Mexico Climbers Start Acclimatizing

Nov 6, 2022 – IMG senior guide Porter McMichael checked in to report that the IMG Mexico volcanoes expedition has begun! The climbers all arrived yesterday, on schedule with their luggage, to Mexico City (about 7300 feet). After a night in the city, today the team moved up to Amecameca which is about 1000 feet higher. This afternoon they went for a nice acclimatization hike on the slopes above in IztaccÃhuatl and PopocatÃ©petl National Park. They said the hiking was great, but clouds prevented from seeing the volcanoes.

Acclimatization hiking in Iztaccihuatl and Popocateptl National Park (Porter McMichael)

Next up for the team is a move higher up to the Paso de CortÃ©s at (about 12,000 feet, this is the saddle between the PopocatÃ©petl and IxtaccÃhuatl volcanoes). After that, we they have some more acclimatization hiking in preparation for their climb of Ixta (5,230 m (17,160 ft). Allâ€™s well in Mexico!

Eric Simonson

Ama Dablam Summits!

Nov 4, 2022 – Phunuru reports from Ama Dablam Base Camp that the team had a gorgeous summit day on Ama Dablam.Â They spent the night at Camp 3 yesterday and made the top about 6 am, then proceeded to descend safely all the way down off the mountain.Â Congrats to Phunuru, Tashi, Mike, and Max and thanks to our support team!

Eric Simonson

IMG climbers pose on top of Ama Dablam for a summit shot (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG climbers on top of Ama Dablam (Sonam Tashi Sherpa)

The “Mushroom Ridge” to Camp 3 and route to the summit

Ama Dablam update â€“ Ready to Climb!

2 November, 2022

After a good puja yesterday at Base Camp the Ama Dablam team are ready to move up.Â First up will be the trek to â€œyak campâ€ (the end of the trail) and then a short climb up to Camp 1 (about 18,700â€™) at the base of the South Ridge.Â Everyone is feeling good so fingers crossed for the next few days!

Eric Simonson

Photo: IMG Ama Dablam team at Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Photo: Puja ceremony at Base Camp with Taboche peak in the background (Phunuru Sherpa)

Photo: Camp 1 on Ama Dablam with the South Ridge above (Harry Hamlin)

That’s A Wrap in Bolivia!

Oct 31, 2022 – Our fall Bolivia trip is wrapping up after a successful and fun trip! The team was able to not only climb some of the Southern Hemisphere’s highest peaks, but they were also able to explore local culture. From visiting the shore of Lake Titicaca to spending time with IMG’s Bolivian guides, the team was able to get the full experience out of their trip to Bolivia.

IMG will be back to Bolivia in summer 2023:

July 16-28, 2023
October 10-26, 2023

Ready to sign-up? Want more information?

Check out our website: https://www.mountainguides.com/bolivia.shtml

An IMG climber ascends Pequeno Alpamayo at sunrise (Justin Sackett)

Ama Dablam climbers and trekkers reach Base Camp

Oct 30, 2022 – Good news, everyone has arrived to AD BC, coming via three routes. Phunuru and the climbers and trekkers helicoptered up from Lukla this morning. Nicole hiked up from Pangboche, while Max and Maila descended from Mera Peak, then east to Hongu valley, then north, crossing the Amphu Labsta pass, to the Imja valley and Ama Dablam. Well done!

Tomorrow morning the team will have the traditional puja ceremony, before the climbing begins.

Ama Dablam above the Khumbu Valley, the South Ridge climbing route ascends the right shoulder against the skyline (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG climbers enjoy a sunny morning at Ama Dablam Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Lhotse and Everest (left side of the frame) overlook Ama Dablam (right side of frame), as seen from a helicopter (Eric Simonson)

Illimani Team Approaches

Oct 29, 2022 – Lead Guide Justin Sackett departed La Paz today in Bolivia after a few days of rest. The expedition team has spent the last couple of weeks climbing iconic peaks in the Bolivian Andes, including Pequeno Alpamayo and Huayna Potosi. Today the team will approach the base camp of Illimani, one of the tallest peaks in the region, and prepare for their ascent to high-camp in the coming days. All is well in Bolivia!

Illimani high camp at sunset (Harry Hamlin)

Bolivia Team Summits Huayna Potosi

26 October, 2022

Great news from Bolivia this morning! IMG Senior Guide Justin Sackett reported that the team summited Huayna Potosi (19,974ft) in excellent weather. The team has safely descended to basecamp and is headed to La Paz tomorrow to recover before heading to Illimani.

Climbers approach High Camp on Huayna Potosi (Justin Sackett)

Mera Peak Summit!

26 October, 2022

IMG guide Phunuru Sherpa reports that the team had a good summit day today on 21,246ft (6,476m) Mera Peak.Â The conditions were clear, cold, and windy.Â Welcome to the Autumn Nepal climbing season!Â Â After completing their descent, the plan is to helicopter back over to Lukla, and then the Ama Dablam climbers will fly up to Ama Dablam Base Camp where they will meet up with Max and Myla, who are heading to Khumbu via Amphu Labsta Pass.Â Well done team!

Eric Simonson

Photo: IMG Climbers on the summit of Mera Peak (Phunuru Sherpa)

Mera Peak climbers preparing to move to High Camp

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.Â Yesterday they climbed to 17,000 feet and did some practice with their crampons.Â 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.Â With any luck, the following day will be their summit day.Â Weâ€™ll keep you posted!

Eric Simonson

Pequeno Alpamayo Bolivia Summits!

October 23, 2022

View of PequeÃ±o 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. Â Â This is late summer conditions in Bolivia and the seasonal snow has largely melted, leaving perfect alpine ice conditions.Â Justin said the conditions were excellent today and the team had a fun climb.Â Tomorrow they travel from Condoriri BC back to El Alto for resupply, before heading to Huayna Potosi, their next objective.

Eric Simonson