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

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

February 4, 2013

Aconcagua summit (Jessica Carideo)

Greg Vernovage, Martin Lucero and team report 100% on top, 9 am Pacific time.  Weather perfect – no wind, no clouds.

Phil Ershler

February 4, 2013

High Camp (Warren Wilhide Jr.)

Heard from both Greg and Mike on Sunday.  Greg moved to high camp and the guys spent Super Bowl Sunday getting ready for their own game day.  Monday will be a summit attempt.  Group is feeling good and forecast is good.  No sense sitting at high camp when signs say you should be heading for the top.  We should know by the end of Monday and will get something on the blog when we actually hear.

Mike had a good carry to C1.  He and his team are following their game plan, taking it one day at a time.  No big changes in the weather forecasted for the next couple of days so they’ll continue their ‘carry/move’ schedule and take days off when either the weather or health dictates.

Bottom line is that news is good from Argentina.

Phil Ershler

February 1, 2013

Plaza Argentina (Randy Christofferson)

Two calls just came in from Aconcagua.  Greg Vernovage and team decided to stay at C2 today.  Just too windy and no pressing need to get a carry in today.  Forecast remains reasonable so best to sit tight and put that carry in tomorrow.

Mike Hamill and team just pulled into base camp at Plaza Argentina.  Not a cloud in the sky but windy.  That confirms what Greg said.  Mike will take tomorrow off, for sure.

Bottom line, all is OK with both teams on Aconcagua.  Weather hasn’t been a big issue so everyone’s in pretty good spirits.  One day at a time, now.

Phil Ershler

January 31, 2013

En route to C2. (Photo Randy Christofferson)

Greg Vernovage checked in from Camp 2 on Aconcagua a few minutes ago (1pm PST). All is well. They’ve moved in for the night and are firing up the stoves for some hot drinks and eventually some spaghetti for dinner.

They’re sitting under some high clouds that are threatening a little precipitation, but the wind is light : “its’ pretty good for where we’re at in the world,”  said Greg. “We’re most excited about the light winds, maybe we’ll get a good nights sleep tonight, well that’s what we’re hoping for at least”.

The plan right now is to carry to High Camp tomorrow, take a rest day on Saturday at c2, then move on up to High Camp on Super Bowl Sunday.

Tye Chapman

January 30, 2013

Taking in the vistas along the way.

Greg checked in from Aconcagua this afternoon reporting all is well. They carried to C2 today without  issue.  It got a little windy in the saddle, but that’s standard operating procedure on Aconcagua. They’ll move up tomorrow.

Lower down on the mountain is Mike Hamill and his team who had a good first day on the trail. They’re at the first trekking camp, Pampa de Llenas, en route to Base Camp. No issues to speak of.

Tye Chapman

January 29, 2013

The Team Welcome Dinner.

Mike, Josh, Leandro and team checked in from Mendoza yesterday.  They’re all there, their gear is there and they’re ready to go.  Penitentes today for final packing/prep and they’ll hit the trail tomorrow.  All good.

Phil Ershler

January 28, 2013

Camp 1 (Tye Chapman)

Greg called in from C1.  Everyone did a good job on the move today and everyone’s at C1, at about 16,000 ft.  Greg’s climbing with our Argentine guide, Martin Lucero.  This is trip #3 this season for Martin.  Super guide and a work horse.  Great to have partners like Martin climbing with us.

Weather looks dry through the rest of the week.  Winds maybe picking up a bit into the weekend but hoping that doesn’t last for long.  Bottom line, for now, is that all is good with Greg, Martin and the crew.

Phil Ershler