Denali Prep Seminar ‘Team 3’ Heads To Muir

March 18, 2019

Denali Prep Seminar – Sled Hauling (Robert Jantzen)

Our third Denali Prep Seminar of the season, led by Rikki Dunn, awoke to sunshine and blue skies after spending a clear night camped just below Panorama Point.

On Day One, sleds are used to haul loads to the first camp site. The team then sets up tents as they would on an expedition. The next morning, they pack up all of their gear and set off for Camp Muir at 10,000′ via the Muir Snowfield, wearing heavy packs (Team 3 is a full crew of 12, so lots of food!) and traveling in snowshoes. All essential skills for a trip to Denali.

Denali Prep Seminar heading uphill (Robert Jantzen)

While teams often welcome challenging weather at some point during their seminar, it looks like the nice weather expected this week will instead provide an opportunity for training in warmer than average conditions – they’ll talk about how this affects the snowpack on various aspects of the mountain and what this means in terms of avalanche danger. They’ll also have to consider self-care; wearing sunscreen, glacier glasses, and staying hydrated. Temps at Camp Muir should be fairly consistent over the next 36 hours and will hover right around the freezing mark day and night. Winds will be light to moderate.

All is well on Rainier!

Heather Garland

A Touch Of Snow For Our Private Dingboche Trek

March 18, 2019

Group photo in front of the Tengboche Monastery (Mingma Tshering)

More beautiful days in the Khumbu Valley for our Private Trekking Team. The weekend was broken up with a few shorter days of trekking. The first day, the team left Tengboche and stopped in Pangboche where they could visit the Monastery and enjoy a close up view of Ama Dablam. From Pangboche, the team continued up to Dingboche. Not too surprising, the team received some snow in Dingboche. This will make for beautiful photos and tea will taste that much better!

: Private Trek heading up from Pangboche (Mingma Tshering)

: Trekking to Pangboche with Ama Dablam (Mingma Tshering)

Dingboche will be the highpoint for this team as planned. Tomorrow, the Team will head back down hill and take a right in Pangboche. The trail from Pangboche to Phortse is beautiful. It is cut high into the hillside and wraps around the mountain before stopping in the home to many of our Sherpa.

Greg Vernovage

Beautiful Day For Trekking To Tengboche

March 15, 2019

Team photo with Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Mount Everest (Mingma Tshering Sherpa)

The Private Trek had an incredible day on the trail. Up and out the door early from Namche, the team enjoyed beautiful views of the valley and surrounding peaks. Legs and lungs warm up quickly on this day of trekking as the team needs to start by taking a number of stairs to the top of Namche before the trail levels off for a couple hours. Around the bend, the team gets a beautiful view of Phortse before dropping down to the river for lunch. After lunch, it is time to drop into low gear and head up the Tengboche hill. The reward is the beautiful Tengboche Monastery.

: Slowing down to take photos is a must during the trek (Mingma Tshering Sherpa)

: Tengboche at night (Mingma Tshering Sherpa)

Ang Jangbu reports that it is quiet in the Khumbu Valley right now and this trekking team has the place nearly to themselves!

Greg Vernovage

Active Rest Days in Namche

March 14, 2019

Trekking team at the Park Headquarters with the great statue of Tenzing Norgay (Mingma Tshering)

Our Private Trek had a wonderful day resting and acclimatizing in Namche today. Some members visited the view point near the Park Headquarters and others chose to take it easy in preparation for the trek to Tengboche tomorrow. From the Park Headquarters, you can see Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse just behind the great statue of Tenzing Norgay.

Happy Birthday Richard! (Sonam Dorgee Sherpa)

One of the highlights of the day was celebrating Richardâ€™s birthday. It is always fun to celebrate in the Khumbu Valley with our Sherpa Team!

Greg Vernovage

May 3.5 Day DC Summit Climb – Open Spots!

March 13, 2019

The view from Rainier – May 2018 (Betsy Dain-Owens)

We have emailed our waiting list and are putting out the word: we have 2 spots in May that have opened. Both are for the 3.5 Day Muir/DC Summit Climb! Hop on the first climb of the season or join us in late May:

May 4-7
May 26-29

Sign up today!

Heather Garland

Private Dingboche Trek Up Namche Hill

March 13, 2019

Rounding the corner to Namche (Mingma Tshering)

Our private trek to Dingboche set out on a cool morning from Phakding. The team was up early and out the door for the first big test of the trek to Dingboche.

: Trekking team resting at the Sagarmatha Park Entrance (Mingma Tshering)

: A rest break for tea and checking the map! (Mingma Tshering)

A beautiful day of trekking and rounding the corner to the large village of Namche is icing on the cake for today. Tomorrow is an acclimatization day for the team. They will visit Namche and gather strength for the next leg of the trek to Tengboche.

Greg Vernovage

2019 Everest Update

March 13, 2019

Helicopter sling load to Pangboche (Phinjo Dorgee Sherpa)

Ang Jangbu reports that more of our cargo has been flown by helicopter to Pangboche after a delay waiting in Phaplu for the weather to clear.Â Included in this lot we have more oxygen cylinders and masks, food, and some new dining tents for Everest Base Camp. Our crew in Pangboche will be sending everything to EBC by yaks and porters over the coming days.

IMG Senior Sherpa Guides Chhewang Lendu and Pasang Kami (PK) reserving Base Camp (Pasang Kami)

Our Advanced Sherpa Team is also getting ready to head to EBC to start construction of the 2019 IMG Base Camp. Ten Sherpas plus two Sherpa cooks will meet at Gorakshep on March 17th and head to EBC the next day to start building our camp. It will take the crew several weeks of rock rolling and chopping to create all the tent platforms we will need from the icy and rocky moraine.

Greg Vernovage

REI’s ‘Prep For Rainier’ Series

March 13, 2019

IMG Rainier Summit Team May 29, 2018 (Betsy Dain-Owens)

The Rainier season is just a few months away and IMG is once again partnering with REI to help you prepare. You are welcome to join whether you are climbing with guides, as part of an independent party, or just curious about the mountain!

Learn about the different routes, training recommendations, and gear!

March 21 – Tacoma
March 27 – Seattle
April 2 – Issaquah
April 4 – Bellevue
April 9 – Southcenter

Sign up on the store website through the above links and bring your questions!

IMG Office

Great First Day On The Trail!

March 12, 2019

: Crossing the first suspension bridge to Phakding (Kusang Tshering)

: Lunch under blue skies on day 1 of the trek (Kusang Tshering)

Ang Jangbu reported that our Private Dingboche Trekking Team had a perfect first day on the trail. The Team was up early and had no delays flying into Lukla from KTM. After arriving in Lukla and confirming all gear flew with the Team, it was time to hit the trail. The Team had an easy day with a lunch stop at Thado Koshi. After lunch, they moved to their first lodge at Phakding at 2:30Pm.

Everyone is doing well!

Greg Vernovage

Private Trek to Dingboche in KTM

March 11, 2019

Private Dingboche Trek (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

We received word overnight that our Private Dingboche Trekking Team has arrived to Kathmandu with all of their luggage! Ang Jangbu and Lopsang have done the gear checks and met with the team to go over trip details and they are ready to fly to Lukla. This is a great team and many people are veterans of the Khumbu Valley. One of the highlights that is on the list for this team is a scenic flight of Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Valley!

Have a great trek to Dingboche everyone!

Greg Vernovage