June 22, 2022 – Denali Team 6 led by Nickel Wood and Denali Team 7 led by Forrest Baldwin are both resting at 14,000 ft today with plans to ascend to 17,000ft camp in the coming days.
Climbers ascending Washburn’s thumb, en route to 17 Camp (Porter McMichael)
All is well on Denali!
June 22, 2022 – IMG leader Dustin Balderach reports that the team had a great tour around Cusco yesterday: “we checked out Saqsaywaman – some cool ruins over looking Cusco and the surrounding valley – as well a few other ruins up higher. A nice primer for Machu Picchu with the same amazing stone work. The tour had the added benefit of continued acclimatization as we were up around 12,500’ before dropping back down to our hotel in Cusco at 11,200’. After lunch we had the afternoon to relax, explore, and finish packing.”
Saqsaywaman ruins (Dustin Balderdach).
Where the wool comes from (Dustin Balderdach).
“This morning we are now heading out of town to the Sacred Valley and will be staying close to the Inca Trail trailhead tonight. The group is feeling good and are excited to hit the trail early tomorrow morning.â€
Inca Trail Team Overlooking Cusco (Dustin Balderach).
June 21, 2022 – After a two-year hiatus, we are happy to be back to Peru! IMG leader Dustin Balderach reports from Cusco that our first Inca Trail trek is off to a good start: “We just finished up a fantastic dinner here in Cusco with a fun and entertaining group. The team is happy, healthy, and everyone arrived with all their luggage. Great start! Tour of Cusco tomorrow morning to continue our acclimatizationâ€.
Inca Trail Team 1 in Cusco (Dustin Balderach).
With an elevation of approx. 3400m / 11,200 ft at Cusco, it’s important to take a couple easy days before starting the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. Cusco was the capital of the Incas and with all the incredible antiquities in the area, it makes for some enjoyable acclimatization. All’s well in Cusco!
Plaza de Armas in central Cusco (Eric Simonson)
Intricate stonework in Cusco (Eric Simonson).
Eric Simonson
Climbers ascending Washburn’s thumb, en route to 17 Camp (Porter McMichael)
June 19, 2022 Fair weather on Denali has allowed efficient progress for our last two teams. Team 6, led by Nickel Wood is carrying food and fuel to 17 Camp today and will return to 14 Camp tonight. Team 6 joined them at 14 Camp yesterday after moving up from 11 Camp. Nice work from our teams on the tallest peak in North America!
June 17, 2022 – Denali Team 7, led by Forrest Baldwin, flew onto the Lower Kahiltna Glacier from Talkeetna on Wednesday the 15th. They have begun to move up the mountain and are not far behind Team 6. Team 6 arrived at 14 Camp today. All is well for our last two teams on the mountain of 2022!
IMG Team 7 Prepared to fly onto Denali (Forrest Baldwin)
The world is finally starting to travel again, and the recent news that USA will no longer require a Covid test for travelers returning home will make things even easier.
Climbers celebrate on the top of Cotopaxi (Drew OBrien)
The following 2022 IMG International programs are CONFIRMED to run!
Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu – June 20, June 29
Kilimanjaro – June 20, July 18, September 19, December 20
Bolivia – July 17 and October 15
Manaslu – September 2
Mera Peak -October 17
Ama Dablam – October 17 (can also combine with Mera for acclimatization)
Nepal 3X3 Trek with Lobuche Peak – October 17
Mexico Volcanoes – November 4
Ecuador Volcanoes – November 5 and January 20
Aconcagua – December 1, 7, 27, 29
Mt Vinson – December 29
Climbers ascend to Camp 2 on Ama Dablam (Kevin Kayl).
We look forward to working with you and getting back into the mountains!
Sunset on Makalu and Chamlang as seen from Mera Peak (Eric Simonson).
IMG International Expeditions
June 13, 2022 – Denali Team 6, led by Nickel Wood, flew on to the Kahiltna Glacier from Talkeetna late last night. After a long day of weather delays, the weather cleared for a flight and the team begun their ascent early this morning, camping at 7,300′. Team 7 arrives in Talkeetna today and will be close behind Team 6 in the coming days.
Team 6 at the Talkeetna Airport (Nickel Wood).
June 7, 2022 – Our Custom Denali Team 5, led by Willie Webster, summited Denali on June 5, bringing the entire team to the summit in beautiful weather. The team enjoyed stellar views and clear skies. They’ve begun their descent and continue down the mountain.
This wraps our May Denali programs, with 5/5 reaching the summit. Congratulations to all of our hardworking climbers and guides, and stay tuned as our June Denali programs depart in the coming days.
Looking down the fixed ropes towards 14 Camp (Eric Simonson)
June 4, 2022 – Congratulations to Denali Team 4, led by Nicole Sims, on their successful summit of the tallest peak in North America on Friday, June 3. The team has safely returned to 17,000 ft and is beginning their descent today. Close behind Team 4 is Custom Denali Team 5 led by Willie Webster. They have moved to 17,000 ft camp and are staging for their summit attempt in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Denali Teams 2 and 3 have all made it safely back to Talkeetna, congratulations to them for a successful expedition!
The West Buttress Route from an airplane
June 2, 2022 – Congratulations to Denali Team 2, led by Rowan Stewart, and Denali Team 3, led by Keith Rumburg, on their successful summits of Denali! Both teams summited in clear and relatively warm weather yesterday, collaborating to get both teams to the summit. Team 2 has returned to 14,000 feet to rest, and Team 3 will begin their descent today. Team 1, led by Nickel Wood, has wrapped up their post-trip logistics and has returned to Anchorage for their imminent departure.
Team 4 (Nicole Sims) – 17,000 feet
Team 5 (Willie Webster) – 14,000 feet
All is well on Denali!
Climbing on the West Buttress with Mt Foraker behind (Eric Simonson)
