Archive for September, 2012

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Kili Team Summits Then Eats Too Much

September 30, 2012

The elephant in the room.

Chris called in Sunday morning from the Keys Hotel in Moshi to let us know everyone summitted and was safely down and off the mountain. They had way too much for lunch and dinner and were heading for bed.  A few rounds of beers and the handing out of summit certificates rounded out the evening.

No more getting up early and having to hike.  Now, it’s a function of getting up, having a nice breakfast, throwing a few things in the Land Cruisers and enjoying the best game viewing East Africa has to offer.  They’ll probably tell a few ‘war stories’ about the climb while snapping photos of that lion.

Phil Ershler

Posted in Kilimanjaro | Comments Off

Into A Crevasse…On Purpose

September 28, 2012

Last week we put together an Intro To Mountaineering Course for a few Outdoor Research product managers and designers. They spent day 1 leaning the basics (ice axe arrest, cramponing, etc.). The second day they went out onto the Nisqually Glacier for an up close encounter with a crevasse.

Below is a note and a couple photos Kendra sent our way – sounds like they had a good time!

Tye Chapman

–

From: Kendra
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 9:51 AM
To: Tye Chapman
Subject: Thank You

We would like to give a huge THANK YOU to IMG Guides Emily Johnston and Austin Shannon for an amazing experience on our Intro To Mountaineering Course.  It was an experience none of us will ever forget.  Emily was an exceptional instructor teaching us self arrest with our ice axes and how to “walk like a monkey down a hill” with our crampons.    We had such a great time with many laughs throughout both days.

The second day, when Austin joined us, was sweet!  Having the opportunity to repel down a crevasse and ice climb out was absolutely awesome.  Never having ice climbed before I have to admit that I was absolutely terrified, however both Emily and Austin were very comforting and professional easing each of us into the situation.  It was so amazing I had to go down into the crevassse a second time.  This was such a great opportunity for our product team to get out  and use our product on a glacier with professional mountain guides to gain valuable feedback.

Seriously, this was such an incredible two days and we are so grateful for the IMG team to allow us such an amazing opportunity.  Next year….we summit!

Thank you for everything and we hope you continue to love and use the Outdoor Research product.

Thanks,

Kendra Brandenburg
Outdoor Research
Product Manager – Headwear

Posted in Gear Q & A, Guide Features, Mt. Rainier | Comments Off

Summit Morning For Kili Team

September 28, 2012

First glimpse of sunrise

IMG Senior Guide, Chris Meder, and team should be waking up shortly and beginning their push to the summit of Kilimanjaro.  One of the benefits of doing the climb in seven days is that the team gets to high camp at Barafu quite early in the day, allowing them time to organize, eat, hydrate and get a reasonable amount of sleep.  All the members will be taking a shot tonight.  They’re nervous, like before a big game, but ready.  We’ll let you know when we know.

Phil Ershler

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Climbers Back To Kathmandu

September 27, 2012

The Manaslu team flew back to Kathmandu by helicopter today, and the sherpa team are on their way out to Arughat with the porters.  Great to know everyone is safe and sound.  Manaslu was tough expedition, but by all accounts Mike, Peter, and the IMG climbers and sherpas did a heroic job participating in the rescue after the avalanche at Camp 3.  Well done, team.  As someone much wiser than me once said:  we may love the mountains, but they don’t care about us.  For next year we will be hoping that the Chinese reopen Cho Oyu!

Eric Simonson

 

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Grandeur Of Kilimanjaro

September 27, 2012

The Kili Team

From: Chris Meder
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 5:39 AM (Tanzania)
To: Phil Ershler; Eric Simonson
Subject: Grandeur of Kilimanjaro

Another spectacular day of hiking here in Tanzania.  The morning challenge of the Barranco wall led us to an up close look at the southern glaciers of Kilimanjaro.  Always a stunning sight.  We had a great hot lunch at Karanga camp, and minds are starting to turn towards summit day.  Tomorrow is a short day to reach high camp and then it’s time for the main event!  The group is feeling good, primed and ready.

Chris Meder

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At Barranco Camp

September 26, 2012

Approaching Lava Tower

From: Chris Meder
Date: September 27, 2012 7:36:34 AM PDT (Tanzania)
To: Phil Ershler, Eric Simonson
Subject: At Barranco Camp

Phil & Eric,

The group did well on the climb to Lava Tower today.  The weather pattern has changed a bit since the last trip, meaning less clouds in the afternoon which is nice.  Fun walking today with the descent through the crazy vegetation.  A few headaches in the group but that’s to be expected on the first trip above 14,000 feet.  Now we’re at Barranco camp enjoying the stunning surrounds, some tea and popcorn.

Chris Meder

Posted in Kilimanjaro | Comments Off

On The Way To Shira Camp

September 25, 2012

Traverse into Shira Camp

From: Chris Meder
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 6:21 AM, (Tanzania)
To: Phil Ershler; Eric Simonson
Subject: On the way to Shira camp

Phil & Eric,

We had great weather again today on the climb to Shira camp. Everyone is enjoying the views.  The group was sad to say goodbye to one team member who elected to go down early, but everyone is doing well.  Here’s a photo from the traverse into Shira camp.  Tomorrow we have a long but exciting day, hiking to just under 15000 feet to Lava Tower on the way to Barranco camp.

The group is anticipating the “Zone of Weird Plants” along the way.

Chris Meder

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Manaslu Climbers Heading For Home

September 25, 2012

IMG leader Mike Hamill reports from Base Camp:  ”The team is doing well and in good spirits considering the events of the past few days. We had a lengthy team meeting today and have decided to leave the mountain for several reasons including continued unstable conditions high on the mountain.  The Sherpa are headed up to C2 early tomorrow morning to bring down the remaining gear and they plan to be back to Base Camp around 10am so we can pack before lunch and head down early afternoon. We’ll spend the night in Sama and fly to Kathmandu the next morning”.

Eric Simonson

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A Nice Walk To Machame Camp

September 24, 2012

The crew at the trailhead

One down and one to go.  That’s IMG Senior Guide Chris Meder’s mantra right now.  He picked up the second IMG Kilimanjaro team for September the same evening he helped the first crew board their flights home.  We lucked out again with all members arriving (more or less) on time and with all luggage.  Always a nice way to start a trip.

Chris called me this morning (evening his time) to let us know that the crew completed the first day’s hike and had just finished dinner at Machame Camp (10,000 ft).  He reported beautiful weather for walking in the morning.  Blue skies and views of the summit through the trees during their walk.  Nice!

Phil Ershler

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IMG Climbers Return To Base Camp

September 23, 2012

Manaslu Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG leader Mike Hamill reports that the team has now descended from Camp 2 to Base Camp.   Sounds like it was starting to get windy up high, this morning, with blowing snow.

Now that the team is all down, we will discuss their options, and make a final decision about the expedition plans.

Eric Simonson

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