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Posts from 06/2012

Carstensz Pyramid:  Team Packs and Prepares in Timika

Posted by: Alex Van Steen, Mark Tucker | June 27, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Carstensz Pyramid

Hello from Timika, Indonesia!

It’s Sara McGahan, I’m 17 years old, and you may remember me from 2011’s Mt. Everest Expedition! I’m now climbing with RMI Carstensz Pyramid team.

Today was spent preparing for the expedition ahead of us. We have organized gear, shopped for food, and protected everything in waterproof sacks or trash bags. This climb seems so different from any others I’ve done; For most of our expedition we will be hiking through a hot, humid rainforest with expected rain showers almost hourly. We must plan that everything will get wet, but we are trying to do what we can to prevent it from getting completely soaked.

The culture here is also so different from anywhere else I’ve been in the world. There are many parts of West Papua which are still undiscovered. Some tribes have only been in contact with Westerners since the 1970’s, and even now the people are still rooted in the customs and traditions of their ancestors. It is normal for some people to walk around with little to no clothing on, except perhaps for a grass skirt for the women and some shells for the men.
Personally, I am fascinated by the culture here and so excited to further experience it.

While it’s easy to type this in a nice hotel with internet and buffet breakfasts, this seems like a one in a lifetime experience that I can’t wait to begin. The terrain will be difficult both physically and mentally, but everyone in our team seems well prepared for the challenge and enthused for the adventure that awaits.

We are catching a 6 am flight tomorrow to Sugapa and then headed into the jungle. That’s all from Timika!

Sara McGahan

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Resting

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais | June 26, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'

Today is number six on the mountain and the first solely designated to rest.  As discovered on day one of our long journey together, having fun is as necessary as being organized, fit and compatible. 

This morning the gang was allowed to sleep until their natural alarm clock pulled them from dreams of family, beer and showers.  Six inches of fresh snow blanketed our camp here at 11,000 feet so we were all pleased to be staying put.  Once all gathered in our perfectly designed cook tent, two hours were killed flipping flap jacks and drinking coffee.  Now we have moved on to lunch where singing every song to Michael Jackson’s Thriller album has trumped all else.  There is not an unhappy soul in the group.  Mike would like to wish mamma and papa Uchal safe travels on their adventure to Russia and beyond.

RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Cozy at 14K Camp

Posted by: Mike Walter, Paul Edgren, Mike Hinckley | June 26, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

Hello again from 14,200’. It’s snowing right now, and it snowed all last night. There’s only about 6” of accumulation so far, bur more is expected today and tomorrow. The good news is that there isn’t any wind here at 14k, and we’re all comfortable and cozy in our camp. We’re still in a holding pattern, waiting for decent weather to move up to high camp and be in position for a summit bid when the current weather pushes out.

In the mean time, we’re getting plenty of rest here at camp. Everyone is patiently awaiting better weather, although we’re all a little antsy for some exercise and a chance to move higher. We’ll keep you posted…

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. Rainier June 26th SUMMIT!

Posted by: Mike Haugen | June 26, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: Summit

Mike Haugen and our Four Day Summit Climb Team reached the top of Mt. Rainier today.  The team had light winds and precipitation with limited visibility so they were not going to spend very much time on top. They have started their descent to Camp Muir and we expect the team back at Ashford Basecamp this afternoon.

Congratulations to today’s team!

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Ecuador: Nugent & Team Descend from Cayambe

Posted by: | June 25, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Ecuador

RMI Guide Billy Nugent and team were forced to abort their summit bid on Cayambe due to windy and snowy conditions.  After resting and trying to dry out in the hut they began an eventful drive down the mountain with muddy roads, lots of snow and a flat tire.  The team is resting nicely at the Chilcabamba Eco Lodge at the base of Cotopaxi.

Listen to Billy’s dispatch below for more details.

We look forward to hearing from the team tomorrow to see what the weather has in store for them.

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Carry to Windy Corner

Posted by: Adam Knoff | June 25, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'

Today we set out to cache our upper mountain supplies above Windy Corner.  As we finished breakfast and packed gear the wind blew snow around camp. Layered up and ready for the weather, we set out anticipating the gales that would greet us at the corner. Constant wind and snow tried to impede us but the crew dealt with the adverse weather like it was a summer stroll. As we pulled up to the fabled Windy Corner the weather was nicer than what we’d walked through to get there. We buried our gear there and pushed back through the nasty weather to 11 camp. Everyone did great and spirits are high.

Tomorrow we rest!

RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Mt. McKinley: Mike Walter & Team Resting at 14 Camp

Posted by: Mike Walter | June 25, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

After a nice evening of sunshine, we awoke again today to light snow and wind, and very limited visibility. Again, this is fine with us as we could use another rest day before moving to high camp at over 17,000’. The weather forecast this morning indicated that we may see some significant snow tomorrow, before this system moves out later in the week.
We’re all enjoying some down time, but we are eager to climb higher also. Patience is paramount as we sit in this holding pattern. We’ll keep you posted with our progress with regular updates. If anybody out there can pull some strings and hook us up with perfect, sunny and warm weather for our summit bid, we’ll buy you a beer when we get back to civilization!
Cheers,
RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. Rainier: June 25th Update

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Gabriel Barral | June 25, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,000'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by Seth Waterfall and the Five Day Summit climb led by Gabriel Barral were forced to turn around at 11,000’ due to storm conditions and high avalanche hazards.  There is a large cap on the mountain that was descending to almost 10,000’.  The team began their descent from Camp Muir.  We look forward to meeting them at Rainier Base Camp later this morning.

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Carstensz Pyramid:  Team Meets in Bali

Posted by: Alex Van Steen, Mark Tucker | June 25, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Carstensz Pyramid

Hello from the Carstensz Pyramid team,

What a way to start an expedition. Mountain climbers surf Bali!
Fresh red snapper for lunch and solid 3 foot swell for dessert.
I love my job!

We head to the airport at midnight tonight for a 2 am flight to the town of Timika on the Island of New Guinea.
The whole team and all bags are here and ready.

Everyone is looking forward to the rest of this adventure.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Mt. McKinley:  Walter & Team Rest at 14 Camp

Posted by: Mike Walter | June 24, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

We’re having a relaxing day, lounging around in our tents, resting, eating, and sleeping after a tasty breakfast of smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwiches. The weather today started off cloudy and snowing lightly, but currently the clouds have dropped below us and we’re enjoying some sunshine up here at 14,000’. We’re currently in a holding pattern, waiting for a good weather window to move to high camp and make a summit bid. Based on the current forecast, it looks like we may take another rest day tomorrow to let this unsettled weather pass. That’s OK with us, as we are welcoming the rest and time to acclimate further. The weather forecast looks good in a few days, so we’ll hope that verifies.

Until then, we’re in chill mode. We’ll keep you posted with any news from our end.

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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