March 25, 2010
With IMG Partners Eric Simonson and Phil Ershler along with guides Justin Merle, Mike Hamill, Greg Vernovage and Eben Reckord leaving for Nepal later this week the Everest Season is upon us! We’ll update this blog occasionally but for full Everest coverage be sure to check out the dispatches on the Everest page.
Tye Chapman
March 19, 2010
It’s a beautiful day here in the Northwest so what do two legends of Mt. Rainier do – like horses to a barn they went to Camp Muir!
IMG Partners George Dunn and Phil Ershler along with Sue Ershler left HQ about 8:30 and were walking uphill by 10:00am. They pulled in to Camp Muir at 1:30 and said hello to our Denali Seminar which is up there for its last day of training today.
Just spoke to Geo on the radio and they’re at 8000ft on their way down having a great day!
Both George and Phil are leaving next week – George to Whitney and Phil for Nepal… See, these guys do train!
Tye Chapman
March 18, 2010Â
Ang Jangbu in Nepal reports that we have sent another MI helicopter charter load (3495 kg) to Shyangboche this morning, in preparation for the Everest expedition.  Ang Pasang and Ang Tshering at Shyangboche received the loads which will be heading up to Everest BC soon. Â
Among the loads is a large quantity of climbing rope (several thousand meters or a few miles!), which we have purchased on behalf of a group of the Everest operators. We hope to work together this year with as many other climbers as possible, to get a good route fixed up the mountain. Prior to sending the rope up to Khumbu, our Sherpas stripped it off the spools and stacked it into bags, so it is easy to deploy without kinking.Â
Eric Simonson
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March 16, 2010
After a beautiful day yesterday our Denali Prep Seminar broke camp early this morning and made short work of the Muir Snowfield given the conditions – arriving at roughly 1:30 this afternoon. The GPS’s came in handy today as the forecasted winds & snow came in right on time – as Greg put it when he called in (via radio) “we couldn’t see much of the snow field so I really can’t tell you what it looked likeâ€.
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Hot cocoa and tea are first in order this afternoon – after that the team will settle in and do some “classroom†work inside the hut at Camp Muir. I think citrus pork loin and mashed potatoes are on the menu tonight before a good night’s sleep.
Tomorrow’s forecast isn’t much better but it looks like the winds will die down and the weather will be improving later this week. Perfect training conditions for these guys!
Tye Chapman
March 15, 2010
After a busy day of sorting gear and some on-site training here at HQ yesterday our Denali Prep Seminar loaded up the van this morning and headed up to Paradise to officially start their 6 days on Mt. Rainier.
Lead Guide Greg Vernovage just called in from their first camp (~7000ft) to report all is well! They’ve got their tents dug in for the night and spent some of the afternoon training.
It was warm walking in today but the forecast calls for some cooler weather over the next couple days which is perfect for these climbers who all have their eyes set on Denali.
More on this crew later this week…
Tye Chapman
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March 12, 2010
Busy weekend here at IMG with our next Denali Prep Seminar coming through headquarters! I just spoke with the lead guide Greg Vernovage who’s fresh off an Aconcagua trip and a short vacation in Argentina and he’s fired up to get back on Rainier! He’ll be joined by fellow guides Jenni Fogle and Eric Gullickson who both ski patrol over at Crystal Mountain this time of year and their knowledge of the snowpack will really come into play this week as we’ve had some recent snow activity here in the Cascades.
 
Mt. Rainier Recreational Forecast
Either way Greg, Jenni and Eric are excited to get out in whatever weather Mt. Rainier decides to provide them with – good, bad or ugly there’s plenty to learn from and teach the folks on board this seminar!
Tye Chapman
Operations ManagerÂ
March 10, 2010Â
Good news, our shipment of oxygen cylinders has now arrived in Nepal and cleared customs. Just getting them halfway round the world requires special documentation and packing, since they are considered dangerous goods for flying by the FAA and the airlines. These high tech aluminum/carbon fiber composite cylinders were tested, valved, and filled in California, then specially packed for their long journey.  And since the yaks do not read the warning labels, our Sherpas will be wrapping them in additional foam to protect the cylinders for the trip to Everest Base Camp!
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March 8, 2010
Question of the day: How should I train for Mt. Rainier?
Climbing Mt. Rainier is tough for even the fittest of climbers, so doing your physical homework is extremely important. Have a look at the Training Suggestions for Mt. Rainier webpage for a detailed look at what it takes to climb Mt. Rainier.
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
March 5, 2010
As our Mt. Rainier season fills up we get questions about other climbs here in the Pacific Northwest and the answer is simple: climb in the North Cascades and you will not be dissappointed!
The North Cascades of Washington are a climber’s playground and offer a complete variety of challenges in a great mountain wilderness. Some of the bests climbers of North America cut their teeth here, learning the skills necessary to make them competent climbers.
One great thing about our North Cascades Program is that most of our climbs are conducted on a custom basis. You and your climbing partners can join our expert guide staff for ascents of Forbidden Peak, Eldorado, Sahale, Sharkfin Tower, Boston Peaks, Triad, Mt. Shuksan or any of the dozens of other great climbs in North Cascades National Park for a private climb.
Just give us a call and we’d be happy to put something together for you!
Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
March 4, 2010
I spent yesterday afternoon with a great group of kids from Orting! We talked about climbing Mt. Rainier, Leave No Trace ethics, and played with some of the gear I brought along. And because it was such a nice day we went out side and practiced setting up a tent then fired up the stoves for some hot chocolate. Note: 7 4th and 5th graders fit in a Eureka High Camp tent.
Below you’ll see Michael who volunteered to put on some climbing gear as we talked about each item. Looks like my stuff is a bit big on him, but he’ll grow into it I’m sure.
Good times had by all!
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Tye Chapman
Operations Manager
