Iceland Team Enjoying Good Weather and Big Views

July 21, 2019

IMG Senior Guide Craig John checked in again overnight with more incredible photos and to let us know the weather has been quite nice. Iceland is known for being a bit on the damp side, and the team has been prepared for rain during the trek on occasion. Not quite the case for our Iceland trek so far, and as a result, the views have been stunning! The team also had a view of EyjafjallajÃ¶kull Volcano which is the famous volcano that erupted in 2010 disrupting all the air travel into northern Europe.

: Trekking from Hraftinnusker to Ãlftavatan (Craig John)

: EyjafjallajÃ¶kull Volcano (Craig John)

: Myrdals JÃ¶kull Mountain in the distance (Craig John)

: A bit of the beautiful Icelandic scenery (Craig John)

“Today we trekked from Hraftinnusker to Ãlftavatan. Ãlftavatan means swan lake. We had views of Myrdals JÃ¶kull and EyjafiallajÃ¶kull. Huge glaciers. We hiked past steam vents most of the day. Lamb stew is on the menu for tonight. Had one short river crossing today. Two crossings on the agenda for tomorrow.”

Greg Vernovage

Triple Point Summit for IMG’s Mongolia Team

July 21, 2019

Ang Jangbu called late last night to let us know the Team reached the “Triple Point” Summit of Peak Nairandal! Jangbu made the sat phone call just as the team was leaving the summit to let us know that there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the winds were never more than 5km the entire morning. What a perfect day to stand on top of a mountain where Mongolia, China and Russia meet.

: Climbing towards Peak Nairandal (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Summit of Peak Nairandal (2018 Team) (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Looking down the Potaniin Glacier (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

The team then dropped down to high camp for some food before packing up and heading to base camp. Tomorrow is a contingency day where some members will elect to sleep in while other climbers may decide to get in a bonus climb of Mount Malchin.

All is well in Mongolia, and congratulations to all climbers!

Greg Vernovage

IMG Guide Training

July 20, 2019

IMG Guide Training (Harry Hamlin)

Crevasses are one of the greatest hazards mountaineers encounter while climbing glaciated peaks.Â Maintaining adequate rope rescue technique is a very important skill that IMG guides are trained on.Â Practicing regularly keeps our guides proficient and well-educated on a procedure that can be very important if needed.

IMG guide Zack Weinberg

Fine Conditions On Elbrus

July 20, 2019

: Cramponing amongst the rock ( Jonathan Schrock)

: Elbrus rest break (Jonathan Schrock)

Blue skies and nice snow for cramponing greeted the team on their final acclimatization day on Elbrus. Theyâ€™ll spend their second night in the hut on the mountain (albeit a short one) and then likely take a summit shot tonight. Long day ahead but no issues with health or altitude so far so weâ€™ll be keeping fingers crossed, hoping that nothing changes for them.Â Hope to have good news to report tomorrow. For now, all is quite well in Russia.

Phil Ershler

Iceland Update

July 20, 2019

: The Hrafntinnusker Hut (Craig John)

: Trekking through the Laugahraun Lava Field (Craig John)

IMG Senior Guide Craig John checked in from the Hrafntinnusker Hut with more incredible photos.Â After breakfast the team took a nice hike through the Laugahraun Lava Field passing by the colorful Brennisteinsalda Mountain and enjoying our geothermal surroundings. The team then crossed an obsidian desert and right by the Storihver hot springs. The day ended by trekking to one of the most remote huts in Iceland.

: Amazing colors in Iceland (Craig John)

: Trekking to Hrafntinnusker (Craig John)

: A view of Iceland (Craig John)

CJâ€™s photos and sound bite sum up another great day in Iceland:Â â€œAmazing colors and some of the most amazing scenery Iâ€™ve ever seen.â€\

Greg Vernovage

100% on top of Mount Khuiten!

July 20, 2019

Climbing the steep section on Mount Khuiten (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

Ang Jangbu called with great news from Mount Khuiten (14,350ft) in Mongolia.Â The entire team had a great climb and are now back at High Camp resting. The team left high camp at 3am and climbed through some fog and clouds to reach the summit.Â They will rest this afternoon and get a later start in the morning for Peak Nairandal (13,714ft) before returning to base camp.

: Climbers heading up Mount Khuiten (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Mount Khuiten Summit (2018 Team) (Eric Simonson)

Mount Khuiten is the tallest mountain in Mongolia while Peak Nairandal is the â€œTriple Pointâ€ where China, Mongolia and Russia all meet.

Congratulations to the entire Team!

Greg Vernovage

Huayhuash Team Climbs Diablo Mudo!

July 19, 2019

Mules assist with gear, so trekking in the Huayhuash is devoted to fun hiking and spectacular views! (Karin Topfer)

IMG Lead Guide, Betsy, Dain-Owens, reported in last night that 4 of our trekkers and 3 guides successfully climbed and traveresed Diablo Mudo, standing at 17,805′. It’s worthy high peak, anchoring the end of the Cordillera Huayhuash range. Today, the team is completing the trek back to the road, and will make the drive back to Huaraz. Tomorrow, the team will say their farewells to our Peruvian team, and head back to Lima for their flights home.

: Descending from the highlands in the Huayhuash, back to the road. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Patagonian like views during the Huayhuash trek. (Denise Wulfekuhle)

: Up, close, and personal with some spectacular peaks in the Huayhuash! (Karin Topfer)

Next week we’ll complete our blog posts for the trip with some final notes and pics from the climb and final days. Everyone is doing well and we’re excited for the team!

Jason Edwards

Final Days for Early Decision Discount to Everest 2020

July 19, 2019

Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest (Greg Vernovage)

There are only 12 more days to take advantage of the Early Decision Discounts offered for the Everest Season this Spring. These Discounts apply to Spring trips to Nepal including the EBC Trek, Lobuche Peak climb, C2/C3 Climbs and summit climbs of Mount Everest and Lhotse. If you want to take advantage of this discount, get in touch with Greg Vernovage.

Mongolia Team Moves To High Camp

July 19, 2019

Horses on the Potaniin Glacier (Charlotte Austin)

Ang Jangbu checked in this morning (evening in Mongolia) to let us know the team had a great day moving to high camp.Â The climb to high camp starts with the team trekking about 45 minutes up the trail towards Mount Malchin.Â The route then takes a left and crosses the glacial moraine where the team puts on their crampons and ropes up for the climb up to High Camp.Â The trek up the Potaniin Glacier is not necessarily technical but we cross a few glacier runoff areas and keep our eyes open for crevasses as we get closer to high camp.

: High Camp with alpenglow on Mount Khuiten (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Trekking on the Potaniin Glacier (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

The team had a good dinner and are planning on departing high camp for the summit of Mount Khuiten between 2:00 and 3:00 in the morning. Â The weather looks good for tonightâ€™s climb and we have our fingers crossed the winds cooperate.

All is well on Mount Khuiten!

Elbrus Update

July 19, 2019

Team During Training Day on Elbrus (Jonathan Schrock)

Training day is complete and today the team moved up to the high hut to ready for their summit attempt.Â Tomorrowâ€™s another acclimatization day.Â You hear that â€˜acclimatizationâ€™ word â€“ a lot!.Â Proper acclimatization is essential for safety, success and enjoyment up high.Â And, 18,000 ft + is high!

Plan is a good hike tomorrow and then to get everything ready for a summit bid.Â Sunday, if weather permits, could be their first attempt to summit. Theyâ€™re getting ready/prepared. Now itâ€™s a matter of having the shot.Â Something about opportunity meeting preparednessâ€¦â€¦

Phil Ershler