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

Winter Mountaineering Seminars on Rainier!

December 7, 2018

Setting Up a Winter Camp (Justin Merle)

Whether you have your heart set on an expedition to Alaska, Antarctica, or the Himalaya, you need look no farther than Washingtonâ€™s Mt. Rainier to acquire and develop the winter mountaineering skills that will take you there.

IMGâ€™s Denali Prep Seminars on Rainier prepare you for some of the cruelest, coldest conditions on the planet. And youâ€™ll love it!

We teach you:

Expedition camp building and maintenance
Snow cave and snow shelter construction
Expedition glacier travel/route finding
Crevasse rescue techniques
Avalanche hazard evaluation
Sled rigging & hauling
Ice axe & crampon skills
Ascending/descending fixed lines
The importance of personal care â€“ physical, mental, and emotional â€“ on a long expedition

This program is perfect for beginners looking for an introduction to winter mountaineering and as a precursor for those ready to test their mettle on â€˜The Great Oneâ€™ on an IMG Denali Expedition.

Register now for one of the remaining winter 2019 seminars:

March 2-8
March 16-22
March 30 – April 5
April 13-19
April 27 – May 3

Youâ€™ll be glad you did!

IMG HQ is available Mon-Fri, 8-5 (PST)

office@mountainguides.com or 360-569-2609

Heather Garland

Last Call For Aconcagua!

December 7, 2018

IMG climber closing in on the 22,841â€™ summit of Aconcagua (Luke Reilly)

The Aconcagua season is fast approaching! Our first two trips head out the door in about a week.Â For those who have already climbed Aconcagua, you know that it is a serious workout that comes with the huge reward of standing on top of one of the fabled Seven Summits at 22,841â€™. For all others who have dreamed of getting to the highest point in the Western Hemisphere, we still have a couple spots left on the upcoming expeditions. Check out our webpage for Aconcagua and let me know if you have any questions about this awesome trip.

January 5-27, 2019 (led by Nickel Wood)

January 26-February 17, 2019 (led by Rikki Dunn)

February 2-24, 2019 (led by Robert Jantzen)

Luke Reilly

luke.reilly@mountainguides.com

Visit Mongolia In 2019 With IMG!

December 6, 2019

High Camp on Mount Khuiten (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

Our Mongolia Expedition combines vibrant and colorful cultural experiences with a serene landscape and superb mountain climbing.Â Join IMG in 2019 for a climb of Peak Nairandal (the â€œTriple Pointâ€ marking the borders of China, Mongolia, and Russia) and the tallest mountain in Mongolia, Mount Khuiten (14,350ft).

Eagle Hunter (Charlotte Austin)

We still have space available on this trip, are you ready to sign up?

Let us know if you have any questions.

Greg Vernovage

Bolivia 2019 – New Dates!

November 29, 2018

We have added new dates for Bolivia in 2019!

Huayna Potosi (Greg Vernovage)

Join IMG in Bolivia in 2019 and climb 3 great peaks – PequeÃ±o Alpamayo, Huayna Potosi, and Illimani! Bolivia is a destination that offers a wide variety of technical terrain that can only be described as a ton of fun!

Before heading to the mountains, our trip starts with a visit to Lake Titicaca and boat ride to Sun Island for important acclimatization.

The Ferry crossing to Copacabana (Andy Polloczek)

If you have Mount Rainier skills and are looking for a great trip next spring or summer, let us know and we will be happy to set you up with some great climbing in Bolivia!

Greg Vernovage