January 22, 2020

Chimborazo (Jay Lyons)

Jay and Romulo called in from Ecuador a bit ago. Close but no cigar was the message. Guys worked HARD but the summit was not to be.  Chimborazo is a big, physically demanding mountain. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. Good news – everyone’s down and with 10 fingers and toes. No guts, no glory and you guys took a serious run at this thing. They’ll now enjoy the last of their time in Ecuador and everyone will be heading home shortly.

Ecuador has become a hugely popular trip for IMG and rightly so. The mountains, country and people are sensational. And IMG’s Romulo Cardenas is as good as they come. After working with two IMG groups and an IMG Custom trip in the last couple of months, he’s deserving of a break. I now probably have to bring him up here this spring to work on his water skiing. Regardless, he will be ready and raring to go with all our groups again next season. And thanks to the IMG guides who join Romulo each season who go down because they love the trip as much as our IMG climbers do.

Thanks, Romulo, Rikki, Jay, and to all our climbers.  Nicely done!

Phil Ershler

January 19, 2020

Jay called me last evening after the team’s attempt on Cotopaxi. No summit. Weather wasn’t good when they woke up, so they delayed departure for a bit. Still wasn’t great, but they finally decided to take a shot. 17,500’, more or less, and they were just too wet with no real hope in sight. Discretion being the better part of valor, they made a u-turn and came down. Some members will head home now while others will stay and attempt Chimborazo.

Chimborazo (Luke Reilly)

I’m hoping the weather allows another solid attempt and that the climbers can stay strong for one more summit. Let’s see, and we’ll wish them luck.

Phil Ershler