May 5, 2021

Climbers preparing to depart EBC (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

It has been a busy day on Mount Everest for the Team.  They were up on time and out the door at 2am with light snow falling at EBC.  Climbers moved efficiently up the Icefall, some stopping at Camp 1 for the night to rest up before moving into Camp 2 tomorrow while others going directly to Camp 2.  Our program is built to accommodate climbers who wish to break up the climb to Camp 2, and these are great decisions made with our Guide Team.

Lhotse Face 3-9-21 (Phunuru Sherpa)

At Camp 2, IMG Lead Guide Phunuru Sherpa reported an additional 3 inches of snow today on top of a previous 6 inches.  The Team at Camp 2 will stay on schedule and take a rest day tomorrow before evaluating the conditions and route to Camp 3.

Down at EBC, the rest of our climbers who needed some additional time to rest and get strong for this rotation will take one more day before heading up.  The fixing team is staged at Camp 2 right now and are planning on heading up to fix to the summit on the 7^th and the 8^th.

All is well on Mount Everest!

Greg Vernovage

May 4, 2021

IMG EBC looking at the Icefall (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

Kazi Sherpa (Jonathan Schrock)

IMG Expedition Leader Jonathan Schrock checked in this morning to let us know that our first group of climbers are ready to head up for their Camp 3 rotation.  They have had a beneficial rest at Base Camp the last few days, and are feeling strong, in part due to the efforts of our Head Cook, Kazi Sherpa.  Kazi has been busy working his magic, feeding the team and even baking a birthday cake for one of our climbers!   The plan for tomorrow is breakfast at 1:30am and walking at 2am.  With the weather trending in the right direction, we are excited to get back on the mountain.

Our Sherpa Team has also been working hard and have made carries to Camp 3, with two of them pushing up to the top of the Geneva Spur.  They report the Lhotse Face was tough climbing with the recent snowfall that plastered the upper mountain.  They had to kick steps and pull fixed ropes out of the snow to open the route back up, but with some nice weather in the forecast, there should soon be some better steps chopped into the face.

Greg Vernovage

May 3, 2021

2021 Everest Guide Team from left to right-Phunuru Sherpa, Andy Politz, Ang Jangbu Sherpa, Jonathan Schrock, Ang Dorjee Sherpa, Kevin Kayl

Expedition Leader Jonathan Schrock has been watching the weather and looking for the best time to have the team head back up on their second rotation.  With some precipitation in the forecast for Mount Everest, the team has decided to go into a holding pattern at EBC to wait out the snow that is predicted for tonight and tomorrow.

Everest with a Lenticular (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

The team is strong and ready to get back on the mountain for their next rotation.  A day or two more of rest will only help the team get even stronger as they are going up on an important Camp 3 rotation.  With the additional rest at EBC, Teams 1 and 2 are now going to be on the same schedule.

We also have some of our Sherpa Team at Camp 2 who will take a look at the weather in the morning and see if they can get a load of oxygen and gear up to Camp 3 and the South Col.

Ready to climb when the weather breaks on Mount Everest!

Greg Vernovage

April 30, 2021

Descending the Khumbu Icefall (Jonathan Schrock)

Camp 1 (Kevin Kayl)

Ang Jangbu checked in from EBC to give us an update.  The big news from up high today was that the rope fixing team have now reached the South Col.  Good news!  Our IMG Sherpa Team is focused and healthy.  Their plan is for another big carry to Camp 2 with more oxygen, followed by some rest days at Base Camp, and then they will move up to Camp 2 in preparation for building and stocking our Camp 3 and Camp 4 (on the South Col).

Team 1 are all doing well back at EBC, enjoying their rest days. Although not a perfectly sunny day, many of the climbers found time today for a shower and to do a bit of laundry.  They will be taking several more rest days at EBC to recharge and prepare for their next rotation to Camp 3.

Laundry day at EBC (Adam Clark)

Many of the Team 2 climbers descended to Base Camp today, with a handful remaining up at Camp 2 for a bit more acclimatization.  We work hard with our climbers to make sure they are setting themselves up for success, so if some require additional time to acclimatize or extra rest days, that is not an issue.  The best part of the story is that all the IMG climbers are doing great and making excellent progress with their climbing and acclimatization!

Progress being made on Mount Everest!

Greg Vernovage

April 27, 2021

Predawn light at EBC (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

The weather has been nearly perfect for the start of this rotation, which always helps make things more enjoyable.   Last night was made extra special with a full moon (this one known as the Pink Moon).  With a full moon overhead, the night is much brighter and climbers can practically go without a headlamp!

Our climbing Teams are split between Camp 1 and Camp 2 and are doing very well with acclimatization.  Expedition Leader Jonathan Schrock checked in from Camp 2 to let us know all is well with the Team 1.  Their plan is a leisurely morning, followed by hike up towards the Lhotse Face to get a closer look of the steep climbing above.  Phunuru reports that our Camp 2 looks great , the “best ever”.

The rest of our climbers are at Camp 1.  They will take a hike up the Western Cwm in the morning to get their heart rates up and then spend another night or two at Camp 1 before moving up to Camp 2.

All is well on Mount Everest!

Looking down valley with a full moon (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

Greg Vernovage