April 21, 2011
Everybody loves photos… so here are some photos sent over from Greg Vernovage and Ang Jangbu from Everest Base camp.
Remember you can follow the Everest Team’s Progress here.
Enjoy!
Tye Chapman
April 18, 2011
Upper mountain...almost there!
Mt. Rainier, at 14,410 feet, is one of the largest and most challenging endurance climbs in the United States. It is the most imposing glaciated peak in the lower 48 States and has long been a premier training ground for climbs such as Denali, Aconcagua and the Himalayas. An attempt of Mt. Rainier is a serious endeavor and one that demands good physical fitness.
It is our goal to help you properly prepare for your upcoming Mt. Rainier climb. We realize that many of our customers have never climbed a large mountain before and are unsure about exactly how to train for a climb of such magnitude. We will try to help by explaining as clearly as possible what will be expected of you physically during your ascent. We have also done our best to outline how to achieve the necessary fitness level. You will be safer, increase your chance of success and enjoy the climb more if you show up in good physical condition.
April 15, 2011
All of our Everest Teams are firing on all cylinders! The Lobuche, Lhohtse and Everest climbers are acclimatizing well, the trekkers are en route and the Sherpas are working hard establishing the camps higher on the mountain.
International Mountain Guides Everest Base Camp 2011
Keep up with their progress on the Everest Expedition Coverage page.
Tye Chapman
April 13, 2011
By Mark Allen
Mt. Bradley watercolor. Art by Lee Allen. Topo by Mark Allen.
Graham Zimmerman and I landed in the Ruth Gorge on March 28, and soon spotted a virgin line on the southeast buttress of Mt. Bradley. We made an attempt on March 31. Then, on the evening of April 2, we left camp with 40 hours of food and fuel in a 20-pound second’s pack and a 15-pound leader’s pack, regained our highpoint and established five more pitches. Mid-day we bivied on a prow, sheltered from what loomed above. The 1,500′ day included Zimmerman climbing several M5 pitches and me dealing with sustained 5.9 rock, an A1 tension traverse, and a transition from boots and crampons to rock shoes and back.
April 12, 2011
IMG Partner and Director of Ski Patrol at Crystal Mountain, Paul Baugher was recently featured on King 5 News as he and his ski patrollers did their best to eliminate some of the avalanche danger that has been a long standing partner of year’s ski season.
April 8, 2011
Our Whitney climbs continue to be successful after the first two stormy climbs.
The third trip summitted 100% as previously reported. So did the fourth trip, April 2-5!
A private climb of 4 persons (April 4-7) summited April 6, and they descended that same day all the way down in the face of approaching windy conditions. Word is the conditions are about as good as they get on the route right now.
Now we are awaiting news of success from the sixth climb of the season, April 7-10. They should be summiting tomorrow a.m. It looks like the weather may just be OK for them, we’ll post as soon as they let us know of their success.
George
April 7, 2011
Please excuse the shameless plug…
We’ve posted some photos from the ongoing Everest Expedition on our facebook page. Check it out and give us a “thumbs up” or a “like” if you approve.
April 6, 2011
Another Rainier season approaches…
2011 Ropes for Rainier have arrived.
We received our 2011 Rainier ropes today. Bluewater 9.4 Dominators to be exact.
Let the climbing begin!
Tye Chapman
April 5, 2011
Heading down to Lone Pine for some pizza and beer!
We summited Whitney over the weekend (Saturday) around 9:15 a.m. in windy conditions. The whole team made it in good style. The weather improved as we descended and we were back at high camp by around 1:30 pm.
It was a beautiful afternoon in camp, resting and enjoying the sun. Sometime after midnight it started to blow and snow and got pretty wild. The guides’ tent suffered two broken poles and we had to collapse it to survive the winds. Working outside I clocked some of the gusts at 70mph. Luckily the rest of the tents held up OK with minor damage. The guides spent the rest of the night in their collapsed tent with no ill effects, and by about 5:30 a.m. the winds died and the day began with clear, sunny skies once more.
We packed up, and started walking down a little after 8:00 a.m. We passed the next climb as they were preparing to depart from Lower Boy Scout Lake and move up to high camp. It looks like they will have great weather for their climb, high pressure is building over the area for Monday and Tuesday. Our team continued on down and we were in Lone Pine for a lunch of pizza and beer shortly after noon. It was a great climb and a great way to finish my visit to Whitney this year. My thanks to all the members who share these climbs with me. I’m already planning next year’s visit.
George Dunn
April 2, 2011
Mt Whitney Plaque.
George called in this morning from the summit of Mt. Whitney. “100% on top! A beautiful, but cold, morning here on the summit of Mt. Whitney. Strong team. Great climb.”
They’ll spend a few minutes on the summit before heading back to camp for some hot drinks, dinner and some well deserved rest. Tomorrow they’ll head back to Lone Pine, celebrate and fade back into life.
Tye Chapman
