Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 15,000'

Another fine day on Kilimanjaro's trails has led us to high camp. The name of this camp is Barafu which translates to 'ice'. So you can tell it is not always the warmest spot. True enough, we have been getting some ice pellets or graupel hitting the tents since we arrived. Hopefully we'll have the normal evening clearing and a nice climb tonight. The team members are all in our respective tents sorting gear and relaxing before we head out. Our crew just prepared a delicious lunch of hamburgers and macaroni salad. Perfect for the physical effort that awaits us. Our plan is to get up at midnight and get on the trail by 1 AM. It should take us somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 hours to reach the top. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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hello team, it is 10:44 in New York. Thinking about 6:30 where you all are. We are all so incredibly proud of all of you! summit or not. You all rock!! congrats on a great journey!!! xxoo lizzie , thomas, kit and mary :-)

Posted by: liz Blaney on 8/23/2014 at 7:49 pm

Be careful dad! Your 75 and you promised me if it was too much you would turn back. I would rather have you return home safely rather than lose you proving yourself on one of your adventures. Are we still on for running with the bulls in Spain next year?

Posted by: Roger Rathburn Jr. on 8/23/2014 at 7:07 pm

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climb Teams on Columbia Crest!

August 23, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike King

Elevation: 14,410'

At 6:45 am the Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Mike King were approaching the summit of Mt. Rainier, Columbia Crest. Brent reported a beautiful day with a slight cloud ceiling above them. The teams will enjoy the views from the top and then descent to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise this afternoon. We look forward to seeing the teams at Rainier BaseCamp later today.

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Fred,
Happy trails ... Up and down. Enjoy the view. Psalm 91.

Posted by: Jon and Cathy on 8/24/2014 at 10:34 am

Good luck everyone, especially Fred and Warren, have a wonderful experience!!!!! We we will be on the lookout from below ;)

Posted by: The Newmans on 8/24/2014 at 7:56 am

Mt. Rainier: Teams on the Summit!

August 22, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Zeb Blais

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Billy Nugent along with the Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise led by Zeb Blais reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reported clear skies with cold temperatures on the summit. Both teams began their descent from the crater rim around 7:40 am. The teams will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise. The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons led by Solveig Waterfall checked in this morning from Glacier Basin. They will be descend from Glacier Basin back to the trail head and return to Rainier BaseCamp later today. We look forward to seeing all of the teams back in Ashford later this afternoon. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Teams!

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Hey Granps (Roger Rathburn),
I hope all is going well on your trip. Looks like a fun time based off the website.
Stay safe and keep your head up :)

Posted by: Matheson Rathburn on 8/22/2014 at 3:58 pm

Way to go #1!!

Posted by: alan on 8/22/2014 at 11:51 am

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Team Ascends the Barranco Wall

August 22, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 13,000'

Jambo from Mt. Kilimanjaro! We are on the trail. Last night was wonderful at Barranco camp and this morning we slept in a bit before heading up the wall. The climbing was great and the group did very well. We can see the upper mountain glaciers and the high camp. We are getting close to our goal! We are now at our Karanga Valley Camp. The team did great on the trail into camp. We had a great lunch here and have been relaxing this afternoon. Everyone is psyched for the trip to high camp tomorrow morning. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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Everyone should be at camp by now resting and getting ready for the final push. I’m very hopeful everyone can make it. I’ll be thinking about you all a lot tonight. Best of luck!!!

Posted by: Rusty on 8/23/2014 at 5:14 am

So proud of you Josh. It’s great to see every step of the journey through these reports. We are bubbling with excitement for you here on the home front- everyone we see asking your report. Enjoy every moment- breathe deep- take it all in! Much love!

Posted by: Kristen on 8/22/2014 at 11:15 pm

Mt. Rainier: Mike Walter Recounts Their Week on the Kautz

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter

Our Kautz Expedition Skills Seminar team arrived back to RMI Basecamp in Ashford, Washington, yesterday evening. We enjoyed excellent weather during the six day program, and we took advantage of it to spend lots of time climbing and training in the mountains. We trained on a variety of skills, including various knots and hitches, anchors, crevasse rescue, and ice climbing. On our climb, we moved camps up the mountain and went for our summit push. The Kautz Route was in a very challenging condition, and our climbers did a great job of managing the terrain. The Kautz Ice Chute was at least eight pitches (150’ rope lengths) long, with some additional steep climbing above it. The ice presented challenging climbing at high altitude, and pushed our limits. Due to the challenging nature of the ascent and a technical descent ahead of us, we opted to turn our climb around at ~13,000’, at the top of the Wapowety Cleaver. It had taken us ten hours to get to this point and only a couple of hours of glacier travel stood between us and the summit of Mount Rainier. But, we knew we had our work cut out for us to safely descend the Ice Chute and return back to camp. Everything went smoothly and it still took us ten hours to descend. A huge 20-hour day in the mountains is very challenging, and I’m proud of our climbers for staying strong throughout the entire journey. I hope everyone has enjoyed a shower, cold beer, and flip flops… RMI Guide Mike Walter

North Cascades: Seminar Team Summits Sahale Peak

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 8,680'

RMI Guide Geoff Schellens just called from the summit of Sahale Peak! The team had a great climb and ended up above the clouds with great views of the surrounding North Cascades peaks peeking out. The seminar team has had a fun week of training and climbing, reaching the top of Aiguille and Sahale Peak. Tomorrow they will finish their training and descend back to the trail head before parting ways.

Mt. Rainier: August 21st Summit!

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Casey Grom, Lindsay Mann

http://thedaytonupdate.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-happened-last-week-on-mt-rainier.html?m=1

Elevation: 14,410'

The Mount Rainier Summit Climbs led by Casey Grom and Lindsay Mann are on the summit! They reported clear skies above, cloud deck at 7,000’, and light winds. Since they just crested the crater rim at 7:00 a.m., they are enjoying the views and crossing over to the true summit, Columbia Crest, before beginning their descent.

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What an adventure! My post with pictures from the trip.

Posted by: Adrian Dayton on 8/27/2014 at 8:14 pm

Congrats Chris and Stefan!! I knew you would make it!!! So great to meet you on Tuesday evening before you were about to embark on your amazing journey :) Enjoy the after glow of your incredible accomplishment.
Renee :)

Posted by: Renee on 8/23/2014 at 4:22 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Enjoying the Views of Lava Tower

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 15,000'

Well, it's a cloudy day on the trail but the group is hanging tough. We're having lunch at the Lava Tower (15'000'). That means we are setting new altitude records for just about every one. Tonight we will camp at Barranco where some of the giant plants that are unique to Kilimanjaro are concentrated. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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We MISS you Dadda!! So proud!! Keep on trekking!!

Posted by: Kylie, Jake & Cait on 8/21/2014 at 7:39 pm

George, hope you’re have a howling good time!!

Posted by: Ranger Osborne on 8/21/2014 at 1:28 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Check In from the Shira Plateau

August 20, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 12,200'

Hi this is Seth. We are up on the Shira Plateau headed to camp. Its been an excellent day on the trail. The weather has been fantastic and we are looking forward to a hot lunch in camp. Tomorrow we will head to the Barranco Valley. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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Roger I am so happy that you made it. Now you can say I told you so.Rest an Enjoy the safari. Cam

Posted by: Cam on 8/25/2014 at 6:04 am

Roger Hope you are taking lots of pictures. So proud of your progress. Looks so challenging. Good luck. Cam

Posted by: Cam on 8/21/2014 at 7:41 am

Mount Rainier: Summit Climb Teams Reach the Top!

August 20, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Elias de Andres Martos

Elevation: 14,410'

The RMI Four- and Five-Day Mount Rainier summit climbs reached the summit this morning by 7:30 a.m. The weather was surprisingly cold, moderate winds and a cloud deck at 8,000'. At 8:35 a.m. the teams began their descent from the crater rim and will make their way to Camp Muir, Paradise and then their celebration awaits at Rainier Basecamp. RMI Guides JJ Justman and Elias de Andres Martos

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Yay Sue M! Congratulations, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow night :-)

Posted by: Sarah B on 8/20/2014 at 6:01 pm

Go Grandpa Rathburn! Amanda, Emily and Sue are watching your progress. We’re all very proud of you. I hope I can make that climb when I’m 75.

Posted by: Roger Rathburn Jr. on 8/20/2014 at 5:07 pm