March 5, 2012

All members returned to the US yesterday afternoon.  Flights home are long – at least 2 legs in the 8-9 hour range.  They’re tough but maybe they’re a good thing.  We had time to catch up on sleep and time to reflect on the previous two weeks.  I was fortunate to have a team of 12 very prepared, very strong, very motivated and very friendly climbers.  They demonstrated all those attributes daily.  From the moment we started the climb, I knew Sue and I would be shaking hands with each one of them on the summit.  Even a summit day which brought perhaps 10 cm of snow and then stiff breezes all along the crater rim, did nothing to slow or deter even one of the team.  Their strength, resolve and cooperation never wavered.  What a team.

Kili Team on Safari (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Safari was simply a continuation of the teamwork on the mountain.  We drove out to Ngorongoro because everyone wanted to see this part of the country at ‘ground level’.  The good times simply continued right to the Crater.  Beers en route, shopping and gin and tonics at the Crater kept the smiles coming.  We were at the late end of the season and we got rain each night on safari but that only set us up for some great game viewing.  The Crater was green and we saw pretty much everything.  Olduvai Gorge, a Masaai Village stop and bumpy dirt roads put us in position to hopefully get good views of the migration.  The wildebeest had been hanging up in the Serengeti later than normal because there hadn’t been enough rain.  I was sweating it because we’d planned to stay in the Ndutu area to catch the migration.  We had a long game drive planned for the next day.  Wildebeest and cats were the goal.  Olotu, one of our guides/drivers, asked me how many wildebeest I’d like to see that day.  ‘Half a million’ was my response.

Wildebeest & calves (Photo: Phil Ershler)

We drove northwest through Ndutu for about an hour before coming upon one of the more amazing sights I have seen.  Wildebeest and their calves, in lines, for miles.  Olotu killed the engine on the stretch Land Cruiser as we started taking pictures.  ‘Start counting’ was all he said.  500,000 wildebeest later, I quit counting.

Thanks to my team members for trusting IMG to put their trip together.  I’ll be traveling with Dan, Meribeth, Jay, Cindy, Ann, Emily, Bill, Linda, Rick, Carly, Brett, Bonnie and Sue before long.

Phil Ershler

March 2, 2012

Phil & Co.  wrapped up their last day of game viewing after spotting several cheetahs &  lions along side several other predators who were all taking full advantage of the annual wildebeest calving season.

Safari's Current Location

Next stop for the team will be Arusha where they’ll have some time to shop around for some souvenirs and grab a bite to eat before a couple of long flights home.

Tye Chapman

February 29, 2012

Phil checked in to report that all is well on Safari. After some last minute shopping in Arusha, they made to the Ngorongoro Crater just in time for a gin & tonic at sunset.

Giraffes.

Though the official game viewing begins tomorrow they’ve already spotted storks, baboons, giraffes, monkeys and dik-diks (small antelope).

Tye Chapman

February 28, 2012

If the Big 5 were measured in height, the Giraffe would be a proud member.

Phil checked in this morning to report that the team has been fed and watered and are now anxious to get out and check out the Serengeti.

Among all the other animals, they’ll keep a close eye out for the Big 5: Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Lion, &  Cape Buffalo.  The Leopard and Rhino are the most elusive of the Big 5 but they’ve got a few days and a lot of eyes on the horizon.

Tye Chapman

February 27, 2012

Busy weekend for Phil & team on the slopes of Kilimanjaro!

Sunday saw the group arrive & into tents at Barafu Camp (15,000′), just ahead of afternoon snow showers.  After some gear prep and a hot dinner, they snuck in a few winks before the 11pm wake up call.  It was time to make the summit bid.  A good amount of snow and wind added to the challenge, but despite the snowin’ and blowin’, the team hung in and got the job done – 100% on top.

Sunrise over Mawenzi on summit day

After taking in the nice views, the team descended to Mwecka camp at 10,000′, and enjoyed a hot meal and some well deserved rest.  Tomorrow they’ll continue down the mountain, catch a ride back to the hotel and share in the celebratory dinner.  Couldn’t have got better.

Becky Kjorvestad

February 24, 2012

Phil checked in from Barranco camp on Kilimanjaro where the team is feeling great and doing very well.  According to Phil, Barranco might just be the most scenic camp on the mountain.  The team enjoyed taking in the sights this evening and are ready to call it a night.

Barranco Camp at 13,000 ft (Photo: Adam Angel)

Tomorrow morning looks to bring with it more good weather and the team will prepare for some scrambling up the Barranco Wall after a hearty breakfast.

Clarissa Morford

February 23, 2012

Shira camp on Kilimanjaro, coming out of the clouds

A quick call from Phil this morning to tell us the team is resting at Shira Camp, about 12,000′, where the weather is “perfection” itself.  Tomorrow they’ll make their way around the Lava Tower, then down a little to the Barranco Hut and get their first look at the Barranco Wall before calling it a day – they’ll cover about six miles in all.

Everyone is doing well!

Becky Kjorvestad

February 22, 2012

Machame Camp

Phil called in from a starlit camp on Kilimanjaro where he and the team are now getting ready to call it a night.  It was a great start to the trek today after the team enjoyed a nice drive to the Machame Gate with pretty views along the way.  Once on the trail, the team made it to camp in good time or about five hours.  Everyone is doing great and feeling good.  After resting tonight, the team looks forward to hitting the trail again in the morning.  We’ll keep you posted!

Clarissa Morford

February 21, 2012

Phil and the Team (Photo: Susan Ershler)

Phil Ershler called in early this morning to report that all team members and luggage have arrived safely.  Today they’ll enjoy a nice day at the hotel, recover from jet lag, and work on getting all packed up for tomorrow.  They’ll head out for Day 1 of their climb bright and early tomorrow morning.  All’s well!

Becky Kjorvestad

February 20, 2012

Fresh off the summit of Kilimanjaro, the team began safari today.  They flew out to Serengeti where the Landcruisers and drivers were waiting.  The flight is a really cool experience and saves a ton of driving.  From there they will travel overland through Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and all the way back to Arusha.  The game viewing has been great!

Adam Angel

Lion Cub on Serengeti. (Photo by Adam Angel)