March 15, 2012
Heading to high camp.
IMG Partner George Dunn checked in last night around 7pm (PST) from Camp 1 (10,000ft.) near Lower Boy Scout Lake on Mt. Whitney. The guys put in a good hard day. post-holing at times up the steep terrain, and were rewarded with a nice ‘balmy’ evening in camp.
Today they’ll pack up and head to their High Camp (12,200ft.).
All is well on Mt. Whitney.
Tye Chapman
March 12, 2013
Pheriche with Ama Dablam (Ang Nuru Sherpa)
Ang Nuru Sherpa, owner of the Himalayan Hotel in Pheriche, sent a photo of his lodge this morning after a snowstorm yesterday (the pointy peak in the background is Ama Dabam). Our lead team of 14 Pangboche-based sherpas, headed up by Karma Rita, are packing loads today and will be heading up to Base Camp tomorrow to start building the camp.
The sherpas report that Everest and the local mountains have received a good amount of snowfall this winter. That is good news for climbers, potentially making the route is less icy and rocky (especially on the Lhotse Face). Of course, lots can change in the next couple months, but we are glad to hear that at least the winter so far has had some good snowfall!
Eric Simonson
**Follow all of the Everest 2013 Coverage here!
March 6, 2013
Greg checked in this morning from Camp Muir:Â the team is in the middle of a great week on Mt. Rainier – despite the weather conditions! The opposite in fact is true; the rough conditions are providing some perfect training opportunities for the crew, most of who have their eyes on Denali this year or next.
40-50mph winds and some fresh snow yesterday, resulted in 1-2 feet of new/drifted snow this morning. Conditions today are a little better with lighter winds… “We’re going to do our best to be outside all day today!”, said Greg.
More snow, but lighter winds are in the forecast for tomorrow with some nice weather theoretically coming in on Friday – we’ll see.
The photos below were taken by IMG Guide Dustin Balderach a couple weeks ago on our last seminar – enjoy!
Tye Chapman
March 1, 2013
Winter conditions on Mt. Rainier. (Photo Ty Gimenez)
We’ve got another Denali Prep Seminar coming in this weekend, out in front will be Greg Vernovage. Assisting Greg will be Josh McDowell and Peter Adams.
Weekend To Do List:
Tye Chapman
February 26, 2013
Bragging about family’s OK once in a while, right? A couple of years ago, my cousin, Lew (Hook) Ershler, went with me to climb Kilimanjaro. As usual, we had a great trip. And, as usual, the entire team was extraordinarily impressed by the work done and friendship shown by our entire Chagga crew. How could he help? IMG has supported the Porter Assistance Program on Kili for years and Lew wanted to see what more could be done when he got home. Lew is on the Pro Patrol at Alta, Utah and has been for years. When he got home, he started making some phone calls. He was asking for used uniforms to be donated to the cause of equipping porters while climbing Kilimanjaro. Utah areas who contributed included : Alta, Brighton, The Canyons, Deer Valley and Park City. And contribute they did. Don’t know the total weight but it probably had the word ‘ton’ attached. The Porter Assistance Program honored Lew’s efforts with a plaque at the Rongai gate.
Thanks to all the ski areas who contributed and thanks, Lew, for all your efforts on behalf of the PAP and the great Chagga porters and guides who are working with us every time a group is on the mountain!
Phil Ershler
February 21, 2013
All is well with the Winter Seminar team – Austin checked in from Camp Muir reporting gusts around 30 mph, but no new snow. After a pancake breakfast, the team will work on crevasse rescue skills and fixed lines followed by snow shelters this afternoon.
The group will descend to Paradise on Friday and should be down at IMG headquarters in mid-afternoon.
George Dunn
February 20, 2013
Grey Glacier (Tye Chapman)
Boat ride today, checking out the fjords and the glaciers. Last night of the trip tonight in Natales. The crew then takes a private van to Punta tomorrow and will be catching flights tomorrow evening to Santiago and connecting with flights home. After dinner and a final night out in Natales, it’ll be a wrap.
Phil Ershler
Massai village (Clarissa Morford)
February 20, 2013
The latest (and last) report from Tanzania includes a busy but rewarding day for Team Kili yesterday. Jenni Fogle says that the team enjoyed some great wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater after visiting Olduvai Gorge and one of the local Massai villages. It was a full day but the team rolled into our private camp on the Crater Rim for their last night in the bush.
They’re already back in Arusha where they’ll refresh and repack before their departure flight home.
Congratulations to all on a great summit and great trip. Next IMG Kilimanjaro departure is June 24, led by Sheldon Kerr. Trips will run throughout the summer, ending in early October.  See you there.
February 20, 2013
Camp 1 at 6500 feet. Looking at the mountain with the party’s ascent route on the lower right hand sky line. Camp Muir is located just below the lower dark rock ridge in a saddle.
Lead Guide Austin Shannon called to check in yesterday afternoon and again this morning. The group made it to Camp Muir yesterday in good shape. The weather moved in as they ascended, and it was mostly cloudy and snowing lightly for most of the hike. They climbed up above the clouds before reaching Muir, and Austin reported it was clear and cold at Camp Muir. This morning Austin tells us it is continuing clear and windless, and the group is planning on a full day of training today.
George Dunn
February 19, 2013
Tye checked in from Puerto Natales. Taking advantage of the good weather, the team took a day hike to view the Milodon cave, a natural monument of Torres del Paine National Park.
Cool caves and a great day hike (Tye Chapman)
If the weather holds up, the plan tomorrow is to take a boat to the Serrano glacier inside Bernardo O’Higgins National Park via the Seno Ultima Esperanza fjord.
