IMCS Women's Rock Weekend

The Fight for Height

2009-06-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

As you may already know, each year at Women's Rock Weekend we find some rockin' lady to give us a slideshow meant to inspire, awe, or just plain get us psyched. We think year will be no exception. Join us Saturday night, June 27th for "The Fight for Height" presented by Mountain Hardwear Athlete and WRW Guest Guide, Julia Niles. Julia is the fifth American woman to become a fully certified AFMGA/UIAGM guide, and as if that isn't cool enough, was able to reach this new height after having her left lung removed. Talk about awesome. Here's what Julia has to say about her show:

"Sometimes it takes a bit of a knock down to find out we don't just want to walk through life, we want to run. My slideshow is the story of my knock down and inevitable journey back from being diagnosed with a lung tumor that the doctor said would necessitate the removal of my left lung, the fight to save half, and the bounce right back into my passions: climbing and guiding. Six months later I completed the Grand Traverse of the Tetons in a day- a feat that includes thirteen mountains and lots of lung power. Today, three and a half years later, I have succeeded in becoming the fifth American woman to be a fully certified IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide. Climbing and skiing have become a full-time pursuit that will continue to keep me running through all the thick and thin that life tosses my way. This slideshow will be a tribute to the late and great Sean Patrick, Founder of HERA."

You can follow Julia's adventures HERE

Show starts @ 7:30pm upstairs at IME...$5 at the door - see you there!!

Meet the Guides

2009-06-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hello all! We hope you're as excited as we are for WRW this year! I want to take a moment to introduce you to the lovely women that will be joining us this year as your guides. These women have a ton of experience and knowledge to pass onto you!

Julia Niles
Janet Bergman

Julie Seyfert-Lillis
Emilie Drinkwater

Jen Reed
Sarah Garlick
Claudine Safar

plus all the IMCS Guides

Sarah Garlick jams it out. Photo by Anne Skidmore

Get Your Rock On

2009-06-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

Warm temps are in and the rain is gone! Summer is just around the bend...get ready to get your rock on! We're psyched for you to join us for the 17th Annual Women's Rock Weekend here in North Conway!

Things are shaping up and this year's sponsors include Mammut, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, Wild Things, Asolo, Lowe Alpine, Crumpler, Julbo, Lowa, La Sportiva, Petzl, Misty Mountain, The American Alpine Club, Tuckerman Brewing Company and IME. Get psyched for sweet swag and gear demos!

Posters are up and enrollment in our clinics has already begun. Make sure you sign up early to get into the clinic of your choice.

See you out there!!!

For a list and details of this year's clinics click here.

2009 Dates Announced

2009-02-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

The North Country is still frozen in mid-winter, but I for one am getting itchy for rock climbing. Anyone else?

We hope you will join us for the 2009 Women's Rock Weekend, happening this June 27 & 28. Check out the archive of this blog to find out about our past events. . .

See you this summer!

Slide Show: The Wild Adventures of Kirsten Kremer

2008-06-05T06:26:00.001-07:00

I first met Kirsten Kremer in the living room of a climber's hostel in El Chalten, Argentina. I was rushing around, trying to get all my gear together for the trek into Bridwell Camp to climb with Kirsten and Janet Bergman, who had arrived in Patagonia a week a head of me.

She told me to chill—"Tranquilo, Garlick"—the weather was bad in the mountains and we'd be staying in town for a bit. Over coffee, I got to know my new climbing partner.

I learned about her typical yearly commutes: from guiding Denali in the spring, to running rapids as a raft guide in the summer, to big-wall climbing in Yosemite in the fall, alpine climbing in Patagonia in the winter, back to Alaska for some heli-ski guiding in the early spring, then back over to Denali . . . . . . some years she shakes it up with trips to the Alps to paraglide or time in Lodi jumping out of airplanes.

Kirsten is the real deal: a climber and friend I look up to, and without a doubt one of the most accomplished and inspirational outdoor athletes—male or female—out there.

Come listen to the wild tales of Kirsten's adventures during the Women's Rock Weekend featured slide show, Saturday, June 21 at I.M.E., 7:30 PM. $5 at the door.

Check out a bio of Kirsten ad the Valdez Heli Ski Guides site.

Check out an essay I wrote about climbing with Kirsten on the Patagonia site.

Check out an Outside Magazine story about Kirsten's ski descents on Denali.

Guides Extravaganza!

2008-06-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

Ladies, you are going to be psyched! We have guides from ALL over the country coming in just for you during Women's Rock Weekend. These are not just strong climbers, but they are professional guides that have dedicated their lives to climbing and passing on their knowledge to you.

The list of the guest guides are:
Majka Burhardt
Danika Gilbert
Kirsten Kremer
Julia Niles

Local Guides include:
Sarah Garlick
Joan Lee-Elkin
Anne Skidmore
Claudine Safar
& All The Gudies at IMCS

There is going to be so much inspiration, motivation, and passion at this years event! Don't miss it!

Majka Burhardt climbing Persistence 5.11, @ The Gunks.

We HEART Crumpler!

2008-05-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

Need a pick-me-up at work today? Check out the website of one of our most favorite Women's Rock Weekend sponsors, Crumpler: http://www.crumplerbags.com/. This zany Australian company not only makes gorgeous bags, they also have an unbelievably fun time doing it. Check out this CNN story about Crumpler's out-of-the-ordinary marketing "strategy". We love the way Crumpler works and we love the support they give us for Women's Rock Weekend.

P.S.
The Crumpler goodie bags for 2008 have arrived... ...they're still a secret, but the one thing we can tell you for sure is that our Women's Rock Weekenders are going to be psyched!

Posters are up!

2008-05-08T12:19:00.001-07:00

The new posters are printed and they have been mailed out across New England. Know a good place you'd like to see the poster? Give us a call (603-356-7064) or send an email (guides@ime-usa.com) with the address and we'll send it out.

Happy climbing!

Rock Season is HERE! Woo-hoo!!!

2008-04-29T10:37:00.001-07:00

That's right, ladies! The snow is (almost) gone and the cliffs are drying out!!!

Okay, okay, truth be told, it's actually pouring rain out right this very moment. But the point is, the cliffs were drying out until two days ago. Now they're just getting cleaned off. . . you know, spring cleaning for the granite.

I guess what I'm trying to say is:
Game On!

Sign up for Women's Rock Weekend!

Make your lodging reservations now!!!

2008-04-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Women's Rock Weekend happens to fall at the same time as bike weekend and the foot race on Mount Washington... so... make those lodging reservations ASAP before the town is all booked up!!!

Tips for nearby lodging options can be found here.

Get Ready To Rock!

2008-03-16T08:58:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the official blog of the IMCS Women's Rock Weekend! We're gearing up for a great event. Keep checking back here for updates and details. Ready to sign up? Call the IMCS office today! (603-356-7064)