April 27, 2012
Quick call from George Dunn this evening reporting that the team was socked in again today. They’ve got one more contingency day before they surrender to the power of Mt. Bona. No worries – they’re having a blast and have enjoyed every minute of the climb thus far.
More tomorrow…
Tye Chapman
April 26, 2012
The upper mountain on Mt. Bona
Just off the phone from George who reports that today was their first truly warm and sunny day. They used it wisely, exploring the upper mountain looking for a solid route up high. They were successful in finding a route up to 14K (they’re at 12K now).
They’re running short on days so as weather permits they’ll head for the top. They’re a strong team so this is perfectly within their capabilities.
Go get it guys!
Tye Chapman
April 25, 2012
IMG Camp On Bona (Photo by Mark Allen)
George called in once more from Base Camp on Mt. Bona yesterday afternoon reporting that though they had found a great route up to Camp 2 and had carried a week’s supply of food up to camp, the weather in the Wrangells had turned slightly for the worse. The team awoke to white out conditions with light snowfall. The mountain had determined that it was a good rest day for the team, so they’ll take it.
George mentioned that he may not check in every day, so if you don’t see a post tomorrow, don’t worry all is well. Just remember: “No news is good news.”
We’ll keep you updated when we hear from the team next!
Clarissa Morford
April 23, 2012
Mt. Bona (photo: Mark Allen)
George called this morning from Base Camp on Mt. Bona where the team is preparing to head out in an attempt to find a route up to Camp 2 today. Yesterday their efforts to carry to Camp 2 were frustrated as they couldn’t find a viable route up the glacier.
If all goes well today they’ll make the carry to Camp 2 today and move up to their camp tomorrow.
George said that the weather was good; a little colder than normal with a few light snow showers in between the sunshine.
We’ll wish the team the best on successful navigation and hope the weather keeps holding!
Clarissa Morford
April 20, 2012
Alaska!
After eaking out a day of cragging, on rock just dry enough, I turned my attention to packing for IMG’s expedition to Mt. Bona. The weather in the Cascades has been shifty this week, lamb-like then lion, reminding me to prepare for a wide span of conditions in the larger mountain range of the Wrangell-St. Elias. From the pile of gear on the basement floor, I sifted out puffy jackets, overboots, high calorie toe warming snacks and, then, sunscreen, a zinc stick and the most paper-thin UV resisting shell I could find. As I wrangled my -20 degree F sleeping bag into a tight compression sack, the rising cry of a fire truck siren met my ear from a distant arterial street. I wondered what the emergency could be- something serious or just a minor accident? I worried about whether the traffic was bad on the interstate, I needed to do some errands. My phone buzzed on the counter with an incoming text, I should look at it, the phone won’t stop buzzing until I do. The irritating, “beep, beep, beep” of a service truck in reverse banged at my head. I checked the text and noticed another new email, something else demanding my time and attention, and there were so many other emails I needed to attend to… And then, I thought, “I cannot wait to get to the mountain.”
Our lives are easily overrun by the machinations of modern society, leaving us harried and distracted. I have found that I easily “brown out” when too many devices and demands simultaneously require attention, when the flow of life paces at 80 miles an hour on the interstate, when the cacophony of the urban matrix reaches its crescendo. Wild places offer us solace in large part because they allow us to slow down and attend to a distilled set of basic needs. And, Alaska, with its abundant wildness, offers ample opportunity for such reprieve. For this reason, my mind settles peacefully at the thought of Mt. Bona. It’s just going to be us, our packs and sleds, and the embrace of enormous mountains. We’ll spend our time marveling at the beauty, exercising our bodies, establishing camps, moving up the glacier, feeding ourselves, sleeping plenty and enjoying the camaraderie of the only seven people around.
Erica Engle
May 31, 2011
Mt. Bona, Alaska
Guide Sheldon Kerr called at 12:30pm AKDT in transit to Anchorage. The entire team is off the mountain safely and on their way back home.
Bush pilot Paul Claus flew into the landing site on the Klutlan Glacier and picked the team up at 8am this morning. They were transported to the state air strip at Chitina and then after sorting gear started the 4½ hour drive back to Anchorage. First stop on the way was the shower facility at Kenny Lake and then on to Glennallen for some Thai food. Arrangements for each of the team members are being made currently for lodging in Anchorage tonight or immediate flights back home this evening as flights are available. If you have not yet heard from your family/loved one you can expect a call from them shortly.
My congratulations to the entire team for one of the most efficient ascents of Mt. Bona in some time. Well done!
George Dunn
May 29, 2011
Pretty nice views. (Photo by Jim Matera)
Sheldon called in at 3pm AKDT. The whole team is now back safely at base camp.
They made an attempt on Mt. Churchill from high camp this morning but the weather was not good. Instead they descended all the way back down to base. They will call the bush pilot at 7am to give him a weather report for the landing site, and they may be flown out as early as tomorrow. Of course, it all depends on the weather.
George Dunn
May 29, 2011
Almost there. (Photo by Jim Matera)
Guide Sheldon Kerr called in yesterday at 5:30pm AKDT.
She reports that EVERYONE summited at 2:15 pm yesterday. It was “really gorgeous weather”, no wind and warm. The entire group did well. They are tired, but resting comfortably in camp. They’ll make a decision tomorrow morning, and some may elect to climb Mt. Churchill. They will then head down to the airstrip.
Again, an excellent job today by the entire group, congratulations to them all!
George Dunn
4:00 pm AKDT, May 27, 2011
Sunset. (Photo by Jim Matera)
The team is at 14,400’ just east of the “Kidney Bean” in the saddle between Bona and Churchill. They are digging in at their high camp and all is well. Everyone is healthy and fine, but tired. They may summit tomorrow, depending on weather and how the group is feeling. Otherwise they will take a rest day.
Right now the weather is “iffy” with clouds coming in and out and low visibility. If the weather is like this tomorrow, they will take a rest day.
Clarissa Morford, IMG staff
May 26, 2011
Mt. Bona (Photo by Mike Knas)
Guide Sheldon Kerr called in this afternoon at 3:30 pm AKDT. She reports a bluebird day today. The group carried about 5 days of food and supplies up to Camp 2 (high camp) just east of the saddle between Mt. Churchill and Mt. Bona at 14,300 feet. They are set! Other than a few blisters and general tiredness, the group is in excellent health. Sheldon reports some route finding to get safely up to high camp, but the group had zero crevasse falls. Sounds like the entire team is doing an excellent job! They will continue to take it a day at a time and will take a rest day as needed, but are maximizing use of the good days while they last.
George Dunn