Outdoor Research Guide Uniforms SJMG Guide Ben Kiessel As a partner guide service with Outdoor Research, each season we get a few new pieces of technical outerwear to use on our trips – part of our SJMG Guide Uniform. This year, and after a hearty bit of field work already I might add, SJMG Guide…
Although Ken lives in Texas he is on a mission to climb Colorodo’s 54 14,000 foot peaks! Last week we went into Chicago Basin with his son and climbed the areas three semi technical 14ers; Windom, Sunlight and Eolus. I believe after our trip Ken has climbed 38 14ers! We will be seeing Ken again…
Its not super common that we hike into Vestal Basin from Molas Pass. We usually take the train which cuts off about 6 miles round trip and a 2,000 foot climb from the river back to the car on the way out. Aaron, Jacob and I left Molas on Wednesday morning and made great time…
Pachamanca Time! We wanted to let everyone know that the team is safely back at basecamp and enjoying some rest before the final push back to Huaraz. Soon, they will be enjoying a Pachamanca! More details to come with pictures once Andres and team reach Huaraz. Nice job everyone!!
Safely Back at High Camp Just got word that Alpamayo Team #2 summited yesterday and are safely back in high camp! We will post a full recap once we hear from Andres about the details of the climb. Great work everyone!
At Alpamayo Basecamp [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”Team Members” title=”Alpamayo Expedition #2″ height=”263″ width=”320″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/alpamayo.team_.2.jpg[/image_frame] Our second Alpamayo Expedition of the season is underway and going very well. Everyone in the group arrived to Lima on time, with no delays and all their bags (whew!). After a night in Lima, the group boarded the Cruz del Sur…
Alpamayo Summit Success! [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”High Camp on Alpamayo” title=”Alpamayo Expedition #1″ height=”263″ width=”320″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/elias.alpamayo.4.jpg[/image_frame] On Tuesday July 9th, we moved to high camp after a 3 day snow storm that had us tent bouded at Morraine Camp. Upon arrival to High Camp, we struggled to set camp up with the almost 1 m of…
Back in High Camp Elias called to report that he and his two clients successfully summited Alpamayo and were back at high camp, preparing for the rest of their descent back towards basecamp. Elias will write up a full accounting of the summit day in the days to come. Congratulations everyone!
Established at Alpamayo High Camp Elias just called in with an update for their Alpamayo team. After 3 days hunkered down at Moraine Camp due to weather and plenty of fresh snow, the team finally made their climb to high camp and are now established and ready to push for the summit tomorrow. The weather…
Progress Towards High Camp [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”Alpamayo Expedition” title=”French Direct Route” height=”320″ width=”263″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/alpamayo-1.jpg[/image_frame] Elias and his team are making good progress on Alpamayo. On the 4th of July they checked in from basecamp, and were planning to do a carry to moraine camp the following day. Everyone was doing well and in good spirits.…
Bruce and I climbed Wilson Peak near Telluride last week. We left the Rock of Ages trail head at 6am and were on the summit at 10am, and were back at the trail head by 1pm for a 7 hour car to car trip. Thanks for the great trip Bruce! BK
Alpamayo Expedition #1 Begins [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”SJMG Guide Elias and Team” title=”Alpamayo Expedition” height=”263″ width=”320″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/elias_peru.jpg[/image_frame] The team is finaly in the capital of Peruvian Andinismo! After a late arrival into Lima due to a flight cancellation out of Houston, we made it to Lima just on time to grab some rest and be headed…
A Brief History and Essential Equipment [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”Telluride Via Ferrata” title=”In an Unmatched Setting” height=”320″ width=”263″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ferrata4.jpg[/image_frame] Via Ferrata is the Italian name for what might fairly be called extreme hiking. First built in the Italian Dolomites during World War 1 these “iron roads” were intended to facilitate the rapid movement of troops through…
As I was riding the coal powered steam train up to Elk Park I was checking the weather and it didn’t look good. NOAA was predicting 70% chance of precipatation and a chance of snow. Luckily NOAA doesn’t always get it right! We ended up summiting Vestal Peak and Arrow Peak with great weather the…
Tim had climbed Mount Sneffels before via the standard route and was looking for a little more of a challenge. The SW ridge is an amazing route on an iconic Colorado 14er. Climbing up the SW Ridge and down the standard route gave us a great tour of the mountain. As always, it was great…
David and I left the Los Pinos trail head with food for ten days, not 100% sure where we were going. We knew we wanted to try to climb Mt. Oso but besides that we were going to play it by ear. We ended seeing people on day 1,2,9 and 10; but on days 3-8…
Moving Fast in the Alpine by Nate Disser – AMGA Rock & Alpine Guide [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”left” alt=”Alpine Rock Climbing” title=”Pack and all……” height=”263″ width=”320″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/big.pack_.blog_.jpg[/image_frame] Managing risk and objective hazard in alpine environments is clearly a top priority for all comers – guided or not. Surely this is always the case for all outdoor activities,…
SJMG Guide Interview Bill Grasse – AMGA Certified Rock Guide [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”left” alt=”Bill Grasse” title=”SJMG Guide” height=”250″ width=”250″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bill-grasse.jpeg[/image_frame] The Featured Guide section is a new element of our newsletter and SJMG Blog intended to provide you with an in-depth look at some of our world-class guides. This issue’s Featured Guide is Bill Grasse – an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and SJMG…
Took a great newlywed couple from Tennessee down Portland Creek Canyon today. Starts just south of Ouray and you finish right in town. Portland is a super beautiful canyon with two great rappels in the middle. Now’s the time! The canyon season is here!
As you can imagine at San Juan Mountain Guides we can never get enough steep frozen water. So as we watch the ice here in the San Juans melt and the trees begin to bud, we book our plane tickets to the Alaska range where winter is far from over. Some call it an addiction…