Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 10,000'

RMI Guides Casey Grom, Adam Knoff and their teams headed up to Camp Muir today. The weather was magnificent! Now they have settled in at 10,000', they will spend the next four days learning mountaineering skills and as well as a summit bid on Mt. Rainier.

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Brings back a lot of memories. Nice job you guys. Looks like you’re having fun. Go Eric!! Love, Pops

Posted by: George Haddenhorst on 5/22/2013 at 2:18 pm

Breathtaking pictures! A pretty handsome in the green jacket! Good climbing Jared, and to the rest of the team as well. Love you lots! Mom

Posted by: Kris Reene on 5/21/2013 at 4:43 pm

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Move to 14K Camp!

May 20, 2013

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Ben Liken

Elevation: 14,200'

Hello All! We awoke this morning to calm winds and relatively warm temperatures; a welcome change from the last week of stormy living at 11,000'. We had a quick breakfast and broke down tents just as the sun began to thaw out camp. Eager to make our move, we started our ascent at 10 am and arrived at our camp in the Genet Basin at 14,200' at 3:30pm. Everyone did great and we enjoyed the warm sunshine and lack of chilly breeze getting around Windy Corner. We spent the rest of the day working hard building walls and getting our camp in order. Looking forward to getting a good nights rest and getting our cache tomorrow! RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Establish Camp 2

May 20, 2013

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Kel Rossiter

Elevation: 9,600'

Another beautiful day and another strong effort from our crew! We took advantage of more amazing weather and single-carried all of our gear and supplies up Ski Hill to set up shop at Camp 2, which sits at about 9,600' on the upper reaches of the Kahiltna Glacier. Our guys clearly trained hard and the long hours on the stairmaster paid dividends today hauling massive loads. We rolled into camp around 4:30 which made for a leisurely afternoon getting situated and taking in the amazing views. After a hot dinner of tortellini alfredo, we all crawled into the tents and are currently waiting for the bitter cold to set in once the sun dips behind Kahiltna Dome. That's all for now, we'll check in again tomorrow! RMI Guide Billy Nugent

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: May 20th Update

May 20, 2013

Posted by: JJ Justman, Jake Beren

Elevation: 14,410'

At 7:57 a.m. RMI Guides JJ Justman and Jake Beren were standing on Columbia Crest, the highest point on Mt. Rainier, enjoying the views. There was a gentle 5 mph breeze on the “prettiest day in May that [JJ and Jake] have ever seen.” The teams began their descent about 8:30 and we look forward to seeing them at Rainier Basecamp this afternoon. Congratulations Summit Climbers!

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Thanks to my guide JJ and all the world class guides at RMI, you made the climb an amazing experience! You guys are the best!! Will be back for more .. :)

Posted by: Bo on 5/22/2013 at 11:27 am

Congratulations to Taylor, Callie, Jake, Mark, David, Bo and Andy for a strong climb to the summit!

Posted by: Charles on 5/21/2013 at 8:39 pm

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team - The Winds Win Out

May 20, 2013

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Ben Liken

Elevation: 11,200'

We woke early this morning, had breakfast, and packed up camp, ready to move to 14,200' before the sun had hit our tents. But the winds up high were too strong for my liking. We repitched our tents to seek shelter from the wind and waited for a few hours for the winds to abate. Unfortunately, the winds up high continued and a mean looking lenticular cloud had formed over Windy Corner, where we were headed. By noon we made the decision to stay in camp another day and avoid the risks of getting caught in a windstorm high in the mountains of Alaska. So we wait another day. Such is expedition climbing. The weather forecast looks good for the next few days, and we're confident that tomorrow will be the day to move camp. We'll let you know how it goes. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

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Mike, I went to the book store and asked the clerk where the self help section was. She said she could help me but that would defeat the purpose. Then I tried to buy a camo jacket but I couldn’t find one. I bought a vest . If I didn’t have arms it would be a jacket. Extra medium. Be safe. Excited to climb with you again. John

Posted by: John on 5/20/2013 at 7:37 pm

Good call. Hunker down and get back to some sport eating. I’m on Otdoor Ed until Thursday night but I’ll try to shoot off a weather report before I go. Be safe. xoxo

Posted by: K2 on 5/20/2013 at 4:31 pm

Alaska Expedition Seminar: Marin & Team Practice Ice Climbing

May 20, 2013

Posted by:

Elevation: 7,300'

There is something about ice climbing in a crevasse that is just mind blowing. Today the group got to experience ice climbing and how much fun it is. We headed for the foot hills of Mt. Francis to find a deep crevasse suitable for great climbing. Big smiles all day long. Tomorrow we are getting ready to go climbing Radio Tower. The team is excited to climb higher tomorrow and are doing well! RMI Guide Andres Marin

Mt. Everest: Dave Hahn Calls With an Update from C2

May 19, 2013

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Seth Waterfall, Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 21,300'

Hello, this is Dave Hahn calling from Camp 2 on Mount Everest, 21,300'. All is well. We moved up this morning from Camp 1 in perfect weather conditions, actually a little bit hot in the Western Cwm. Very much aware of the dramas playing out above us on the mountain. A number of our friends went to the summit safely and returned in these last couple of days. But, there's also been some problems up high and much of the mountain was pre-occupied these last couple of days, especially today with trying to help a climber, incapacitated high on Lhotse. And the drama is still playing out. Lam Babu, our Sirdar, is putting together a team of Sherpas who will go up tonight and try to get that individual down the Lhotse Face. So we're certainly concerned and going to be tuning in to try and back up Lam; meanwhile, trying to continue our own climb. We're all doing fine here at Advanced Basecamp. Our intention is to stage out of here tomorrow to rest and recuperate from our climb up and get ready for a climb higher. Anyway, lots of exciting times now on Mount Everest as everybody is in motion going for the top and coming down. All good for us and stay tuned. Bye for now. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Dave Hahn calls in from Camp 2.

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: The Ascending Summit Climb Enjoys Blue Skies to Muir

May 19, 2013

Posted by: JJ Justman, Jake Beren

Elevation: 10,000'

It's quite a bit different than my last climb three days ago. Instead of bitter cold walking up to Camp Muir it was scorching hot!! The team did great and we are rehydrating and getting ready for our summit bid. Stay tuned and see how well our climb goes!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

Mt. Rainier: Muir Seminar Starts Their Week at Rainier Basecamp

May 19, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom, Adam Knoff

Elevation: 1,762'

RMI Guides Casey Grom and Adam Knoff are leading our first Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir of the 2013 season. Today they are spending the day at Rainier Basecamp preparing for their next five days on Mt. Rainier. Team introductions, gear organizing, and technical training is on their agenda. While the team was testing out their boots on a hike from Basecamp, they ran into Lou Whittaker, the man who started RMI 44 years ago! Some stories were told and photos were taken, then it was back to training. The team is anxious to head up on the mountain tomorrow!

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Take it all in. Savor each moment. Fill your senses with the beautiful creation. Enjoy your climb, enjoy each other, enjoy the views.

Posted by: Craig and Marilyn Miller on 5/21/2013 at 9:22 am

Just saw the pictures! How awesome Jared!!

Posted by: Kris Reene on 5/20/2013 at 4:52 pm

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team “Walking the Pigs”

May 19, 2013

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Kel Rossiter

Elevation: 7,600'

"Pigs" is the term of endearment climbers use to describe any heavy load on a climb. On Denali our "pigs" are our sleds, and today we took them for their first walk. The team woke to a bluebird day--welcome after the days of gray--learned about packing, strapping, and roping up our sleds, and then took them out on the trail from Basecamp to 7,600'. Day one of "walking the pigs" can often be a porcine rodeo with lots of grappling and twisting going on, but this crew made it look more like walking poodles at the Westchester Dog Show. We're now at the base of Ski Hill, firing the skillet with fajitas, enjoying the stunning scenery up the Northeast Fork of the Kahiltna, and getting ready for tomorrow's push into steeper terrain--this crew is ready for it. RMI Guide Kel Rossiter

On The Map

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It looks amazing. Good luck. Go!

Posted by: Mike Hagan on 5/20/2013 at 4:54 pm

I have walked several pigs in my life but never thru snow. Hope it is as fun as expected. Looks very beautiful. Work hard and have fun!

Posted by: Kristen on 5/20/2013 at 7:57 am