November 28, 2011

Greg, Romulo and crew are back in Quito.  He took a minute to email a couple of photos and a brief dispatch (below).  Final celebratory dinner this evening and then most members fly home in the morning.  A couple of members are staying to attempt Chimborazo with Greg and Romulo.  This is a tougher climb and everything will have to be perfect to have a safe shot.  We’ll let you know.  – Phil Ershler

“Another great day on the summit.  It was clear that not many teams had been through the bergschrund for a while. A steep bergschrund is an understatement but we had great snow conditions.  With a strong team, we made it to the top of Cayambe and had the views as a reward. About five minutes before standing on top, we heard a sound.  This sound was very familiar to Romulo and he looked back and smiled.  I smiled back as we saw the ultralight of a long-time friend of Phil and Romulo.  Jorge Anhalzer came cruising by, working the air and getting up to our elevation.  It could not have been timed any better on this perfect day.

We celebrated our second successful climb in Ecuador and the weather held again.  Perfect climbing with Antisana and Cotopaxi in the background.  What a great day!  Back in Quito now to say until next time to some of our team and for the rest, we are gearing up for our trip out to Chimborazo tomorrow morning.”

Greg Vernovage

November 27, 2011

Approaching the summit (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Another good day in Ecuador and another good summit for the team.  Greg Vernovage called in this morning to report the team reached the summit in good conditions.  A bit of tricky route finding to cross the bergschrund just below the summit but Ecuadorian guide, Romulo Cardenas, did a super job with this, as usual.

They’re already back to the refugio and thinking about the hot springs tonight in Papallacta.  A well-deserved bit of luxury after a long day.

Phil Ershler

Terrain on Cayambe (Photo: Phil Ershler)

November 26, 2011

Greg Vernovage called in on the afternoon of the 26^th.  Another great weather day.  Unbelievable.  Good training was had by all and another hit of acclimatization.  Early to bed tonight.

All are doing well and chomping at the bit for an early start in the morning.  Summit number two, with any luck early tomorrow morning.

Phil Ershler

November 26, 2011

The team is at the hut on Cayambe today.  I spoke with team leader, Greg Vernovage, last night.  He reported that the weather remains quite good and that they had the entire hut to themselves last evening.  Nice.  Today’s a training day on a nearby glacier.  Terrain is great to practice the French technique and to further enhance everyone’s acclimatization.

Greg also sent us a photo from the summit of Cotopaxi.  He said the team wanted it on the blog as soon as we could – so here it is!

Happy crew on the summit (Photo: Greg Vernovage)

Phil Ershler

November 23, 2011

Cotopaxi from an ultralight (Photo: Jorge Anhalzer)

One climber stayed at the hut on Cotopaxi this morning.  The altitude just wasn’t agreeing with him.  The rest of the team made good time, in good weather and perfect route conditions and stood on the summit this morning.  Way to go team!!

Everyone got back down without issue, packed up and headed down to the Hacienda Tierra del Volcan and the thicker air of 12,000 ft.  Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at the Hacienda San Augustin.

Congratulations, team!

Phil Ershler

Cotopaxi’s summit with a smoking Tungurahua in the distance (Photo: Phil Ershler)

November 22, 2011

Talked to Greg Vernovage and the Ecuador crew the afternoon of the 22^nd.  The team was bedding down at the Jose Ribas hut on Cotopaxi for the night.  Weather is hanging in there.  A bit of snow this afternoon but nothing big.  And, winds have been light.

The crew will get up around 11 pm, dress, get a bit to eat and go for a little walk.  We’re hoping they have a nice summit to be thankful for come this Thursday and Thanksgiving Day.  We’ll know soon.

Phil Ershler

November 21, 2011

Project at hand (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Greg Vernovage called in at about 2 pm on the 21^st.  He reported a good day of training and acclimatization in the area above the hut on Cotopaxi.  The crew dropped off some gear for the summit climb at the hut before heading down to the hacienda at Tierra del Volcan for the night.  Tomorrow morning, they’ll re-ascend on the 22^nd, spend the night at the hut and be ready for a very early start for the summit of Cotopaxi on the morning of the 23^rd.

Best news from Greg was that everyone continues to feel good and that the weather is holding.  Clear morning, afternoon clouds and then clear again in the evening.  That’s about as good as they could hope for.

Phil Ershler

November 20, 2011

Pass the sunscreen (Photo: Greg Vernovage)

Team and all their luggage arrived on schedule Thursday evening, the 17^th. They were met at the airport by IMG Senior Guide, Greg Vernovage and our Ecuadorian partner and guide, Romulo Cardenas.  First order of business was a few introductions.  Second order of business was several hours of sleep.

Romulo met Greg and team again Friday morning and took everyone on an escorted tour through old town Quito.  Afterwards, the crew jumped into the bus and headed north, past the equator and to the town of Otavalo.  An afternoon visit with our friend and weaver, Jose Cotacachi, before a fun ‘pizza’ evening in Otavalo.  Otavalo is famous for the folk art market held each Saturday.

Back to Quito that afternoon to pack and prep, getting ready to head out towards Cotopaxi.

All’s good, everyone’s psyched and anxious to get to the mountain.  BTW, so far, weather has been excellent!

Phil Ershler

November 18, 2011

The Otavalo Market is great place to pick up some gifts. (Photo by Phil Ershler)

And they’re off.  Everyone arrived last night and with all luggage intact.  Nice.  Greg Vernovage, IMG’s lead guide on the trip, arrived a day earlier to wrap up some last minute errands.  Early this morning, the team met Romulo Cardenas, who is our Ecuadorian friend and partner.  Then, all headed to old town Quito for a tour with Romulo and then it was into the bus and head north for Otavalo.  Obligatory stop at the equator on the way plus a lunch stop at a very typical Ecuadorian restaurant for lunch.  Lunch for us here is always locro de queso (thick cheese and potato soup) and meat or cheese empanadas.  Tomorrow’s market day in Otavalo.  No way we want to miss that.

Phil Ershler

February 10, 2011

Chimborazo (Photo by Jorge Anhalzer)

Chimborazo keeps proving to be a tough mountain.  For the last week, we’ve had an old friend and IMG customer attempting to climb Chimborazo in Ecuador.  He’s been climbing with our Ecuadorian partner and guide extraordinaire, Romulo Cardenas, and IMG Senior Guide and Everest climber, Andy Politz.  After a careful series of acclimatization hikes/climbs, the team established a high camp above a feature called the Castle, but deep snow and continuing bad weather made a summit impossible.  The guys retreated and grabbed a consolation objective yesterday with a trip up Ruminauhui.  They’re be back in Quito and begin the journey home today.

Phil Ershler