Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climbs led by RMI Guides JJ Justman and Garrett Stevens reached the summit this morning at 6:40 a.m. They reported partly cloudy skies, 35 mph winds, and freezing level around 10,000'. The climbers ventured over to Columbia Crest, the highest point in Washington, before beginning their descent at 7:50 a.m. Congratulations to the climbers!

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team 100% Summit!

August 25, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 19,340'

At 2:45 a.m. PST, Casey Grom and team were all standing on the "Roof of Africa!" As seen in the photo sent below, the weather was bluebird skies and everyone looks extremely happy. The team has descended from the summit and will continue down to Mweka Camp at 10,000' today. Congratulations to the team!

On The Map

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Congratulations Jess!! What an AWESOME accomplishment! We have a bottle of champagne and something from Jay ;) waiting for you in Doylestown to celebrate!! xxxx Jen, Jay, Jane, Bob, Huck & Finn

Posted by: Jen Leventhal on 8/26/2013 at 5:32 pm

Congratulations Steve and Brian! What a huge accomplishment. Can not wait to hear all of the stories.

Posted by: Scott B on 8/26/2013 at 7:18 am

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Live Update!

August 24, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 18,000'

August 24th at 8:35 pm PST 18,000ft + and still going strong! A beautiful sunrise graced us this morning. August 24th at 6:25 pm PST 17,000ft and doing well. It's a little breezy but not too cold. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Steve B and Brian S,
CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!! I knew you could do it! The Summit picture is awesome! :-)
Now trek down the mountain just as safely and come back to us.
XO

Posted by: Maggi on 8/26/2013 at 6:57 am

Dear Chris and Jessie…We’re anxiously awaiting news about your reaching the summit!!! Love Dad (papa) & Mama J

Posted by: joan & dad on 8/25/2013 at 6:21 am

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Grom and Team at High Camp Ready for Summit Bid

August 24, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 15,000'

Hello again everyone. After 5 days of trekking we have finally arrived at High Camp! Today we moved up a few thousand feet and are comfortably sitting just shy of 15'000ft. Despite having made good time to camp our amazing support still managed to beat us and have camp ready once again. We are camped on the southeast side of Kilimanjaro and have a great view of the route ahead as well as the valleys below. Our route ascends up a wide ridge and should be relatively easy for this crew that has done such a great job thus far. Our plan is to wake up at midnight and have breakfast then hopefully start our summit bid around 1am. If all goes well I'm expecting us to reach the summit sometime around 8am.Everyone is in good spirits and excited about the climb. Thanks for all the blog post! It's wonderful to hear from everyone back home and we appreciate all the support. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Casey and Crew

On The Map

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Chambos,

Call when you get there! : )

Posted by: Jordo on 8/25/2013 at 4:18 am

Hello Bruce, Michael, Katie, Jess and Chris…. and congratulations!!! We have been following closely knowing there is a 7 hour difference. You’re not missing anything here. Have a safe trek down. Cant wait to see that view from the summit. Get a small rock from the mountain as a paperweight. Love you all. Mom

Posted by: Joyce on 8/24/2013 at 8:10 pm

Mt. Elbrus: Seth and Team Tour Moscow

August 24, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

Hi Everyone, It's been a fun, if slightly soggy, day in Moscow. The day started with thunder and lightning at sunrise but as we all met up over breakfast the light show subsided. After breakfast we took a nice walk around Red Square and met up with a local tour guide. She took us into the Kremlin and showed us all around the old cathedrals inside. While we were in the Kremlin the skies opened up and it started to rain. We gave everyone the option to bail out and return to the hotel but this crew is tough and all of the stuck it out. After touring the Kremlin some folks wanted to do their own thing for a bit so we split into 3 groups for lunch time. After that we met back in the hotel and reviewed the gear necessary for the climb. Pete and I split up after that and checked out everyone's gears individually. Everyone seems very well prepared with top-notch gear and plenty of mountain food. Everything is lining up nicely for our departure for Mineralnye Vody and Kisklovodsk tomorrow. RMI Guides Seth Waterfall, Pete Van Deventer and Team

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James and Pete…Hello from the hot and humid cornfields of Indiana…Have a great adventure…About this moment Fred is stepping into Ohio River for his Iron Man…Hope to see him tomorrow…Best + bless…Waltero…Be foloing you all along…Godspeed

Posted by: Walter Glover on 8/25/2013 at 4:04 am

Pete and James
Wonderful to see familiar friendly faces climbing together again. Have a safe trip.
Fred K

Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on 8/24/2013 at 5:36 pm

Mt. Rainier: August 24, 2013 SUMMIT!

August 24, 2013

Posted by: Brent Okita, Solveig Waterfall

Elevation: 14,410'

Our Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Solveig Waterfall reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 6:45am this morning. The teams reported 35 mph winds, and good route conditions. They will spend some time on the summit before starting their descent back to Camp Muir. Congratulations to today's teams!

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Congrats to all my fellow climbers who made it the summit. I enjoyed meeting you all and climbing with you. Also a big thanks to Brent, Sean and Nick for their guidance and professionalism. All the best to you and can’t wait to see the pictures!!

Posted by: Andy King on 8/26/2013 at 8:03 am

Was a great time climbing with you all. A special shout out to my rope team members Harry, Kim, and guide Sean on getting to the top. This was an amazing time with a first class organization. Rick King (yea, one of the Wisconsin King brothers).

Posted by: Rick King on 8/25/2013 at 7:21 pm

Mt. Rainier: Teams on the Summit August 23!

August 23, 2013

Posted by:

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Mike Walter radioed in on the Four Day Summit Climb August 20 - 23, 2013, at 7:30 his team was 10 minutes from the crater rim. Mike reported broken clouds below at 6,000’. The team was in the cloud cap with light winds and poor visibility. The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise led by Billy Nugent also reached the summit this morning. Both teams began their descent around 8:40 a.m. PT. The teams will return to Camp Muir to repack before continuing their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing everyone this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp. Congratulations to today's climbing teams!

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I echo Jean and Rich. Guides were A+—they knew when to encourage and challenge. A great experience—thank you.

Posted by: Ken Keatly on 10/16/2013 at 5:57 pm

I want to personally Thank the BEST Guides ever ! Billy, Robbie and Chase are very professional and have great personalities. We learned a lot on our Expedition Skills Seminar and now have new skills. Thanks again, Jean and Rich

Posted by: Rich Krohn on 8/27/2013 at 7:09 am

Mt. Elbrus: Northside Team Arrives in Moscow

August 23, 2013

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

Hello from Moscow. The RMI Mt. Elbrus Northside team has all arrived and the trip is officially under way. We met up this evening for a meet-and-greet and then went out to dinner. The team seems very well aligned as far as goals and expectations for the trip. It was a short night for us as many folks have just arrived in Moscow and, it's raining with thunder and lightning all around the downtown area. Tomorrow we're scheduled to take a tour of the Kremlin and the other sights around Red Square. I'll take some photos and send them on in the afternoon. RMI Guides Seth Waterfall & Pete Van Deventer

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Ascend the Barranco Wall

August 23, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 13,000'

Hello again everyone, Day 4 started much like yesterday, luckily for us, with clouds below and clear skies above. Looming above camp was our first major obstacle of the climb, the 1,000' high Barranco wall, the only real technical part of this climb. Looking straight at it one would think its nearly unclimbable but thankfully for us there is a faint climbers trail that bobs and weaves it way via a series of ledges and steps safely to the top. Everyone did fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and were amazed watching the porters navigate this terrain with their loads still balanced on their heads. Once on top of the wall we took a nice break to enjoy the views and snap a few pictures. The rest of the trail was mostly a traverse with spectacular views of the last few glaciers that cover the southern side of Kilimanjaro. We arrived in camp right around noon and had a quick lunch then retired to our tents for a little rest. All is well! RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

On The Map

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Hey Steve and Brian! Been following your progress all week. If I’m getting it straight, tonight is the night! So good luck and enjoy every minute of it! You guys rock.

Posted by: Dave L on 8/24/2013 at 9:18 am

Chris and Jesse!!
You are almost at the top!!! You go girls! What an awesome journey for the two of you to be experiencing together. Stay strong and enjoy the view! Love you guys and cannot wait to hear about this amazing adventure.
Chris - You sure know how to celebrate your birthday! Woohoo!
Karen

Posted by: Karen on 8/24/2013 at 7:58 am

Mt. Rainier: Teams on the Summit August 22nd!

August 22, 2013

Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Jake Beren

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climbs for August 19 - 22, 2013 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. RMI Guides Jake Beren and Geoff Schellens led the teams. Jake reported light winds from the Northwest with winds from the East earlier in the climb. Temperatures were estimated in the low 20s. The teams began their descent from the crater rim just after 7:30 am. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break and then continue to Paradise later this afternoon. We look forward to greeting the teams at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to today's summit climb teams!

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I’m so happy for you!! Congratulations on your journey. You’re amazing & an inspiration. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Enjoy every moment. YEAH!!!
Jennifer

Posted by: Jennifer on 8/23/2013 at 9:31 am

YEAH!!!! Beaming with excitement for you Heidi! Cant wait to hear about your adventure….and the crevasse crossings. XO. Safe travels down - I hope this accomplishment makes the last few miles to Paradise fly by!

Posted by: Dawn on 8/23/2013 at 9:25 am