Holiday Greetings from Shira Camp in Tanzania

December 24, 2019

Phunuru and team send holiday greetings from Shira Camp in Tanzania, on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. A little mist today but who cares? Everyone is doing well.

: On the way to Shira Camp for a late lunch (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Team at Shira Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Tomorrow is Baranco Camp, one of the most scenic on the mountain and a pretty amazing place to spend Christmas. Remember, theyâ€™re about 12 hours later so Christmas day is just around the corner. What an amazing experience for everyone. Happy Holidays to and from all!

Phil Ershler

Kili Team At Machame Camp

December 23, 2019

Machame Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru is working his magic again as lead guide on our Holiday season Kilimanjaro trip. Great photo, Phunuru!Â They’re all smiling – no need to say more.

Phil Ershler

Holiday Kilimanjaro Team Ready To Go!

December 23, 2019

December 2019 Kilimanjaro Holiday Team at the hotel, ready to start (Phunuru Sherpa)

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).Â Then, itâ€™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.Â Â 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

Aconcagua Team Reaches BC

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 â€˜jumpâ€™ on the acclimatization process. Jonathan, Leo, Sasha and team have reached base camp (Plaza Argentina) at about 13,600â€™, taken a rest day and are now ready for their first carry to C1.

Comfortable dinner at Plaza Argentina (Jonathan Schrock)

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. Theyâ€™ve got 6 of these days to get settled into high camp, but one day at a time.

Phil Ershler

On The Way To Penitentes

December 18, 2019

Traveling to Penitentes

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.Â Three days with light packs is pretty much perfect from an acclimatization standpoint.Â They’ll sleep a bit higher each night without having â€˜busted their butts’ on any of the three days.Â Their arrieros will be getting all the group gear up to base camp AND cooking some super dinners for the first couple of nights.Â Hope the team doesnâ€™t get too spoiled.

Bottom line â€“ all is good as IMG begins its first Aconcagua trip of the season.Â Stay tuned.

Phil Ershler

First Aconcagua Team In Mendoza

December 16, 2019

â€œThe Teamâ€ in Mendoza

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

2020 Denali Prep/Winter Mountaineering Seminars

December 12, 2019

Setting up camp on a March seminar (Rowan Stewart)

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

Vinson Wrap Up

December 9, 2019

: Vinson Summit (Justin Merle)

: In Punta Arenas (Justin Merle)

Here are the final team photos from Vinson. All members are sleeping in their own beds tonight except for one; Flint stayed on the Ice and is skiing the last 60 miles, ‘The Last Degree’, to the South Pole.

A fun trip was had by all!

Phil Ershler

Vinson Team Headed to Punta Arenas

December 6, 2019

The IL-76 (Phil Ershler)

The Vinson team is flying off the Ice tonight (the 6^th). Winds may be increasing soon so no time like the present. Thatâ€™ll put the team back in Punta Arenas early the 7^th.Â Just donâ€™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.Â 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, weâ€™ll be reporting from the Ice once more!

Congratulations, all!

Phil Ershler

Vinson Team Is Off The Mountain

December 5, 2019

Ready to fly (Phil Ershler)

When youâ€™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 couldnâ€™t have gone much smoother or more successfully.

Great job, team. Great job, Justin. Great job ALE. And, thank you, mother nature!

Phil Ershler