October 24, 2022

Mera Peak from above Khare (Eric Simonson)

IMG leader Phunuru Sherpa reports that the team is doing well in Khare (15,000 ft) where they are now spending their second night.  Yesterday they climbed to 17,000 feet and did some practice with their crampons.  The plan for tomorrow, if the weather cooperates, is to move up to the Mera La (pass) and then continue higher to the High Camp.  With any luck, the following day will be their summit day.  We’ll keep you posted!

Eric Simonson

October 23, 2022

View of Pequeño Alpamayo from the 16,601 ft summit of Tarija Peak (Greg Vernovage)

Ice climbing practice near Condoriri base camp (Justin Sackett)

IMG guide Justin Sackett called on the sat phone this afternoon to report that everyone was back down safe after a successful summit day on 17,482 ft ( 5330m) Pequeno Alpamayo.   This is late summer conditions in Bolivia and the seasonal snow has largely melted, leaving perfect alpine ice conditions.  Justin said the conditions were excellent today and the team had a fun climb.  Tomorrow they travel from Condoriri BC back to El Alto for resupply, before heading to Huayna Potosi, their next objective.

Eric Simonson

October 21, 2022

Kyshar Peak seen on the way to Thagnak (Eric Simonson)

The first views of Mera Peak from Khote (Eric SImonson)

Phunuru reports from Khote that the team are all doing well, with gorgeous weather.  Today they hiked up from Khote to 13,000 feet for acclimatization, while Max and Mila took a rest day after their hike over Zwatra La.  Tomorrow the whole team will be moving up to Thagnak.  Along the way they have great views looking up towards Kyashar Peak (6770m) at the head of the Hinku Valley, and peekaboo views of Mera Peak, around the corner.  All’s well!

Eric Simonson

October 20, 2022

Pequeno Alpamayo from Condoriri Base Camp

IMG guide Justin Sackett reports that the team finished up their acclimatization at Lake Titicaca (12,500 ft) with a boat trip to Sun Island and a nice hike.  Today they are on their way to Condoriri Base Camp (a little over 15,000 ft) for several days of acclimatization and mountaineering training.  From This Base Camp they will also be making ascents of Pico Austria and Pequeno Alpamayo, a couple of fun summits in the area, before heading over to Huayna Potosi.  All’s well in Bolivia!

Eric Simonson

October 20, 2022

Loading up in Lukla to fly to the Hinku Valley (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru Sherpa reports that the Mera team are all together in Khote village, over in the Hinku Valley.  Max, Mila, and some porters had a nice hike from Lukla up over Zwatra La while Phunuru and the rest of the team flew over by helicopter.  Before they start up the valley towards Mera Peak they need to check in with the Makalu Barun National Park office and show their Mera climbing permit.  So far so good!

Eric Simonson

October 19, 2022

IMG Fall 2022 climbers in Lukla ready to go! (Phunuru Sherpa)

After a persistent period of bad weather in Nepal the last month or so, the monsoon season finally ended and now the skies have cleared.

Perfect timing for our Autumn Mera Peak and Ama Dablam team!  All members successfully reached Kathmandu (with their luggage) and have now transferred to Lukla (2854m).  After traveling halfway around the world, it’s great to finally get to the Himalaya!  They are joined in Lukla by IMG leaders Phunuru Sherpa, Max Bond, and Nicole Sims.

Next up for the team is getting over to the Hinku valley, to the east of Khumbu, for the Mera Peak climb.  Max, Myla, and some porters headed up to Chautanga today, planning to hike up over the Zwatra La (4600m pass) tomorrow and meet the team in Khote (4095m).  After another acclimatization hiking day in Lukla, Phunuru and the rest of the team will fly by helicopter over to Khote.  Hinku valley here we come!

So far everything is going smoothly and we are looking forward to getting the post-monsoon Nepal season rolling.

Eric Simonson

October 18, 2022

IMG Bolivia Team at sunset on the shores of Lake Titicaca (Justin Sackett).

IMG Guide Justin Sackett has checked in from Copacabana. He writes: “After spending a day exploring and acclimating in La Paz, the team is finishing up our acclimatization at Lake Titicaca- the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,500 feet. We’ve been lucky with beautiful sunsets and stable weather. Excited to head to Condoriri tomorrow to start climbing higher and higher.”

All’s well for the team, and we hope to hear more soon about their climbs!

Audrey Simonson

October 17, 2022

The city of La Paz with Illimani rising in the background.

IMG Guide Justin Sackett checked in this morning from La Paz. He reported that the entire team has successfully arrived with their luggage. The team is currently touring the city of La Paz while they acclimatize. In the next couple of days, the team will travel to Copacabana and Lake Titicaca.

All’s going well in Bolivia!

Audrey Simonson

6 October, 2022,

Mt Rainier 2023 registration is now open and we have several exciting new programs that we are introducing next summer.

The 4.5 Day Disappointment Cleaver Seminar is a great option for those who want to have an extra day to work on skills at Paradise and feel a bit less rushed than our 3.5 day DC Climb. After the skills day at Paradise, the team will ascend the mountain on the same itinerary as the 3.5 Day DC Climb but with extra time to either rest or cover more advanced skills at Camp Muir.

The Custom 3.5 Day Disappointment Cleaver Climb is the perfect option for large groups who want to climb together. This allows one group leader to purchase an entire climb and bring up to 7 friends (for a total of 8 climbers). Large groups who choose this option will be able to ensure that they will only be climbing with their group.

The IMG Mountain School is the perfect course to teach climbers mountaineering skills. The course spends one day on basic mountaineering skills such as cramponing, ice axe arrest, and rope travel, followed by two days of focused crevasse rescue training. This is the program for you if you want to learn the skills to climb glaciated peaks in a team of people with similar skills.

The Camp Muir Guided Hike is ideal for those looking to dip their toes and see if mountaineering is the sport for them. These hikes will take a full day to go to and from the iconic Camp Muir. There’s no better way to prepare for Mt Rainier than by spending a day on Mt Rainier with several IMG Guides.

Use this link to sign up for Mt Rainier programs!

https://web.miniextensions.com/W1nZ0TpWiAh48PGSWFTq

Photo: IMG climbers ascending above the Disappointment Cleaver (Tomah Whitney).