April 27, 2021
2021 IMG Guide Training (Becky Kjorvestad)
We just wrapped up our Spring Guide Training in Ashford and on Mount Rainier. Everyone brushed up on the latest industry standards for guiding and are looking forward to a busy climbing season ahead.
Here is to a great season on Mount Rainier!
Harry Hamlin
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 everâ€.
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
April 26, 2021
Ang Jangbu checked in from EBC to let us know that all is well on Mount Everest. Team 2 had a great climb through the Icefall and are now at Camp 1. Team 1 had an active rest day at Camp 1 and took a short hike up the Western Cwm towards Camp 2. The remaining Sherpas and climbers at EBC will be departing at 3am for Camp 1 and Team 1 will head up to Camp 2 at 5am.
Beautiful weather is in the forecast and all is well on Mount Everest!
Greg Vernovage
April 25, 2021
Icefall Climbing With Team 2 (Andy Politz)
IMG Expedition Leader Jonathan Schrock checked in from Camp 1 to let us know the Team made great time in the Icefall and all is well at Camp 1. The team will take a couple of nights at Camp 1 acclimatizing before making their move to Camp 2. Tomorrow, the team will take a short hike to stretch their legs towards Camp 2.
Sunset of Everest and the West Shoulder (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Down at EBC, Ang Jangbu let us know that Team 2 was packed and ready to head up the Icefall to Camp 1 in the morning. Breakfast at 2:15 am and walking by 3am. Our Sherpa Team will also be on the move with Sherpa carrying to Camp 1 and Camp 2 with additional supplies for our rotations.
All is well on Mount Everest with IMG!
Greg Vernovage
April 24, 2021
2021 Everest-Lhotse Team (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Great news from EBC overnight as Team 2 departed EBC for their Dry Run up the Khumbu Icefall. The Team performed well and are now back to EBC for additional rest and preparations for their first rotation in a couple more days.
Team 1 is on the launching pad and will be departing EBC at 2am for their climb to Camp 1. The Team will spend a couple nights at Camp 1 before making the move to Camp 2. All members of the team including clients and guides have been tested for COVID again and have all received the green light (negative test results).
All is well with IMG on Mount Everest!
Greg Vernovage
April 23, 2021
Jonathan and Jangbu checked in this morning to let us know the snow stopped falling and all is well at EBC and Camp 2. Down at EBC, the team has been sitting tight. Just as the forecast predicted, the mountain received a good amount of snow and then the sun came out and allowed us to dig out! Up at Camp 2, the reports were of snow and strong winds. Our Team worked hard to secure camp during the storm, and wanted to let us know our Camp held up well and we did not lose any tents.
Phunuru with Nima Doma and Pasang Kanchi (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Tomorrow, we will start climbing again, with four Sherpa heading up to Camp 2 and six Sherpa carrying to Camp 1 and setting up tents there. Also up early will be Team 2 for a pre-dawn start on their Dry Run into the Icefall. Back at EBC, IMG Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa along with Nima Doma and Pasang Kanchi also decided to show off their new down suits for this season. Looking good everyone!
All is well on Mount Everest!
Greg Vernovage
April 22, 2021
2021 EBC after some snow (Kevin Kayl)
Snow day at EBC (Kevin Kayl)
We received word overnight that Everest has received a fair amount of snow. The Team made a great decision to go into a holding pattern. It is not uncommon to get some snow during the early stages of the season and the additional time resting at EBC will pay off for the team because they will be even stronger when the weather clears. For now, they will wait out the snow and wind and then evaluate conditions before heading up on their first rotation.
All is well at a snowy Everest Base Camp!
Greg Vernovage
April 21, 2021
Lhotse Face 3-9-21 (Phunuru Sherpa)
It was a quiet day at Everest Base Camp today. Expedition Leader Jonathan Schrock checked in this morning to let us know that the team is doing great and had a nice rest today. The decision to hold tight at EBC was understood when the snow started falling. Jonathan said they currently had about 8 inches of new snow at EBC and were going to continue to evaluate the conditions on the upper mountain. There is more snow and strong wind in the forecast for the next 24 hours.
At Camp 2, the report came in that our camp is in great shape and our Sherpa Team is holding tight. We did manage to sneak in a climb to Camp 3 to secure our campsite. A huge thanks to Kaji Man Tamang and Ngim Dorji Sherpa for getting up the Lhotse Face and Camp 3! We will be looking forward to hearing a more detailed report of climbing condition on the Lhotse Face when they get back to EBC.
All is well on Mount Everest!
Greg Vernovage
April 20, 2021
Climbers navigating the Khumbu Icefall (Jonathan Schrock)
Just off the phone with Expedition Leader Jonathan Schrock at EBC. Our Team had a great rest day at EBC which includes laundry, showers and lounging which is all important during an expedition to Mount Everest.  These days are as important as any in terms of staying healthy and gaining the vital acclimatization for the weeks ahead. Tomorrow, the team will do some ladder training in the morning with a hike in the afternoon.
Our Sherpa Team also had a great day carrying loads to Camp 2 and are all back to EBC. We will have 2 Sherpa head up to Camp 3 to claim our spot and bring back a report about conditions on the Lhotse Face.
Sunset on Pumori (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
IMG Guide Phunuru Sherpa climbing a steep pitch in the_Icefall (Jonathan Schrock)
There is some wind and snow in the forecast which will put our team in a holding pattern for a couple days but there is still plenty to do at EBC involving packing gear and food for the first rotation. Â It is typical that we have a few days of weather during the first part of the season and the team is in excellent position to head up the mountain when the time comes.
All is well on Mount Everest and please enjoy these incredible photos sent home from Jonathan and Ang Jangbu!
Greg Vernovage
April 19, 2021
Team 1 Preparing to depart EBC (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Team 2 had a great day trekking back to EBC after a successful climb of Lobuche Peak over the weekend. The Team will now have a couple days of rest before doing some ladder training and preparation to head up on their Dry Run. It is a great feeling to get the summit of Lobuche under their belt. The additional acclimatization and training on Lobuche will help the team when it comes time to head up the Khumbu Icefall on their first rotation.
EBC from Look Out Point (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Team 1 set the bar high for themselves during the morning of the Dry Run. The energy felt in the pre-dawn hours at EBC is amazing. Climbers put in months of training and hard work in preparation to climb Mount Everest and it starts happening now!  Expedition Leader Jonathan Schrock reported that all members were dialed and departed EBC 5 minutes before their scheduled departure time of 3AM. Backpacks on and walking out of camp at 2:55am! The Team had perfect weather and had a great morning climbing half way up the Icefall before returning to Base Camp. Great job Everyone!
Geneva Spur and South Col (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Ang Jangbu reported that Camp 2 is looking good with the main tents now up and more Sherpa carrying loads up nearly every day. We have 24 more Sherpa heading to Camp 2 tomorrow. We also received an update has come in from the fixing team up on the Lhotse Face. They have now got the route fixed up to the Geneva Spur (well above Camp 3)! We  soon be sending several of our Sherpa up the Lhotse Face to evaluate the route and claim our Camp 3 campsite.
All is well on Mount Everest!
Greg Vernovage
