October 10, 2018
Have you ever wondered what guides do when they’re not guiding? Well, they work on becoming better guides! This past weekend, IMG guides spent two days in Leavenworth, WA refining their rope skills, knots, and hitches used on Rainier and peaks around the world. The world-class training was led by Senior Guides Austin Shannon, Justin Merle, Luke Reilly, and Jason Edwards. The amount of experience among them is incalculable, but as Jason (who has been attending and teaching these IMG trainings for the better part of 20 years) says, “no matter how much you think you already know, there’s a learning opportunity in every session”. You can’t argue with that!
The crew was attentive and eager to learn! (Jason Edwards)
Being proficient in a variety of techniques for lowering a climber is essential for guiding on various peaks in the Pacific Northwest alone. Chief Guide, Justin Merle, explained, “what you might use with a client on Mt. Rainier could be very different from what you might use on the Fisher Chimneys route on Mt. Shuksan”. With intermittent classic guide humor, the crew focused on advanced short-roping techniques and transitioning to technical ascent/descent, as well as vertical rescue training. As IMG Guide and Operations Manager, Robert Jantzen, says of the training, “Just like on our climbs, we kept things fun while getting work done!”.
IMG Chief Guide Justin Merle demonstrated different belay techniques. (Jason Edwards)
All smiles for IMG Guide Rikki Dunn. (Luke Reilly)
Safety is the number one priority at IMG and regularly reviewing skills ensures that every IMG climb is fully staffed with the most knowledgeable and competent leaders in the industry. Building camaraderie is also essential as Senior Guide, Luke Reilly, noted, “What a fantastic group of guides IMG has; it’s always nice to get us all together for a weekend of sharpening skills, learning some new tricks, and catching up with each other at the end of the day”.
Working on friction hitches. (Jason Edwards)
IFMGA Certified Guide Austin Shannon led the training. (Jason Edwards)
Blue skies for guide training in Leavenworth, WA. (Leanne Sebren)
IMG Guide, Leanne Sebren, summed it up well, “Fall training was stacked with great instruction, incredible weather, and the best people around. A perfect send-off into the winter season”. We hear you Leanne!
And the winter season doesn’t bring an end to our Rainier programs. Join Senior IMG Guide and Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) Forecaster, Dallas Glass, and his team of premier avalanche instructors for an AIARE 1 or 2 class (snow shoes or skis welcome!). Add on a two day backcountry ski tour and put your newly acquired skills to work! If you’re feeling super ambitious (and who isn’t?!), sign up for IMG’s 5 1/2 Day Mt. Rainier Ski Traverse! Courses begin in December 2018.
Starting in February 2019, our Denali Seminars are back. Designed to introduce you to cold weather mountaineering, these 6 1/2 Day courses are a perfect way to acquire some of the necessary skills for Alaskan adventures.
IMG HQ is available for all of your questions Mon-Fri 8-5!
See you in the mountains!
Heather Garland