Happy Independence Day!
The Four Day Summit Climb July 1 - 4 teams reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today led by RMI Guide Billy Nugent. The teams enjoyed clear weather, light breeze and nice temperatures while they were on top this morning. They began their descent from the crater rim shortly after 7 am. The teams will return to Camp Muir to repack and then continue their descent to Paradise.
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz led by Seth Waterfall also reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. After spending some time on top they began their descent to high camp where they will spend a final night on the mountain.
Congratulations to today's summit climb teams!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
We woke up today to more of the same conditions at McKinley Basecamp. At least with these conditions, there is no waiting around to see if we are going to fly. There is always tomorrow!
We took a walk down to the lower airstrip to stretch our legs a bit.
With plenty of food and gas, at least we are eating well! The morale is still good and the team is hanging in strong while missing our loved ones (and real food).
RMI Mt. McKinley Summit Team 6
Happy 4th of July To Cindee and her team! Wishing you all a safe and restful return, beers and tacos waiting for you when you get back to SF:)
Posted by: Jennifer on 7/4/2013 at 10:55 pm
The other night I had a warm peanut butter pop tart with a scoop of ice cream and some chocolate syrup. I feel sure that had pop tarts been included on this expedition, you guys would not still be snowed in.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
We hear that there was better weather in other places on Denali today, but not so much here at 11,000 ft. Different day, same weather. It was snow, blowing snow, cloud and blowing cloud. We made good use of an afternoon sun break to put on harnesses and crampons and go for a short walk on the lower half of "motorcycle hill" which is just above camp. It was a nice opportunity to stretch legs and review climbing techniques as well as a chance to see some cool blue crevasses. After a fine Mexican dinner, we chatted to pass the time and listened to radio traffic from around the mountain. It seems that we might have slightly better weather for a few days, at least according to our radio. We'll be ready to take advantage. There are four other guided parties waiting things out with us at 11 K and I'm certain they are ready to get moving again as well.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Glad you guys stopped lazing around in your tents and got out to get some exercise!! : ) The Christofferson family sends our love to Anders and Happy Fourth of July to you all from the Jersey Shore. Wish we could send up some of our burgers and corn on the cob!
Post Hurricane Sandy motto of the NJ Shore is “We are Stronger than the Storm” You guys are too!
Posted by: judy christofferson on 7/4/2013 at 12:00 pm
Happy 4th of July everyone!!! Hugs and kisses Will :)
The team and all luggage are out of the transit area of the Moscow International airport. We will head right back there tomorrow for our flight to the soaring peaks of the range of mountains called the Caucasus. But, today we explored Moscow and Red Square. We will take vivid memories of the Walls of the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Jewels of the Armory Museum just to name a few.
A bit of the jet lag still with us but not slowing down this intrepid team of travelers.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Good Luck on the climb. The questions is, Lucy are you leaving Corell at the summit?
Posted by: Morgan on 7/5/2013 at 6:48 am
Welcome to Russia- although you experience started in the States!! You guys are well trained so enjoy the adventure! Correll- you look marvelous in 2 D. Have fun!
Yesterday we had a great acclimatization hike up to the climbers' hut on the Iliniza mountains. This hike brought us up to an altitude above 15,000' once again, and will help prepare us for moving higher on Cotopaxi. After the hike, we transferred to the wonderful Hacienda Chilcabamba for the night. Chilcabamba is a beautiful, tranquil hacienda located just outside of Cotopaxi National Park. With the quiet surroundings and the great food, it's a perfect place to relax before heading up to Cotopaxi.
Today, we're off to the climbers' hut on Cotopaxi, where we'll spend two nights preparing for our summit attempt. Everyone is doing well, and we seem to be acclimatizing well to the high altitude. We'll keep you posted from Cotopaxi.
Hast luego...
RMI Guide Mike Walter
The RMI Mt. Elbrus team led by J.J. Justman left the hustle of Moscow and flew to Mineralnye Vody and drove to the Baksan Valley at the base of Mt. Elbrus. Check out their video below.
The Five Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guide Andres Marin reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The Four Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guide Win Whittaker had a great climb but were unable to reach the summit. The teams reported clear skies, some light winds, and pleasant temperatures.The teams are on their way to Camp Muir and will be back at Rainier Basecamp to celebrate this afternoon.
After a successful summit yesterday and a week of training the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons will be returning to Rainier Basecamp this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's teams!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Still here in base camp in case you were wondering. It is snowing with poor visibility. There were some "sucker holes" in the clouds that gave us some false hope at midday today.
We did get out and get some exercise today. Everyone in camp that is waiting to fly got on their skis/snowshoes and stomped down a runway in the snow. We all took it quite seriously since we want the airstrip to be ready when the weather is good enough to fly!
Everyone is happy and healthy and ready to be off the mountain. Cross your fingers!
RMI Mt. McKinley Summit Team 6
P.S. Lance wants his girls to know he loves them and will be home soon.
P.S.S. Steve will call Tania, mom and dad, & Bill and Lisa as soon as he is off the mountain.
There is an insane amount of cold diet coke in the fridge. Just saying. Jack and I loveyou, Quinn!!!
Posted by: Liz & Jack on 7/3/2013 at 7:27 pm
Steve and Grasshopper,
Congratulations on achieving the summit! So happy you were able to persevere through. Thinking of you this holiday, stay safe. Working on sending clear weather your way:)
Robin(pinky)
Posted by: Robin Biedrzycki on 7/3/2013 at 6:51 pm
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
There was some reason for optimism at 6 this morning when snow stopped falling and we were granted a view of some blue sky and the upper mountain. The guides got up and out to brew a cup of coffee and to watch the skies. It was considerably colder at 11,000 ft this morning, down to about what should be "normal" for this place. We watched clouds build up again and eventually we found ourselves in another snowstorm before we could even call the gang to breakfast. Mike King taught a well-attended seminar on knots and hitches in the main dining tent for a good chunk of the morning. Some lounged the day away in the POSH while others returned to their own tents to clear the snow and read/sleep/zone-out. Our afternoon was brightened when our good friends Tyler Jones and Laura Rogers, of RMI and Whittaker Mountaineering respectively came skiing down out of the storm. They are up to play and were just successful a few days back in climbing Denali's North Peak. They regaled us with all of the news of the other teams around the mountain and a pretty comprehensive wrap up of the entire season in the range. Eventually, they moved down into the clouds to get a little closer to Basecamp and we moved back into our POSH tent for dinner and a final round of stimulating conversation before bed. We remain optimistic that the snow will quit and the clouds will flee.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
We had a little bit of a false start here this morning. We woke at 5.30 to clear conditions, and lower winds up above. Altogether, it was a great looking scene, albeit cold; the coldest temps we have seen all trip. We ate a hasty breakfast, and packed camp to move to 17,000'. As we started to walk, clouds began to build, and the winds on the Buttress were rising too. At the base of the fixed lines, we decided that today wasn't the day to make our move, and we retreated back to 14,200' to reset camp. A day like today is tough, but we made the right decision, and everyone is in good spirits. We're hoping that tomorrow morning provides a better opportunity!
Until then, best from Alaska.
RMI Guides Pete, Geoff, Robby, and team
Guapo;
sorry to hear you didn’t get to 17,000 today, but it makes me comfortable knowing that your team guides care about your welfare and safety,and won’t take unnecessary risks.
Best of luck tomorrow,rest well
Guapa
Posted by: marion and maya on 7/3/2013 at 10:22 pm
Hey Gail good to hear you guys are getting some exercise up there…I was beginning to worry you were getting lazy. Ha…kidding of course! Sounds like yesterday was a long one, but great to hear everyone is doing well and best of luck for a break in the weather. Happy early 4th of July, stay safe, have fun!! -Becky
.jpg)
Way to go Terry!! So proud of you. See you next week in a warmer climate. Love you, Mom Mullin.
Posted by: brenda mullin on 7/5/2013 at 9:11 am
Congrats! Rainier is an amazing mountain and I’m glad you all enjoyed it! Congrats Keith!
Posted by: Melissa on 7/4/2013 at 10:29 pm
View All Comments