Mt. Rainier: August 1st Summit!
Posted by: Brent Okita, Eric Frank, Mike Haugen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
"By far the best of the year" was RMI Guide Brent Okita's description of today's weather on the summit of Mt. Rainier. Brent led the Four Day Summit Climb July 29 - 1 August to the top this morning. RMI Guide Eric Frank led the Five Day Summit Climb July 28 - 1 August to Rainier's summit with 100% of his team. Both teams reported warm temperatures with just a whisper of wind. They began their descent from the crater rim just before 8 am. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise.
RMI Guide Mike Haugen led the Expedition Skills Seminar on the Kautz Glacier. The team spent the week training at Rainier BaseCamp and on the mountain. This morning they packed up their camp at 13,000' atop Wapowty Cleaver and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. The team will descend via the Disappointment Cleaver Route. This marks the 100th summit of Mt. Rainier for RMI Guide Mike Haugen. Congratulations Mike!
RMI Guide Jake Beren called to check-in from Mt. Shuksan. The team is back at camp after being 100% on top today. Jake reported that the route is “near perfect” with an amazing sunrise, views of Mt. Baker and the surrounding Cascades. They ascended the central gulleys of the summit pyramid and stood on top with windless, sunny conditions. The team had a great descent, rolling in to camp at the same time as the fog. They are back at camp hydrating and resting before hiking out tomorrow.
We look forward to seeing all the groups at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams!
Comments (11)
Congrats Lindella and team. We are so proud of you!Mom and Dad
Posted by: Linda Smith on
Congrats to Mike on 100!! I was there on the summit with him and our team had an incredible climb together. Thank you to our amazing guides and to my fellow climbers for a great four days on the mountain.
Posted by: Cindee Teer on
What an amazing accomplishment for all of you incredibly fit team!! Thrill for you, Dale, this has been your dream since we went to school in Seattle! What perseverance. Eager to see pictures.
Posted by: Carol Moyer on
WAY TO GO, DALE!!! YOU DID IT!!! WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT! Send us pictures! Lots of them!
Posted by: Jim Moyer on
Congratulations to the whole team! Alex and Eric- cant wait to hear all about it! Much love, Char, Henry & Sally
Posted by: Sally on
Congratulations team! So proud of you John. What an accomplishment! Mom and Dad
Posted by: Nyna Hendricks on
Congratulations to all, especially my brother John! There was never a doubt you would not be able to make it!
Posted by: Patty on
Way to go teams!
Posted by: Tom on
Congrats to everyone but especially Dale for giving it another go. I was on the RMI July 4th team that also did not summit, and wished I had thought to turn right back around and register for this great month of climbing. Maybe next year????
Posted by: Josephine Johnson on
We are so proud of you! That dream of yours from kindergarten in Ballard 62 years ago has been accomplished! You are our gold medal Olympian!
Posted by: Sandy Cardwell on
Finally! After the blizzard of July 3rd kept him from the top, so proud my dad, Dale Cardwell gave it another go with this group. Well done! So glad to hear it was picture perfect. And can’t wait to see the pics! Thanks, RMI!
Posted by: Kristine on