Elbrus Team Enjoying The Sights Of Russia

July 14, 2010

We heard from Mike Hamill this morning via email.Â He reports that theyâ€™ve had two full days of touring and will get in a boat tour on the canals tomorrow before hoping on the flight. Sounds like the team is enjoying the experience thus far.

Then, the work begins.Â Some acclimatization is in order as is a day spent on the Koshkatosh Glacier reviewing crampon technique and learning a few new tricks from their veteran Elbrus, Seven Summits,Â & Everest guide â€“ Mike Hamill.Â The attempt on Elbrus is still a few days off.

Phil Ershler

Mt. Rainier Is A Special Place

July 12, 2010

The last few days have been pretty special for quite a few folks who summitted Mt. Rainier, but for 4 of them it’ll be remembered for another reason… On July 9th after summitting Mt. Rainier via the Emmons Route we had our first proposal & engagement of the season then just two days later we had our second, below is a peek into the proposals.

Congratulations Christina & Joel!

Joel & Christina

Joel and I had a great time! Summitting was the highlight, that is until the proposal of course. Joel actually proposed on the last day of the trip, just before reaching Glacier Basin Campground. Joel and I were hiking aloneÂ at the bottom of the inter glacier, we were chatting about how training for Rainier and the entire trip itself really proved how strong our relationship is. Next thing I knew Joel is on one knee holding a ring, I was very excited!Â We have hadÂ many reasons to celebrate (summitting, Joel’s 30th b-day and the proposal), this trip is going to be in our hearts and memories forever. We’re thinking our next adventure, besides marriage, could possibly be Kilimanjaro for my 30th B-day.

-Christina

Congratulations Ian & Rodica!

Ian & Rodica

It was Rodica’s dream since she was a little girl in Romania to stand on top of Mount Rainier. IMG’s guides were absolutely phenomenal in helping reach that goal. Not only that, they helped shoot our engagement photos when we reached the summit at sunrise and I proposed.

-Ian

George Finds The Top Again (498!)

July 11, 2010

George Dunn

IMG Partner George Dunn came down yesterday afternoon after grabbing his 498th summit of Mt. Rainier. He took up several Boy Scouts and their parents on a 3-day climb, and after a couple nights at Camp Muir he and his team summitted in some great weather.

George will head up for 499 on July 21.

500 awaits…

Tye Chapman

Friday Photo Of The Day – African Safari

July 9, 2010

IMG Guide and professional photographer Adam Angel snapped this photo on his latest Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari.

Don't mess with Texas...or this lion! (Photo: Adam Angel).

Rainier Updates

July 8, 2010

We heard from several of our Rainier teams this morning:

Andy called in from the summit with his Kautz team! We’d been shut down our previous two trips on the Kautz so this is excellent news! Andy also informed us that our Emmons team summitted this morning as well – he relayed a radio message from Anne who was descending down the Emmons by 8:30am.

Over at Camp Muir our DC team is training today before they head up to The Flats this afternoon. If all goes as planned they’ll be climbing late tonight and into tomorrow morning.

All is well on Mt. Rainier!

Tye Chapman

Denali Summit!

July 6, 2010

After several days at High Camp, IMG Partner Phil Ershler called in to let us know that he and his team summitted! They were at 14,000ft on their way down when he called. IMG Guide Greg Vernovage’s team tagged the top alongside Phil’s team.

Phil said there was rough weather on summit day but it all worked out.

They are all heading to the NE Fork tonight hoping to get flown out tomorrow in a small window of forecasted high pressure.

Nice work everybody – the few extra days at High Camp were worth it!

George Dunn

Question Of The Day: What Do I Climb After Rainier?

July 4, 2010

The base of Breithorn, IMG guide Jeff Ward on the right. (photo: Tracy Purcell)

We get this question quite frequently… The answer depends on your goals and objectives. For additional experience on glaciated peaks that get you a few thousand feet higher than Rainier, consider the Mexican Volcanoes, the Ecuador Volcanoes, Mt Elbrus (Russia),Â Classic Climbs in the Alps, and our Alaskan Ascents in Wrangell/St. Elias National Park. For additional skill training, consider our Expedition Seminars on Rainier or our popular climbs in the North Cascades.

: Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Bhutan).

If you prefer to just walk up to higher altitude without dealing with crampons and ice axes, then any of our treks like: Kilimanjaro, Bhutan, Machu Picchu or Everest Base Camp would be a great fit as all of these treks combine lots of walking with high mountains and great cultural opportunities.

Ershler & Co. Moving To High Camp Tomorrow

July 1, 2010

Denali West Buttress Route

Phil just called in from Camp 3 (14,000ft.) on Denali … The team carried to High Camp yesterday and is enjoying rest day today. They plan on moving up to High Camp (17,000ft.) in the morning.

The weather is ok with some winds up high on the mountain – “nothing too bad though”.

Fellow IMG Guide Greg Vernovage and his Czech Republic team have found themselves on the same schedule as Phil and will head up to High Camp tomorrow as well.

IMG Guide Eben Reckord and his team summitted yesterday.

Nice work everybody!

Tye Chapman

IMG Buff Now Available

June 30, 2010

International Mountain Guides Buff in detail.

You asked for it… so here it is!

The Buff is one of the most functional pieces of clothing on any gear list. If you’re facing some windy conditions on “The Top of the Cleaver”, some harsh sun at the South Col or some dusty conditions on Aconcagua the Buff sure comes in handy.
Not required in the mountains, but darn close!

IMG on Denali

June 29, 2010

IMG partner Phil Ershler called down on the sat phone from 14,000 to say that everything was going well for our team on Denali.Â Tomorrow they are planning to do a carry up to 17,000 feet.Â Â We have a couple other IMG guides, Eben Reckord and Greg Vernovage, also on the mountain right now, guiding trips for AMS, while Aaron Mainer and Mike Hamill came off recently with their Denali teams.Â Mike mentioned that he had just caught a 23 pound king salmon on light gear during his post-climb fishing expedition!

–Eric Simonson