November 16, 2015
Relaxing at Papa Gayo, with Cayambe in the distance.
We think the team is Ecuador is having just too much fun. After their hike over the weekend on Fuya Fuya and Imbabura, the crew headed to a new hacienda called Papa Gayo. Very nice! Today, they’re getting serious as they head up to the hut on Cayambe. Plan is for two nights there, with a day of glacier training, before making a summit bid.
All continues to go well.
Phil Ershler
November 15, 2015
It’s been a good “IMG weekend†in Mexico and Ecuador. Austin Shannon and Dallas Glass met their crew, without issue, in Mexico City on Saturday. They headed out of town this morning for their first objection – Ixtaccihuatl. Went for an acclimatization hike today above Cortez Pass and the guides report they’ve got a strong team. We’ll take it.
Pretty much the same word coming from our Ecuador team.  Luke Reilly and Romulo Cardenas pulled their crew together late Thursday evening. Friday was a super fun walking tour of Old Town with Romulo relaying more information than you can imagine. They then drove north, past the equator, to the town of Otavalo, with a lunch stop at this great ‘locals’ spot along the highway. Locro, an Ecuadorian soup of potato with cheese, is their specialty. Visited the famous Otavalo market Saturday morning and then hiked Fuya Fuya. It’s a nice first hike with an interesting little rock step at the end. The group loved it.
They finished the day with a visit to the village of Peguche and visited with a local weaver friend of ours.  Dinner was at the Hacienda Pinsaqui.  Today’s schedule called for a climb up Imbabura and then down to a new hacienda near the town of Cayambe. Team’s doing great.
Phil Ershler
November 3, 2015
The Team moved through Phortse and stopped to check out all of the construction along the way. Things are doing great!
Another fantastic day on the trail, they stopped to see many of our IMG Sherpa along the way. The Team is in Namche for the night and off to Lukla tomorrow morning.
Greg Vernovage
November 2, 2015
When you trek through Phortse, you are basically walking into the who is who of the IMG Sherpa Guide world. Many Sherpa from of our Team live in the village of Phortse and the hospitality is amazing when we come through.
Craig and our trekking team pulled into Phortse for lunch after a beautiful trek down the Na Valley. They visited the monastery as well as a number of the houses that have been rebuilt after the earthquake. “The village looks amazing and everyone is eager to show off all of the work that has been done.â€
Thank you once again to everyone who pitched in to help our Sherpa families, our team of trekkers said the place looks amazing!
Greg Vernovage
November 1, 2015
It was a nice day in the Khumbu Valley for our team. Our team heading downhill made it into Lukla in good time. Sometimes people forget that they need to hike uphill to go from Phakding back up to Lukla! Just need to take it slow and steady, and enjoy the great photo opportunities during the last day on the trail. The team is scheduled to KTM tomorrow morning.
Craig John and his group trekked over Cho La (5355m; 17,580ft) today and have settled in at Thagnak (or Dragnag) at 4700m /15,400ft. The name of this stop varies depending on which map you look at. This part of the trek is very spectacular. When you get through this pass (Cho La) you enter a different part of the Khumbu Valley. It is less traveled than the main route to EBC and offers amazing views. With a fresh layer of snow on the ground, I am sure the team will get great photos of Cho Oyu, Cholatse and Taboche peaks. What a beautiful place!
Greg Vernovage
October 31, 2015
Everyone has checked in from the Khumbu Valley and are doing well. IMG assistant guide Cedric Gamble reports that the downhill team had a great day on the trail today and are tucked into Namche for the night. Tomorrow they will finish off the trek into Lukla.
IMG guide Craig John and some of the climbers stayed back at Lobuche Base Camp to take another try at the summit. However, additional snowfall has now shut down their second attempt. They gave it a good shot and have now decided to move on, and take in the landscape in another part of the Khumbu on their descent. They will evaluate the trail conditions and make a decision on what freshly coated area of the valley to visit for the next few days as they make their way back towards Lukla.
Eric Simonson
October 30, 2015
It has been a hard fought couple of days on Lobuche. The team woke up to a snowstorm on their first night at High Camp but had enough supplies and energy to hang tight and look at trying again the following night.
With wintery route conditions, the team set out for the summit of Lobuche early this morning. Moving slow over the ice and snow covered rocks, Craig evaluated the route with every step and upon arriving at one of the steeper rock slabs made the decision with the team that this was far enough. The conditions were rock slab with a thick layer of ice and about 6-8 inches of snow covering it all.
After descending to Lobuche Base Camp, some of the team has decided to head down valley towards Lukla and a few other members of the team have elected to give Lobuche one more shot tomorrow. We will keep you posted on the team’s progress up and down the valley.
Greg Vernovage
October 29, 2015
Ama Dablam from Khongma La (Tye Chapman)
Our Team is holding tight at Lobuche High Camp and all is well. Craig checked in to let us know that the team is sitting tight and waiting out some snow. “There is not a ton of accumulation but it was a little tough to see.â€Â With that information, they kept checking for a break in the weather and are poised to take a shot at it again tonight.
So the team has been rolling along on this trip until last night. I would call this a small speed bump, just slowing us down. On the high side, the Team had more opportunity to rest and get strong for the climb and we have plenty of food and fuel to hang for a little while. Having a little snow on the route down low is not necessarily a bad thing either. We have had snow in the past on this route and it can make travel over the rocks more manageable in some places.
So what do we do while we wait? Drink some tea and laugh with some friends!
We will see what the mountain lets us do tonight!
Greg Vernovage
October 28, 2015
All is well from High Camp on Lobuche. The team arrived at High Camp (17, 200 ft) in good time and got an early dinner. The summit dinner at High Camp on Lobuche is Sherpa Stew. Called Shakpa, this is a delicious, warm and filling meal, perfect for the summit night dinner.
An early bedtime, the team is planning on waking up in the middle of the night and walking by 2:30 am. This will be just after lunch if you are the West Coast in the USA or a little later on the East Coast. The route is in great shape by all reports and the Team is excited to put their crampons to work and get climbing!
Greg Vernovage
October 27, 2015
It’s that time of year again. The mornings are crisp and cool. The trees have turned beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red. And our home here in the Cascades is transforming into a winter wonderland. If you’re a skier, snowboarder, snowshoer, or winter alpinist it’s the time of year you start to get really excited! With each subsequent storm you start checking your gear, looking at maps, and planning some of your winter’s backcountry adventures.
Traveling in the mountains during the winter brings with it some of the most rewarding moments. It also brings with it the need for additional skill sets from our normal summer hiking and climbing seasons. We need to know how, when, and where to travel in the mountains during the winter in order to stay safe. Identifying and avoiding avalanche risk is one of the critical skills for winter recreationist. Whether you’re new to winter recreation or an avid winter traveler, our education in avalanche avoidance is a lifelong process.
Nestled at the base of iconic Mt Rainier, International Mountain Guides’ headquarters is the perfect place to begin your avalanche education journey or take the next steps to becoming an informed winter traveler. All courses are hosted at IMG’s offices in Ashford, WA with group transportation from Ashford to field sites within Mt Rainier National Park.
Top Tier Avalanche Instructors: Our avalanche education instructor pool is second to none. Our staff work as avalanche professionals on local, regional, and national levels as avalanche forecasters, ski guides, and instructors. Tap into their decades of experience as you learn the ins and outs of backcountry travel.
Lowest Student to Instructor Ratio: At IMG we feel that the more time you have to work with an instructor in a small group the more opportunity you have to learn. IMG’s 5:1 ratio will make sure you get the personalized instruction you need.
Field Time Every Day: What’s the best way to learn about the snow? Get out in it. IMG’s close proximity to Mt Rainier allows us to spend the bulk of our time outside and not in a classroom.
Lodging and Transportation Included: Lodging at IMG’s headquarters is included during the course. Each day we will ride together in IMG’s vans from Ashford to Mt Rainier.
AIARE Level 1: Whether you’re new to winter recreation, haven’t had an avalanche course in several years, or just want to brush up on key avalanche avoidance skills this course is a great place to start. AIARE’s Level 1 will equip you with the skills to get informed about current avalanche conditions, plan according to the information, and find the best snow for your goals. At the end of a Level 1 you will have the skills to travel as a competent member of a group, with the support of avalanche and snow information in avalanche terrain. (Backcountry skis, snowboard, or snowshoes required)
Backcountry Touring & AIARE Level 1 Combo: This course is designed for the resort skier/rider who wants to begin to explore the backcountry. You’ll get all the information of an AIARE Level 1 with the addition of 5 complete touring days to learn and refine your tour planning skills, uphill travel techniques, and group management to set you up to ski/ride those unexplored slopes beyond the rope line of the ski areas. (Backcountry Skis or Snowboard required)
AIARE Level 2: This course is for the backcountry traveler who wants to take his/her travel to the next level. This course isn’t about geeking out in snowpits or staring through a magnifying glass. It’s about developing real skills to venture into deeper or more challenging winter environments. When you complete our AIARE Level 2 you will develop the skills to be a leader within your travel groups, travel without the support of an avalanche bulletin, and travel in more complicated avalanche terrain. (Backcountry skis, snowboard, or snowshoes required)
Mt Rainier Ski Traverse: Ever dream of a big backcountry ski adventure? Well this is it! Join IMG guides as we traverse Mt Rainier south to north from Paradise to the Carbon River Road. Crossing more than five glaciers and experiencing Mt Rainier in a whole new light. This will be the trip of a lifetime! (Backcountry Skis or Snowboard Required)
Guided Backcountry Skiing/Riding: Whether you have a specific skill you want to learn, have an objective you want to ski, or just plain want a great day of skiing. Let IMG’s guides help you find that great ski line. Private guided backcountry skiing and riding is available all winter long. Let us help plan your ski adventure. (Backcountry Skis or Snowboard Required)
Private Avalanche Courses Available: Contact IMG for details.
We hope to see you this winter in the mountains!
Dallas Glass
