Vinson Team Wrap Up

January 25, 2022

: IMG Climber on the summit of Vinson in 2022 (Jonathan Schrock)

: Ridge climbing near the summit of Vinson (Jonathan Schrock)

: January Vinson Team on the Summit (Jonathan Schrock)

The Guides are home and we have been debriefing the final trip of another successful season in Antarctica.Â Jonathan Schrock sent in some great photos from the climb and we wanted to make sure we shared them with everyone.Â Our Vinson Dates for the 2022-23 season will be up soon and we look forward to working with you on your climb of the Vinson Massif in Antarctica!

: Summit Ridge (Jonathan Schrock)

: Looking down the summit ridge (Jonathan Schrock)

: Descending the fixed line (Jonathan Schrock)

Until next season on Vinson!

Moving to High Camp on Aconcagua

January 24, 2022

High Camp on Aconcagua (photo: Peter Bilodeau)

The IMG Aconcagua Team is breaking camp at Nido De Condores and heading uphill to High Camp, Camp Cholera at 19,500 feet.Â The team is feeling great and looking forward to moving into position for the summit.Â Nickel said the climbing between Camp 2 and Camp 3 is very nice with snow on the route which allowed the team to use crampons and have better footing.Â The weather is looking very good and the plan is to get some rest and an early start for the summit tonight!

All is well on Aconcagua!

High Winds above equals a rest day on Aconcagua

January 22, 2022

Lenticular over the summit (Nickel Wood)

Nickel checked in today with a simple message.Â “Very high winds above us today, so we are going to take a rest day at Nido de Condores.”Â The Team is working through some tough conditions today; however, they are making good decisions to hang tight and stay strong.Â After a couple good days of work and plenty of contingency, why push it?Â They have plenty of food and water; and when the wind picks up just a little bit, I bet this guide team has some stories that will bring laughter not regularly heard at Nido de Condores!

All is well on Aconcagua and if the weather allows, the team will carry to High Camp tomorrow!

Vinson Team holding at Union Glacier

January 21, 2022

: Union Glacier (Photo by Greg Vernovage)

: Union Glacier, Antarctica

IMG Lead Guide Jonathan Schrock checked in last night with hopes of flying back to Punta Arenas this morning.Â Weather happens in Antarctica and this morning, the call came in that flights would not be happening today.Â The result, bonus days on one of the most beautiful continents in the world!Â Union Glacier is rather “comfortable.”Â There is plenty to look at, places to walk around and great people to visit with.Â The team will keep us updated on any changing plans and we will look forward to getting them back to Punta Arenas and then home soon!

18,400 feet at Nido De Condores

January 21, 2022

A glowing Aconcagua (Peter Adams)

Martin “Tincho” Lucero on Aconcagua (Nickel Wood)

IMG Senior Guide Nickel Wood checked in by text and satellite phone this afternoon to let us know the team had a great move day into Nido de Condores (Camp 2 -18,400′) today.Â The team moved well and pulled in at about 4 hours to camp.Â They were taking it slow and will do the same as they build camp and get settled in.Â This is a nice jump and much more comfortable camp that Camp Canada.

The team will continue to build and fortify their camp today, drink tons of water and keep eating great meals prepared by the guide team.Â When we asked Nickel the plan for tomorrow, he said, “we are in no hurry right now and will see how we feel tonight and again in the morning.Â If we all feel great, we will carry to High Camp in order to get a taste for altitude above 19,ooo feet.Â If we feel like we could use a little more rest, we will stay in camp and do an active rest day.”Â That sounds like a great plan and we will look forward to hearing what the team does.Â With plenty of contingency built in on this trip, they can adjust plans so everyone continues to feel strong during the climb.

All is well on Aconcagua!

Carry to Nido De Condores on Aconcagua

January 20, 2022

Looking down at Plaza de Mulas from high on Aconcagua

IMG Senior Guide Nickel Wood just sent a message letting us know the team had fantastic climb to Nido De Condores Camp on Aconcagua today.Â It took the team a total of 5 hours round trip at a comfortable pace.Â They dropped their carry loads at approximately 18,000 feet, where they will set up camp next time up.

The weather continues to be in the teams favor and if everyone continues to acclimatize and feel strong they will move up tomorrow.Â With plenty of time built into the itinerary, they are not feeling any pressure to move fast and they will continue to make progress as the mountain and weather allow.

All is well on Aconcagua!

Aconcagua Team moves up to Camp Canada (16,500′)

January 19, 2022

Happy climbers as they arrive at Camp Canada (Nickel Wood)

The Aconcagua Team made the decision to take one more day at Plaza De Mulas Base Camp yesterday which paid off for the team.Â They had a great day climbing and the team made it into Camp Canada “looking strong.”Â IMG Senior Guide Nickel Wood called as the team was setting up camp and preparing to settle in for the night.Â After a few hours of rest, water and some food, the team will re-evaluate how they are doing and make a decision on tomorrows plans.Â The next camp, Nido de Condores (17, 244′) is a nice camp with more room and a reasonable next step in the climb of this mountain.

All is well on Aconcagua!

Vinson Summits!

January 19, 2022

Vinson Summit Panorama (Greg Vernovage)

Vinson summit ridge

We just received a phone call from IMG Senior Guide Jonathan Schrock from the summit of Vinson (16,067′)!Â All is well and a near perfect day of weather for the team today.Â The Team climbed well and are feeling great!Â They will enjoy a few more minutes on top before heading back to High Camp.Â Jonathan mentioned that IMG is the last team to stand on the summit of Vinson this season and it sounded like the patience of everyone paid off!

Congratulations to the Team and all is well on Vinson!

High Camp on Vinson

January 18, 2022

Panorama at High Camp showing Mt. Shinn on the right. (Photo by Rob Marshall)

Jonathan Schrock checked in from High Camp on Vinson just now.Â The team did great climbing to High Camp and are all feeling good.Â They are making dinner and will head to bed for a good night sleep.Â Jonathan will double check the weather and team in the morning and if everything lines up they will head to the summit!

All is well and we are sending our best to the team!

Great day making a carry to Camp Canada on Aconcagua

January 17, 2022

: Lenticular over the summit (Nickel Wood)

: Looking good as the team approaches Camp Canada on Aconcagua (Nickel Wood)

Climbing to Camp Canada1 on Aconcagua (Nickel Wood)

The Aconcagua Team checked in after returning from a great day of climbing to Camp Canada (16,500′).Â Nickel Wood said the team did well and everyone looks strong.Â Some of the best news is that everyone had a big appetite when they got back to Plaza De Mulas and enjoyedÂ spaghetti with beef marinara for lunch!

Sunset from Plaza De Mulas (Nickel Wood)

This was a big day to see how everyone was feeling and moving.Â The team also took the opportunity to get some personal and group water moved up the mountain. The Team is planning on making the move up to Camp Canada tomorrow.

It is nice to see everyone acclimatizing and all is well on Aconcagua!