Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Summit! RMI Guide Jake Beren and his team reached the top of Mt. Rainier, the highest point in Washington! The team enjoyed blue skies and warm mountain temperatures. After spending time on the summit, the team is currently on their descent to Camp Muir.
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
The trip has just begun, but we’re already declaring success! Each and every climber -and that would be eleven of us- made it from the far flung corners of the United States of America to the outskirts of Arusha, in the heart of Tanzania, without missing a flight or losing any luggage.
A fair percentage of the team goes by the name Mike, or Robert or Dave -which made introductions pretty easy. Since all are sleepy after such extensive travel, we haven’t gone much beyond introductions yet. Tomorrow we’ll get to the nuts and bolts of prepping to climb Kilimanjaro. Tonight it was all about getting settled at the Arumeru River Lodge and getting some rest.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
The team assembled in Moscow yesterday evening for the start to our Elbrus Northside adventure. We kept things brief, as many of us were working off the affects of many hours of transatlantic flights, and headed out for a nice dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Moscow River. This morning it was time to kick it into tourist gear and explore some of the historical architecture in and around the Kremlin. We met our tour guide Victoria in a bustling Red Square and joined the queue to file through Lenin’s Tomb to see his body. We emerged from the darkness to cross Red Square and enter St. Basil's Cathedral. The building is actually made up of 11 individual churches, all connected, that were built and dedicated to a variety of saints; some local heroes of Moscow, and some of the Eastern Orthodox religion. After a quick swing through the GUM department store, we swung around the walls of the Kremlin to the entrance and filtered through the main gate. Inside, buildings from a variety of time periods, some dating back to the Czars and emperors, some built during communism, house a variety of museums, assembly and concert venues, and current Russian government offices. Of interest to us were the five cathedrals towards the back of the Kremlin. Cathedrals that were used for the coronation of emperors, to hold the remains of royalty, to be the head of the Eastern Orthodox religion, and to be the location for royal baptisms, weddings, and other major events.
Our whirlwind tour of cathedrals concluded, and we wandered into the old city for lunch, before making our way back across the Moscow River to our hotel for a little free time. We got together this evening for another delicious meal atop yet another Moscow building, this one themed around mushrooms and all of their unique flavors. We’ve only just gotten off the planes it feels like, but early tomorrow, we’ll be back on the road to the airport, headed for Kislovodsk, our departure point for the mountain and our objective. It will feel good to be closer to the hills, and to the rhythms of climbing that we're accustomed. We'll check in tomorrow from Kislovodsk.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
I hope you all have a safe and fun climb! What an adventure! I looking forward to following you on this amazing journey
Posted by: Kelly Nyquist on 8/7/2019 at 3:17 pm
Looks amazing have a safe climb!! We’re following along
Posted by: Sean on 8/6/2019 at 7:49 pm
RMI Guide Eric Frank and the Mt. Rainier Summit Climb team reached the summit just after 7:00 a.m. The weather is nice with blue skies and winds between 15 - 20 mph. The team is currently on top enjoying the views before they begin their descent back down the mountain.
Hurray team! And now for the decent..stay sharp & alert.. it’s not over til it’s over.. can’t wait to hear about the expedition!
Posted by: Donna Greenwall on 8/5/2019 at 11:02 am
Awaiting to board our planes that will eventually bring us home and to the loved ones we've been away from for two weeks we're all excited yet sad to see our big adventure come to an end. That our team is breaking apart is even sadder. We've come to know and appreciate one another to no small degree. Sharing life as closely as we have, and with such warm, generous souls, is a special experience. Plans to climb together again are thrown up and we'll see if they stick. I know right now we'd all like to get back together.
As I reflect back on this trip I'm reminded why I've chosen this career and am thankful for the opportunities that have come my way. This trip has been extra special because of the people on it. They are the reason I continue pursuing my craft and livelihood. Thanks team, and thanks to everyone following us on the blog.
Until next time!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
PS As for our last safari, our morning revealed only a few hundred animals, not the thousands we saw yesterday. But, it was a short day to allow some shopping and relaxing before our flights. A nice way to end
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Mike King and Alex Halliday reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported clear, calm and beautiful Skies. The team just departed from the crater rim and are en route back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations team!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,060'
The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams, led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Jenny Konway, were unable to summit this morning. They stayed at Camp Muir due to high winds and rain. The teams will begin their descent to Paradise later this morning.
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
We just got back down to town after a great climb up the Easton Glacier on Mt.Baker with Wilderness Adventures! The weather could not have been better, with calm conditions and warm temperatures abounding all the way to the summit and back down to camp. The group all climbed strong, pushing their physical limits while trying out mountaineering for the first time, all amidst stunning views of the North Cascade mountains.
Afterwards we ended up back at beautiful Sandy Camp for a relaxing afternoon of eating, drinking glacier water and napping. All in all a great trip.
RMI Guide JT Schmitt
The American Lung Association Climb for Clean Air team led by RMI Guide Hannah Smith reached the summit of Mt. Baker today. The team had beautiful sunshine skies and light winds. They are back at camp where they will rest and enjoy their success. The team plans to walk out tomorrow.
Congratulations to Today's Team!
Congratulations team. Job well done!
Posted by: Tideworks Mountaineers on 8/4/2019 at 11:03 pm
Yay! Way to go team!
Posted by: Darla on 8/2/2019 at 7:31 am
RMI Guide JM Gorum and the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning via the Emmons Glacier route. The team will return to Camp Schurman for a final night on the mountain. They will return to Ashford tomorrow.
Congratulations climbers!
Great Job you two!!! Super Excited to hear all about it. Take Care!
Posted by: Susan Stassen on 8/1/2019 at 3:04 pm
Congratulations to all the climbers. Annu I am very happy for you. Can’t wait to hear the whole experience!
Posted by: Viji Thuppul on 8/1/2019 at 11:48 am
Congratulations to all. Quite an achievement.
Posted by: Jim Price on 8/5/2019 at 12:32 pm
Congrats to the P-burgh/Carnegie climbers. The second time is the charm! Safe travels down , and a good rest tonight.
Posted by: Jo Ann on 8/5/2019 at 11:09 am
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