International Mountain Guides Climbing and Mountaineering Expeditions

Ama Dablam Climb

Nepal  •  22,494'  •  6856m

Ama Dablam Climb with International Mountain Guides

Ama Dablam Climb with International Mountain Guides

How hard is Ama Dablam?

We recommend that you be very comfortable on Alpine Ice Grade III; rock climbing in rock shoes on 5.7-5.8 rock and experienced on multi pitch rock climbs wearing mountaineering boots over 4th and moderate 5th-class terrain. Most of the route on Ama Dablam is fixed, so you will also need a high level of competence ascending and descending fixed ropes and passing anchors. There is one pitch on the route that is just about dead vertical, so practice ascending a vertical fixed rope as well.

The best general practice for you is probably to go out and do some longer Grade III or IV rock climbs, preferably ridge climbs with a range of difficulty from short roping/short pitching up to moderate 5th class climbing. If you want to come out to the Northwest and train with IMG guides, we can schedule a climb for you with one of our Ama Dablam veteran guides in the North Cascades over terrain similar to what you would expect on Ama Dablam.

—Eric Simonson

Dear Prospective Ama Dablam Team Members,

Thanks for your interest in our 2012 Ama Dablam Expedition. One of the most beautiful peaks in the world, Ama rises above the Dudh Kosi River valley on the way to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

After our successful guided expeditions in '03, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11 and two more successful teams that we supported with logistics and Sherpas, we have a great track record on the mountain. Our Pangboche based Sherpas (who literally live right at the base of the mountain) led by longtime IMG stalwarts Kami and Ang Passang, are perfectly positioned to work with our Ama Dablam climbers.

After trekking to Everest Base Camp for acclimatization, then a warmup climb or Lobuche, we travel to Ama Dablam BC ready to climb! We will establish a totally buffed out Base Camp complete with individual sleeping tents, showers, VHF radio and satellite comms (phone and e mail). On the mountain our climbers will enjoy Sherpa support with rope fixing and supply of the Camps 1, 2, and 3 with tents, stoves, cooksets, bags, food, fuel, and pads.

Our 2012 Ama Dablam expedition will be Professionally Led by an IMG Senior Guide. We provide a top quality logistics package including an acclimatization climb of Lobuche Peak and 2:1 guiding on Ama Dablam. Please shop around and if you can find a better Ama Dablam deal, buy it!

—Eric Simonson,  IMG Himalayan Program Director

Ama Dablam Summit Climb

This 36 day (US to US) program is designed for experienced climbers who want to enjoy the structure and leadership of a top notch program, yet maintain some personal flexibility. Climbers joining our Ama Dablam program will receive full logistics support for their climb, plus IMG leadership and guiding provided at a 2:1 ratio.

Ama Dablam Trek

This unique trek is designed with our introductory level climbing friends in mind. Do the Trek to Lobuche Peak with the climbers, then to Ama Dablam where you join with them in the expedition puja at Base Camp, then continue on up to Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Pattar for your own adventure. After that, you have a choice: either head back to Kathmandu, or come back to Ama Dablam Base Camp and follow the climbers on their summit bid with the telescope and radio, then hike out with the climbers.  See more info on Autumn Nepal Treks »

IMG's Philosophy
Our goal is to safely help as many team members as possible reach their goal, and we invest in the people and equipment that will make this happen. We value our reputation as the premiere international climbing company, and we only put programs in place that measure up to our own high standards. If you would like to join a world-class team, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your goals and qualifications and secure an exciting role for yourself on our expedition!

Expedition Organization and Leadership

International Mountain Guides ("IMG")
IMG is the oldest and most respected high-altitude climbing service in the world and its three principals, Eric Simonson, Phil Ershler, and George Dunn, have led and organized hundreds of expeditions worldwide. Each is an AMGA Certified Alpine Guide with Himalayan expedition experience including Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Shishapangma, and Cho Oyu. IMG's Himalayan mountaineering programs are organized and directed by Eric Simonson, one of the world's premiere expedition organizers. Under his direction IMG has conducted over 40 Himalayan expeditions. His teams include a group of professionals and Sherpas who are the best in the business. Since 1990, over 490 IMG team members have summited the world's classic 8,000-meter peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.

Ang Jangbu and the IMG Sherpa Team
A veteran of dozens of expeditions and an Everest summiter, Ang Jangbu has worked with Eric Simonson on every IMG Himalayan program since 1991 and is a very popular leader. Ang Jangbu Sherpa and his staff put together one of the very best Sherpa teams for IMG. We are proud to have a group of Sherpas working for us who are among the best paid, best led, best equipped, and best trained in the business.

References

Joining a high-altitude trek or expedition is a serious decision. You should be completely confident in the organization and leadership before you make that decision. Many of you have climbed with us before, and because your experience with us was good, you're considering another climb with us. For those of you who haven't climbed with us before, we strongly encourage you to interview us thoroughly and also talk to our past customers. When you're ready to make the decision, we'll be happy to provide you with a complete list of references. In the meantime, please browse a few comments from past climbers.

Ama Dablam Himalayan Climbing Expedition with International Mountain Guides
Featured Ama Dablam News

Ama Dablam expeditions in the IMG Blog »

See a photo of Kathmandu from space »

Dates and Prices

Ama Dablam Climb
April 15 – May 19, 2012
October 9 - November 10, 2012
Landcost: $9,250

Autumn Everest BC/Ama Dablam Treks »

Ama Dablam and Everest Base Camps
October 9-25, 2012
Landcost: $3,000

With Lobuche Peak Climb & Everest BC
October 9-30, 2012
Landcost: $5,150

Trip Reports and Cybercasts

Click below for archived updates and photos from past IMG Ama Dablam expeditions:

I honestly believe you have one of the best guiding outfits. After seeing some of the other groups, I would certainly recommend IMG to anyone...
~Joe C.
I left the mountain without a doubt that we chose and were with the best organization and people on the hill. I think most of the rest of base camp knew it too...
~Jeff
A Eureka! tent at IMG's Camp 1 on Ama Dablam (photo: Michael Creamer)
 
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