Aconcagua climbers move up to Camp 2

January 7th, 2025

: Departing Camp 1 on the way to Camp 2 (Stu Johnson)

: Camp 2 on Aconcagua (Stu Johnson)

: Sulfur pond below Camp 2 (Stu Johnson)

Stu Johnson checked in from Aconcagua to report that the team made a successful move up to Camp 2 (17,953 ft) where they are tucked in and doing well. Their plan is to take a well-deserved acclimatization and rest day tomorrow, before they do the final carry up to the high camp. If they want to do a short hike, maybe they can go visit a nearby sulfur deposit, indicative of Aconcagua’s volcanic history.

Vinson and Aconcagua teams moving up

January 6th, 2025

We talked to both Stu Johnson on Aconcagua and Max Bond on Vinson who have confirmed that their respective teams successfully moved up yesterday!

: Departing Camp 1 on the way to Camp 2 (Stu Johnson)

: Looking back down at Camp 1 (Stu Johnson)

: Looking up towards the Ameghino Col on the way to Camp 2 (Stu Johnson)

: Taking a break near the Ameghino Col (Mark Holman)

On Aconcagua the climbers moved up to Camp 1 (16,372 ft) and are doing well. Up next for the team will be a carry up to Camp 2 (about 17,953 ft), then descending back to Camp 1 for a second night there.

: The Twin Otter at Vinson BC with Mt Vinson in the background (Justin Merle)

: Getting close to Camp 1 (Justin Merle)

: On the way to Camp 1 looking down the Branscomb Glacier towards Vinson BC (Justin Merle)

On Mt Vinson the team moved to Camp 1 (about 9100 ft) and got all dug in and comfy. Next up for them is an active rest day as they evaluate the weather and prepare for the big move up to Camp 2.

All’s well down south!

Team arrives to Vinson Basecamp

January 4th, 2025

: Twin Otter is ready for takeoff (Max Bond)

: Team arrival at Vinson Basecamp (Max Bond)

Max Bond reports, “The cache was found and uncovered, the tents are set up, and the cook tent is on its way. All is good at Vinson Basecamp!”

Vinson team still on standby at Union Glacier

January 4th, 2025

: The view at Union Glacier (Porter McMichael)

: Hanging out at Union Glacier (Porter McMichael)

Max reports that the Vinson BC is still socked in, so the team are unable to fly over there from Union Glacier camp. They remain on standby waiting for the fog to lift at VBC. Yesterday the team did some training, including a review of how to use the fixed ropes. Then, they did a 10k hike on a marked trail around the Union Glacier BC to stretch out their legs. The Union Glacier camp is a pretty unique place to spend a few days, but it would be easier to get stuck there on the way out, rather than the way in! Rest assured, when the mountain says “yes” the team will be on their way. Until then, they bide their time.

Aconcagua climbers carry to Camp 1

January 4, 2025

: Plaza Argentina Base Camp at about 13800 ft (Stu Johnson)

: It looks like a great day for a hike to C1 (Stu Johnson)

: Heading up to Camp 1 from Plaza Argentina (Stu Johnson)

Stu reports that the team had a nice rest day yesterday at the 13,800 ft Plaza Argentina BC and everyone is doing well. Today the team will “climb high, sleep low” with a carry up to Camp 1 (16,372 ft) and then returning for another night at Base Camp. This is a great way to build some acclimatization before the team moves up to Camp 1 tomorrow. All’s well in Argentina!

Smooth flight last night into Union Glacier Basecamp

January 2nd, 2025

: The team with the 757 at Union Glacier (Max Bond)

: The Twin Otter on skis with the Basler BT-67 behind it (Max Bond)

: Camp at Union Glacier (Max Bond)

IMG Leader Max Bond reports that the team had a smooth flight last “night” (its 24 hour daylight!) into the Union Glacier Base Camp (79°46’05″S 83°15’42’W) in the Ellsworth Land area of Antarctica. The team were not able to continue on to the Vinson Base camp, so they erected their tents and spent the night there, enjoying the ALE facilities for dining and hanging out. Today the team loaded up the Twin Otter ski plane with their duffels and they have been waiting to fly to Vinson BC, but a persistent fog on the Branscomb Glacier has so far made that impossible. Oh well, they made it to The Ice and are in a perfect position for the next move over to the base of Mt Vinson!

Climbers reach Aconcagua Base Camp

January 2nd, 2025

: Getting close to basecamp (Stu Johnson)

: The team arrives to Aconcagua Base Camp (Stu Johnson)

Stu Johnson reports that the team had another nice day of hiking today, climbing 3500 feet to the Plaza Argentina Base Camp at about 13,800 ft. There were some scattered clouds and a mild breeze that kept the temperatures comfortable as they ascended the Relinchos River valley from the Casa de Piedra camp. Now the team is all set up at the comfortable Base Camp and are looking forward to a well-deserved rest day tomorrow. Well done team!

First Views Of Aconcagua

January 1, 2025

IMG leader Stu Johnson reports that the team is doing well and the weather has been great for the first two days of trekking on their way to Base Camp.

Trekking along the Vacas River on day 1 (Stu Johnson)

Yesterday the team followed the Vacas River to the Pampa de Leñas camp at about 9,700 ft.

: The gorgeous Southern Sky on New Years Eve at Pampa de Leñas (Stu Johnson)

Today they started the New Year with another nice day of hiking up to the Casa de Piedras camp at about 10,600 feet. From here they got their first good views of Aconcagua, looking up the Relinchos Valley.

First views of Aconcagua from the Casa de Piedras camp on day 2 (Stu Johnson)

Tomorrow they will ascend this valley to the Plaza Argentina Base Camp.

Vinson Climbers On The Way To The Ice!

January 1, 2025

Happy New Year! The weather cleared and the Vinson climbers are on the way!

Waiting for the flight to The Ice (Max Bond)

The flight in the 757 takes about 4.5 hours to Union Glacier, where they will land with rubber tires on a blue ice runway. Then, with any luck, they will change planes to the Twin Otter on skis, for the flight over to Vinson Base Camp on the Branscomb Glacier.

Boarding the flight to The Ice (Max Bond)

So far so good!

Punta hiking to the Lookout

December 31st, 2024

The Magellen Strait view from the lookout above Punta Arenas (Max Bond)

Max reports the team had a nice Punta Arenas hike today, as they wait for flyable weather. The team went to the “Mirador (lookout) Zapador Austral” in the Reserva Nacional Magallanes. Max says “ it was about 4 miles with 750’ of gain but a fun way to make use of the day! We hiked up into the subalpine meadows above Punta Arenas with good views of the Magellan Strait, and we could even see Magdalena Island (where we went to the penguin colony yesterday)”.