RMI Guide Brent Okita Summits Mt. Rainier for the 500th Time
On Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 2:02 p.m. PDT, RMI Guide Brent Okita reached the summit of Mt. Rainier for the 500th time, becoming only the second person to reach this exclusive milestone.
Brent; along with RMI Guides Leah Fisher and Christina Dale, Peter Dale and Aaron Mainer; ascended Mt. Rainier via the Disappointment Cleaver route. It was a windy day on the summit but the team took time to celebrate at Columbia Crest. After many hugs and photos were exchanged, they traversed to Liberty Cap for their ski descent of the Edmunds Headwall. Brent described his 500th summit and ski descent as “one of the coolest days of my life!”
To put this in perspective, Brent has logged over 9,000,000 vertical feet on Mt. Rainier throughout his 30-year career. “Brent is a mentor, leader, and above all an inspiration to all mountaineers,” said Peter Whittaker, owner of RMI. “The fact that Brent has challenged himself on this mountain for 30 years and successfully summited Rainier 500 times is extraordinary. Even more amazing, Brent continues to climb at the pace of a 20-year-old guide and will likely climb Rainier another 20 times this summer...his endurance and fitness are unmatched.”
Brent, 55, has worked at RMI since 1986 as a professional climbing instructor and guide, leading teams of climbers on ascents of Mt. Rainier. In that time, he has also reached the summit of Mt. Everest (via the North Side) and led over two dozen RMI guided parties up 20,310’ Denali in Alaska, the highest mountain in North America. Other ascents to his credit include Vinson Massif (Antarctica), and several expeditions to the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps (Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Jungfrau).
Setting records is not Brent’s motivation; his 500 summits of Mt. Rainier are a natural consequence of his tenure with RMI and dedication to the sport of mountaineering. With no thoughts of retirement, Brent plans to continue guiding climbers on Mt Rainier and Denali for the foreseeable future. In the winter months he pursues his love of skiing, working for Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol. He and wife, Julie, make their home in Enumclaw, WA, where they enjoy bicycling and hiking.
Congratulations Brent!
Comments (8)
Well done, Big Bro!! The family is all proud of you ... again!
Posted by: Brad Okita on
Awesome Brent, I remember when you first started guiding for RMI. Congratulations on your alpine achievements, I wish I was there to ski the Edmunds with you, snow is going fast in the Tetons so will head to the Winds on days off. Peace and much Love, Bill Moe/ former Paradise/ Muir Ranger/ Teton Helitack USFS, Jackson Wyoming
Posted by: Bill Moe on
Well done Brent!! I few years back I read the profiles of all the guides of RMI and requested Brent for my guide and was lucky enough to have him assigned to my group for our summit bid and I reached the summit thanks to the leadership, knowledge and professionalism of Brent. Congrats on 500 Brent, I know there will be many more. I will see you again when I return to climb again.
Posted by: Joel Mathews on
Way to go Brent! You are a great inspiration. Happy Climbing!
Posted by: Joel 40 Below Ltd on
Brent, congratulations on this extraordinary accomplishment and an amazing career.
Posted by: David Clemmons on
WOW! is all I could come up with. You are amazing.
Posted by: Randy Salo on
Congrats Brent!!! That is Off the Charts Awesome!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on
Way cool Brent! Hard to believe I was writing your paycheck way back when you first started with RMI. You have definitely shown the mountaineering world (and skiers) what it’s like to have a love of our beautiful surroundings. Hope our paths cross again some day. In the meantime shine on and climb! Congrats!!!
Posted by: Jan Parcher on