February 14, 2013
Which way to the summit? (photo: Mike Marker)
Archive for February, 2013
Which Way To The Summit?
Patagonia Team Taking In The Views
February 13, 2013
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- The Crew (Photo: Tye Chapman)
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- Torres del Paine
Tye Chapman called in today from Patagonia. The first day on the trail for the team saw them walking up for their first view of Torres del Paine. Tye said a bit of low fog made for some ‘eerie’ views. Impressive, to say the least. Tonight is at the Refugio Chileno. Tomorrow’s the Silence Valley.
All is well.
Phil Ershler
And That’s A Wrap
February 13, 2013
Aconcagua and the Polish Glacier (Phil Ershler)
Mike, Josh, Leandro and team, all their gear and all fingers and toes are now back in Mendoza. Lots to sort and organize and pack away today but lots of time for more meals and naps, too. Big dinner tonight and flights home for most of the crew tomorrow. Safe, successful, enjoyable and a great learning experience – that pretty much wraps up the Big Four of an IMG expedition. From Mike to our most junior arriero (mule driver) they all deserve a huge congratulations. IMG probably emphasizes this more than any other guide service but Aconcagua is no trek. This is a serious undertaking and should be tackled only by climbers who are fit and prepared to work as part of a team. IMG climbers climb Aconcagua. No one is waiting on them, putting up their tents and carrying all their gear. Our team members are active participants who come with IMG because they want to climb. Pretty cool.
Congratulations to Mike’s team. That wraps up our 2012/13 season. Seven expeditions in all. Five groups reached the top; weather said no to the other two. But no accidents and no close calls. We call that a very good season.
Phil Ershler
From Shira To Barranco Camp
February 13, 2013
Lead IMG guide Jenni Fogle called in from Barranco Camp after the team enjoyed some better weather today. Jenni reports that everyone is very strong and doing well with the altitude so far. Plus she says that they’re just a fun crew to hang out with. This bodes well for the team as the challenge of the day was to climb to over 14,500′, before they dropped back down to camp at about 13,000′. Not an easy day for most people, but certainly rewarding. Dinner was about to be served when Jenni called.
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- Trekking Rocks. (photo: Mike Marker)
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- The long haul (photo: Mike Marker)
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- The Indiana Crew (photo: Mike Marker)
They’ll get some rest overnight and will begin the scramble over the Breach Wall tomorrow, with the end goal of the day being Karanga camp. Keep up the good work team!
Clarissa Morford
Patagonia Team Arrives In Punta Arenas
La Luna in Punta
February 12, 2013
Tye Chapman reports in from Punta last night that all members of the party are ‘present and accounted for’. Always a good excuse to go have dinner with our friends at La Luna restaurant in Punta. It never disappoints. With a team of 10, that’s no small feat, especially with the storms which have plagued the east coast. Puerto Natales is the project for today with a peek at penguins on the way.
Phil Ershler
Kili Team At Shira Camp
February 12, 2013
Kilimanjaro revealing itself from behind the clouds
Jenni Fogle checked in at 5:50am PST (4:50pm Kili time) to report that the team had reached Shira Camp and all are doing great. They had good weather for the hike today, just missing the light rain that has just started to fall. All are snug in their tents for now and are getting ready for dinner together shortly. Tomorrow they head to Baranco Camp. All is well!
George Dunn
West Papua Expedition Summits Sumantri
February 12, 2013
Looking up at Sumantri from near Carstensz Base Camp (Jason Edwards)
IMG guide Dan Zokaites called in on the sat phone to report that they had reached the summit of Sumantri, one of the other main peaks in the Carstensz area. Sumantri (4870 m;15,978 ft) is north of Carstensz Pyramid on the other side of the valley, and it is home to one of the only (and fast receding) glaciers in south Asia. Dan reports they did some rock scrambling, then used crampons on the glaciated portion, then climbed class 4 rock to the summit. Good job you guys, I bet there have not been many people to summit this peak!
Eric Simonson
Kili Climbers Arrive At Machame Camp
February 11, 2013
Route times posted by Kilimanjaro National Park at Machame Gate (Eric Simonson)
IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that the team had a great first day on the trail. Starting from Moshi, they rode up in jeeps to the Machame Gate (about 6000 feet). Then, they had a nice 4000 foot climb up through the forest to the first camp, arriving a little after 4pm, just in time for some tea, snacks and some well-deserved rest. So far so good!
Eric Simonson
Aconcagua Updates
February 11, 2013
Aconcagua summit (Phil Ershler)
We have news to report from each of our last two Aconcagua groups. Greg and team are landing back home today. It’s over. All 6 team members have the summit and hopefully 7000 meters worth of friendships and memories. Great job, guys.
Greg’s great news is followed by Mike Hamill and team’s great news. The guys stood on top yesterday and should be in Plaza Mulas as I write this. This was a strong group and a group which worked hard together. 11 members and guides stood on the summit. Weather made them work for it, however. The winds of Aconcagua, the Viento Blanco, and the fresh snow weren’t easy. It was cold. 7000 meters is cold, even on the best of days. We want to congratulate Mike and team for a super job. We’ll look forward to hearing from them later today when they reach Plaza Mulas. And, with luck, the crew will be eating steaks in Mendoza by late tomorrow night.
Phil Ershler
Chicks For The Orphanage!
February 11, 2013
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- February 9 Kili Team (Jenni Fogle)
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- Chicks for the Orphanage (Mike Marker)
IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that the February 9 Kili team arrived on schedule and that everyone is ready to climb. Good news, as some of the team flying from the Northeast USA had to divert to other cities due to the big snowstorm. Yesterday a number of the members, spearheaded by Mike, Scott, and Kendall from Indiana, made a special visit to the Msamaria Orphanage in Moshi. Mike reports that “We brought laptop computers, vitamins, candy, soccer balls, and more. And, through generous donations from KidsFirst Foundation and BarnRaisers, we provided 500 chicks, feed and supplies for the Orphanage to start a sustainable chicken project. It was an awesome day with the kids and the Orphanage leaders were very impressive. What a great first day of giving back and preparing for our climb”.
Way to go, you guys!!
Eric Simonson