November 11, 2011

The final steps to the summit of Orizaba. (Photo by Ken Curchin)

Two mountains and now two summits.  IMG partner, Georg Dunn, called from the summit of Orizaba at 7 am.  He had just finished shaking hands with all his team mates.  One climber stayed in Tlachichuca to take care of a respiratory issue but all other members began the climb this morning and all reached the summit.  We’re very pleased and proud.  What a great example of all climbers coming prepared, taking good care of themselves during the trip and then keeping their eye on the prize.  There will be 8 very tired but very excited climbers having dinner with the Reyes family tonight in Tlachichuca.

Well done, team.

Phil Ershler

November 10, 2011

Orizaba (Photo by Phil Ershler)

After a successful summit on Ixta, the team “beat feet” off that mountain, jumped into the vehicles and headed straight to the colonial city of Puebla.  It’s a big city at over 2 million but has a much smaller feel.  We stay right off the zocalo, the town square.  Hotel check in, showers, clean clothes and then it was pizza outside at Vittorio’s, right alongside the zocalo.  A nightcap and bed followed shortly thereafter.

Heading for the village of Tlachichuca with lunch there and then the infamous 4-wheel drive up to the Piedra Grande hut at around 14,000 ft.  Summit #2 tomorrow morning.

Phil Ershler

November 9, 2011

Postcard circa 1941 of Iztaccihuatl.

I always like starting a day with a call from one of our groups saying they just reached the summit of another peak somewhere in the world.  My partner, George Dunn, call in at 8 am Pacific time to let me know that his entire team, minus one climber, stood on the summit this morning.  A little cloudy and unsettled but good enough to climb safely.  George personally stayed behind to escort one of our members down when he began to exhibit signs of altitude problems.  This is the very reason you want a knowledgeable, experienced guide at the helm of a trip.  Catch a potential problem early and keep it from becoming a serious problem.

Our congratulations to all.  They’re heading down now and will try to get to the city of Puebla tonight for showers and a bed in the hotel.  Dinner will be a late one but not that hard to handle on a warm evening in Mexico after a good summit.

Orizaba is next.

Phil Ershler

November 8, 2011

Ayoloco Glacier above high camp

George called in this afternoon to report that they have reached High Camp on Ixta just below the Ayoloco Glacier. The team climbed strong today without issue. They’ll wake up nice and early tomorrow (~1:30am) to start for the summit. Visibility wasn’t great as the typical afternoon clouds had rolled in, but it didn’t appear to be anything that would alter their plans for tomorrow.

Tomorrow they’ll put to use some intermediate cramponing skills en route to the summit. This practice will do the team well in preparation for their longer climb on Orizaba later this week.

Buena suerte a todos.

Tye Chapman

November 7, 2011

The hut camp on Ixta (photo: Matthew Cave)

IMG Partner George Dunn called in last night from Amecameca, Mexico, to report that all team members have arrived safe and sound.  The weather is perfect, the team is perfect – all have high expectations for the coming week!

The only snag to report was that of the luggage persuasion – a delayed bag – but thanks to IMG Guide Fernando, the luggage was retrieved & reunited with the team member quickly, allowing the group to stay right on schedule!

The team will carry to high camp at Ixta, (about 14,000′) today.

Stay tuned for updates!

Phil Ershler

February 23, 2011

IMG, my partner, Chris Meder and I need to congratulate, again, each of our climbing partners on the recent IMG “Orizaba Only” trip.  Comments I’ve already received included:

“Great trip!  This will be one I certainly won’t forget.  This was simply a great group of people, and I am so happy to have gotten to know everyone.”

“Orizaba now ranks as one of my favorite climbs; it was sufficiently challenging to satisfy my climbing jones, while short enough to not leave me completely wiped out when I got home.”

“Thanks to everyone for a great trip I had a fantastic time with a group of wonderful people.  It’s these kinds of experiences that make me keep coming back for more…much to the detriment of my big toe nails.”

“Looking at my photos and those Chris sent around, I’m beginning to comprehend the size and scope of our trip. It was almost too much to absorb while it was happening. What a great group of people. As mentioned, each having such a different background yet able to relate and enjoy one another under a common interest. We had such a great time.”

It’s nice when it all comes together.  With the right people involved, it usually does.

Phil Ershler

February 18, 2011

We had a garbled Sat phone message from Phil this morning which he just confirmed via email, in typical Ershler fashion:

“Summit. Full moon. 7 of 8 on top. Perfect day.”

We’ll have some more details and photos when they get back to the States.

That’s all for now.

Tye

February 16, 2011

Orizaba from a distance. (Photo by Phil Ershler)

More good news from Mexico… Phil reports that the weather is holding nicely for the crew. They enjoyed a nice acclimatization hike today and some training above the hut.

They’re currently hydrating, loading up with some calories and going through their gear one last time.  About 12 hours, round trip, on summit day is what it should take.

We’ll know more tomorrow when Phil calls in.

Stay tuned.

Tye Chapman

February 15, 2011

Phil called from Piedra Grande on Orizaba this morning.  The team is doing well after spending a spectacular night at their camp in the forest.  The weather was perfect.  They’ll spend tonight at Piedra Grande and tomorrow they will continue to train and acclimatize.  The team is feeling great and continuing to let their bodies adjust to the altitude.  They’re on schedule and will continue to prepare for their Thursday morning attempt of Orizaba!

IMG Office

Orizaba (Photo: Mike Heritage)