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2021 Rainier Update

Mt. Rainier has seen late season conditions come far earlier than normal during 2021. Now, in early September, it has become quite difficult for any climbers to ascend the Disappointment Cleaver due to unusually high levels of melting of snow and ice. At this time, current route conditions are not favorable for making a successful summit attempt. Despite IMG and other teams’ hard work exploring different options over the past couple of weeks, we have been unable to find a suitable route. As a result, we will not be running our remaining programs for the season.

DC team taken by guide Drew O’Brien

We know that you’ve been hard at work planning for your climb in 2021 and want to help facilitate our client’s success on Mt Rainier in the future and are offering affected climbers options to move forward to 2022!

Thank you to our clients for your understanding and continued excitement for alpine experiences, and thank you to our guide staff for their tireless efforts to share their passions with others. We look forward to climbing with you next year!

A team scales on the Fuhrer Finger by guide Justin Sackett

IMG’s 2022 dates will be announced soon! Email us office@mountainguides.com for more information, or get registered for our e-newsletter today!

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Great day of Acclimatization in Russia

September 9, 2021

Caucasus Range (Sasha Sak)

Caucasus Range (Sasha Sak)

The Elbrus Team enjoyed another great day of weather today.  The team got a good night sleep and were ready to stretch their legs and gain some elevation.  One of our favorite acclimatization hikes takes the team to an old observatory that gains about 3,200 feet over 12 miles.  Everyone is feeling great and moving well according to IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak.  Tomorrow, the team will pack up their gear and head up the ski lifts, followed by a short hike to the huts on Mount Elbrus.  From the huts, the team will be in position to climb the mountain but not before some additional training and acclimatization.  There is no rush and we will be watching the weather for the summit bid!

Taking in the geology (Sasha Sak)
Taking in the geology (Sasha Sak)
Resting is key (Sasha Sak)
Resting is key (Sasha Sak)
Elbrus Team acclimatization (Sasha Sak)
Elbrus Team acclimatization (Sasha Sak)
All smiles during acclimatization in Russia (Sasha Sak)
All smiles during acclimatization in Russia (Sasha Sak)

All is well on Mount Elbrus!

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Elbrus Team moves from St Petersburg to Cheget

September 7, 2021

Rafael's Madonna (Sasha Sak)

Rafael’s Madonna (Sasha Sak)

Sasha checked in this morning to let us know the team had a great morning touring in St Petersburg.  They managed to get into the Hermitage Museum and got to see one of Rafael’s Madonna paintings.  After touring the Hermitage Museum, the team packed up and headed for the airport and their flight to Mineralnye Vody.  They are jumping in a shuttle and will be in Cheget later this evening.  Tomorrow, the team will do some trekking and acclimatizing above town.  This is an incredible area for trekking and the scenery is breathtaking!

Outside the Hermitage Museum (Sasha Sak)
Outside the Hermitage Museum (Sasha Sak)
Inside the Hermitage Museum (Sasha Sak)
Inside the Hermitage Museum (Sasha Sak)

The team is on the move and all is well in Russia!

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Beautiful weather for touring St Petersburg

September 6, 2021

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Sasha Sak)

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Sasha Sak)

It has been a beautiful day to tour around the city of St Petersburg for the team.  IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak checked in this morning to let us know the team is doing great and enjoying some beautiful Autumn weather.  It was a full day of touring which included a visit to the Fortress of Peter and Paul, St. Isaacs Cathedral,  the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and a boat ride through the canals in the afternoon before having a nice dinner.

Beautiful Day in St Petersburg (Sasha Sak)

Beautiful Day in St Petersburg (Sasha Sak)

Tomorrow they will visit the city a little bit more before heading to the airport for their domestic flight to Mineralnye Vody.  From Mineralnye Vody, it is about an hour to Terskol and the base of Mount Elbrus.  Sasha said she was going to continue working on bringing the good weather for our team!

All is well in Russia!

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Elbrus 2021 Team arrives in Russia

September 5, 2021

Elbrus 2021 Team in front of St Isaac's Cathedral (Sasha Sak)

Elbrus 2021 Team in front of St Isaac’s Cathedral (Sasha Sak)

IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak checked in today to let us know the team has arrived to St Petersburg!  We are excited to receive this news and will be looking forward to reports as the team tours beautiful St Petersburg for the next day and half.  From St Petersburg, the team will head over to Terskol and prepare for the climb of Mount Elbrus!

All is well in St Petersburg!

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Mexico and Ecuador Trips are a Go!

August 30, 2021

Orizaba
Chimborazo (Photo: Jorge Anhalzer)

We have two great trips coming up in the month of November.  Mexico and Ecuador trips are both confirmed to “go” and we still have just a few spots left.  If you are interested in heading to Mexico or Ecuador this Autumn, you came to the right place.  If you have any questions or would like to sign up, let us know and we can help make it happen!

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Rainier in August

August 20, 2021

As is typical this time of year, the route up the Disappointment Cleaver is rapidly changing, and our teams have been hard at work evaluating the dynamic conditions. Through some collaborative efforts, we’ve made some adjustments to the route. We’ve altered the route slightly in order to provide a lower-risk alternative for our climbers reducing their exposure to overhead hazard.

Thanks to the hard work of our guides over the past couple of days, our climbing team led by Nicole Sims was able to make the summit this morning in beautiful weather. We’re looking forward to a busy end of the summer on Mt Rainier.

 

Photos from this morning’s successful summit by guides Nicole Sims and Justin Sackett.

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1 Spot Available on Vinson

August 8, 2021

Twin Otter at Vinson Basecamp (Luke Reilly)

Twin Otter at Vinson Basecamp (Luke Reilly)

We have an available spot on the January Expedition to summit the Vinson Massif in Antarctica. Let us know if you would like to take the final spot to this beautiful continent!  You can find more information on the website and we are available to help answer any questions.

 

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Bolivia Team back in La Paz

August 3, 2021

Base Camp on Illimani (Adam Clark)
Base Camp on Illimani (Adam Clark)
High Camp on Illimani(Adam Clark)
High Camp on Illimani(Adam Clark)
Climbing to HC on Illimani (Adam Clark)
Climbing to HC on Illimani (Adam Clark)

Illimani BBQ Celebration

Illimani BBQ Celebration

IMG Senior Guide Adam Clark checked in from La Paz this afternoon.  The team had a leisurely morning at Base Camp on Illimani before heading down to the trailhead where they were met by our support team.  Upon arrival at the trailhead, the team was welcomed with a barbeque and a few beers to celebrate the trip.  This is a great end to the climbing portion of the trip and after full bellies, the team loaded the vehicles and headed back to hotel.  They are showering up and will go out for dinner one more time with our very gracious hosts and friends in Bolivia.

IMG has also just released new dates for an October Expedition to Bolivia if you missed out on this trip!

Let us know  if you have any questions and we are looking forward to heading back down this Autumn!

All is well in La Paz!

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Bolivia Team Back at Base Camp

August 2, 2021

High Camp on Illimani (Greg Vernovage)
High Camp on Illimani (Greg Vernovage)
Looking up Illimani from High Camp (Greg Vernovage)
Looking up Illimani from High Camp (Greg Vernovage)

IMG Senior Guide Adam Clark just sent a message from Base Camp on Illimani to let us know that all is well and the team is in great spirits.  The team was up and climbing at 3am this morning with plans to stand on the summit just after sunrise.  As the team climbed visibility began to deteriorate and snow and wind began to fall.  The decision was made that it was time to turn around and head downhill.  The team stuck their nose in it and made the right decision to back off this time.  Illimani and the weather were too much today but this team has had an incredible trip.  In almost 20 years of expeditions in Bolivia, this was the third time, weather turned us back from the summit!

All is well back at Base Camp and the team will enjoy a great lunch and prepare to head back to La Paz in the morning.

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