Upcoming Speaking Engagements with Phil Ershler and George Dunn

International Mountain Guides Partners George Dunn and Phil Ershler will be speaking at a couple different REI’s this week.

The talks will be geared towards climbing Mt. Rainier…which as you might know George and Phil know a little bit about. George has more summits of Mt. Rainier than anybody in the world having reached the summit 495 times and Phil is second in the world with 435. They are the only 2 members of the 400 Club on Mt. Rainer!

George first summited “The Mountain” in 1969 with Phil reaching the top two years later in 1971.

You’ll find Phil at the Seattle REI (directions) on Tuesday, Feb. 24 and George at the Southcener REI (directions) on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Both events begin at 7pm.

Phil Ershler on Summit of Everest

IMG Partner belaying in Leavenworth, WA

REI Rainier Prep Talks
DateÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â TimeÂ Â Â Â REI LocationÂ Â Â Â Speaker
Tuesday, February 24 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7pmÂ Â Â Â SeattleÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Phil Ershler
Wednesday, February 25Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7pmÂ Â Â Â SouthcenterÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â George Dunn
Tuesday, March 10Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7pm Â Â Â Â IssaquahÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â George Dunn
Thursday, March 19Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7pm Â Â Â Â RedmondÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Phil Ershler
Wednesday, March 25Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7pm Â Â Â Â TacomaÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â IMG Guide Jason Edwards

Mt. Rainier Winter Seminar Descends

What a beautiful day on the mountain! Our 6-day Winter Seminar wrapped up their trip with an excellent walk down to Paradise today.
Not a bad way to start the day! Big packs!

It was such a nice day that IMG Partner Eric Simonson and I set out early this morning to meet them on the Muir Snowfield. We bumped into them above Panarama Point, turned and descended with them. The big difference – Eric was on skis!

Either way everybody was happy to get down to the van and the awaiting ice cold Cokes!

Eric Simonson enjoying the ride.

-Tye Chapman
Operations Manager

Mt. Rainier Winter Seminar Update

Thursday, Feb. 19

Lead Guide Greg Vernovage radioed in this morning from Camp Muir. The Winter Seminar group has had some great weather above the clouds and it looks like that continues today…

Greg and fellow guide Aaron Mainer didn’t feel comfortable crossing the Cowlitz Glacier this morning due to avalanche concerns so the team will take a walk up towards the Beehive and Gibralter Rock to stretch the legs then work on some fixed line skills.

Photo courtesy of Adam Angel.

Aconcagua Update and Summary

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Everyone is back in Mendoza.Â Flights are being changed, the group is celebrating and even trying to squeeze in a wine tour before leaving.Â The two days following IMGâ€™s summit day were bad.Â Looks like the mountain gods let us squeeze one in.Â The team did a great job of putting themselves in position to take advantage of the opportunity which was presented.Â I think thatâ€™s the definition of luck.

IMG signing off.Â Another safe, successful and enjoyable Aconcagua season completed.

Phil Ershler

Kilimanjaro Summits #1 & #2 of 2009

Tuesday, Feb. 17

IMG Senior Guide Craig John notched his 18^th and 19^th summits of Kilimanjaro over the last few weeks, with successful climbs to the Roof of Africa as the leader of our January and February teams.Â Our January group put 11 of 12 on Uhuru and the February group put 10 of 10 on Uhuru (the true summit).

After the climbs, the teams enjoy 4 days/3 nights of safari action, with the annual Migration in full swing in the Serengeti, before transferring back to Arusha (JRO airport) for the flights home to winter!Â Congrats to CJ and the IMG climbers for their successful ascents!

Photos courtsey of Adam Angel

Our New Blog…

February 4, 2009

Welcome to our new blog!

As you may know International Mountain Guides directors Phil Ershler, George Dunn, Eric Simonson and Paul Baugher organize and lead climbing, trekking and mountaineering expeditions around the world, from the classic climbs of the Alps and Andes to the 8,000m peaks of the Himalayas. IMG continues to be one of the most respected and active guiding companies in the world.Â We wanted to put this blog together to share what is going on in our world with all or our friends. Some fun things you’ll find on our blog:

Dispatches from all around the world. From right here at Mt. Rainier to the Himalayas of Nepal.
Photos and videos of our climbs as they become available.
Notes from IMG owners: Phil Ershler, Eric Simonson, George Dunn and Paul Baugher
Trip reports from our worldwide expeditions

A couple of things you won’t find on our blog:

Out of respect for our climbers we will not post the names of individuals on our climbs.
We will not post any rescue/emergency information or updates of any kind.

Enjoy!

IMG Team
Our Office.