Mt Rainier Update

January 29, 2019

View from the Paradise â€œeastâ€ webcam on January 28, 2019

Mt Rainier National Park is open as far as Longmire, but the road to Paradise is not yet open to the public. The weather was nice yesterday (Monday) and the NPS managed to get a good start on plowing the Paradise Parking Lot, which is covered by about 5 feet of snow that has fallen since plowing ceased December 22. The Mt Rainier weather report for the next couple days looks good, so hopefully the Park road crew will be able to finish the job soon. We are expecting the snow to start falling again by the end of the week.

IMG is looking forward to our upcoming programs on the mountain with an AIARE Level 1 avalanche course February 8-10 and a Denali Expedition Seminar February 16-22. All systems are go for these programs!

Eric Simonson & George Dunn

Ready, Set, Go for Aconcagua!

January 29, 2019

: Loading up the van (Martin Lucero)

: Thumbs up in Mendoza (Rikki Dunn)

The next Aconcagua team hit the road this morning to Penitentes.Â Rikki Dunn and Martin Lucero are at the helm.Â With a small team of five, this is certainly going to be a special experience.Â This is Rikki’s second trip on Aconcagua this season, I guess he just can’t get enough.

Now that all the food packing and gear prep has been completed it’s time to start making their way to basecamp.Â The van ride to Penitentes is a pretty one; once the team arrives they will finalize mule loads and wrap up today with a big plate of food and maybe a glass of wine.

Tomorrow morning everybody will switch out their flip flops and sandals for a pair of hiking boots and hit the trail.Â First stop along the way to basecamp is Pampa de LeÃ±as.

Luke Reilly

Carstensz Pyramid in 2019!

January 28, 2019

: 2018 IMG Carstensz Team on the Summit! (Jonathan Schrock)

If you missed this excellent Carstensz Pyramid Trip Report written by IMG Lead Guide, Jonathan Schrock, when we first published it, here’s another chance! We’re sure you’ll agree, Carstensz Pyramid is nothing short of an absolute adventure. You don’t have to take our word for it though, email Greg Vernovage: Everest@MountainGuides.com and come see for yourself!

Don’t fall in Lake Titicaca!

January 24, 2019

Lake Titicaca from Copacabana (Greg Vernovage)

If someone falls into Lake Titicaca, it is tradition not to rescue them but to let them drown as an offering to the Earth Goddess Pachamama. Legend has it that the first Inca rose from the lake’s depths.Â We will visit Lake Titicaca before heading to the Cordillera Real Mountain Range to climb 3 great peaks.Â We still have space available on both of our Bolivia trips happening this summer.

You have questions and we have answers.Â Send Greg Vernovage an email at Everest@MountainGuides.com

Climb the Matterhorn with IMG – July 2019!

January 24, 2019

Matterhorn (IMG Archives)

For the aspiring alpinist, the Matterhorn (14,692′) is the ultimate challenge. If its legendary stories and iconic pictures have captured your imagination and your climbing resume and fitness level meet the requirements, then join IMG in Zermatt, Switzerland this July 13-20!

Email: office@mountainguides.com for more information!

Heather Garland

Aconcagua Team 3 – It’s a Wrap!

January 23, 2019

Aconcagua behind them (Nickel Wood)

Third Aconcagua trip for the season is complete.Â Team finished their walk out from Plaza Mulas today, did a â€˜duffle shuffleâ€™ again in Penitentes and then loaded the trailer, jumped in the van and then itâ€™s all downhill to Mendoza.

Fourth expedition will be heading out this week.Â Weâ€™ll share their progress with you once everyone is together and on their way!

Phil Ershler

IMG Iceland Trek – Summer 2019!

January 23, 2019

Craig John on the summit of Mount Everest (2018) for the second time (20 years later)

Join IMG Senior Guide, Craig John, for nine days of hut to hut trekking in Iceland this summer! From the historical capital city of ReykjavÃk to the recently-formed craters Magni & MÃ³Ã°i, Craig will lead you through a majestic landscape of gorges, waterfalls, lava flows, and more. And in the evenings, you can relax while he shares stories of his winter exploits in New England’s White Mountains, summers on Rainier, and what it’s like to summit Everest (twice!).

Limited space remains.

For more information or to sign up, contact Greg Vernovage.

Time for Steaks (and a hotel bed!) in Mendoza

January 22, 2019

Last Stretch into Base Camp (Nickel Wood)

Spoke with Nickel and Tincho from base camp on Aconcagua this morning. Everyoneâ€™s down and safe at Plaza Mulas and enjoying being cooked for by Grajales Expeditions, our service provider on the mountain. Air is thick and relatively warm and only one day of walking with a light pack separate the team from showers, steaks and a hotel bed in Mendoza.

Weâ€™ll confirm tomorrow or the following day that allâ€™s well in Mendoza and that the team is readying for flights home.

Phil Ershler

Successful Winter Ascent – Mt Washington, NH

January 22, 2019

: Winter Summit! (Dan Riethmuller)

: All smiles (Dan Riethmuller)

IMG Client, John Wild, sent New England Program Directors, George Dunn & Craig John, the following email after his recent winter ascent of Mt. Washington in NH with IMG Guide Dan Riethmuller:

George/CJ,Â

The summit climb of Mt. Washington this past weekend was a great experience. It was a first class climb with a first class guide. Dan did a fantastic job getting us up and down without any problems. I will definitely recommend this climb and will be back on Mt. Washington in the future.

Best Regards,

John Wild

Well done!

IMG Office

‘Hell of a go’ on Aconcagua

January 21, 2019

Sky over Aconcagua (Peter Adams)

Our third expedition on Aconcagua is back at high camp, safe and sound, after a â€˜hell of a goâ€™. Got into the base of the Caneleta this morning but winds and low temperatures kept the crew from making a safe ascent.Â At the end of the day, discretion always has to win out over valor.Â 7,000 m is VERY high and summit day is VERY tough.Â You have to come home intact with 10 fingers and 10 toes.Â Congratulations to the team for giving it their all.

Base camp tomorrow and they will be eating steak in Mendoza late the following evening. Well done!

Phil Ershler