Entries from Expedition Dispatches
After a few days of training on the upper slopes of Mt. Rainier, the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team led by RMI Guide Walter Hailes reached the summit via the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous U.S. The team has started their descent and will spend one more night on the mountain before returning to Rainier Basecamp tomorrow.
Congratulations to today's team!
Posted by: Eric Frank, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Eric Frank and Christina Dale reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Christina reported beautiful clear skies and great route conditions.
Congratulations to today's teams!
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Awakening at Mweka Camp early, the feet and legs had miraculously recovered from our sixteen hour summit day. Ok, maybe not completely recovered, but everyone was moving quite well after such a huge effort. Of course, a little vitamin I (Ibuprofen) never hurt.
Breakfast awaited us, to be followed by song and dance from our mountain staff in celebration of a wonderful week on the mountain. In return we expressed our appreciation of the tremendous care they gave us with tokens of gratitude.
Our three hour hike to the Mweka gate ended in a final meal together. This time the food reflected the local cuisine, and was delicious!
Goodbyes were made and a two hour bus ride brought us back to the comforts of the hotel and the showers everyone had been looking forward to for days. I guess the three hundred baby wipes some folks took weren't quite enough.
We celebrated in style. Not just our success on the mountain, but also the birthday that motivated this whole affair, getting a group of individuals way out of their comfort zone and learning what it means to climb a mountain.
The hotel staff graciously set up tables outside and built a roaring fire so that we might enjoy a final night together feasting and indulging in fabulous wines brought in special for the occasion.
Toasts were made and reflections on our trip shared, all the while the Blue monkeys and little Dik Dik antelopes watched on, visible in the glow of the flickering flames, no doubt wondering what all the fuss was about.
But we know what the fuss was all about. It was about an adventure shared by family and friends, and challenges that were quite hard at times, and the lessons and memories made over the course of an incredible week on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Habari ya asubhui and asante sana,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Amazing to think that just 24 hours ago we were striking our high camp on Alpamayo at 17,500' in the snow, ice, cold and wind and now we are hiking in T-shirts and shorts past cactus and gorgeous rivers. Back in Base Camp this morning we had a very civilized breakfast of bacon and eggs with lots of strong coffee, loading donkeys and shortly after 9 AM we hit the trail. Chased by clouds and propelled by music the 6 hour hike back to Casha Pompa went by quickly and by mid afternoon we were sitting in a courtyard sweaty, dirty, but happy with a beer in hand. Then a three hour van ride brought us back to Huaraz. After cleaning ourselves up we met for drinks and dinner at the Andino and realized that we are all still on mountain time. Most people are starting dinner around the time we are ready for bed.
Because we didn't use our weather day we have bought ourselves an extra day here in Huaraz, we will most likely sleep in, slowly re enter the "real world" and wander around town tomorrow. We are all happy to be back.
Thanks for following along
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens and the Alpamayo Team
We woke to clear skies and beautiful weather today. We had breakfast in the hotel and then loaded up all our climbing gear and drove to the base of the ski resort where we rode not one, but two gondolas, a single chair lift and then a short snowcat ride to reach our new home on Mt. Elbrus for the next few days. It's rather comfortable up here, as our outfitter has taken a few shipping containers and converted them into simple bunk rooms some for sleeping and some set up as dinning rooms.
Once we got settled into our new home we headed uphill on another acclimatizing hike and reached just over 14,000' before returning to camp where our wonderful cook Dasha had a nice hot lunch waiting for us.
We spent the remaining of the afternoon doing a little training for our climb. The weather forecast has been a little up and down, so are just staying prepared. Everyone is doing great and enjoying the views of the Caucasus mountain range which are pretty amazing since we are camped out at just over 12,000'.
Dasha has once again had filled our bellies full of delicious Russian food and so the team is off to bed now.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
On The Map
After a full day at Camp Muir adjusting to the altitude, taking in the views of the surrounding glaciers and neighboring mountains The Five Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guide Jenny Konway reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Jenny reported great climbing conditions and beautiful weather. The team has started their descent and are headed back to Camp Muir, and will be back at Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's team!
Congratulations Chris and Claire! How very cool! We can’t wait to hear all about it! Love, Mom and Dad
Posted by: Anne/Jim Newman on 7/26/2017 at 4:23 pm
WOOOOHOOOO! I’m assuming, Claire and Chris, that this is YOUR TEAM!!!!! I am SO PROUD of you! And I take some credit for your success because I was up all night, praying for you!!! Love, Momma
Posted by: Ginna Wall on 7/26/2017 at 11:42 am
It has been cloudy all day but that made for a very comfortable hike up to the Shira Plateau, 12,200', and our second camp on Kilimanjaro. The hike out of camp was steep for a couple of hours with a beautiful traverse to top out the day. En route to camp we encountered a short section of rock scramble which had everyone paying attention and will get us ready for our climb up the Barranco Wall in a couple days. Here at over 12,000', we were greeted with a camp fully set up and a hot lunch. We are hopeful the skies will clear and we will be able to enjoy the sunset and get a peak at the upper mountain from tonight's camp. The team is in good shape snacking, exploring and resting and hoping for clear skies tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
The Four Day Summit Climb team led by RMI Guide Kel Rossiter reached to summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Kel reported a great day of climbing with beautiful clear skies. The team has started their descent and are en route to Camp Muir
Congratioulations to today's team!
Congrats Jacob. Way to go.
Posted by: Scotty on 7/26/2017 at 7:42 pm
Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kyle U. on 7/26/2017 at 5:40 pm
SUMMIT! After a week of training and learning alpine mountaineering skills the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team ascended Mt. Rainier by navigating the Katuz Ice Chute. RMI Guide Mike Haugen reported great climbing conditions with calm and clear skies.
Congratulations to today's team!
Congratulations Kurt; what an accomplishment and check on your bucket list! Can’t wait to celebrate with you when you are HOOOOME!!
Posted by: Megan on 7/26/2017 at 7:39 pm
Awesome and Congratulations to you all! God is always so good. I’m glad to hear it all went well. I’m excited to hear stories and see pictures. Thank-you RMI.
Posted by: Rebecca Joslin on 7/26/2017 at 1:03 pm
Alpamayo team heading down hill.
As we crawled out of our tents this chilly morning we saw clouds whipping around Alpamayo and throughout the range. Very glad we climbed yesterday. We packed up, had coffee and began our descent by mid morning. Three rappels from the col got us back on the glacier and easy walking back to Moraine Camp. The team did great despite being tired form the efforts of yesterday. At Moraine Camp we took a good long break before shouldering our heavy packs again. We picked our way through the rocks and slabs leading back to Base Camp. Ilario, our base camp cook, was waiting and had individual pizzas for us shortly after rolling in. We are all glad to be back in the land of trees and grass, tired but happy. This afternoon we are organizing gear for the donkeys to haul down tomorrow and resting. Tomorrow we will make the walk all the way to Casha Pompa, and catch our shuttle back to Huaraz.
That's all for now,
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens and the A Team
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We miss you but love following your latest adventure! Love and Prayers Jill, Rachel, David, Caleb, Kiki, Cora, Emily, Shane, Eli, Silas, Samuel, Shena, Jeff, Anthony and Chloe
Posted by: Jill Crumley on 7/27/2017 at 3:41 am
Awesome pictures! Looks like a great time. Have fun as you both get closer to the summit.
Love
Dad
Posted by: Wayne Kelly Sr. on 7/26/2017 at 1:02 pm
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