IMG Camp Muir 2019

April 28, 2019

View of Camp Muir from the ridge April 2019 (Robert Jantzen)

IMG Guide, Robert Jantzen, checked in from Camp Muir to let us know the crew has been working hard! They shoveled a platform in the snow yesterday and today they are setting up the WeatherPort, a structure used by the guide services to store gear and cook for clients on the DC climbs.

: Shoveling the platform (Robert Jantzen)

: IMG Camp Muir Setup 2019 (Robert Jantzen)

All is well and the team expects to descend to HQ today. Climbs begin on Saturday!

We have an opening on our May 24-27 climb. Sign up today!

Heather Garland

New Openings On The DC/Emmons/Kautz!

April 24, 2019

Early season on Rainier (Patrick Mauro)

We have two new openings on the 3.5 Day DC Summit Climb!

May 20-23
May 24-27

We also have the following availability:

4.5 Day Emmons
June 15-19

4.5 Day Kautz
June 29 – July 3

Email your application packet to office@mountainguides.com today!

IMG HQ

Putha Hiunchuli Expedition 2019

April 23, 2019

Sherpas at Camp 2 on Putha Hiunchuli (Karma Rita)

If you’ve been following IMG’s current Himalayan season and it has you itching to climb a big mountain yourself, you should seriously consider our Putha Hiunchuli Expedition this September 16 – October 18! We first climbed 23,773′ Putha Hiunchuli (POO-ta hoo-en-CHOO-lee) in 2017 and are excited to return to this remote mountain in the Dhaulagiri Range this autumn.

Email office@mountainguides.com for more info!

Heather Garland

Available Mountaineering Courses with IMG – Summer 2019

April 23, 2019

Tibloc ratchet (James Wolff)

We still have availability on this summer’s mountaineering courses! Take one at a time or take them on consecutive days. Either way, you’ll be a better mountaineer and safer climbing partner when you’re done!

MDS = Mountain Day School
AMDS = Advanced Mountain Day School
CRS = Crevasse Rescue School

May 17 MDS
May 18-19 CRS

June 14 MDS
June 15-16 CRS

May 24 MDS
May 25-26 CRS

July 4 MDS
July 5 AMDS
July 6-7 CRS

July 25 MDS
July 26 AMDS
July 27-28 CRS

August 8 MDS
August 9 AMDS
August 10-11 CRS

August 21 MDS
August 22 AMDS
August 23-24 CRS

To sign up, just complete and submit your application packet to office@mountainguides.com!

IMG HQ

IMG Spring Guide Training 2019

April 22, 2019

IMG Guide Staff 2019 (Robert Jantzen)

It’s hard to believe we are less than two weeks away from our first Rainier climb of the season! Our dedicated office staff has been busy since September processing applications and answering gear questions and now it’s time for all of their hard work to come to fruition. But before we turn our full attention to climbing the mountain, we must first tend to the task of guide training. Every spring, veteran guides and new guide candidates meet at IMG HQ in Ashford, WA for orientation, a BBQ, and training. This year’s turnout was the biggest yet and we were fortunate to have excellent weather both days.

2019 guide training on Mt. Rainier (George Dunn)

I asked IMG Guide, Rowan Stewart, what he enjoyed most and he said, “The highlight of the weekend for me was the training day at Paradise on Sunday. We had the opportunity to practice rescue skills, work on in the field problem solving, and absorb information from the knowledgeable senior staff of IMG”.

There was certainly no shortage of knowledgeable senior staff. On Saturday, we had Emily Johnston, MD present her “Doc Talk”, followed by hands-on technical training with Jason Edwards, Andy Polloczek, and Jonathan Schrock. Emily, Andy, and Jonathan will all be guiding on Denali this summer before stints on Rainier, in the Alps, and on Elbrus.

IMG’s world-class guide staff is the best in the business. Join them on guided treks, climbs, and mountaineering expeditions all around the world!

Heather Garland

IMG Crevasse Rescue Courses Available

April 19, 2019

Proper crevasse rescue skills are essential in the mountains (Greg Vernovage)

If you are planning a glacier climb in the Cascades this summer, you and your teammates will need the requisite crevasse rescue skills. IMG’s two day Crevasse Rescue School is the perfect place to learn the knots, anchors, and systems that are mandatory for any mountain climber.

We have availability on the following comprehensive training sessions:

May 18-19
May 25-26
June 15-16
July 6-7
July 27-28
August 10-11
August 23-14

Don’t leave it to chance in the mountains, climb prepared! Email office@mountainguides.com or submit your application packet now.

IMG HQ

IMG’s 5th Denali Prep Team Checks In From Muir

April 18, 2019

Team moving up to Camp Muir in a whiteout (Betsy Dain-Owens)

Our 5th Denali Prep Seminar of 2019 made the trip up to Camp Muir yesterday after spending two days and nights working on their expedition camping skills at the 6,200′ Marmot Hill Camp.

: Blue skies on the way to Marmot Hill (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Sled Hauling on the Denali Prep (Betsy Dain-Owens)

They had blue skies and sunshine for their sled hauling day out of Paradise, but the weather has since turned. Lead Guide, Andy Polloczek, called in this morning and reported the team was “socked in” at Muir and won’t be traveling.

We still have one spot left on our 6th and final seminar of the season April 27 – May 3! Email office@mountainguides.com for details!

Heather Garland

Don’t Miss IMG’s Last 2019 ‘Prep For Rainier’ Seminar – REI Seattle – April 24

April 17, 2019

IMG has been teaming up with local REI stores in Washington for a 90 minute seminar on â€œHow to Prep for Mt. Rainierâ€. So far, we’ve had a great turn out and have been excited to see many new faces. The seminar reviews popular climbing routes (DC, Emmons, Kautz) and how to train mentally and physically for a climb. We also highlight key considerations for climbing independently, choosing a guide service, and acquiring the necessary gear.

Big thanks to REI for hosting and to our wonderful guides for their presentations! (Patrick Mauro, Robert Jantzen, Rikki Dunn, Leanne Sebren, Jay Lyons)

If you haven’t made it to one yet, you won’t want to miss out on seeing IMG Guide, Patrick Mauro, at REI Seattle on April 24th @ 6:30PM for the last seminar of the season!

We currently have availability on the following climbs:

3.5Â Day DC
June 23-26

4.5 Day Emmons
June 15-19

5.5 Day Kautz
July 7-12

6.5 Day Glacier Skills Seminar
July 14-20

If you have a question, or are interested in climbing Mt. Rainier, please do not hesitate to contact our office at office@mountainguides.com or (360) 569-2609

See you on the mountain!

IMG Guide, Leanne Sebren

100% Summit Success Rate On Mt. Whitney For 2019

April 16, 2019

Nearing the summit of Mt. Whitney (Kurt Wedberg)

The Mt Whitney programs have come to an end for this year and we are happy to report that all four programs were 100% successful at reaching the summit. My congratulations to each of the teams!

On the summit of Mt. Whitney (Kurt Wedberg)

Weâ€™ll be posting 2020 dates here shortly on the IMG website and look forward to seeing you on this fun climb of the highest summit in the lower 48 States. Anyone can hike up the Mt. Whitney Trail, but it takes basic crampon and ice axe skills to get to the top of the mountain on the Mountaineersâ€™ Route on the east side in early season conditions. Come climb with IMG in 2020!

George Dunn

Open Spots On The Emmons & Kautz!

April 10, 2019

Summit Crater (Nickel Wood)

Looking for a more remote challenge on Mt. Rainier than the standard Camp Muir/DC climb? We thought you might be! And we have options for you…

If you are physically fit and can carry a 50lb pack uphill for several thousand feet but are still a beginner mountaineer, take a look at the 4.5 Day Emmons Climb! We currently have one opening on the June 15-19 trip.

Moving to Camp Shurman on the Emmons Glacier (Jason Edwards)

If you are physically fit and can carry a 50lb pack uphill for several thousand feet on very steep terrain and have the requisite experience for an intermediate route, take a look at our 5.5 Day Kautz Climb! We currently have one opening on our July 7-12 trip.

Climbers on the Kautz (Patty O’Rourke)

Both glaciers are off the beaten path and require teams to be self-sufficient. This can be a welcome escape on a mountain that sees as many visitors as Rainier does every year!

Call the IMG office at 360-569-2609 or email office@mountainguides.com for more information. These spots won’t last!

HG