Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Today we left the low elevation sanctuary of Mendoza and began our trip into the mountains. Our first stop? The town of Penitentes where we began the process of packing all of our gear and food for the length of our expedition. Not a small feat by any means. After the bags were packed and weighed for the mules, we enjoyed our last group dinner inside a permanent structure for the next two weeks. Tomorrow our trek to basecamp begins and along with it, our adventure.
After a delicious breakfast prepared by our local staff, we left the Altzomoni Camp for thinner air. With Popocatepetl fuming at our backs, we were graced with no precipitation and some cloud coverage to keep the intense sun off of our backs.
The team arrived to 15,500’ at Campo Alto in good time where we spent the remaining afternoon hours resting in and acclimatizing. We had a humble dinner consisting of noodles and delectable quesadillas from Oaxan cheeses. Settling in early to prepare for our summit bid of Ixta in the cold morning hours to come...
On The Map
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,800'
What a day, what a day! We woke early in the AM to a star filled sky and only an occasional light breeze. Hot water was served up for oatmeal and coffee before we packed up our summit packs. Several other teams started uphill before us. You could see their headlights shining on the slope. By time we hit first break, we no longer needed lights. We watched the sunrise, showing off its beauty. Although the sun was up, we wouldn't enjoy its warmth for several more hours. The lack of snow on the route created some challenging walking conditions. Scree, sand, loose rocks were our walking surface. We put one foot in front of the other until there was no where left for us to go. The summit was perfect, barely a breeze, sunny, warm. After taking photos and flying a kite (we are wondering if we broke any records flying a kite at 22,800') we made our way back down. Going up is just half the journey. The other half is getting down safely. Safely back at camp, we filled our bellies with Ramen and tried to catch up on hydration. Tomorrow is a big day as we descend 6,000' back to Basecamp. With a big day ahead, its time to get horizontal and let the body rest.
Thank you for all the support,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Congrats Sue and team, can’t wait to hear about this amazing adventure.
Have a safe return to civilization .
With love
Sandra E
Posted by: Sandra E on 1/22/2020 at 5:33 pm
Congratulations team! Excellent job Hannah and Avery!
Posted by: Shannon Smith on 1/22/2020 at 11:03 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
Hello everyone from the highest peak outside the Himalayas!! The team is doing well and sucking air. Its sunny, clear, with a light breeze. We will do another dispatch when we get back to camp.
We go high,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
On The Map
Great job Tim and company! Proud of your fortitude to hit that altitude. Very impressive! Now get back home safely so we can get the story of your adventure live :)
Safe travels Pop!
Chris
Posted by: Christopher Nicholson on 1/22/2020 at 8:54 pm
Hurray! Congratulations to everyone That is SO high!
Safe travels,
David
Posted by: David B. Clemmons on 1/22/2020 at 10:23 am
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo Everyone
Today the team left behind our beautiful and comfortable river lodge and have headed to the mountain towards the start of the climb. We left around 8am and drove along the rural country side and small villages for two hours before reaching the Kilimanjaro National Park entrance.
Most of the area surrounding Kilimanjaro has been cultivated and primarily used for coffee production and for a variety of other agriculture needs, but there are still some areas that have been untouched and resemble more of a savannah that Tanzania is known for. The base of Kilimanjaro is more forested and looks more jungle like and is called a cloud forest.
Once we arrived at the park gate we had all of our gear weighed and divided into loads for our porters and other staff to carry before hitting the trail. Once everything was in order we started our climb slowly making our way up the winding trail that ascends continuously through the thick forest. Thankfully the overhead canopy provided a little cover from the intense sun and we were happy it didn’t rain either. It took our team around 5hr to reach our camp for the night that sits around 10’000ft.
Once we were settled into camp and got everybody situated the team was served a nice warm meal for dinner before retiring for the night. Everyone is still feeling the jet lag, and I’m sure the team will sleep well tonight.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and Kili crew
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
The climbers have all arrived and day one is in the books. While the guides were kept busy with preparations for the coming days, the climbers that arrived early had a chance to experience a bit of Mendoza. Everyone is excited and eager for the days to come. Hopefully the sudden thunderstorm this evening means our bit of moisture for the trip has come and gone and sunny, blue skies await us on the mountain. Here’s to hoping!
Looks like a wonderful trip stay hydrated get rest and most of all enjoy the view.
Posted by: PATTI RICHARDS on 1/21/2020 at 4:45 pm
Safe travels all! And hoping for beautiful weather for all the days ahead! :) XO
Guide Mom - Coeli Scott
Posted by: Coeli Scott on 1/21/2020 at 3:11 am
Hello everyone! We all had a fantastic day down here. This morning was cool and damp as we loaded up the bus around first light with a broken cloud layer just above us at 12,000 feet.
A three-hour drive got us up to the base of Ixta where we went for another quick acclimatization hike up a sandy road. Clouds blocked our view of Ixta and Popo before a squall of snow rolled in and dusted us with about a half inch. We got a good laugh watching 100 runners participating in a 5k having a slippery descent down the road as they pelted each other with snowballs.
Once the snow passed, we got spectacular views of both Ixta and Popo covered in a fresh coat of white snow.
We’re finishing up preparing our equipment for our ascent to Campo Alto (high camp) on Ixta tomorrow. Our local staff is preparing us a Mexican feast. Tomorrow is the first day of forecasted sunshine!
On The Map
The trail dogs will show ya the way! Be sure to hold your pole bag when setting up tents at high camp
Posted by: Whit on 1/20/2020 at 8:42 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
The time is here! We woke today to clear skies, a welcoming sight from yesterday's mean looking clouds. It was time to move up to Aconcagua High Camp and put ourselves in place to go to the summit. With efficiency, we packed up camp. By now the team is seasoned pros at camp disassembly and assembly. Packs loaded, we hit the trail and made our way to 19,600'. There we made camp and got settled in. The rest of the afternoon we took care of ourselves and got ready for summit day tomorrow. Staying hydrated, getting calories on board, resting the body and mind are all important. Its early to bed tonight because we will have an early start tomorrow. All we can do now is try to catch some Zzz's and hope the weather holds for a beautiful summit.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
On The Map
Marc,
There in spirit with you as you take the summit today!
Fingers crossed the weather has held, and you have a spectacular view up top!
Looking forward to the next updates. :)
Miss you!
~Maggie
Posted by: Maggie Riley on 1/21/2020 at 10:44 am
Sounds like the weather is ready for you and the team to have a wonderful summit day!
Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/21/2020 at 7:02 am
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
RMI's Kilimanjaro Climb #2 is underway!
The team arrived late last night after some very long flights. It was a short and uneventful ride to our Rivertrees Lodge that is nestled in between Arusha and Moshi and not so far from the base of Kilimanjaro. We had a quick but delicious dinner and headed for bed as the time change has the arriving team feeling just a little off and pretty tired after all the traveling.
Today we started our morning with our official meeting at 10 am, where we did a round of introductions and then discussed the upcoming program and the game plan for the days ahead. We spent the afternoon getting our gear packed up and exploring the grounds of our peaceful Lodge.
We wrapped up the evening with another delicious meal and plenty of friendly conversations. Everyone is doing well and excited to hit the trail tomorrow and get a little bit of exercise.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili crew!
Way to go to all of you! Brad, your co-workers are so happy for you and this grand adventure. My husband has this super hike on his bucket list. Enjoy!
Posted by: Lori Diamond on 1/23/2020 at 10:36 am
Way to go Brad! We’re cheering you on. Safe climbing to each of you. Have a blast.
Posted by: Ruth Barraza-Mancilla on 1/23/2020 at 10:32 am
Greetings from La Malinche! Today the team moved from the busy streets of Mexico City up to our cabanas at 10,000 feet. From here, we went for a hike up to 13,500 feet to stretch our lungs and our legs. The day started off a bit cloudy for us which mostly obscured our view of the higher peaks but we did see Pico de Orizaba towering above the clouds for a brief moment. A little rain chased us off of of the mountain this afternoon leaving us eager for a hot shower and another delicious meal.
The weather looks like it is improving throughout the week which should set us up for success on the bigger peaks to come! Tomorrow we will head to the base of Ixta. Now it is time to crawl into our beds for some well deserved rest.
Grayson & Alan,
Have a great trip on Ixta & Orizaba! I’m so thankful to have had you guys on our trip last year! Be careful on that labrynth! :O)
Ron
Posted by: Ron Seib on 1/20/2020 at 10:30 am
Very PROUD of all you men and miss you. How do you eat a elephant ? One bite at a time! Lol
Miss you Daryl
Posted by: Katie on 1/22/2020 at 4:05 pm
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