Smooth Sailing in Argentina

December 17, 2018

: Dinner in Mendoza

: The Horcones Valley (Luke Reilly)

Both teams have checked in and things are off to a smooth start this year in Argentina.

Andy and his team have pulled into Casa de Piedra after their second day on the trail.Â Basecamp is just around the corner and they’ll get an early start out of the gate tomorrow morning.Â The brave souls in the group will make the chilly river crossing in the morning on foot while others may choose to jump on the mules for a free ride.Â Both options are fun and will no doubt get the group laughing.Â I’ll keep you posted on when they arrive at the Plaza Argentina Basecamp.

Jonathan Schrock and crew have secured their Aconcagua climbing permits and all the food packing and gear prep has been done in Mendoza.Â Solid work, guys.Â Sometimes the hardest job is just getting out the door!Â They are enjoying a meal in Mendoza this evening and I’m sure the team is buzzing with excitement with the thought of getting to Penitentes tomorrow.

Luke Reilly

Rest day and a birthday in Namche

December 17, 2018

Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Mount Everest from Namche (Greg Vernovage)

Our Sherpa Trek Team had a nice rest day in Namche. They took a short hike up hill to the museum in Namche where they saw a traditional Sherpa Home and toured what I call the Sherpa Hall of Fame. This museum has beautiful pictures and tells stories about many of the long time Sherpa climbers from the Khumbu Valley.

Everest Basecamp Trek (Greg Vernovage)

After the museum, it was time to rest for the big day to Tengboche tomorrow. A birthday celebration is always welcome during any trek and Abhi along with the trekking team did it right in the Khumbu Lodge.

Happy Birthday Abhi!

Greg Vernovage

Full Steam Ahead-Aconcagua!

December 16, 2018

Checking in at the Aconcagua Provincial Park (Andy Polloczek)

Andy checked in this afternoon with nothing but good news.Â Andy, Rikki, Leo and crew have made their way to Pampa de LeÃ±as camp on the first day of the trek to basecamp.Â Looks like a nice and sunny day to me.Â With all those smiles, I’m not sure where you could go wrong.Â Right about now, the team is comfortable in their tents after a great backcountry bbq meal of steaks, eggplant, and maybe a dash of wine.Â Tomorrow is another day on the trail up the Horcones Valley to Casa de Piedras.

Down in Mendoza, Senior Guide Jonathan Schrock, has met the team and gear checks and food packing are well underway.Â The big task tomorrow is to secure Aconcagua climbing permits and make sure gear has been packed thoroughly.Â Once all the “chores” have been knocked out, they’ll enjoy a classic Argentine meal and get a good nights rest at low elevation.Â They’re ready to hit the trail!

Luke Reilly

A perfect day in the Khumbu Valley

December 16, 2018

: Hooray from Everest View (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

: Namaste with clear skies and Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

Our December EBC Trek showed us what a perfect day in the Khumbu Valley looks like. The Team started the day with a good breakfast followed by an acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel.Â Not a cloud in the sky for their first views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Mount Everest.Â From the Everest View, the team trekked around to Khunde for lunch.

: Kilimanjaro reunion in Namche (Phunuru Sherpa)

Upon returning to the lodge in Namche, a special reunion was had. Stay with me here…some of our December EBC Team climbed Kilimanjaro a couple years ago and their leader was IMG Guide Phunuru Sherpa.Â Phunuru is on his way to Kathmandu to prepare for his upcoming climb of Kilimanjaro and stopped in to say hello to the team and have a mini reunion with his Kili climbers.

Perfect weather and meeting friends.Â That is a perfect day in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Aconcagua Season is Here!

December 15, 2018

The team enjoying a meal in Mendoza.

Well, the time has come to get down to Argentina and start climbing. Andy and Rikki have arrived in Mendoza with their crew and they’ve hit the ground running.Â Gear checks are complete, permits are secured, and all the food packing is done.

Next up on the agenda after a nice meal in Mendoza is making their way to Penitentes. The drive is a couple of hours but the high desert of Argentina is beautiful and they’ll stop to grab lunch in the town of Uspallata.

Stay tuned through the Aconcagua season; we’re excited the time has finally come.

Luke Reilly

Trekking up Namche Hill

December 15, 2018

December trek at Namche Suspension Bridge (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

Sonam Dorje checked in overnight to let us know the December Trekking Team did great today. Waking up in Phakding is chilly because the sun is obstructed by the mountains on either side. A warm cup of tea and nice fire in the common room will do the trick to get the blood flowing! After breakfast, they set out to tackle Namche Hill. This is the first big test with trekking and altitude for the team. This team did great!

The team has now settled in at the Khumbu Lodge and will spend tomorrow acclimatizing by trekking up to the Everest View Hotel. The weather has been beautiful in the Khumbu Valley and we are hoping the team gets their first look at Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Mount Everest tomorrow morning.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

It’s Ice Season in Ouray!

December 14, 2018

Ice Climbing in Ouray (Justin Merle)

Ice season is upon us and the Ouray Ice Park is on target to open in mid-December! Dust off those ice tools and come climb the world-class ice in Ouray!

IMG instructs on a variety of topics from beginner to expert, including:

Belaying & rappelling
Ice anchor building
Multi-pitch climbing
Technical rescue
Big mountain fixed line techniques
Backcountry ice climbing adventures

We’ll enjoy going out and challenging ourselves with fun climbing during the day and then it’s back to the warm hotel for some relaxing in the hot springs, beers, and a tasty meal in the evening!

Sign up for a course or schedule a private session with us: office@mountainguides.com or 360-569-2609

Justin Merle

Perfect first day for the EBC Sherpa Trek

December 14, 2018

Sherpa Trek Team on the trail (Sonam Dorge Sherpa)

Our Private EBC Sherpa Trekking Team had a perfect day in the Khumbu Valley. It began with a 4:45am departure from the hotel. Despite some lingering jet lag, the early wake up call was not that painful as the excitement of the flight to Lukla along with hitting the trail are great motivators.Â The team arrived to a chilly Lukla and were met by Sherpa Trek Leaders, Sonam Dorge, Ang Karma, and Ang Tseri Sherpa.

December Sherpa Trek meeting the Guide Team (Sonam Dorge Sherpa)

The Team had a cup of tea at the Paradise Lodge in Lukla while the guides organized duffle bag loads with the porters. From Lukla, the team set off for Phakding, learning how to cross suspension bridges and avoid the pack animals.

The December Sherpa Trek is on the trail and doing great!

Greg Vernovage

Sherpa Led Trek in Nepal – Ready to hit the trail!

December 13, 2018

The December Sherpa Led Trek to EBC (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

Our Private Sherpa Led Trek has arrived in Kathmandu with all of their luggage.Â Ang Jangbu has met with the team, done the gear checks and will have them ready to depart the hotel early tomorrow morning.

The weather is looking good for flights and this team has a great itinerary.Â The plan will be to take it nice and slow moving up the valley, visiting Namche, the Everest View Hotel, Tengboche and other important places on their way to EBC. We will be keeping up with the team as they make their way up the valley with the goal of visiting Everest Base Camp on Christmas Day.

This is a great way to spend the holiday season!

Greg Vernovage

Rigging for Rescue Training in Phortse

December 11, 2018

: Sherpa Fura and Phunuru working on Rigging for Rescue (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Dawa Sherpa training in Phortse (Phunuru Sherpa)

We received a some great photos from IMG Guide and Mount Everest Climbing Sirdar Phunuru Sherpa overnight.Â The Sherpa Team is enjoying great weather during their Rigging For Rescue Training course in Phortse.Â Phortse has a great training ground just outside of Phortse on the trail to Pangboche.Â Once the ice forms, they will do more training and climbing in January.

: Sherpa Fura and Phunuru (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Sherpa Training in Phortse (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG Sherpa are doing great and training in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage