December 23, 2019
Phunuru is working his magic again as lead guide on our Holiday season Kilimanjaro trip. Great photo, Phunuru! They’re all smiling – no need to say more.
Phil Ershler
December 23, 2019
Phunuru is working his magic again as lead guide on our Holiday season Kilimanjaro trip. Great photo, Phunuru! They’re all smiling – no need to say more.
Phil Ershler
December 23, 2019
IMG senior guide, Phunuru Sherpa, reports from Moshi, Tanzania that our annual Holiday Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari trip is on the launch pad, ready to start. Yesterday the team did their equipment checks, packed and weighed their duffel bags, and also took a side trip into town to visit the local market and stroll around. The weather is good and everyone is excited to hit the trail.
Next up for the Team is the ride from Moshi (about 2800 ft) up to the Machame Gate (about 5900 ft) where they will do the National Park formalities (signing in, check permits, etc). Then, it’s time to start hiking! With our Chagga porters and cooks joining them, they will be completely self-sufficient for the next 7 days, as they ascend the Machame Route and descend the Mweka Route.  Destination for Day 1 of the climb is the Machame Camp (about 9900 ft). The hike will take them up through the dense forest zone that encircles the lower mountain. Machame Campsite is right at the treeline, with peekaboo views of the summit emerging through the trees. Have fun up there!
Eric Simonson
December 22, 2019
The first 3 days on Aconcagua are fairly easy. All are reasonably pleasant, carrying only a light pack. What a super way to get the legs warmed up and a good ‘jump’ on the acclimatization process. Jonathan, Leo, Sasha and team have reached base camp (Plaza Argentina) at about 13,600’, taken a rest day and are now ready for their first carry to C1.
A big mountain like Aconcagua means a carry day to the next higher camp and then a move to that camp, normally the following day. Just like climbing Denali or Vinson. This is when the hard work of training and careful equipment/food selection pays off. They’ve got 6 of these days to get settled into high camp, but one day at a time.
Phil Ershler
December 18, 2019
Jonathan, Leo, Sasha and crew have left Mendoza and spent a night in Penitentes. Today, 18 Dec, they are beginning their hike into base camp. Three days with light packs is pretty much perfect from an acclimatization standpoint. They’ll sleep a bit higher each night without having ‘busted their butts’ on any of the three days. Their arrieros will be getting all the group gear up to base camp AND cooking some super dinners for the first couple of nights. Hope the team doesn’t get too spoiled.
Bottom line – all is good as IMG begins its first Aconcagua trip of the season. Stay tuned.
Phil Ershler
December 16, 2019
Our first Aconcagua team of the season is now in Mendoza! The shopping and packing is complete, gear checks are done, and the permit is in hand. Guides Jonathan and Sasha have the team prepped and ready to head to the base of the mountain tomorrow. It’s a big mountain and a big project to climb it. We wish the team well as they set off on their adventure and we’ll keep everyone posted as they progress.
Phil Ershler
December 12, 2019
If you follow the weather in the PNW, then you know the freezing levels in the mountains are falling and snow accumulation numbers are rising. Paradise is expected to receive up to 36″ from the current low pressure system, with even more snow up high. While it feels a bit late for skiers & riders (especially compared to the Northeast!), it’s plenty early for our Denali Prep Seminars. These 6.5 day winter mountaineering courses, beginning in February, are designed to prepare climbers for expedition style climbing in an environment comparable to Denali and elsewhere in Alaska.
Whether you have your Denali dates set or simply want to experience all that Rainier in the winter has to offer, this is the time to register.
Available Dates:
February 2-8
February 22-28
March 7-13
March 21-27
Email office@mountainguides.com or call 360-569-2609 for details.
Heather Garland
December 6, 2019
The Vinson team is flying off the Ice tonight (the 6th). Winds may be increasing soon so no time like the present. That’ll put the team back in Punta Arenas early the 7th. Just don’t see how this trip could have gone much smoother or been more successful. And, from what I hear, it was pretty darn enjoyable, too. Thanks to all team members for putting their faith in IMG and for doing their part in making the trip safe, successful, and enjoyable. Come early January 2020, we’ll be reporting from the Ice once more!
Congratulations, all!
Phil Ershler
December 5, 2019
When you’re hot, your hot. Justin Merle checked in at about 5 pm, Seattle time, on Wednesday evening to let us know the team had an easy night at high camp after their summit day. They packed up, headed down the fixed ropes, and continued all the way to Vinson base camp. More packing continued as the Twin Otters were ready to fly them over to Union Glacier. ALE had a big meal ready for them and afterwards, they pitched tents and settled in for what we hope is about a two day wait for their IL76 flight off to the Ice and back to Punta Arenas. We still need good weather for that flight but, as for now, this trip couldn’t have gone much smoother or more successfully.
Great job, team. Great job, Justin. Great job ALE. And, thank you, mother nature!
Phil Ershler
December 3, 2019
100% on the summit of Vinson this morning. Congratulations to Justin and the team. They plan on spending this evening at high camp and get down to Vinson base camp tomorrow and, hopefully, fly over to Union Glacier later that evening. Weather is good and forecast remains good for the next couple of days. Couldn’t have planned it much better. Everyone performed well and the weather cooperated. News couldn’t get much better from down South today.
Phil Ershler