Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
As I wrapped up this trip, I couldn't help but remember the last time I visited Ixta. I was guiding a man in his 70's up. He was making the trip on his own. The extraordinary thing: he was on a lot of medication, he had a stint placed in his heart and a piece of his lung removed. His effort was impressive. We made four different expeditions, increasing the number of O2 bottles used during the ascent.
When I’m on climbs like the one I just finished, I’m also reminded of my mission to be an ambassador for the sport (and to keep people smiling even when they are hurting). I want people who join me, especially when it’s their first time climbing, to be challenged, but not to be destroyed because it’s too tough. The trip I just finished was with a great group—novices, but an enthusiastic crowd for sure. Everyone checked their egos at the airport when we landed and fully embraced the journey. We also developed a shared responsibility that bonds us on the climb and I think long after it’s over.
In the end, these climbs can change people’s perspective on life and things back home especially when the conditions are extreme. What happens on the mountain, combined with that disconnect from the daily grind, is essentially a recharging through depletion, fed by the beauty and simplicity of nature along the way, as well as the experiencing of different cultures. The once-in-a-lifetime climb is more than just the trip itself. It’s the memories, and the gratitude we develop for being healthy enough to experience something so amazing, yet take on something totally out of our comfort zone. It’s also stepping back when we are home taking nothing for granted.
I remind everyone I work with to remember it’s not about the summit, it’s the entire experience that matters—that’s what will fill their tanks months after they’ve unpacked and settled back into life. This group—they fully embraced that notion. They didn’t grab for just a slice on the mountain—they went for the entire pie. I love introducing newcomers with that kind of get-it-done attitude to this sport. These guys accepted the challenges that came with it and had a laugh doing so.
I’m fortunate to have great clients and work for a great company like RMI. Both remind me, and I hope by reading this reminds you (and my latest team!), to get out there and do something big every day. Mount Rainier is the perfect intro for climbing novices. It allows curious people to stop wondering and get out there and try something—and to share something really cool with family and friends. And remember that guy in his 70's? He didn’t tackle Mount Everest, but his conquest was equally butt-kicking. Ixta was his Everest. Any mountain, or challenge for that matter, can be an Everest-sized achievement.
Great job team!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Posted by: Mike Walter, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climbs led by RMI Guides Mike Walter and Mike King reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning and were leaving the crater rim at 7:09 am. Mike King reported light winds and overall a beautiful day. The teams will be back in Ashford later today.
Congratulations climbers!
Hey, Its Nathanael Dr.Steiner hope you had a good climb and hope to see you soon.
Posted by: Nathanael Dukeshire on 8/19/2015 at 7:13 pm
Posted by: Steve Gately, Geoff Schellens, Leon Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climbs led by RMI Guides Steve Gately and Geoff Schellens reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at about 6:45 this morning. Steve reported winds of about 30mph at the crest, but overall a beautiful day. The team has started their descent and are en route to Camp Muir.
RMI Guide Leon Davis called at 7:30 AM this morning from the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons. He and the team are back at camp. They reached 11,600’, then turned due to a large crack. Later today they will take a walk to spend more time training about 500’ above Camp Schurman.
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Hey Mark Tucker checking in. What a 24-hour period we've had. Wow. Amazing night up there on Orizaba. Crazy weather, amazing light storm going on and little bit of hail. The team got up early and we put in our work, and we just had a fabulous climb. It was wonderful event that we all participated in and it's been go time ever since. Back down here all cleaned up and doing well at the Reyes Compound. We're just having so much fun; we don't want this trip to end. We're going to come away from this thing with some happy hearts and lots of experience. So we're just looking forward to getting back out there when we can. Thanks.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in from Mexico.
Posted by: Solveig Waterfall, Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guide Billy Nugent radioed at 7:23 am as his Four Day Summit Climb team and the Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning, and were starting their descent from the crater rim. Billy reported it was very windy with winds from the NW.
Congratulations to today's team!
You guys are amazing! So happy you got to summit! Love you!
Posted by: Melissa on 8/17/2015 at 4:54 pm
Congratulations to my two favorite men!
Love Katrina
Posted by: Katrina on 8/17/2015 at 4:38 pm
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Team Orlando was in full safari mode as we explored the Ngorongoro Crater and all the wildlife and beauty it had to offer. We visited a Maasai Mara village to learn the great history and culture of such a strong and beautiful people.
RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hey, this is Seth. We are all headed to the airport to catch our flights home. We've had a great trip and today was no exception. In the morning, as we returned through Tarangire National Park, we got very lucky and saw two leopards . It was a great cap on what had already been a wonderful trip. Everyone is excited to go home but we all wish we could be on safari forever!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
RMI Guide Brent Okita and the Four Day Summit Climb reached Columbia Crest, the highest point on Mt. Rainier and in Washington State this morning. Brent reported gorgeous weather and an improved route. The team will spend some time on the summit before beginning their descent to Camp Muir. At Camp Muir the team will rest and repack before continuing their descent. We look forward to seeing them in Ashford this afternoon.
Congratulations climbers!
Way to go! So excited for you!!!
Posted by: Paige on 8/16/2015 at 11:56 am
Great achievement ! Come to Colorado- w have 54 fourteeners!
Go Craig!
Posted by: Beth on 8/16/2015 at 11:13 am
A nice rest day here in Puebla. Beautiful morning to wander around and get the pulse of this historic part of Mexico. We are still at about 7,000 ft, what an nice way to acclimatize. Great food all over here in old town. Add in a bit of sightseeing in some old cathedrals, some more shopping and let's not forget the siesta. We will be in great shape for our summit bid on Orizaba tomorrow night.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello from Kikoti Camp. We have just finished a wonderful evening around the fire pit complete with Maasai dancing and a BBQ dinner. Kikoti is am amazing place to finish our trip. Today we toured Tarangire National Park and it didn't disappoint. We were extremely close to elephants and giraffes and we got lucky and spotted a pride of lions lounging in the shade if a tree. The best thing about Tarangire though us the sheer number of animals. It was pretty much non stop the whole time. The talk at dinner was about how much fun the trip has been and that's because this group has really made it non stop laughs the whole time.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall & Team
Thank you for the updates and leading the team, Seth. Hope everyone has a safe trip home. We can’t wait to hear the stories!
Posted by: Anne Coats on 8/15/2015 at 5:49 pm
This is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever read about the philosophy of alpinism. Thank you Mark!
Posted by: Wolf Riehle on 8/20/2015 at 4:51 am
Mark did an unbelievable job getting us as far up Orizaba as we got, and then letting us make the call on whether we wanted to push for the summit late in the day. We opted not to for safety (and a few other reasons,) but Mark made sure to put the whole thing in context for us, and did so brilliantly. It’s never about the result, but about the climb.
You are EL HOMBRE, Mark.
Spencer Hall
SB Nation
Posted by: Spencer Hall on 8/19/2015 at 5:19 pm
View All Comments