November 10, 2016

The last of the leaves are falling from the trees, each morning is cooler than the last, and the air in the mountains has a crisp feel signaling the coming winter. For us here at IMG that means time to wax up those skis, break out the snowshoes, grab the big puffy, and head out into the winter wonderland that is our backyard. Having Paradise on Mt Rainier a short drive away, means we have access to one of the snowiest places on earth to get out in the mountains. Whether it’s a blue bird day or more snow is falling, we have the ability to get outside and enjoy this special season.

Folks frequently call our office inquiring about what programs IMG offers for winter travel. At the foundation of our winter programs on Rainier is our Avalanche Education program. These courses aren’t just designed for skiers or climbers, they are designed for all recreationists that want to get outside during the winter. So, whether you snowshoe or snowboard, ski or ice climb, these courses are built to help you develop skills as a winter mountain traveler. IMG is pleased to provide avalanche curriculum from the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). AIARE is a leader in avalanche education in the US, with a keen focus on decision making and terrain use in the mountains.

This winter IMG is offering both AIARE level 1 and level 2 courses. The Level 1 is designed for winter travelers who want to learn how to develop sharp decision making skills, use terrain to increase safety, and expand their ability to understand the winter mountain environment. This three day course is based at our headquarters in Ashford, WA where we enjoy quick easy access to Paradise. IMG capitalizes on low instructor to student ratios (5:1) and excellent teaching terrain to provide an open and effective learning environment for all travel types. So, whether you’re new to backcountry skiing, an experienced snowshoer, or a long time resort rider, our learning format will meet your needs.

The AIARE level 2 course is designed for students who want to take their backcountry skills to more remote areas or into more complex terrain. This four day course focusses on understanding mountain weather and snowpack to develop informed opinions on avalanche hazard within the terrain. Building on the skills of the AIARE level 1 course, students will delve deeper into decision making and selecting terrain with appropriate safety margins that match our current hazard assessment.

All IMG course are taught by our AIARE certified instructors who have worked as avalanche forecasters, mountain and ski guides, professional ski patrollers, and educators. You’ll find small groups and lots of field time as we work together to enjoy the mountain environment in the winter. Come join as we celebrate winter on Mt Rainier

Dallas Glass

November 9, 2016

Many guiding companies require a Denali Prep Seminar as a pre-requisite for joining bigger expeditions. I also find myself recommending them to people who want to learn more about winter mountaineering before heading out on their own adventures. What’s the big deal? Why does 6 days on Rainier matter so much? Well, there are 101 ways that a Denali Prep Seminar will raise your game and get you ready for bigger, better things, but just for starters here are a few.

You Can’t Get There From Here, or can you? – Ever wonder how guides deal with adverse conditions? How is it that experienced climbers and guides can travel in conditions that make most people curl into their reading nook with a cup of tea? Watch and learn how to manage challenging conditions so that the next time the weather takes a turn for the worse, getting out to play may still be an option!

It’s The Little Things – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve given a little tip to a climber and its made the difference between a good trip and failure. Things like, knocking off your boots before bringing them into your tent. How to stay hydrated at night. A better way to use the layers they brought with them. With the seminars you get to see 8 people all discovering these little tricks, with professional instruction, for 6 days.

It’s the Real Deal – Big mountains mean big weather, and Rainier is a big mountain. Winter on Rainier is no joke. Cold weather, big snow dumps, wind, the works! Just like what you will find in the greater ranges. Which means Rainier is the place to train for your next big dream. Last year I got stuck at Camp 1 on Aconcagua for 6 nights with high winds, snow and cold temps. We were setting up and taking down camp in miserable conditions, conditions that were just about like what I’ve had on Denali Prep Seminars… just 10,000 ft. higher!

Team Building – As guides we spend hundreds of days each year climbing with all sorts of people. And every guide has made lifelong friends from long expeditions. Denali Prep Seminars give enough time stuck together on the mountain that the team comes together as a whole group. Whether it’s enjoying a perfect day, or dealing with a raging blizzard, Denali Prep teams band together to make the most of what the mountain gives them. Experience the brotherhood, or sisterhood, of the rope.

True Mountain Skills – Fitness, rope work, technical climbing skill, all these are important to have when climbing. But if you can’t stay warm, dry, and functional they don’t mean much! Denali Prep Seminars are the place to dial in the basic key skills that allow you to impress your guides on the next trip. When I’m guiding a team and they’re taking care of themselves I know for a fact that no matter what, summit or no summit, we’ll have a good trip.

Bragging Rights – So many great mountaineering stories starts with “So no kidding, there we were…” Getting to tell stories of when three feet of snow fell in 8 hours and you had to stay up all night shoveling out your tents. Or when it was so cold that your insulated water bottle froze. Or that time when, after 4 days of storms, the weather cleared up and gave you the most beautiful bluebird day at Camp Muir. Those are stories to tell over and over!

Sound like a good trip? Head over to our Denali Prep webpage and check out the details!

Robert Jantzen