January 11, 2023- Porter McMichael, IMG’s Senior Guide in Ecuador reporting that the Ecuador team has has a successful summit of Imbabura. With Fuya Fuya and now Imbabura under their belts, the team is well-acclimatized and ready to begin their Cayambe attempt.
All is well in Ecuador. Good luck Porter and team!
IMG’s Ecuador team acclimatizes on Imbabura prior to their Cayambe attempt. (Porter McMichael)
On the upper reaches of Imbabura (Porter McMichael)
Jan 10, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Jonathan Schrock called from Aconcagua Base Camp to report that Aconcagua Team 2 was turned around in challenging climbing conditions yesterday during their summit attempt. The team was forced to return to high-camp after encountering deep snow, turning around at about 21,000ft. The team gave it their all, and with a hard effort under their belt, they are safely down at the base camp on the West side of Aconcagua. The team will fly via helicopter back to the trailhead in the coming days and return to Mendoza.
IMG Team 3, let by Jason Tanguay, is at Camp 2 waiting out the current windy conditions and hoping for a summit attempt later in the week. All is well in Argentina!
IMG climbers above high-camp on Aconcagua (Jonathan Schrock)
IMG Climbers take a break from breaking trail in deep snow (Jonathan Schrock)
Jan 10, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael checked in from Ecuador reporting that the team has had a busy couple of days. Yesterday the team hiked to a historical equator marker from the 1700s (pictured) before having a scenic lunch on their way from Quito to Otovalo. The team had a restful night in the picturesque Otovalo and woke up early to acclimatize on the nearby Fuya Fuya (14,000ft). While the team was turned around due to stormy weather, they enjoyed the scenery and position the mountain had to offer. Tomorrow the team will attempt Imbabura, their final preparatory hike before attempting Cayambe. All is well in Ecuador!
IMG climbers ascend Fuya Fuya in the mist (Porter McMichael)
The team poses by a historic equatorial marker from the 1700s (Porter McMichael)
Jan 10, 2023 –
IMG Chief Guide Justin Merle and our winter Vinson team report that all is well in the Southern Hemisphere. Yesterday, they said their goodbyes to Antarctica made it safely back to Punta Arenas at the tip of South America. The team had a successful expedition, with all team members standing on top of the tallest point in Antarctica, enjoying surprisingly warm weather. This wraps another successful season in Antarctica and on Vinson Massif.
The view from Vinson Base Camp (Justin Merle)
The IMG 2023 Vinson Team stands on the summit of Vinson (Justin Merle)
The IMG Vinson team boards the small engine plane to return to Union Glacier (Justin Merle)
January 9, 2023
IMG Ecuador team above Quito (Romulo Cardenas)
Our January Ecuador team has all arrived in Quito successfully. The team spent their day touring around the city visiting local museums and churches including La Basilica Del Voto Nacional. In the next few days, the teams will continue their trip with acclimatization hikes of Fuya Fuya and Imbabura before starting their attempt on Cayambe.
For more updates follow along on IMG’s blog or social media!
Audrey Simonson
Jan 6, 2023 – Senior Guide Jonathan Schrock called to report that Aconcagua Team 2 reached Camp 2 today. Tonight the team will rest at the nearly 18,000ft camp, resting and acclimatizing for the days ahead. Jonathan reported that the weather was good, light snow has been falling all day.
Senior Guide Jason Tanguay called to report that his team reached Camp 1 today. They will rest today, and begin their move to Camp 2 in the coming days by starting with a “carry” where the team carries their gear to the next camp, then returning to the lower camp to rest and recover that night.
Aconcagua Team 3 approaches camp 1 on Aconcagua (Jason Tanguay)
Jan 4, 2023 – IMG Chief Guide Justin Merle checked in from Vinson High Camp last night to report that the team had a successful summit day, with everyone standing on top of Vinson Massif. From Justin:
We’re on the summit, gloves off nice weather, good times!
The team made it safely back to High Camp and will be descending back to
Vinson Base Camp in the coming days.
All is well in Antarctica!
IMG Climber on the summit of Vinson in 2022 (Jonathan Schrock)
Jan 4, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Jonathan Schrock checked in last night from Plaza Argentina Base Camp to report that the team had a successful carry to Camp 1, and today the team will move up to Camp 1 today. Camp 1 rests at about 16,370ft and will be the first of 3 camps that the team will utilize on their ascent to the top of South America.
IMG Senior Guide Jason Tanguay checked in from Plaza Argentina Base Camp saying that the team enjoyed a clear hike to the 13,800ft camp, and the team will rest today and prepare for their carry to Camp 1 tomorrow morning. All is well in Argentina!
IMG Aconcagua Team 2 approaches Camp 1 on Aconcagua (Jonathan Schrock)
January 3, 2023
Jonny Schrock and Jason Tanguay, IMG Senior Guides leading Aconcagua Teams 2 and 3 both reporting in today as their teams make their ways up Aconcagua. Jonny’s Team 2 is making a carry to Camp 1 and will descend back to Base Camp to rest and continue acclimatizing at Plaza Argentina. Jason Tanguay and Team 3 are arriving in Aconcagua Base Camp today. All is well in Argentina!
A mule team descends beneath an impressive, crystal-clear view of Aconcagua. (Jonny Schrock)
Jan 3, 2023
The Vinson Massif climbing team is staged at High Camp and ready to make their summit bid, reports IMG Chief Guide Justin Merle. Wish our team luck as they head to the Top of the Bottom in the coming days. All is well in Antarctica!
Panoramic view from High Camp on Mt Vinson, Antarctica. (Rob Marshall)
