IMG blog
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube
  • RSS
  • Blog Home
  • IMG Home
  • Mt. Rainier
    • Mt. Rainier Climbs Schedule
    • Winter Ski & Avalanche Training
  • Expeditions
    • IMG Expeditions Filter
    • Seven Summits
    • Trip Reports
    • Client Comments
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contact Us

Cho Oyu Team Acclimatizing In Tibet

September 5, 2019

2019 Cho Oyu Team trekking above Chinese Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)
Chinese Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)
Relaxing at Chinese Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

The Cho Oyu Team was up and out the door early this morning.  After a good breakfast in Tingri, the team loaded into the vehicles and made their way up the road to Chinese Base Camp.  They arrived in time to meet our Sherpa Team before they loaded the yaks and headed to ABC.  After the 17 yaks and our Sherpa Team departed Chinese Base Camp for ABC, the team had some soup and then trekked up to 5,000 meters for some acclimatization.

After the hike, Kaji cooked a nice lunch for the team before they returned to Tingri for the night.  The plan for tomorrow is to wake up and hit the road early for the move to Chinese Base Camp.  Phunuru reports a couple other teams are at Chinese Base Camp as well.

Our Sherpa Team had a good day with excellent weather and made it to ABC with all of the yak loads.  Tomorrow, the team will begin working on ABC and the following day, make a carry to Camp 1.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage

Read More

Rainier 2020 Dates Released!

September 4, 2019

IMG Guide, Zach Weinberg, taking it all in on a 2019 ascent Mt. Rainier (Sina Tavallai)

The wait is over! Our 2020 Mt. Rainier dates have been released!

Registration is now open for the following 2020 Programs:

6.5 Day Denali Prep Seminar – This program is a perfect introduction to extreme cold weather mountaineering  and a perquisite for a guided Denali Expedition. Learn crevasse rescue, sled rigging & hauling, expedition camping, navigation, fixed line travel, and more.

AIARE Avalanche Level I – This three day course is an introduction to the skills a backcountry recreationist needs to safely travel in avalanche terrain. Topics covered include identifying avalanche terrain, understanding snowpack basics, developing a plan, team decision making, and fundamentals of companion rescue.

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course – This one day program is intended to be retaken every other year to maintain and hone your companion rescue skills. New students can focus on the basics of companion rescue while returning students expand their skills with advanced topics. All students receive in-depth training and feedback during realistic scenario practice. The Avalanche Rescue Course is a prerequisite of the AIARE Level 2 Course.

3.5 Day Disappointment Cleaver Route – This program is by far the most enjoyable way to climb Rainier and is also a great introduction to mountaineering. Learn to climb safely and efficiently with expert instruction on cramponing, ice axe arrest, and rope team travel.

Women’s 3.5 Day Disappointment Cleaver Climb – If you’re a woman looking to climb and make connections with other strong women, don’t miss this program. Led by an all-female guide crew, this program follows the same itinerary as our other 3.5 Day DC Climbs.

 4.5 Day Emmons Route – Excellent for the strong beginner to intermediate climber with a very high level of fitness and stamina. The Emmons climb offers a more remote, aesthetic experience on a quieter side of the mountain. Expedition-style climbing requires a heavier pack than our standard DC, but it’s well worth the effort.

Kautz Route – This exciting intermediate route includes ascending a 30-50 degree snow/ice chute. Because the Kautz is more demanding and technical than the standard routes, prerequisites include a prior summit of Mt. Rainier via the DC or Emmons (or a comparable glacier climb approved by IMG). Come test your mettle on this challenging route off the beaten path.

Advanced climbers will enjoy the challenge of more technical programs such as the Fuhrer Finger and Liberty Ridge.

Additional training programs focusing on skills development include our Little Tahoma Seminar, Glacier Skills Seminar, Mountaineering Day School, Advanced Mountaineering Day School, and Crevasse Rescue School.

Check out our Rainier FAQ and click here to register !

Please note that the only way to apply for a spot on a Mt. Rainier program is to submit a completed Rainier application form and application fee. Absolutely no reservations or holds will be taken by phone. No exceptions.

Each application is time-stamped and processed in the order in which it is received. List your available dates in order of preference and if you are climbing with one or more partners, you’ll want to include each other’s names in the space provided on the application. It is best to send your applications all together in one email.

All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. We strongly advise that you purchase travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage to protect your investment in the event you need to cancel.

Heather Garland

Read More

Cho Oyu Team moves up to Tingri

September 4, 2019

Road to Chinese Base Camp (Dallas Glass)
Prayer flags above Tingri (Dallas Glass)
2019 Cho Oyu Team at the Qomolangma Park Entrance (Phunuru Sherpa)
Tibetan Family in Tingri (Dallas Glass)

Phunuru called this morning to let us know the team had a good day moving from Shigatse to Tingri (14,265’/4300m).  Today was a day of travel in vehicles, taking in the Himalayas from the North Side.  A few high clouds and a cool breeze kept the team moving and they are now settled in at Tingri.

Tomorrow, the Team will head to Chinese Base Camp to visit IMG Head Chef, Kaji Sherpa for lunch and some acclimatization hiking before dropping back down to Tingri for the night.  A couple nights of sleep at Tingri will help the team acclimatize before making the move to Chinese Base Camp.  With the newly paved roads in Tibet, traveling by vehicle is much easier and allows our team to get more altitude before dropping back down for a comfortable nights of sleep.

Our Sherpa Team has loads ready for the yaks that arrived today and will be heading out tomorrow morning for ABC.

The team is feeling great!

Greg Vernovage

Read More

Salkantay Team Ready To Start Trekking

September 3, 2019

Pisac Market during a tour of the Sacred Valley (Charlotte Austin)

Everything is good in Peru! Yesterday we had a great tour of the Sacred Valley, and we’re heading out this morning to start trekking. Everybody’s looking forward to hitting the trail!

Charlotte Austin

Read More

The Cho Oyu Team in Shigatse

September 3, 2019

2019 Cho Oyu Team in Shigatse (Phunuru Sherpa)
Monks visiting in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Phunuru Sherpa)
Shigatse with the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Phunuru Sherpa)
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Phunuru Sherpa

IMG Senior Guide, Phunuru Sherpa, checked in with news from Shigatse (12,467’/3,800m) overnight.  The team had  great day stretching their legs and visiting the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.  The weather was cool and damp but that did not stop the team from getting out and exploring the area around Shigatse and taking the tour of Tashi Lhunpo.

Our Sherpa Team is at Chinese Base Camp preparing loads and camp for the teams arrival.  We have 15 yaks arriving tomorrow to pick up loads and begin the trek to ABC.  From Chinese Base Camp, our Sherpa Team will head up to Intermediate Camp and then to ABC.

Greg Vernovage

Read More

Cho Oyu Team on the Move

September 2, 2019

Our Climbing Team and Sherpa Team were both on the move today. Phunuru checked in to let us know that everyone is doing well and now settled in at Shigatse (12,467’/3,800m). Tomorrow will be a day of acclimatization for the team and they will hike up and around the monastery.

Inside the Tashilumpo Monastery in Shigatse
Inside the Tashilumpo Monastery in Shigatse
New paved road to Chinese Base Camp (Pasang Kami Sherpa)
New paved road to Chinese Base Camp (Pasang Kami Sherpa)
IMG Gear at Chinese Base Camp (Pasang Kami Sherpa)
IMG Gear at Chinese Base Camp (Pasang Kami Sherpa)

 

Our Sherpa Team has also made it up to Chinese Base Camp. They are actually camping a little further up the road from normal Chinese Base Camp in an area called Dremobuk. The Sherpa have already set up kitchen and sleeping tents and will get the dining tent set up tomorrow. They will also start re-packing gear for the trek to ABC. They have yaks scheduled to arrive for the trek in a couple days which makes everything on schedule.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage

Read More

Cho Oyu Team Vists Norbu Linka

September 1, 2019

Phunuru Sherpa checked in to let us know the team had another great day in Lhasa. The team changed their plans slightly as The Shoton Festival (yogurt festival) started in Lhasa, so Norbu Linka would be a must to visit! There were many Tibetan families picnicking in the Norbu Linka garden and Tibetan opera was going on as well.

Norbu Linka: Summer home to the Dalai Lama (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Norbu Linka: Summer home to the Dalai Lama (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Entrance to the Norbu Linka (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Entrance to the Norbu Linka (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Monks debating outside the Sera Monastery (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Monks debating outside the Sera Monastery (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Sera Monastery (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Sera Monastery (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

 

The team also visited the Sera Monastery before heading back to the hotel to prepare for the move up to Shigatse in the morning. Our Sherpa Team has made it to Tingri as well. The Sherpa will do some repacking and shopping before heading up to Chinese Base Camp.

Greg Vernovage

Read More

Cho Oyu Team Tours Lhasa

August 31, 2019

IMG Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa checked in with some beautiful pictures of the day in Lhasa. The team is doing great and had a nice day touring the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple. The weather is beautiful and the team is acclimatizing well.

2019 Cho Oyu Team in front of the Potala Palace (Phunuru Sherpa)
2019 Cho Oyu Team in front of the Potala Palace (Phunuru Sherpa)
Phunuru and our Liaison Officer Pema in front of Jokhang Temple (Phunuru Sherpa)
Phunuru and our Liaison Officer Pema in front of Jokhang Temple (Phunuru Sherpa)

 

Tomorrow they will go see Norbu Linka in the morning and then the Sera monastery in the afternoon. The Shoton festival (yogurt festival) started in Lhasa so Norbu Linka will be a festive area for the team. They will see Tibetan families picnicking in the Norbu Linka garden and hear some of the Tibetan opera going on.

Our Sherpa Team has crossed the border and will be heading to Tingri tomorrow morning. The team had to slow their progress to wait for a small landslide to be cleared, but they are still moving well.

Road issues are common on the approach to Cho Oyu (Phunuru Sherpa)
Road issues are common on the approach to Cho Oyu (Phunuru Sherpa)
The first view of Cho Oyu from west of Tingri (Ang Jangbu)
The first view of Cho Oyu from west of Tingri (Ang Jangbu)

 

Once in Tingri, the Sherpa Team will buy more fresh food before heading to Chinese Base Camp to start preparing for the team’s arrival.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage

Read More

Autumn Himalaya Kickoff!

August 30, 2019

2019 Cho Oyu Team arrives to Lhasa airport (Phunuru Sherpa)
Hiking along Tse Tsho after visiting the Guru Rinpoche cave on the Kangshung Face Trek (Eric Simonson)
Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp (Karma Rita)
Yaks carrying with Ama Dablam (Phunuru Sherpa)

Our 2019 Cho Oyu Team has arrived in Lhasa!  IMG Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa checked in to report the team had a perfect flight across the Himalayas from Kathmandu, then a great afternoon getting settled in and meeting with the local staff.  Lhasa 11,995’ (3,650m) is a big jump in altitude for the team, so they will spend 3 nights to help with acclimatization.  Tomorrow, the plan for the team is to tour the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.  Our Cho Oyu Sherpa Team is now at the Kyirong border and will be crossing into Tibet tomorrow morning with a big truck load of gear.

This kicks off a busy Autumn Season in Nepal and Tibet!  Our Putha Hiunchuli Team is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on September 16 and we are looking forward to climbing again this remote and beautiful 23,773’ (7,246m) mountain in the Dhaulagiri area.  In September we also have several Private Everest Treks, heading to both the Nepal side and to the Kangshung (east) Face in Tibet.  October will see our 3X3 trekkers and  Lobuche Peak and Ama Dablam climbers arriving to Kathmandu for the Autumn season in the Khumbu Valley.  Finally, we’ll also be running our first Manaslu Circuit trek later this season.

Whether you are looking to trek or climb, the Himalaya is the place to be this Autumn!

Greg Vernovage

 

Read More

New England Programs

August 29, 2019

The summit of Mt. Washington in NH (Dan Riethmuller)
Waterfall ice in NH (Dan Riethmuller)
Climbing in the gullies of NH (Dan Riethmuller)

As the Rainier seasons winds down, our New England guides are making their way back across the country for winter in the White Mountains, the birthplace of mountaineering and ice climbing in the United States. If you’re looking to develop cold weather mountaineering and ice climbing skills that’ll take you to places from Rainier to Denali to Everest, New Hampshire is the perfect place to do it. IMG Guides, Craig John, Nickel Wood, Dan Riethmuller, and AJ Hunter are ready to share their technical expertise and general love for the rugged terrain and notorious weather found in the Whites.

Email office@mountainguides.com for more info on private ascents of Mt. Washington, Presidential Traverses, roadside ice cragging, multi-pitch ice climbing in the gullies, and one to four day mountaineering seminars.

Watch for group dates to be released soon.

Heather Garland

Read More
«‹104105106107108›»

Archives

Categories

© 1998- International Mountain Guides. All rights reserved.