July 14, 2010

We heard from Mike Hamill this morning via email.  He reports that they’ve had two full days of touring and will get in a boat tour on the canals tomorrow before hoping on the flight. Sounds like the team is enjoying the experience thus far.

Then, the work begins.  Some acclimatization is in order as is a day spent on the Koshkatosh Glacier reviewing crampon technique and learning a few new tricks from their veteran Elbrus, Seven Summits,  & Everest guide – Mike Hamill.  The attempt on Elbrus is still a few days off.

Phil Ershler

August 13, 2009

Phil has called in a couple times but the Sat phone connection was too rough to understand what he said… He called in again today to say that they’re off the mountain in Terskol, Russia spending their last day in the Caucasuses.

Some or all of the team must have summitted as Phil mentioned that they celebrated the last of Chris Burrows’ 7 summits! An amazing achievement which Phil recognized by presenting Chris an IMG embroidered Outdoor Research Mithril Jacket. A small gesture for all the hard work and countless hours training, but a nice token of congratulations nonetheless.

The team will head to Moscow early tomorrow and spend the afternoon and part of the following day touring the city. They’ll catch a flight back to the states shortly there after.

Sounds like another successful trip to Russia – but we’ll wait to get the concrete details in a day or two.

—-
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager

August 7, 2009
Phil called in the night of Aug. 6 and relayed a message written by Kristen and John:

Yesterday [actually Aug. 5] we toured around St. Petersburg and had the privilege of touring the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Hermitage Museum. The favorite by far was St. Issac’s [pictured below]. We rounded out the day with an evening canal tour and a late dinner at a nice German restaurant. A wonderful way to end our day!

The following morning [Aug. 6th] we flew from St. Petersburg to Mineralnye Vody and then drove to our hotel in the town of Terskol. Several cows were encountered and dodged along the way!

Kristin & John

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August 7, 2009
Phil called in this morning…

All is well. The team went for an acclimatization hike yesterday and will do some training today with plans of climbing tomorrow. Weather is good and the team is doing well… Next update will be after the climb.

—

Tye Chapman
Operations Manager

August 3, 2009

Phil just called from St. Petersburg. Everybody arrived safely and all baggage is accounted for. Weather is good… the group starts their tour in and around St. Petersburg tomorrow.

All is well in Russia!—

Tye Chapman
Operations Manager