January 10th, 2020
IMG, Senior Guide, Nickel Wood, called in from Aconcagua base camp. It is hot, windy, and dusty, but all is well. Rest day tomorrow and Camp 1 the day after.
Heather Garland
January 10th, 2020
IMG, Senior Guide, Nickel Wood, called in from Aconcagua base camp. It is hot, windy, and dusty, but all is well. Rest day tomorrow and Camp 1 the day after.
Heather Garland
Jan 9, 2020
You can see why Ouray, CO is one of the premier winter playgrounds for Ice Climbing. The sun stays out of the canyons for most of the winter season preserving the high quality ice.
Our Ouray Climbing Program is in full swing and the ice is in!  We still have some extra days on the calendar if you are looking to climb some ice this winter.  Whether you are there to climb ice for the 1st time or the 100th time, it is always a fun time.
Thanks to the Ouray Ice Park for putting together such a great time-lapse of the park.
Peter Adams
January 8, 2020
Just a reminder that IMG’s Denali Prep Seminar & Summit Climb on Mt. Rainier is an excellent prep course for big mountains around the world. The program focuses on expedition style climbing in harsh, high altitude environments with training on fixed line ascension, belaying/rappelling, route finding, glacier navigation, avalanche hazard evaluation, crevasse rescue, and more. While summits in the winter are rare, the opportunity to train during an attempt is invaluable.
This is by far the most intensive program available if your’re looking to head to Denali, the Wrangell-St. Elias, or the Himalayas.Â
Available dates:
February 22-28
March 7-13
March 21-27
Email office@mountainguides.com for more information.
Heather Garland
January 8, 2020
With their gear checks and orientation complete, Johnathan Schrock has our second Vinson team of the season in Punta Arenas, Chile and flying out onto the Ice almost a day ahead of schedule.
When you’re hot, you’re hot!
Phil Ershler
January 8, 2020
Dispatch from down south: “Ready to hit the trail and ascend the Vacas Valley toward our object, The Stone Sentinel – Cerro Aconcagua!”
Nickel, Harry, and team look fit, strong, and ready to go!
Heather Garland
January 7, 2020
IMG Senior Guide, Jonathan Schrock, checked in with this photo from dinner. There is an excellent phrase describing a polar explorer on one of Ernest Shakleton’s expeditions to Antarctica that comes to mind. One man said of another, “he had a face that had a built-in mischievous expression”. We think that sums up Johnny just fine.
We’ll update as the Vinson team continues on their journey!
If this is a trip that is on your list for next year, now is the time to start planning. Seats on the flights are limited and book early. Email office@mountainguides.com for details.
Heather Garland
January 7, 2020
IMG Senior Guide, Nickel Wood, checked in to inform us his Aconcagua team was headed to Penitentes this morning. All are in good spirits and ready to get things rolling.
We’ll keep you posted as they keep us posted!
Heather Garland
January 3, 2020
Are you committed to climbing the highest peak in North America? Before attempting 20,310′ Denali, you’ll want to first spend time in a comparable cold weather environment. Test yourself in expedition-style winter mountaineering with IMG on Mt. Rainier during an upcoming Denali Expedition Seminar & Summit Climb!
Available dates:
February 8-14, 2020
February 22-28, 2020
March 7-13, 2020
March 21-27, 2020
April 4-10, 2020Â (one spot open)
April 18-24, 2020
Email office@mountainguides.com or call 360-569-2609 for details.
Heather Garland
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January 1, 2020
The team finished off the trip in style with a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater. The one place to see the black rhino on this trip is there. And they did:
That mission complete, they’ve already had their last dinner together and begin the trek home in the morning with a drive to Arusha, collecting all that fine, smelly, climbing gear and getting on an airplane.
Congrats, again, to all, and glad we could usher in the New Year vicariously through them, too. Could be you next year! Safe travels, team, and thanks for another great lead, Phunuru.
Phil Ershler
December 30, 2019
Nice to summit but nice to know that the team’s returned to high camp. Even nicer still is to learn that they’ve done the work and made it down to their new base camp at Plaza Mulas. Up one side and down another – pretty cool. One day’s hike remains, meaning the team will be out tomorrow and back in Mendoza tomorrow evening. They (and we) are super excited.
Jonathan, Leandro, Sasha, and team deserve a big congratulations. New Year’s in Mendoza. Wow!
Phil Ershler