Huayhuash trekkers gone fishing!

August 15, 2024

Jahuacocha from Yauche with Rondoy and Jirishanca rising above (John Hodder)

Tyler Nachand reports that the team are excited to have done their eighth and final “big” day of trekking. From their camp at Gashpapampa (14,840’) the team traversed around Diablo Mudo Peak, then up and over the summit of Punta Yauche (15,825’). From there it was a gradual descent down to Lake Jahuacocha (13,300’). Their camp tonight is by a tributary stream, where they were able to do some bathing and also some fishing! He said they caught several trout to add to their dinner tonight and they are enjoying the scenery with great views of the famous peaks of Rondoy, Jirishanca and the Cordillera Huayhuash. Tomorrow they will finish the trek and travel back to Huaraz. Well done team, you are almost finished!

Huayhuash Trekker cross San Antonio Pass

August 14, 2024

Huayhuash trekkers at the San Antonio Pass (Tyler Nachand)

Tyler Nachand checked in to report the team had a nice hike from Hatun Cuyoc over San Antonio Pass (16,400′) and then back down into the Callinca Valley to the camp near the village of Huayllapa, at 11,500′. The weather was good and the mountain views incredible! After a big day of trekking everyone was excited to drop down to a lower altitude for a good night’s sleep.

IMG Guides Establish a New Route to Mt Rainier Summit

Aug 12, 2024 –

We are very proud to say that our IMG guides have established and prepared a new route to the summit of Mt Rainier. Over the last week they have put in about 25 “guide days” of work to scout, establish and prepare the route so that on Sunday our 3.5 day climb team could do the round trip. A big shout out to lead guides Max Bond and Porter McMichael who did 4 days of recon last week, to lead guide Peter Dale and his team that descended the route on Wednesday to get it kicked in better, and to Angie Diana, Maia Critchlow, Jackson Hall, Jacob Barstow and Paal Bredal for putting the finishing touches chopping and shoveling on it the last three days so that lead guide Stuart Johnson and his team could ascend and descend it yesterday. Well done, guides, way to think outside the box!

: IMG’s route work team on the Emmons Shoulder Route (Porter McMichael)

: IMG’s climbing team on the summit via the Emmons Shoulder Route on Sunday (Stu Johnson)

: IMG Emmons Shoulder Route

The “IMG Route” departs Ingraham Flats descending to the base of the Cleaver about 350 vertical feet, there is no need to first ascend to “High Crack”. There are a couple fixed ropes on the new route, but no ladders are needed at this time. The guides are also working on a variation from Muir via the “Low Gap” across Cathedral Rocks linking the Cowlitz Glacier and the Ingraham Glacier lower down so an ascent to the Ingraham Flats will not be necessary. Stay tuned for more!

Huayhuash Trekkers cross another high pass

August 12th, 2024

: IMG Huayhuash trekkers at the 3 Lakes viewpoint near Siula Pass (Tyler Nachand)

: IMG Huayhuash trekkers approach Lagoon Viconga camp (John Hodder)

After crossing the Siula Pass yesterday, Tyler reports that the team had another spectacular day of high altitude trekking, a bit shorter than the previous days. Today they climbed up and over the Paso Portachuelo (15,670’) and then dropped down to the Lagoon Viconga camp at 14,470. The team is on schedule and each day are becoming better acclimatized, so each pass is a bit easier than the previous one.

With the support of our team of donkey and mule arrieros, who expertly manage the dozen or so pack animals carrying the loads, along with the cook crew and guides Tyler and Michel, they are having a fantastic time!

Huayhuash Trekkers cross Siula Pass

August 11, 2024

: On the approach to the Siula Pass (John Hodder)

: The teams donkeys in camp at Lagoon Carhuacocha (John Hodder)

: Huayhuash Camp (John Hodder)

Tyler Nachand reports that the Huayhuash team had another great day of trekking, starting from the Lagoon Carhuacocha camp and climbing up and over the famous Siula Pass (15,740’) and then descending to the Huayhuash Camp (14,100’). They had some clouds and precipitation up on the pass in the form of graupel, but by the time they reached the camp the weather had cleared up. After multiple 6-8 hour trek days so far, tomorrow the team is looking forward to a slightly easier day. All’s well in Peru!

Peru Huayhuash trekkers reach Lagoon Carhuacocha

August, 10th, 2024

: Sulia Grande and Yerupaja from Lagoon Carhuachoca (John Hodder)

: Camp at Lagoon Carhuacocha (John Hodder)

Tyler Nachand called on the sat phone to report that the team had another beautiful day of trekking. Everyone is acclimatizing normally and doing well. From Mitucocha they climbed up over the Carhuac Pass (14,250’) and then descended down to the Lagoon Carhuacocha (13,700’) for the night. Now they are camped right at the foot of Sulia Grande and Yerupaja, two of the most famous and spectacular peaks in the Huayhuash Range. Sulia Grande was made famous by the “Touching the Void” ascent of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, back in 1985, while Yerupaja is the second highest in Peru (after Huascaran) and the highest in the Huayhuash Range. All’s well in Peru!

Huayhuash trekkers reach Mitucocha Camp

August 9, 2024

En route to camp near Laguna Mitucocha (John Hodder)

It’s been a busy two days for the Huayhuash trekkers in Peru. IMG guide Tyler Nachand and the team are doing well, and are now “off the grid” and checking in by satellite phone. On Wednesday the team departed Huaraz and drove to the town of Llamac, and then continued to Cuartelwayin, at 13,800 ft for their first night on the trek. On Thursday, the team started with an uphill ascent to their first pass (Paso CCaccananpunta) at 15,400 ft, before dropping down into a fertile valley, around a ridge, and then up to their second camp slightly below Laguna Mitucocha, at about 14,000 ft. The weather has been excellent, perfect for trekking and the incredible views, a great way to start in the Huayhuash!

Huayhuash Team is Out the Door!

The 2024 IMG Huayhuash team on the way to Chiquian with the Huayhuash range behind (Tyler Nachand)

The Huayhuash Range

IMG leader Tyler Nachand reports from the trailhead at Chiquian that the team are all ready to go and begin the trek. The mule arrieros will be meeting them in the morning to load up the bags and camping gear for the circumnavigation of the Huayhuash Range. Well done team, putting yourselves in position. Now the fun begins!

Huayhuash Trekkers visit Laguna Churup

Huayhuash Trekkers at Laguna Churup (Tyler Nachand)

IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports from Peru that the team had a second day of acclimatization hiking today with a trip up to Laguna Churup: “Following our delicious breakfast at Hotel Morales, we made our way up the windy mountain roads above Huaraz to Pitec, where our trek to Laguna Churup began. Starting at 12,600ft, we slowly made our way up to Laguna Churup where we enjoyed stunning views and homemade empanadas for lunch. Above the lake we made our high point of the day at 14,800ft with another breathtaking view of the lake and surrounding glaciated peaks, the closest of which is Nevado Churup at 18,000ft. Our descent felt smooth and easy compared to the uphill as we made our way back to the trailhead for our drive back down to town. Another enjoyable dinner and final gear check for the Huayhuash circuit rounded out our last night in Huaraz. Tomorrow we’ll be heading south towards the Huayhuash circuit trailhead at Quartelhuain, 13,700ft, our first campsite of the trip.”

Huayhuash Trekkers are in Huaraz

Aug 5, 2024 – IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports that everyone made it to Lima, Peru yesterday with all their luggage. Well done, team! From there they traveled up north to the mountain town of Huaraz which is tucked in at the foot of the snowcapped Cordillera Blanca range. Their goal for the trip will be a circumnavigation of the nearby Corrdillera Huayhuash range, one of the world’s classic high mountain treks. Today the team had a nice acclimatization hike with our local guides Maximo and Michel, reaching an altitude of 12,300 ft at the Laguna (lake) Wilcachocha, where they had lunch. Now they are back in Huaraz for showers and dinner. All’s well in Peru!

Huayhuash trekkers on the way to Laguna Wilcacocha with the high peaks in the background (Tyler Nachand)