Archive for February, 2010

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IMG KILIMANJARO TEAM HAS A SUPER BOWL SUMMIT

February 8, 2010

Congrats for IMG guide Eben Reckord and the Kili crew, who called on the satellite phone from the crater rim, with news of their success.   Eben reports that the climb went well, with 10 of 12 members reaching Uhuru Peak, the top of Africa.  Before signing off, they wanted to know the score of the Super Bowl.  Congrats to both teams!  A long descent today brought the Kili crew all down to Mweka Camp, at about 11,000 feet, where the team is now enjoying thick air, a fine dinner from our Chagga cook team, and an incredibly satisfying and well deserved rest tonight.  Tomorrow morning they will be heading down through the forest to the Mweka Gate and the hotel in Moshi.

Eric Simonson

Kilimanjaro Summit Feb 7

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Kilimanjaro Climbers Reach Barranco Camp

February 5, 2010

IMG guide Eben Reckord reports by satellite phone that the IMG team had a good trip up from Shira, passing below the Lava Tower (over 14,000 feet) and then dropping down into the Great Barranco and the campsite at about 13,000 feet.  From the Barranco Camp the members look down on the town of Moshi and up at the Breach Wall, one of the most famous features of Kilimanjaro, first ascended by Reinhold Messner and Konrad Renzler in 1978.  Tomorrow the team ascends the steep trail to the east, climbing out of the canyon and traversing below the hanging glaciers.  So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Kilimanjaro - Great Barranco

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And They’re Off

February 5, 2010

Team leader, Mike Hamill, just called in from Casa Piedre.  The crew is now 2 days into their 3 day trek to base camp.  Casa Piedre is around 10,000’.  This is where the team gets their first really good view of the mountain.  The word is – so far, so good.  It’s been clear and sunny but a tad on the breezy side.  Probably a good thing they’re not high on the mountain now.  People above are probably getting a bit blasted.  But breezy works just fine during the approach.  They’ll cross the Vacas River first thing in the morning and then head up the Relinchos River to base camp.  That’s when we should hear next from Mike.  These early days are critical to a good acclimatization process.  And Mike reports that everyone is doing well.  That’s about all we can ask for now.

Phil Ershler

Aconcagua - Casa Piedre

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February Kilimanjaro Team Reaches The Shira Plateau

February 4, 2010

IMG guide Eben Reckord reports that all is well with the February IMG Kilimanjaro team.  After two days of climbing through the forest and scrub of the lower slopes of the mountain, the team has now reached the expansive Shira Plateau, at about 12,000 feet.  This wide volcanic plateau covers the southwest side of the mountain, and marks the beginning of the long traverse the team will make around the south side of Kilimanjaro.  The next three days will be excellent acclimatization and is some of the most spectacular high altitude hiking anywhere in the world.  From Shira, they trek east below the glaciers and ice falls to Barranco, Karanga, and Barafu camps!  We’ll keep you posted on the team’s progress.

Eric Simonson

Shira Plateau, Kilimanjaro

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Let The Walking Begin

February 2, 2010

Climbing is easy.  Travel is tough.  And, if that’s true, the current Aconcagua trip should be great!  All the crew arrived on time and with all the luggage.  Securing the permit in Mendoza was an easy process, and the team’s already in Penitentes.  That’s the base of the mountain and where the gang is now doing their final gear sort and making up loads for the mules.  Nice to have the mules to take the group gear into base camp at about 13,600 ft.  IMG Senior Guides, Mike Hamill and Greg Vernovage are being joined by Martin, our Argentine guide, and our IMG Operations Manager, Tye Chapman, and our group of 9 climbers.  That’s a full boat!

I’ll bet many of you have spoken with Tye on the phone or traded emails with him regarding an IMG program.  And how about Mike?  Remember seeing him featured on Show 3 of this year’s Discovery Channel Everest program?  And then there’s Greg.  Nothing like having a guide climbing with you who was the coach of the US Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team that competed in the Sydney Olympic games!  Oh yeah, did I mention they won the GOLD?

We really do have a super team on Aconcagua right now and we’ll keep you posted on their progress.  Remember, no news is good news.  IMG guides tend to be more focused on climbing than blogging but we’ll get the news out as soon as they check back in.  It’s time now for them to do a bit of walking!

Phil Ershler

A Little Walking To Do

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