Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: September 7th Update

September 7, 2013

Posted by: JJ Justman, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,600'

Hi everyone. You know...it certainly can be disappointing. I guess that's why they call it Disappointment Cleaver, which is where we are right now. However, our team is having fun and smiling. Hey! That's part of climbing. The mountain said no and we have to respect that. We will climb another day and we are happy about that. Now, we will finish taking photos and focus on the most important part of climbing, getting down safely. Ciao from Rainier. RMI Guide JJ Justman

Kilimanjaro: Casey and Team move to 12,500’

September 6, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,500'

Once more into the breach, dear friends. Today was a shorter hiking day, but I thought much more technically challenging. We ascended 2500 feet, ending up at tonight's camp sitting at 12,500'. The road to the camp was dusty and narrow. I personally found it difficult to maintain the pace of the group due to some stomach issues, but Eric, one of our 40 porters helped me out by carrying my sack for a spell. I'm happy to report that I feeling much better. The group is working very well together. Peter and Fatima brought a high end camera and are on charge of high end shots. Heidi and Jami are heading up the bunch and in charge of the "walking" photos. Heidi has dual duties, in that she has to give distance and altitude reports. Rosa is in charge of local PR with the porters. Rick, who wanted me to give a special shout out to his two girls at home, is in charge of culinary spicing. Kendyl and Dan are in charge of fact verification and chocolate supplies. Me, I'm comic relief. And Casey, he keeps us all in line and moving toward our goal. In short, all parties are necessary and I'm glad they are here. Looking forward to tomorrow, Dawn & The RMI Team

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We sure are missing you but it’s great to be able to get updates while you’re gone and to see pictures. Little One is loving her daily letters (and also the surprise of seeing what color it will be)! She seems to enjoy the names of the places (words she’s never heard before of course) because she always repeats them back… too fun. :-) We love you - have fun and be safe!

Posted by: Tasha on 9/7/2013 at 7:42 am

So glad you are feeling better. You ever get sick so we did not prepare for sickness! Sounds like a great group. What a laugh Kendyl taking care of chocolate…we know how that will end up! All is great here, have a wonderful time. So happy to be able to keep up with you through this blog.
Love to all. m

Posted by: Marilyn on 9/6/2013 at 7:54 pm

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Mt. Elbrus: Waterfall & Team See the Sights of St. Petersburg

September 6, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

This is the last day of the trip for us. We've had a really nice day here in St. Petersburg. We kicked off the morning by beating the crowd to the Hermitage Museum. Once we got in we disbanded and everyone took in the seemingly endless art works at their own pace. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the experience there. Now we've all met up again for a boat tour on the canals. The weather is really nice here with plenty of sun and just a little crispness in the air. Tomorrow we'll all head to the airport for our flights home. It's too bad the weather kept us from getting to the top of Mt. Elbrus but this group has really made the most of the situation. Pete and I feel really lucky that everyone had such a positive attitude throughout the trip. Thanks guys! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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Mt. Shuksan: Geoff and Team Spend the Day Training

September 6, 2013

Posted by: Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Hi all, Today is our last day on Shuksan before we hike out tomorrow. We spent the morning relaxing getting in and out of our tents as the rain storms were sporadic. By early afternoon it seemed stable enough and we did some training. First we practiced knots and hitches, then we moved on to building snow anchors, and wrapped up with some crevasse rescue scenarios. We are now back in tents as a very dark ominous looking cloud quickly approaches. That's the latest from Shuksan, RMI Guide Geoff Schellens & Team

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Mt. Rainier: September 6, 2013 Update

September 6, 2013

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,080'

The Four Day Summit Climbs led by Lindsay Mann and Tyler Jones were unable to leave Camp Muir last night. The team experienced heavy thunderstorms that brought much lightening and 6 inches of new snow to Camp Muir. The teams plan to leave Camp Muir shortly and will be back in Ashford in the early afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams!

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Janet and Peter,
Although it wasn’t what you planned, it sounds like you had quite the adventure, Maybe Peter should have brought his raft! I can’t wait to hear all about your trip. Love you both!!!!
Jeanine

Posted by: Jeanine on 9/6/2013 at 6:44 pm

Hi Juli, Megan and Wes.
What an exciting time you have had for the last few days. We are so proud of your efforts. Looking forward to seeing the pictures. Love and prayers, MOM, Memaw

Posted by: Mary Alyce Hall on 9/6/2013 at 12:21 pm

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Mt. Shuksan: Walter & Team Climb Well, But Weather Holds The Cards

September 5, 2013

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 5,700'

We had a mixed bag of weather this trip: some sunshine, some rain, some thunder, some lightning. A strong low pressure system moving in from the south has been causing heavy rain and flash flooding in Oregon and Washington, but we were able to squeak in an enjoyable climb today. We climbed from our bivy sight at 5,700' on Mt. Shuksan, climbed up through the Fisher Chimneys, on to the White Salmon Glacier, up Winnie's Slide, onto the Upper Curtis Glacier, up Hell's Highway, and onto the Sulphide Glacier before weather forced our hand and we headed back down to camp. We had a full day of climbing, and almost got to the top. Now we're back in our tents, safe, dry, and content, listening to the rain. The squirrelly weather did provide us with this beautiful sunset last night though! RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. Rainier: RMI Guide JJ Justman Checks in from Climbing School

September 5, 2013

Posted by: JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

These are the days that I really love being a mountain guide. Sharing the beauty of Mt. Rainier in September can only be understood by experiencing the beauty of Autumn on Rainier. The wild flowers are popping in full color. The marmots are whistling. And despite marginal weather, the low marine layers really make the mountains appear luminous and majestic. The photos don't do it justice so get off the couch, push yourself away from the desk and get on out here! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Janet & Peter, Random says 4 hooves up for the summit tomorrow! Resting and relaxing at home, Gretchen says “I could have done the first 17 miles with you!” We are hoping the weather will be perfect and that you enjoy your climb to the top in the morning. Cheers!!!
Pat and Jeanne

Posted by: Pat on 9/5/2013 at 9:32 pm

Be safe and finish strong!

Posted by: julie grooms on 9/5/2013 at 7:57 pm

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Mt. Shuksan: Geoff and Team Recount Summit Day

September 5, 2013

Posted by: Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 9,127'

Hi all, Well we lucked out with the weather yesterday and made the summit of Mt Shuksan. If you had asked me our chances of climbing yesterday morning I would have said not good. The sky was very dark with heavy clouds hanging all around the summit, but as we started climbing they seemed to dissipate. Kirk and Harry did a great job despite being a bit nervous about the rock climbing necessary for the summit pyramid. We left our camp at around 7:30 AM and found ourselves smiling on the summit by 12:30. All in all a great day. Today we are resting and recovering during the intermittent rain showers and will hopefully get some more training in when we can. That's all for now, RMI Guide Geoff Schellens and Team

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Mt. Elbrus: North Side Team Explores St. Petersburg

September 5, 2013

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

Greetings from St. Petersburg, Russia. This has been one of the two days without rain on the trip and we are psyched! We really had a great tour of the city with our local guide Tatiana. We visited St. Issac's cathedral, Peter and Paul's cathedral and fortress, and the Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood. Tomorrow we'll be touring the Hermitage museum and then taking an evening canal tour for the last day of the trip. Here's a photo from St Issac's. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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James and Pete…Different kind of summit…Did prez ask to meet the famous mountaineers - you and crew ?...Enjoy the sights…Best Waltero

Posted by: Walter on 9/6/2013 at 5:27 am

Janet & Peter, Random says 4 hooves up for the summit tomorrow! Resting and relaxing at home, Gretchen says “I could have done the 1st 17 miles with you!” We are hoping the weather will be perfect and that you have a great climb to the top. Cheers!!!
Pat & Jeanne

Posted by: Pat & Jeanne on 9/5/2013 at 9:23 pm

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Mt. Rainier: September 5, 2013 Update

September 5, 2013

Posted by: Tyler Reid

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,080'

Our Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Tyler Reid and Garrett Stevens were roped up and ready to go early this morning but the ensuing lightening storm and thunder showers kept the teams at Camp Muir. They plan on leaving Camp Muir at about 8 a.m. this morning and will make their way back to RMI Basecamp early this afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams.

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Juli, Megan, and Wes,
Thinking about y’all and praying for good weather! Send pics when you can.
Much love, Karen and Steve

Posted by: Karen Ghormley on 9/5/2013 at 5:10 pm

Hi Wes, Megan and Juli—not sure how the weather is and how it’s impacting climb, but hope you are having a blast regardless. We have been thinking of you all week. Love, Jake and June bug

Posted by: KK and Bear on 9/5/2013 at 4:15 pm

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: September 7th Update

Kilimanjaro: Casey and Team move to 12,500’

Mt. Elbrus: Waterfall & Team See the Sights of St. Petersburg

Mt. Shuksan: Geoff and Team Spend the Day Training

Mt. Rainier: September 6, 2013 Update

Mt. Shuksan: Walter & Team Climb Well, But Weather Holds The Cards

Mt. Rainier: RMI Guide JJ Justman Checks in from Climbing School

Mt. Shuksan: Geoff and Team Recount Summit Day

Mt. Elbrus: North Side Team Explores St. Petersburg

Mt. Rainier: September 5, 2013 Update

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