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Posts from 02/2011

Mexico: Preparing for Orizaba Summit

Posted by: | February 18, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 14,000'

After a great rest day in scenic Puebla, our team traveled to Tlachichuca to get ready for our attempt of Pico de Orizaba.  We exploded our gear in the 200-year old courtyard of our host and outfitter, Dr. Reyes.  Once a soap factory, now climber’s hostel, his lovely compound is now the launching pad for most climbers trying Orizaba. 

After repacking our climbing gear, we sat down to a great lunch, then boarded our truck with full bellies and drove to Piedra Grande.  At Piedra Grande, we set up camp and had another big meal before turning in to catch a few zzz’s.  We’ll wake up in a few hours and give this “mountain of stars” a shot under a full moon.  If all goes well, we’ll send a shout from the top.  Buenas noches and cross your fingers for us!

RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Kilimanjaro:  Ascending the Barranco Wall

Posted by: | February 18, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Beautiful moon rise last night and a perfect morning. Slow roll out of camp, to tackle the infamous Barranco wall. About a half hour section of rock scramble that is more fun than fear, and we got some great photos. We did have to deal with some rain en route to Karanga Camp but we just had a solid hour of sunshine and most of the gear is back in good shape.

Some comments from the team:
Nate- Climb, Hike, Win…Aim High-Kili High
Will- Climb is going well, talk soon
Gary- Hi Vicky and girls, all having fun at wet Kili
Steve- Hi from Kili. Everything is POA {cool} ! On top Sunday !
Jan- Endlich mal Schnee auf dem Kili
Dave W.- Great adventure, fun people ! I hope there is beer at the top otherwise why are we doing this ?
Bob- Enjoy everyday on Mt. Areebaaa ! Missing everybody and you to Indy.
Tuck- thanks for all the support

Cheers,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and the RMI KILI Team

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Aconcagua: Back in Mendoza

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer | February 17, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua

We wanted to let you all know that we made it to Mendoza! Got to Punta de Vacas around 1pm today, a couple hours in Penitentes, and then the van ride down here.  Headed out shortly for our first big dinner off the mountain! 

Hope all is well and we’ll be in touch.  Ciao.

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer

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Kilimanjaro:  New High Point

Posted by: | February 17, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,800'

Jambo!
We set new altitude records for many team members today when reaching 14,750’ on Kilimanjaro!
Too often climbers seem to decide how they are going to feel at a certain altitude in advance. Today the team climbed steady and before we knew it we were standing at 14,750’ and everyone was feeling great.

From about 13,000’ to the high point there was about 4 to 6 inches of snow. We were fortunate to stay dry as we hiked up the Shira Platuea to our new camp at Barranco but once in camp the rains began.  The rain has stopped now, we are all in good shape and getting ready for a hot dinner.

Cheers,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Mexico:  Summit Day Recap

Posted by: | February 16, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico

It is amazing to think that this morning our team watched the sun rise from the summit ridge of Ixta.  We climbed strong today, up the moraines and rock leading up to the Ayoloco Glacier that is the “White Woman’s” last major snow veil.  There we gained the ridge as the the waxing gibbous moon set to our left and we waited for the sun to warm us from the right.  It was a great climb and everyone should be proud of a job well (and safely) done. 

Back at camp we enjoyed an early morning nap and packed up for the walk out.  Pretty solid amount of activity before 11 am.  We made it out over rock fields and steep grassy slopes, crossing pastureland before hopping in the vans and heading to Puebla.  On our drive through the back roads of Paso Cortes, Cholula and Puebla gave us great views of smoking Popo (Ixta’s warrior Romeo) and many angles of the lady herself.  Quite a treat to drive through the lights we looked down on a few hours before on our way to hot showers and a triumphant meal in our new home for a day. 

Tomorrow we will recuperate and relax in the historic colonial town of Puebla, and reconvene for dinner to recount our day’s adventures to the team.  Then it’s off to get in position for our chance on Pico de Orizaba, rested and ready. 

Wish us luck amigos,
RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Mexico:  SUMMIT!

Posted by: | February 16, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 17,340'

Hello everybody this is Jake with RMI’s Mexico Volcanoes Trip.  Our team is standing on the top of Ixtaccihuatl right now about to catch the sunrise.  Beautiful day, light winds, really strong team. Everybody is doing great.  Really couldn’t ask for a better day.  Thanks to everybody back home.
We will be touching base when we get a little bit lower.
Have a good one.  It’s pretty good up here.

RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Kilimanjaro: Trek to Shira Camp

Posted by: | February 16, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,000'

Jambo!
RAIN, rain, rain. Then we began to get ready in our nice dry tents, and emerged to a cool cloudy beautiful day. If you didn’t have ear plugs in you may have missed a little shut eye but the whole team had a great night and a wonderful hike up here to the Shira Camp. Not often can you enjoy the awesome waterfalls that only run during storm time.  We were fortunate to enjoy perfect conditions into camp and arrive to a great hot lunch and sunshine.

We are looking at the white, white, summit of Kilimanjaro above so plenty of excitement ahead.  We are planning to have the team throw an extra layer in our kit based upon current conditions.

So many trips in the past with team members having some challenges at this point and some calling this their high point but no issues with this team of mountaineers so far. Such a pleasure for a guide to have a team that has done their home work. Mid term tomorrow, final exam just around the corner.  Here I go to study up, dispatch ya later.

Cheers
RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Aconcagua: At Basecamp

Posted by: | February 15, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

Hey gang, this is Billy checking in with Geoff and Pete here. We’re giving you guys a call from basecamp, Plaza Argentina, after a successful summit attempt yesterday. We spent a good part of the day today walking down from high camp at Plaza Cholera all the way down here to basecamp, just under 14,000 feet. Everybody is a great mood. We enjoyed an awesome meal of mashed potatoes and roasted chicken, courtesy of the great folks at Grajales, our outfitter. Right now we are just getting all of our mule loads prepared for the long walk to the road tomorrow. And should actually take all day tomorrow and a half of the next day before we’re back to civilization. For all those you that are following along, this might be the last you’ll hear of us until we’re back to Mendoza. And thanks for following along. And we’ll talk to you all soon. Ciao.

RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Mexico: Ixta High Camp

Posted by: | February 15, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 14,700'

Greetings from our high camp on Ixta at 14,700 feet above sea level.  Today we hiked from our hut to this high camp below the Ayoloco Glacier, known here as the Stomach of Ixta, the ‘White Woman.’  Everyone did very well today and seems to be handling our new high point very well.

This afternoon we are reviewing crampons, ice axes and rope travel around camp before an early dinner.  For dinner’s entertainment we will go over the plan for tomorrow’s attempt on Ixta, looking at our route and discussing our strategies for the day. Then it’s off to bed for an early start for summit day.  Wish us luck!

RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Kilimanjaro:  First Day on the Trail

Posted by: | February 15, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,800'

Jambo!
Kaboom went the thunder, down came the rain.  Thank goodness we were in our very comfortable rooms at the Dik Dik hotel.
After breakfast our vehicles were loaded and ready, we climbed aboard and began the drive to Kilimanjaro’s Machame gate (5,900’) where our climb began.

We had perfect conditions for the climb today. With the beginning of the climb located in the rainforest it can be a tough start with high heat and humidity. Not for this group of lucky folk, light clouds, mild temps is what we had to deal with. Happy is this guide with the performance of his team today, everyone is looking strong and feeling great. 
We are now at the Machame camp, the first of many.

Lots to do, dispatch with ya all tomorrow.

Cheers,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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