Best Safari Day Ever

February 16, 2019

Team at the Ngorongoro Crater overlook (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru reports today was the best day he’s had on safari yet, which is saying something since he’s done at least ten of our Kili climb and safari trips now.

The day started with a huge migration of thousands of zebra and wildebeest coming right by their camp this morning. After that, out on the Serengeti grasslands, they saw a dozen cheetahs, two leopards mating, and watched jackals chase and take down a wildebeest, along with tons of other animals and birds. Continuing to the east they visited Oldupai Gorge, then descended into the Ngorongoro Crater where they were able to spot three rhinos to round out their “Big Five” sightings.

At the Lodge, with pool and internet. Perfect. (Phunuru Sherpa)

After two nights in our luxury safari camps, this afternoon the team is at our Safari Lodge for the last night of the trip. They will have a leisurely morning tomorrow before heading back to Arusha for a final packing session and a transfer to the airport in the evening, to begin their long journey home. Well done team!

Eric Simonson

Powered by Pancakes

February 15, 2019

High Camp on Aconcagua

Rob checked in this afternoon and reported that their carry to Camp 3 today was successful and that the team was moving well. He also mentioned that the carry was powered by pancakes. It’s always smart to start off the day with a hearty meal in the mountains and pancakes definitely will check that box. They will be taking a rest day tomorrow and will start formulating the plan of when to move up to high camp for the summit bid.

Luke Reilly

The Huemul Circuit

February 15, 2019

: Smiles All Around

: The Team

Charlotte and Co. have made it back into civilization and they were able to get some photos sent my way. I couldn’t help but post some of these pictures from the last four days they spent out on the trail.

: Sunset in Patagonia (Charlotte Austin)

: Tyrolean in Patagonia (Charlotte Austin)

The trek that they did is called the Huemul Circuit and it was the first time IMG had ever run a trip in this area. After chatting with Charlotte and looking at these photos, I don’t think it will be the last! One of the days on the trail involved a Tyrolean over a river, looks pretty exciting. Everybody just landed in Buenos Aires on their way back home from Calafate. Safe travels to all.

Luke Reilly

Passing Ships in the Night

February 15, 2019

Happy in Patagonia (Jonathan Schrock)

Charlotte and her team were in El Chalten last night, Johnny and crew in Calafate. Today they’ll do a flip flop and pass on the highway to give each other high fives. Charlotte’s team woke up on a beautiful bay yesterday and walked the 12 miles back into El Chalten. This was the first time IMG has done The Huemul Circuit and it was a big success. Keep an eye out for a trip report from Charlotte and dates for next year. They enjoyed final meal and beer together last night and are getting ready for their flights home this afternoon.

Jonathan has wrapped up the first portion of his trip on the Torres del Paine “W” trek and part of the team is headed back home. A couple of the trekkers decided to join our Fitz Roy Extension to the trip. They’re heading over to Chalten as we speak to start exploring the Fitz Roy Massif. Fitz Roy must feel pretty special with as many photos as IMG groups have taken and will take of it this year.

Luke Reilly

Calming Winds on Aconcagua

February 14, 2019

Camp 2 on Aconcagua (Luke Reilly)

Winds have finally calmed down on Aconcagua and Rob was able to get the crew up to Camp II. The ball is rolling now. They’re going to take advantage of the good weather tomorrow as well, and make a carry up to Camp III. Once the carry to Camp III is completed, it will be a waiting game to squeak in a summit push. They need a decent day to move to High Camp and an even better day to head to the top. I’ll be following weather forecasts closely over the next several days and relaying them to Robert. We will be looking for the best window possible. Team is healthy and strong.

Luke Reilly

Kili Climbers Head To The Serengeti

February 14, 2019

Kilimanjaro climbers after landing at the Serengeti Airport (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru reports that the Kilimanjaro team successfully made the transition yesterday from climber mode to safari mode. All the stinky clothes and dirty gear are safely packed away and stored for the trip home. Comfortable safari clothes are now on, and binoculars and cameras are ready. The 40 minute flight from Arusha to Serengeti is like a trip back in time. After landing the team was met by their safari drivers and the animals (sometimes the latter are also on the runway, and the plane needs to “buzz” them off!).

Maasai Giraffe on the Serengeti (Phunuru Sherpa)

On the way to their first luxury safari camp the team immediately had their first wildlife sightings. Wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, cape buffalo, and countless other critters are seemingly everywhere. Today the team saw lions, leopard, and cheetah as they continued the safari moving east across the Serengeti on their way to the Ndutu area, where they are staying at another luxury safari camp. The team will likely hear animals tonight near their camp, as the Ndutu area is in the heart of the short grass plains, where countless wildebeest and zebra are giving birth this time of year.

: Cheetah on the Serengeti (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Pride of lions on the Serengeti (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru reports that they have now seen four of the “Big Five” (cape buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant). The only one missing is the rhino, and they are hoping to see them tomorrow in the Ngorongoro Crater (where they are protected by the wildlife rangers).

With all the snow and cold here in the Pacific Northwest these days, baking out in the sun a few degrees south of the Equator sounds pretty good!

Eric Simonson

Moshi Celebration!

February 13, 2019

: Certificates & Smiles! (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Dinner celebration with the Chagga guides (Phunuru Sherpa)

Quick report from Moshi – all is good. Great, actually. The hotel is always welcome after seven days on the trail. Showers, clean clothes, cold drinks and a big celebratory dinner with our Chagga guides is ALWAYS in order. Certificates get presented and a good time is had by all.

Our bus takes the team to Arusha in the morning for a bit of shopping, a bit of lunch, and a flight to the Serengeti. It’s time for safari!

Phil Ershler

Storm Update!

February 13, 2019

Digging out! (Heather Garland)

The power is back on here at IMG HQ in Ashford and after four days of non-stop precipitation, we saw a little bit of blue sky today! We are working hard to clear the walkways and our inboxes and ought to have all of that accomplished just in time for our Denali Prep Seminar that begins this weekend.

Oh, and more snow is on the way!

IMG HQ is available Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00 (PST)
Call: 360-569-2609
Email: office@mountainguides.com
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Heather Garland

Malbec in Mendoza

February 13, 2019

Final Team Dinner

Cheers to Rikki and his Aconcagua expedition. The group had their final meal together in Mendoza last night and are now making arrangements to head back home. Aconcagua weather wasn’t exactly cooperative for their expedition, but everybody is happy and healthy and that’s what counts. Nice work to this team for hanging tough and doing the best with the hand that they were dealt.

Camp II on Aconcagua (Luke Reilly)

While this team is enjoying the luxuries of Mendoza, Rob and his team are still up high on the mountain. Rob checked in via satellite phone an hour ago and gave me the scoop. They made a successful carry up to Camp 2 today and the trip is back in motion after their rest day. Winds have calmed down as predicted and the plan is to head up to Camp 2 tomorrow morning.

Luke Reilly

Hanging Tough at Camp I

February 12, 2019

Rob setting up a tent on Aconcagua.

The Robert/Leo Aconcagua team hunkered down at Camp I today and took a rest day and were able to regroup after the heavy winds yesterday and the day before. Winds are still being a little stingy but things are supposed to calm down starting tomorrow midday. They will take advantage of the hopeful break in the wind and make a carry up to Camp II in the morning. Could be a little bit blustery but it’s always good to keep moving up the mountain if conditions allow. Getting into position for a summit push is always a bit of a chess match, and I think this team is doing a great job. Let’s hope they can put Aconcagua in check mate.

Luke Reilly

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