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!

Vinson Team is holding tight

January 15, 2022

Looking down to low camp from high camp (Photo: Pat McCrann)

IMG Senior Guide Jonathan Schrock sent a message this afternoon to let us know the team is doing great and our camp has been fortified to handle any of the wind that might come through tonight.Â The word from High Camp was “strong winds and no movement today.”Â Our Team at Low Camp experienced light winds but did see lenticulars forming around the summit of Vinson.Â Low Camp is a great place to hold tight and be patient for this very reason.Â No need to head uphill, build camp and suffer in the wind when we can hang tight down low, acclimatize and prepare for the move.

The team is in great spirits and we will look forward to hearing an update tomorrow and the plan for the coming days.

All is well on Vinson!

Cotopaxi Summits!

January 15, 2022

January Ecuador Team on the summit of Cotopaxi (Kim Sieradzki)

Fresh snow on the route of Cotopaxi (Kim Sieradzki)

IMG Guide Kim Sieradzki checked in to let us know the weather was amazing and the team had a great climb of Cotopaxi this morning.Â With a light blanket of fresh snow on the route, worked their way up the mountain with next to no wind and beautiful skies.

Last break before the summit on Cotopaxi at sunrise (Kim Sieradzki)

Right on schedule, the sun started coming up at the last rest break before the summit.Â With the sun coming up and perfect weather, the team gathered together and celebrated their success while enjoying the views and the crater of Cotopaxi (19,347″).

Cotopaxi Summit looking into the crater (Kim Sieradzki)

Congratulations to the team on their summit of Cotopaxi!

Aconcagua Team reaches Plaza De Mulas

January 15, 2022

Sunset at Camp Confluencia (Nickel Wood)

Plaza de Mulas (Jonathan Farnsworth)

IMG Senior Guide Nickel Wood checked in this afternoon to let us know the team did great today and are now settling into Base Camp at Plaza De Mulas (13,976).Â Nickel said the team made great time and pulled into Base Camp from Concluencia in 8 hours and had nice weather for the trek.Â Taking that additional day to acclimatize at Confluencia certainly payed off for the team.Â Everyone is in great spirits and Nickel mentioned this team is really getting along well.

The team will get a good night sleep and evaluate the team and route conditions in the morning.Â Getting to Base Camp is a big step and we can now look more closely at how the team will approach carries and moving up the mountain.

All is well on Aconcagua!