Ecuador Update!

November 12, 2019

Team prepping for their attempt on Cayambe (Rikki Dunn)

Our November expedition to Ecuador is off to a great start! Rikki Dunn and Romulo Cardenas are showing the team more of Ecuador than ever imagined possible–first a tour of old town Quito, then a visit with a local weaver friend in the town of Peguche, followed by a jaunt through the market of Otavalo.

Team prepping for their attempt on Cayambe (Rikki Dunn)

Acclimatization was the next order of business with hikes up Fuya Fuya and Imbabura. You canâ€™t shortcut acclimatization and nowâ€™s the time to squeeze in as many hikes as possible.

The team is heading to the hut on Cayambe now that the acclimatization hikes are complete. Theyâ€™ll be spending two nights there before taking a summit shot. A little more acclimatization and a bit of refresher training thrown in, to boot.

Everyoneâ€™s doing well!

Phil Ershler

Ama Dablam Summit Photos Coming In!

November 8, 2019

: Andy Polloczek with the team on the summit of Ama Dablam (November 6, 2019) (Andy Polloczek)

: Phunuru Sherpa with the team on the summit of Ama Dablam (November 7, 2019) (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Everest and Lhotse from the summit of Ama Dablam (Andy Polloczek)

: From high on Ama Dablam (Andy Polloczek)

Our Ama Dablam Team is now making their way back to Kathmandu and will then make plans to head home.Â While they pack and prepare to leave Base Camp, our Guide Team will continue to finish clearing more gear off the mountain. IMG Senior Guides, Phunuru Sherpa and Andy Polloczek, were able to get photos out of the two summits days we enjoyed. We will be posting more great photos from the expedition on our website where you can sign up for the 2020 Ama Dablam Expedition.

All is well and enjoy the photos from the 2019 Ama Dablam Expedition!

Greg Vernovage

Ama Dablam Summits On A perfect day!

November 7, 2019

Ama Dablam upper section (Adam Clark)

IMG Senior Guide, Phunuru Sherpa, called from the summit of Ama Dablam to let us know the team had perfect weather conditions and the upper mountain completely to themselves.Â A light breeze with warm temperatures allowed the team to move up the mountain and enjoy the summit.Â With no other climbers on the upper mountain, Phunuru said the team moved incredibly well and made great time.Â The team is now back at Camp 1 for the night and will return to Base Camp tomorrow for a big celebration!

IMG Guides on the summit of Ama Dablam (Phunuru Sherpa)

Congratulations to all of the climbers and guides on Ama Dablam!

1	Raymond Talley Goodson	USA
2	Phinjo Dorje Sherpa (Guide)	Pangboche, Nepal
3	Andreas Polloczek (Guide)	Germany
4	Hannah Goodson	USA
5	Ngawang Tshiring Sherpa (Guide)	Phortse, Nepal
6	David William Buchwald	USA
7	Peter Bilodeau	USA
8	Phunuru Sherpa (Guide)	Phortse, Nepal
9	Dawa Tenzing Sherpa (Guide)	Thamo, Nepal
10	Matthew Scott Demey	USA
11	James Ernest Bedison, Jr.	USA
12	Sonam Tashi Sherpa (Guide)	Phortse, Nepal
13	Ang Karma Sherpa (Guide)	Phorste, Nepal

Greg Vernovage

Next year’s trip is booking now!
October 12 – November 15, 2020
https://www.mountainguides.com/amadablam.shtml

Ama Dablam Summits!!!

November 6, 2019

: Yellow Tower on Ama Dablam (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Ama Dablam Summit with Everest and Lhotse (Austin Shannon)

: Taboche, Cholatse, Cho Oyu and Lobuche from Ama Dablam (Phunuru Sherpa)

Great news from IMG Senior Guides, Andy Polloczek and Phunuru Sherpa. Andy summited with his team with absolutely perfect weather conditions. â€œClear skies and only a light breezeâ€ during the climb and on the summit. Andy and his team had the summit to themselves and are now back down to Camp 1 for the night. They will continue to descend to Base Camp in the morning.

IMG Senior Guide, Phunuru Sherpa, checked in from Camp 2.5 with a healthy and strong team. They made great time getting to Camp 2.5, welcoming Andyâ€™s Team as they rolled through. The Team has plenty of time to rest and the weather is still looking fantastic for the summit climb in the morning. The plan for Phunuruâ€™s Team is to be climbing by 3am. We will be excited to hear more great news!

All is well on Ama Dablam!

Greg Vernovage

Two Spots Open On Aconcagua!

November 5, 2019

A glowing Aconcagua (Peter Adams)

We’ve had two spots open on Jonathan Schrock’s Dec 14 – Jan 5 Aconcagua trip and it’s not too late to sign up! Climb the highest mountain outside of Asia with one of the most talented guides on the planet!

Email office@mountainguides.com for more information.

Heather Garland

Updates From The Khumbu Valley

November 5, 2019

: Ama Dablam Team set to depart Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Climbing towards Camp 2 (Harry Hamlin)

: Climbing on Ama Dablam (Austin Shannon)

Pasang Tshering checked in from Lukla this morning to let us know that the 3X3 and Lobuche Peak Teams have made it back to Lukla.Â The Team is scheduled to fly first thing in the morning to Manthali where are staff will be waiting for them. This has been a great trek and climb over 3 passes and 3 Peaks along with some of our climbers tackling Lobuche Peak. We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather in the morning so the team can get back to Kathmandu to celebrate!

The Ama Dablam Teams continue to enjoy excellent weather for climbing.Â IMG Senior Guide, Phunuru Sherpa, called to let us know that our second wave of climbers made it to Camp 1 in great time and everyone is doing well.Â Phunuru also let us know that Andy made it with the first wave to Camp 2.5.Â The Team made great time which will allow them to get a lot of rest before the bell rings and they start heading for the summit. The plan is to start climbing by 3:30 am for the summit.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Teams On The Move In The Khumbu Valley

November 4, 2019

: Namche (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Alpenglow on Ama Dablam from Camp 1 (Nathan Berry)

Pasang Tshering and Ang Pasang checked in from Namche today.Â The 3X3 Team trekked downhill from Thame this morning while the Lobuche Team trekked uphill from Phorste Tanga to Namche. The teams pulled into Namche right in time for lunch and some â€œthick air.â€ A great reunion for everyone and an opportunity to share stories of the summit of Lobuche Peak and the trek over Renjo La. Tomorrow, the team will head to Lukla.

On Ama Dablam, the weather continues to hold.Â IMG Senior Guide, Andy Polloczek, checked in from Camp 1 to let us know there were some clouds down valley but a â€œperfect night with lots of starsâ€ above them as they prepared to settle in for the night.Â Tomorrow, Andy will head to Camp 2.7 and put them in position to summit. Down at Base Camp, Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa said the team is ready to go and excited to climb! They will depart Base Camp just after breakfast and climb to Camp 1.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Nepal Trekkers Doing Well; Ama Dablam Team Waiting on Summit Window

November 3, 2019

A quick weekend update from our teams in Nepal. The 3X3 Nepal Trek team is on the move again. They left Gokyo and crossed over Renjo La (17,515â€™/5338m). This is the third and final pass crossing for the 3X3 Team and something that they should feel great about. Tonight, the team is in Thame and will meet the Lobuche Peak Team in Namche. The Lobuche Peak Team departed Gokyo and are making their way down valley. Tonight the team is in Dole and will be up early for the trek to Namche.

: Renjo La (Nathan Berry)

: Thame (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

IMG Senior Guides Andy Polloczek and Phunuru Sherpa checked in to let us know the climbing team is getting restless. That is great news because it means everyone is feeling strong and well rested. There was a little snow in the forecast for the team this afternoon.

Ama Dablam (Phunuru Sherpa)

We will evaluate the snow conditions and finish plans for heading up on the summit rotation this evening. The tentative plan is to have the first wave of climbers head up to Camp 1 in the morning followed the next day by the second wave of climbers.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

2020 IMG Mt. Baker Women’s Climb!

November 1, 2019

The sun illuminating Mt. Baker through the clouds – viewed from Shuksan (Nicole Sims)

Hello Ladies!

It’s official! Our Mt. Baker Women’s Climb has been scheduled for July 10-13, 2020! Come climb the Easton Glacier with an all-star, all-female guide crew and spend four days climbing, training, learning, and laughing with some of the best female guides in the business!

At 10,781′, Baker is an ideal first ascent of a Cascade volcano and an excellent primer for Rainier and beyond. The program will focus on basic mountaineering skills such as cramponing, ice axe self-arrest, and rope team travel. Depending on group interest, additional topics may include belaying & rappelling, glacier navigation & route-finding, snow anchor building, fixed line ascension, and team crevasse rescue. All in a supportive, cohesive environment with unparalleled beauty in all directions!

When: July 10-13, 2020
Where: Mt. Baker’s Easton Glacier
Cost: $900

Sign up today!

Email office@mountainguides.com or call 360-569-2609 with questions.

Watch for more women’s events to be announced soon!

Heather Garland

Resting, Resting, Moving In Gokyo And Khumbu Valleys

November 1, 2019

Camp 2 on Ama Dablam (Austin Shannon)

The 3X3 Team had a nice day enjoying the Gokyo Valley and taking a short hike towards 5^th Lake today. When the weather is beautiful it is difficult to sit stillâ€¦until the sun hits the lodge window and warms you up! Some of our members elected to rest in the lodge in Gokyo while others chose to take a short hike towards 5^th Lake. The team is doing great and is ready to take on Renjo La in the morning.

Gokyo Village (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

Our Ama Dablam Team is at Base Camp and is doing their job by eating, sleeping, and preparing for the summit rotation. We will be keeping our eyes on the weather forecast and making plans to head up the mountain in a couple more days.

Our Lobuche Peak Team was on the move today. The Team departed Lobuche Base Camp after taking a rest day and made great time over Cho La Pass. The team is now in Thagnak and will have a short day trekking to Gokyo in the morning.

All is well in the Gokyo and Khumbu Valleys!

Greg Vernovage