Spring Ski Tour On Mt. Rainier

May 28, 2013

: Getting some spring turns in on Mt. Rainier. (Photo by Dallas Glass)

: Paul and Raychel

: The group skinning out to Cowlitz Rocks (Photo by Cedric Gamble)

IMG guides Dallas Glass and Cedric Gamble had a rewarding day of ski guiding on the flanks of Mt Rainier over the holiday weekend. While most folks have hung up their skis for the season, the ample snowfalls and mountainous terrain of the northwest, allows for superb ski conditions well into the summer.Â What better way to sharpen your backcountry skills and learn new terrain, than to spend a day ski touring with a guide on Mt. Rainier?

Despite the forecast for rain showers and gloomy clouds at Paradise in the morning, the group decided to head out to ski Cowlitz Rocks. The forecast played to their favor keeping most would-be-Memorial Day skiers at home. The cloudy skies eventually cleared providing dynamic views and enjoyable skiing in this truly alpine setting. It just goes to show that sometimes the mountain will reward you for braving a little drizzle.

After several laps of spring skiing and with huge smiles on all faces the group returned safely to Paradise. Thereâ€™s just something special about celebrating the unofficial start to summer with a big day of ski touring.

George Dunn

Bona Team In Anchorage

May 28, 2013

Bona Team On The Summit

IMG guide Sheldon Kerr called in twice yesterday. They got down to basecamp the evening on May 26 after all members of the team summited the day prior. All are well and were waiting for the bush pilot to come and pick them up.Â Pickup of the team will either happen late on the 27th or the morning of the 28th, weather permitting.

It sounds like the entire team is feeling healthy, happy and proud of their accomplishments, as they should.

Congratulations to them!

George Dunn

Update: The team ended up being flown off late on the 27th and were flown to the Chitina landing strip. From there they shuttled to Anchorage in the wee hours of the morning.Â They’re likely trickling out of bed now and making some breakfast plans.

Bona Team Summits

May 25,2013

Mt. Bona from the plane. (Sheldon Kerr)

IMG Guide Austin Shannon called in from the summit of Mt. Bona today. The entire team enjoyed a “perfect summit day with warm temps and no wind”.

They’re en route back to high camp for dinner and a toast!

Tye Chapman

I Can See Mt. Logan From My Tent

May 22, 2013

IMG guide Austin Shannon called in tonight from the Mt. Bona expedition. The weather continues to be perfect, Austin reports there is not a breath of wind and it is â€œsuper warmâ€. By that, of course he means in the mid to high 20â€™s Farenheit. The team continues to feel super strong, no headaches or ailments of any kind. They moved up to Camp 1 at 12,000 feet today and are finishing getting camp set up. Austin says it is absolutely gorgeous out tonight, and they can see Mt. Logan across the border in Canada. They are melting lots of water, will have a good dinner soon, then off to bed. They will likely take a rest day tomorrow, but will decide in the morning.

George Dunn

Bona Team Carried To Camp 1

May 22, 2013

Views all around.

Guide Sheldon Kerr called in from Mt. Bona basecamp yesterday evening via sat phone. The connection was a bit spotty, but she was able to communicate that all was well and the team was doing a super job.

They made a light carry to Camp 1 at 12,000 feet. It was cold in the morning but the day proved to be beautiful weather. Today the team will either take a rest day or move to 12,000 feet, depending on how everyone feels. Sheldon says everyone wanted to pass on helloâ€™s to their families.

George Dunn

Bona Team On Their Way

May 21, 2013

Step 1 is getting there.

After being flown onto the glacier yesterday morning, Sheldon reports they worked hard to get base camp set up and secured. Theyâ€™ll use today as a team training and acclimatization day. They need to review roped glacier travel safety and practice crevasse rescue techniques before heading up the mountain.

Theyâ€™ll likely make a carry up to the next camp (12,000â€™), weather permitting, on Wednesday, the 22^nd. This process of making a carry to the next camp one day, then moving up to the new camp the next will go on for two more camps before they are in place to summit from a high camp at around 14,000 feet. With a few weather days thrown in for good measure, theyâ€™ll be well acclimated before they try for the 16,400 foot summit.

George Dunn

Trek The Great Himalayan Trail

May 20, 2013

I’m getting excited about the upcoming trek this fall from Upper Dolpo to Mustang, Nepal. This includes the Crystal Mountain Kora and the Great Himalaya Trail. Â It’s a dream trip and we’ve got a fine, well vetted crew on board, which makes it even better. We depart in 4 short months and there are still a few spots left, so now is the time to join the team, don’t delay!

: North of the Himalayan Crest. (Photo by Adam Angel)

: IMG Camp. (Photo by Adam Angel)

: North of the Himalayan Crest. (Photo by Adam Angel)

: IMG Trekkers. (Photo by Adam Angel)

As with everything on the IMG website, there is a ton of information there, but don’t hesitate to contact us if there is anything you want to discuss about one of the coolest treks imaginable!

Adam Angel

Hurry Up And Wait

May 20, 2013

Hurry up and wait.

The Mt. Bona team met in Anchorage this Saturday afternoon for the start of their program. All the team membersâ€™ baggage finally arrived in time for them to depart early Sunday morning on the 4 Â½ hour drive to Chitina for pickup by bush pilot Paul Claus.

Unfortunately, cloudy weather prohibited them from being flown onto the Klutlan Glacier at the base of Mt. Bona. Instead, they were delivered to the Claus family facility at an inholding in Wrangell/St Elias National Park on the Chitina River. They spent the night as guests there and hopefully were flown onto the mountain early this morning. Guide Sheldon Kerr will call in by satellite phone tonight with an update. We wish them good success!

George Dunn

Next Up: Mt. Bona

May 15, 2013

Today George Dunn is getting his Mt. Bona guides Austin Shannon and Sheldon Kerr dialed for their upcoming Mt. Bona trip.

Looks like they’re off to a good start!

Tye Chapman

Happy Mother’s Day From Machu Picchu

May 12, 2013

From: Chris Meder
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2013 7:09 PM
To: George Dunn
Subject: Happy Mothers Day from Machu Picchu team

Hi George,

We just arrived back in Cusco after another full day.Â The group elected to head back up to Machu Picchu this morning and hike the challenging Wayna Picchu peak.Â Steep trail and rocky stairs led to an incredible top-down view of Machu Picchu.Â And, while on top we had a Happy Mothers Day message to send home!

Happy Mother's Day

Chris