Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 11,200'

Thursday, June 13, 2019 - 9:32 PM PT We’re back down here in the thick air of 11,000’! We were so excited to wake up to another beautiful day at 17 Camp this morning, and we were still ecstatic from a fantastic summit day yesterday. Despite some crunchy, achy bodies this morning, we were up and attem as early as reasonable to start making our way back down to the airstrip, and eventually home. We’ve paused our descent for just a few hours here at 11 Camp to get some rest and recovery, and we’ll then continue our way to the airstrip tonight around midnight, when the lower Kahiltna Glacier is firmed up overnight. Hopefully the weather allows for a flight off the glacier first thing in the morning. Wish us luck, and hopefully see all you friends and family soon! RMI Guides Robby Young, Joe Hoch, Nick Scott and Team Homeward Bound

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Steve we are so thrilled for you and your entire team!!!! Safe travels home!

Posted by: Pat and Mike Lurakis on 6/15/2019 at 11:00 am

Congrats to the whole team!!!!

Posted by: Janet LaRue Romig on 6/14/2019 at 7:14 pm

Mt. Rainier: June 14th Summit!

June 14, 2019

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Josh McDowell

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Climb Led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Josh McDowell reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported clear skies above the heavy marine layer sitting at 7000'. and very calm winds. Congratulations to today's team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations, Dave and Friends! Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear all about your adventure!

Posted by: Brenda Zamzow on 6/14/2019 at 7:09 pm

Congratulations and hello to Greg & Medina Bill’s, if they were on this team!!!

Posted by: Sylvia Pedley on 6/14/2019 at 11:07 am

Denali Expedition: King & Team Carry to Top of Fixed Lines

June 13, 2019

Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello, Dominic Cifelli

Elevation: 14,200'

Thursday, June 13, 2019 - 5:18 PM PT Today we got a casual but cold start to begin our carry to 16,200’ at the top of the fixed lines. The route heads out of camp and ascends moderate glaciated slope that terminates at the bergshrund. From there we clip our ascenders on a fixed rope to climb the 35-40 degree slope and gain the West Buttress of Denali. There was a lot of traffic on the Buttress from teams descending and ascending. We opted to cache our food and fuel at the top of the lines rather then play a game of red light/green light above 16,000'. The Team did well, we will make a few refinements for our second lap on the lines for our move day to 17,200’ Camp. We are all back safely at 14,000' Camp and looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. From there we will have to see what the weather does. Everyone is acclimating well and appetites have remained strong. Currently there are lots of laughs and conversations happening in our kitchen tent. We high fived Robby Young’s RMI Team on the fixed lines after their successful summit yesterday. Thanks for following along, the amazing views and beauty of the Alaska Range continue to astound. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb Teams on Top!

June 13, 2019

Posted by: Andy Bond, Steve Gately

Elevation: 14,410'

The June 10 - 13 Four Day Climb teams led by RMI Guides Andy Bond and Steve Gately reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Andy reported light winds, sunshine and clear skies. The teams began their descent from the crater rim around 7:30 AM. Once back at Camp Muir they will repack and continue down to Paradise. Their program concludes at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to today's climbers!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Saw the groups departing the other day. Excited they were successful! Hoping I’ll be one of those folks making the trek next year. Congrats on an amazing achievement!!

Posted by: Michelle on 6/14/2019 at 7:22 am

Andrew & Kyle. You made it!!! Hope you had a beautiful view!
Congrats!!!

Posted by: Barbara Nahmias on 6/13/2019 at 11:52 am

Denali Expedition: Young & Team Summit North America’s Highest Peak

June 13, 2019

Posted by: Robby Young, Nick Scott, Joe Hoch

Elevation: 20,310'

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - 10:00 PM PT Greetings Loyal RMI Blog Followers! Today, at approximately 2:20pm, our entire team stood on top of North America! This team put in a heck of an effort and were rewarded with an amazing summit day! We wanted to call from the summit, but the only wind we had all day was the top 20’ of this climb. Despite the cold, the team spent a good joyful 20 minutes on top before making our descent back to 17,000' Camp. I couldn’t be more proud of this team today, digging deep and climbing hard! Tomorrow, we begin our long descent back to civilization. Ideally, we’ll be sleeping at 11,000’ camp tomorrow night in the thick air we miss so dearly. The weather looks like it may cooperate for the next couple days so wish us luck! RMI Guides Robby, Nick, Joe, and Team Summit!

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Well done Robby and team!! Proud of you!!

Posted by: Jarah Stroh on 6/14/2019 at 11:39 am

Way to go, Joe! What an achievement. You’ve been on our minds and in our hearts every day. Sooo very proud of you. Enjoy your amazing accomplishment and be safe on the way down. Can’t wait to see you. Love you! Mom and Dad xxoo

Posted by: Jim and Carol Hoch on 6/14/2019 at 9:25 am

Cotopaxi: Grom & Team Enjoy a Rest Day at Chilcabamba Eco Lodge

June 12, 2019

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Hello Everyone- We had a nice relaxing day here in the beautiful Highlands of Ecuador. Some of the team took naps while others explored the local town of Machachi. Everyone enjoyed our down day here and and are excited to head to Cotopaxi tomorrow for a little climbing. The staff here at Chilcabamba has been keeping us well fed with plenty of home cooked food, and very warm with fires in our rooms. One last night of good sleep to recharge us for our next adventure. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Denali Expedition: King & Team Rest Day at 14K Camp

June 12, 2019

Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello, Dominic Cifelli

Elevation: 14,200'

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - 4:45 PM PT After 7 days of work the Team wanted 10 hours of sleep/tent time and the guides were happy to wait until the sun hit our tents before we had a casual breakfast of hash browns, scrambled eggs and bacon. There’s not much going on today since it’s our first full rest day. People have been reading, writing in journals and walking around camp. We are just back from some fixed line rehearsal on the little hill outside of camp. This practice got everyone tuned up for a potential carry of gear on the West Buttress tomorrow morning. To gain the Buttress we ascend a moderate slope and then get on the fixed lines with our ascenders. There is some snow currently falling through a thin cloud that is making the tents an optimal temperature for napping so with that we’ll check in after our cache tomorrow. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

We’re enjoying reading the daily blogs on your progress Gareth. Well done to you and all the team. Keep safe. Lots of Love from Mum and Les xxxxx

Posted by: Christine Jones on 6/13/2019 at 1:22 pm

Glad you all are doing well! Tell Gareth I’m getting his messages keep up the good work!! And me and the kids miss you!

Posted by: Meagan jones on 6/13/2019 at 11:27 am

Denali Expedition: Young & Team Move to 17,000’ Camp

June 12, 2019

Posted by: Robby Young, Nick Scott, Joe Hoch

Elevation: 17,200'

Tuesday, June 11, 2019 - 9:47 PM PT Greetings from 17,000' Camp! We made great time during a beautiful sunny day moving from 14,200’ to our High Camp here at 17,200’. The team did exceptionally well, and made quick work of building camp in the old confines of JM’s Denali Team. Some afternoon rest was had and some dehydrated high mountain food was tolerated. We’ve got a decent forecast for tomorrow...but we know that this mountain will have the final say tomorrow when we wake up. We’re hopeful for some calm winds and hopeful to make an honest go at the summit tomorrow. The team has put a ton of work into this expedition thus far, and we’re all ecstatic to be in the position we are here at 17 Camp. We’ll let you know how it goes! RMI Guides Robby, Nick, Joe, and Team Prepped’n Ready

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi z your almost there….so excited….safe climbing :)

Posted by: Jennifer Graham on 6/12/2019 at 5:32 pm

Hey Steve. Pulling for you all the way. Be safe and I hope you get to enjoy that summit view!
Keith

Posted by: Keith hoelker on 6/12/2019 at 12:27 pm

Mt. Rainier: Emmons Seminar Team Reaches Summit

June 12, 2019

Posted by: Bryan Mazaika, Chad Gaffigan, David Price, Jack Delaney

Elevation: 14,410'

The Expedition Skill Seminar - Emmons June 8 - 13 team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning via the Emmons Glacier led by RMI Guide Bryan Mazaika. After two days of training the team drove to White River Camp Ground and started their ascent. The team will return to Camp Schurman for their final night on the mountain. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp tomorrow afternoon for the conclusion of their program. Congratulations to the Emmons team!

Mt. Rainier: RMI Teams On the Summit!

June 12, 2019

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Hannah Smith reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Dave reported perfect conditions as the team was beginning their descent from the crater rim at 7:30 AM PT. Congratulations to today's climbers!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hype hype hype! Congrats Bella!

Posted by: Bill Stueben on 6/12/2019 at 11:32 pm

Congratulations Bella!!!

Posted by: Michael Swistara on 6/12/2019 at 8:40 pm