supply by that much?  Impossible but true.  That means we need another Kilimanjaro date for January 2010.  It’s official – IMG is posting a new departure for Kilimanjaro – January 3-17, 2010.  Even better than a new date is the fact that IMG Senior Guide, Mike Hamill, is leading.  Currently, Mike’s in Bhutan leading an IMG trek and is anxious to return to Africa again this year to lead a couple of IMG Kilimanjaro climbs. 

This new date means lots of space for family and friends.  Book now before this departure fills, too.  Kilimanjaro with IMG – what a great way to start off the new year!

Read about an IMG Kili Trip in the New York Times.

October 5, 2009

After a sat phone battery issue, we now have good news from Africa.  John Colver and the entire IMG team have now seen the snows of Kilimanjaro from the very top, climbed back safely to high camp, headed down and have already reached the showers and hamburgers of the Keys Hotel.  When the team reached the Mweka gate, they had a big ceremony to tip all the Chagga porters and staff. And upon returning to the hotel, the team put together used pieces of gear and clothing and donated it to all the Chagga who had worked so hard to help ensure their safety, success and enjoyment on the mountain. 

A team outperforms an individual every time and we had another great team for this climb.  Well done, gang.  Bill even returned to the Mweka gate to meet the team when they descended.  What a classy thing to do.  Now, they’re all together and ready for their flight to the Serengeti.  Safari, ho!

Phil Ershler

October 4, 2009

Just received a call from John Colver and the IMG Kilimanjaro team at Barafu Camp.  Boots are on, hot drinks finished and it’s time to climb.  Clear night, big full moon and a dusting of new snow on the ground.  Conditions are pretty close to perfect for an ascent.  It will be a long day but a rewarding one.  No guts, no glory.  When you next check the blog, we should have word of another successful IMG ascent of Kilimanjaro.

Phil Ershler

October 3, 2009

Another morning here in Seattle and another update from John Colver, leading the IMG team currently on Kilimanjaro.  Karanga Camp is the current location. 

They’ll spend a nice evening at 13,500 ft and wake up ready to head for high camp at Barafu.  It’s a short day to Barafu, 3 hours going slow.  That allows the team to have an easy day going to high camp and arrive early, around noon.  Then it’s time to pack, eat, drink and prep for the summit climb.  The climb’s going to start before their day even ends.  Wake up around 11 pm, quick breakfast with hot drinks and then it’s time to start walking.  Up, up, up.  That then it’s only down, down, down. 

Team is well, strong and ready for the big push.  A little luck with the weather and they’ll knock it off.

Phil Ershler

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