Climbing in Ouray CO

Feb 8, 2023 –

The IMG Ouray team has been having a stellar season! We’ve benefited from incredible ice conditions down in Ouray, Colorado this winter. The Ouray Ice Park has had over 200 climbs to choose from due to the great weather.Â Our teams have enjoyed everything from low angle slabs to learn on to steep pillars to push their limits.

IMG climber enjoying one of the steeper routes in the Ouray Ice Park (Justin Sackett)

Additionally, the backcountryÂ ice has been climbing great this year. We have been fortunate enough to climb Bear Creek Falls with two groups. This climb which hasn’t formed in the past two years! Our teams have enjoyed the classic climbs such as Charmin Tube and Camp Bird that have been climbing fantastically as well with thick ice.

Bear Creek Falls the day the IMG Reunion Seminar climbed it (Justin Sackett)

IMG team after climbing the Charmin Tube! (Justin Sackett)

The ice season will continue through the end of February and we couldn’t be more excited. Longer days with more sunshine make ice climbing that much more fun!

Best,

Justin Sackett

Aconcagua Team 4 In Mendoza

February 6, 2023

Looking towards Aconcagua from near Plaza de Mulas base camp (Keith Rumburg)

Aconcagua Team 4 has returned to Mendoza. Although the climb wasn’t able to reach the summit, they still had a fun and beautiful trip in Argentina enjoying the quality time they spent on the mountain.

The team is enjoying a team dinner tonight before they part ways in the coming days. All is well in Argentina!

Aconcagua Team 4 Moves to Camp 1

February 3, 2023-

Aconcagua Team 4 was on the move today, after a rest day at Base Camp. The team has safely reached Camp 1 and is resting and preparing to continue their ascent.

All is well in Argentina!

Enjoying a friendly game of Settlers of Catan at Base Camp (Keith Rumburg)

Aconcagua Team 4 Carries to Camp 1

Feb 1, 2023 – IMG Aconcagua Team 4 reported clear and relatively warm weather at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. After an acclimatization hike near base camp yesterday, the team is carrying loads to Camp 1 today, leaving their gear there until the team moves to the camp later this week. All is well in Argentina!

IMG Aconcagua Team 4 returns from an acclimatization hike near Plaza de Mulas (Keith Rumburg)

Aconcagua Team 4 Hits the Trail

January 27, 2023-

IMG’s Aconcagua Team 4 arrived in Penitentes yesterday.Â Today, the team is making the 3-4 hour hike to Confluencia at 10,826′ on their way to Plaza De Mulas base camp.Â All is well in Argentina!

IMG Aconcagua Team 4 in Pentitentes. (Keith Rumburg)

Next Years Ecuador Dates Released!

January 26, 2023

With the entire January Ecuador team back in the US after another excellent trip down there, we are excited to announce our Winter 2023/2024 Ecuador Volcano dates! Next winter, our dates will be as follows:

Classic Cayambe & Antisana Program

Trip 1Â Â Â Â November 2-13, 2023

Trip 2Â Â Â Â January 4-15, 2024

Optional Chimborazo Extension

Immediately following the Classic Program

Trip 1Â Â Â Â November 14-17, 2023

Trip 2Â Â Â Â January 16-19, 2024

We absolutely love running the program in Ecuador in conjunction with Romulo Cardenas, who we have been working with for nearly 40 years!Â Romulo brings a local knowledge and experience in Ecuador that is unparalleled and when combined with an addition IMG guide from the US, you have the perfect guide team to create the trip of a life time! The Ecuador trip starts with several days of acclimatizing and sight seeing in Quito and nearby Otovalo. The next 2 days are the first two shorter acclimatization climbs of the trip on Fuya Fuya and Imbabura. These climbs makes for great acclimatization at nearly 15,000ft and feature fun, challenging scrambling. After this, climbers are ready to embark on their first climb of Cayambe at nearly 19,000ft. After Cayambe, we have historically climbed Cotopaxi, however, with Cotopaxi currently erupting, both of our winter trips this year opted to climb nearby Antisana. Everyone loved Antisana as it is both technical and beautiful making for a much more engaging climb. If you choose to add Chimborazo, then you will head South to the tallest mountain in Ecuador and attempt to climb to the 20,500ft summit. This trip truly has something for everyone!

Check out our website for more information!

Photo: IMG Guide Porter McMichael descending on Antisana with an IMG Climber (Romulo Cardenas)

Photo: The January 2023 Ecuador team on the summit of Antisana (Romulo Cardenas)

Aconcagua Team 4 in Mendoza; Ready to Launch!

January 25, 2023-

IMG Senior Guide Keith Rumburg checking in today to let us know Aconcagua Team 4 is in Mendoza making their final preparations.Â Yesterday and today have been bustling with activity:Â gear checks, food shopping, packing, and making sure all permits are in order.Â Tomorrow the team will make their move to Uspallata.

All is well in Argentina!

Sightseeing in Mendoza, Argentina. (Tye Chapman)

Ecuador Volcanoes Is All Wrapped Up!

January 23, 2023

IMG climbers in front of Mojanda Lake (Romulo Cardenas)

Chimborazo (Photo: Jorge Anhalzer)

Our final Ecuador team of the 2022-2023 climbing season departed Quito today after a fun and successful expedition. From visiting new sights in the city to reaching their high points, the team enjoyed their time in South America.

If you’re interested in joining us in 2023/2024 in Ecuador, stay up to date by checking out our social media and website!

Audrey Simonson

IMG Ecuador Team Returns to Quito

Jan 21, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael called to inform us that the team has returned safely back to Quito. The team was unable to summit due to avalanche conditions. They climbed to about 19,000ft this morning before being forced to make the call to return back to the lower mountain. Despite the challenging conditions, the team enjoyed clear views and good weather and were glad to make an attempt.

The IMG team approaches Chimborazo (Porter McMichael)

IMG Guide Porter McMichael climbs on Chimborazo.

Chimborazo in the distance (Porter McMichael)

The team will celebrate their expedition tonight and depart in the coming days. All is well in Ecuador!

IMG Ecuador Team Moves to Whymper Hut

Jan 20, 2023 – IMG Senior Guide Porter McMichael checked in from Ecuador, reporting that the team is enjoyed a quiet rest day exploring the area surrounding Quito yesterday. Today, the team began their ascent of Chimborazo and climbed to the Whymper Hut at nearly 16,000ft. From here, the team will make a summit attempt in the morning, hoping to stand on top of the nearly 21,000ft peak. Stay tuned for more!

The IMG Ecuador team takes a rest day, exploring a historic Inca Site (Porter McMichael)