Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: August 30, 2013 Update

August 30, 2013

Posted by: Brent Okita, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,200'

Our Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Zeb Blais waited out weather in the early hours of the morning before starting their summit attempt of Mt. Rainier. The teams headed out at 4am and reached Ingraham Flats before encountering firm, icy conditions on the route. They made the decision to enjoy the sunrise at the Flats before heading back down to Camp Muir. Brent and Zeb both commented on the strength and toughness of their teams and were very proud of their achievements on the mountain. Congratulations to today's teams!

Mt. Elbrus: North Side Teams Takes Rest at Camp 1

August 29, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

Elevation: 12,500'

We're tucked in and doing great at Camp 1 on Mt. Elbrus. Today was a rest day for the team but we still had to pick up some gear from our cache. That got taken care of first thing in the morning and in the afternoon we did a little bit of training out on the glacier. Tomorrow we're planning on putting another food cache in at high camp. Once that is done we just need a couple of days of good weather for a summit bid. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Paul

I’m very proud of you and I cannot wait to hear about all the exciting details of the climb.

I love and miss you more than words can express.

Sherri

Posted by: Sherri on 8/30/2013 at 8:36 am

Hi Lisa,
All this talk of moving your food cache is making me hungry (and tired)
Best of luck on Summit day. Be safe
Lin

Posted by: Linda Poirier on 8/30/2013 at 8:23 am

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Mt.Rainier: August 29, 2013 Update

August 29, 2013

Posted by: JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,200'

Our Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by RMI Guides JJ Justman and Billy Nugent did not leave Camp Muir last night. High winds, heavy precipitation and low visibility made Camp Muir the high point for the team. The teams enjoyed breakfast and hot coffee this morning and are now en-route to Paradise and will be back at RMI Basecamp early this afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams!

Mt. Shuksan: Schellens & Team Continue Training in the North Cascades

August 28, 2013

Posted by: Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Hi All, Well, Jim, Joy, and I were hoping to climb Shuksan today but the weather once again thwarted our summit attempt. It rained hard all through the night and intermittently this morning. We had a nice breakfast between showers and then hopped back in tents for the better part of the morning. We emerged from our tents around 10:30 to find threatening clouds bearing down on us but as it was not raining at that moment we decided to do some more training. That has become our motto on this seminar, "Let's do some training until it starts raining". After going through crevasse rescue practice and a lunch break the weather kept holding for us so we got in some great ice climbing and fixed line training. During dinner we watched as the clouds appeared to be breaking up and patches of blue sky made their way towards us. Tonight we are all sleeping with fingers crossed that we get our chance to climb tomorrow. That's all for now. Thanks for checking in. RMI Guide Geoff Schellens

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

FLOS3 sends best wishes and we hope the rain stops!

From (also rainy) Boonton, NJ, elevation 397 Feet :)

Posted by: Stef + Trish on 8/29/2013 at 5:45 am

Rain, rain go away…. Glad to hear there are breaks and you have been able to train.
The summit is calling down everyone’s name, so positive thinking that Thursday is the day to get up there!

Posted by: Jann on 8/28/2013 at 10:26 pm

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Mt. Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Visit Ngorongoro Crater

August 28, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

It was another majestic day here in Africa! Today we visited the Ngorogoro Crater, considered by many to be the 8th wonder of the world. It's a 2 million year old caldera that over time trapped many animals inside its walls as it eroded. There are natural springs that feed the many bodies of water which keep the animals from migrating. We saw three of the big five and got nearly within arms reach of a female lion. It was a pretty amazing day being so close to all the wildlife and it has left many of us in awe! We rounded the day off with a visit to a working Maasai village and have returned to the Plantation Lodge for another great meal. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Happy Birthday Casey Grom!
xoxo

Posted by: Sydney on 8/29/2013 at 7:20 pm

Hey, mane.

Timbobway Peterson say they be Dongo Tribesmen.

Where the Dongo’s is?

Posted by: Bagmane on 8/29/2013 at 3:18 pm

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Mt. Elbrus: North Side Teams Moves to Camp 1

August 28, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

Elevation: 12,500'

The progress continues on Mt. Elbrus! We followed up yesterday's successful carry with a move to Camp 1 on today at 12,500'. Last night's rain cleared out, and this morning was beautiful when we woke. Having already seen most of the terrain seems to make things easier, and the group did great on our first move today. We are settled in to camp, and all the hatches are battened down just in case we see some more rain. I don't think anybody is bummed to not have to share our camp area with any bovine friends. The plan tomorrow is to head a short way back to our cache site to retrieve everything, and then brush up on our cramponing and rope travel skills just outside camp. We'll be in touch! RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Seth Waterfall and team

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James and team
Great tracking your progress! Have fin and stay safe!!!
Fred

Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on 8/29/2013 at 4:34 am

Let David Aaroe know that his partners are hard at work in Portland, but finding time to follow the team’s progress. Thankful that all is going well.

Posted by: Jim Kilpatrick on 8/28/2013 at 11:48 am

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Mt. Rainier: August 28th Update

August 28, 2013

Posted by: Eric Frank, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,400'

The Four Day Summit Climb Teams, August 25 - 28, were unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning due to high winds and precipitation. RMI Guide Eric Frank reported that the teams left Camp Muir before 2 am on their summit attempt but were forced to turn around at 10,400' because of heavy rain and wind. Visibility at Camp Muir was very low and wind continued with gusts estimated at 40 mph. The teams are expected to start their descent from Camp Muir around 8:30 am PT. We look forward to seeing the groups at Rainier BaseCamp later this morning. Updated 4:11pm PST The Four Day Summit Climbs led by JJ Justman and Billy Nugent have reached Camp Muir. The guides are making some hot coffee for the crew while they settle in and prepare for their summit attempt tonight. Check out the video JJ sent on their ascent to Camp Muir today!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Total Bummer Steve and Connor! Saw yesterday’s team did not make it either. Was hoping you would. Guess you will just have to climb again! Take care. Be safe. ~Audrey

Posted by: Audrey on 8/28/2013 at 12:30 pm

Steve and Connor,
I am so sorry that you didn’t make it to the top. Be
safe on the way down. See you when you get home.
Mom @ Nana

Posted by: Darlene Fox on 8/28/2013 at 11:37 am

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Mt. Shuksan: Team Schellens Continues Their Training in the North Cascades

August 27, 2013

Posted by: Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Hi all, Jim, Joy, and I had a great day of training today despite some very ominous looking clouds- the rain held off until about 4 pm. We did some good crampon review, self-arrest and team-arrest practice, as well as rope travel on glaciers and lastly climbing on rock. I think Jim and Joy enjoyed the rock climbing practice the most. Now we are in our tents again waiting for the rain to stop so we can hopefully get an anchor building lesson in before dinner and then bed. We will try to climb tomorrow if we get the weather for it; otherwise, we have Thursday to fall back on. We are all having a great time despite the rain, and spirits are still high. Jim and Joy are laughing right through the bad weather. That's all for now. Thanks for checking in on us. RMI Guide Geoff Schellens

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Grom and Team enjoy Safari

August 27, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Hello again everyone, After all the hard work to prepare for this trip we have finally arrived at the time to reward ourselves.Today we set off on our 3 and half days of safari and started off with a stop at Lake Manyara known for its plentiful flamingos and tree climbing lions. Although we didn't see the tree climbing lions, we did manage to see plenty of wildebeest, zebras, flamingos, giraffe, baboons, and got up close to several elephants. We even had a rare sighting of a green mamba. We have arrived and are fully enjoying the hospitality of the amazing plantation lodge. See for yourself [url=http://www.plantation-lodge.com]http://www.plantation-lodge.com[/url]. Living the good life! RMI Guide Casey and Crew

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New York City ladies rule. Jessie, we’re so looking forward to your visit and triumphant return. Hugs and Kisses (for mom too).

Posted by: Uncle Jim & Aunt Carol on 8/28/2013 at 9:52 am

Ok, we have to stop reading your updates because Sam and Connor are getting jealous of your safari adventures! Couldn’t you just go climb another mountain?

Posted by: jordo on 8/28/2013 at 3:28 am

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Mt. Elbrus: Northside Team Arrives Base Camp

August 27, 2013

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

Elevation: 8,300'

If success is defined by waking up, having a good breakfast, climbing to a new height on Mt. Elbrus, getting our cache gear on place, and most importantly, getting down before the rain started, then we had a spectacularly successful day. It was a beautiful climb up to our cache site 11,500', with plenty of great photo opportunities, and everyone got a chance to stretch their lungs out after the last several days of traveling by planes and automobiles. The rain was kind enough to hold off until we got back, and with any luck, it will clear out tonight, setting us up for a move to camp1 tomorrow. We'll let you know how it goes! Best from Russia, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Seth Waterfall, and team

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: August 30, 2013 Update

Mt. Elbrus: North Side Teams Takes Rest at Camp 1

On The Map

Mt.Rainier: August 29, 2013 Update

Mt. Shuksan: Schellens & Team Continue Training in the North Cascades

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Visit Ngorongoro Crater

Mt. Elbrus: North Side Teams Moves to Camp 1

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: August 28th Update

Mt. Shuksan: Team Schellens Continues Their Training in the North Cascades

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Grom and Team enjoy Safari

Mt. Elbrus: Northside Team Arrives Base Camp

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