January 27, 2023-
IMG’s Aconcagua Team 4 arrived in Penitentes yesterday. Today, the team is making the 3-4 hour hike to Confluencia at 10,826′ on their way to Plaza De Mulas base camp. All is well in Argentina!
IMG Aconcagua Team 4 in Pentitentes. (Keith Rumburg)
January 26, 2023
With the entire January Ecuador team back in the US after another excellent trip down there, we are excited to announce our Winter 2023/2024 Ecuador Volcano dates! Next winter, our dates will be as follows:
Classic Cayambe & Antisana Program
Trip 1Â Â Â Â November 2-13, 2023
Trip 2Â Â Â Â January 4-15, 2024
Optional Chimborazo Extension
Immediately following the Classic Program
Trip 1Â Â Â Â November 14-17, 2023
Trip 2Â Â Â Â January 16-19, 2024
We absolutely love running the program in Ecuador in conjunction with Romulo Cardenas, who we have been working with for nearly 40 years! Romulo brings a local knowledge and experience in Ecuador that is unparalleled and when combined with an addition IMG guide from the US, you have the perfect guide team to create the trip of a life time! The Ecuador trip starts with several days of acclimatizing and sight seeing in Quito and nearby Otovalo. The next 2 days are the first two shorter acclimatization climbs of the trip on Fuya Fuya and Imbabura. These climbs makes for great acclimatization at nearly 15,000ft and feature fun, challenging scrambling. After this, climbers are ready to embark on their first climb of Cayambe at nearly 19,000ft. After Cayambe, we have historically climbed Cotopaxi, however, with Cotopaxi currently erupting, both of our winter trips this year opted to climb nearby Antisana. Everyone loved Antisana as it is both technical and beautiful making for a much more engaging climb. If you choose to add Chimborazo, then you will head South to the tallest mountain in Ecuador and attempt to climb to the 20,500ft summit. This trip truly has something for everyone!
Check out our website for more information!
Photo: IMG Guide Porter McMichael descending on Antisana with an IMG Climber (Romulo Cardenas)
Photo: The January 2023 Ecuador team on the summit of Antisana (Romulo Cardenas)
January 25, 2023-
IMG Senior Guide Keith Rumburg checking in today to let us know Aconcagua Team 4 is in Mendoza making their final preparations. Yesterday and today have been bustling with activity: gear checks, food shopping, packing, and making sure all permits are in order. Tomorrow the team will make their move to Uspallata.
All is well in Argentina!
January 23, 2023
IMG climbers in front of Mojanda Lake (Romulo Cardenas)
Chimborazo (Photo: Jorge Anhalzer)
Our final Ecuador team of the 2022-2023 climbing season departed Quito today after a fun and successful expedition. From visiting new sights in the city to reaching their high points, the team enjoyed their time in South America.
If you’re interested in joining us in 2023/2024 in Ecuador, stay up to date by checking out our social media and website!
Audrey Simonson
Jan 21, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael called to inform us that the team has returned safely back to Quito. The team was unable to summit due to avalanche conditions. They climbed to about 19,000ft this morning before being forced to make the call to return back to the lower mountain. Despite the challenging conditions, the team enjoyed clear views and good weather and were glad to make an attempt.
The IMG team approaches Chimborazo (Porter McMichael)
IMG Guide Porter McMichael climbs on Chimborazo.
Chimborazo in the distance (Porter McMichael)
The team will celebrate their expedition tonight and depart in the coming days. All is well in Ecuador!
Jan 20, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael checked in from Ecuador, reporting that the team is enjoyed a quiet rest day exploring the area surrounding Quito yesterday. Today, the team began their ascent of Chimborazo and climbed to the Whymper Hut at nearly 16,000ft. From here, the team will make a summit attempt in the morning, hoping to stand on top of the nearly 21,000ft peak. Stay tuned for more!
The IMG Ecuador team takes a rest day, exploring a historic Inca Site (Porter McMichael)
Jan 18, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Jason Tanguay reported that the team has made it back safely to Mendoza. After their summit on Saturday, the team had an uneventful descent back to Plaza De Mulas. The team enjoyed a hot meal and champagne and was able to catch a helicopter flight back to the trailhead soon after. After a great night of sleep in real beds, the team enjoyed a celebratory dinner in Mendoza before parting ways.
Looking towards the summit of Aconcagua from Camp 2 (Jason Tanguay)
The team celebrates their success upon their arrival back to Plaza De Mulas (Jason Tanguay)
The view from Aconcagua (Jason Tanguay)
Our final Aconcagua Team 4 begins their trip on Jan 24, stay tuned for updates on their progress.
Jan 17, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael called to report that the Ecuador team stood on top of Antisana (18,875 ft) early this morning. The team enjoyed clear, cold, windless conditions, climbing through the early morning to stand on top of the stunning peak. The team heads to IMG Guide Romulo’s house this evening for an authentic Ecuadorian meal and some of the team will continue on in the coming days to attempt Chimborazo.
The IMG Ecuador Team climbs Antisana this morning (Porter McMichael)
The IMG Ecuador Team stands on top of Antisana (Porter McMichael)
All is well in Ecuador!
January 16, 2023
IMG Aconcagua Team 3 on the summit! (Jason Tanguay)
We are happy to report that our third Aconcagua team reached the summit earlier today! The group had decent weather and a great climb to the top. Now they will descend back to Plaza de Mulas and catch their helicopter ride back to Mendoza!
For more expedition updates, keep following along on our blog and social media.
Audrey Simonson
Jan 14, 2023 – Big news from both of our teams in South America! Senior Guide Porter McMichael to report that the entire Ecuador team stood on top of Cayambe this morning in a thick cloud. The team had a safe descent back to their low camp and will continue on their expedition tomorrow with Antisana in their sights in the coming days.
IMG Ecuador stands on top of Cayambe this morning (Porter McMichael)
Senior Guide Jason Tanguay reported that the entire Aconcagua Team 3 stood on top of Aconcagua this morning. The team climbed through snowy conditions and stood on top of South America, enjoying a few minutes of the thin air before returning safely back to high camp. The team will descend to Plaza de Mulas tomorrow morning and hope to fly back to the trailhead tomorrow.
