The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Mike Haugen and the Expedition Skills Seminar – Paradise led by RMI Guide Eric Frank reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reported warm weather and a cloud cap on the upper mountain. They are currently descending back to Camp Muir to refuel and repack before continuing down to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them in Ashford this afternoon.
Congratulations climbers!
Back at Base Camp! And What a day we had! Our ascent to the summit of Copa was everything but ordinary; intricate navigation to avoid a blocking bergschund, trail breaking at 20,000ft, steep slopes in the dark... and a corniced summit ridge, among other factors, provided a great graduation climb in this, our second Peru Seminar. We managed to descend to the safety of Base Camp in a long push, picking high camp on the way. Everyone is pretty tired, but feeling well and accomplished. We are turning to our tents now, and will check in again tomorrow from Huaraz.
Best regards,
RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and team.
When I woke up to check the weather at 11 pm I could hear that the wind would not be an issue. I went outside to check the sky; it was perfectly clear and full of stars. I woke our team up immediately and reported the good news. We ate “breakfast” and packed our summit kits and were out the door by 12:15 am. The route on Cotopaxi is in great condition, with a well-worn trail in the snow for most of the climb.
Some clouds moved in and out, but the weather remained good for our summit push. Our team climbed well, and efficiently negotiated the steeper slopes near the summit. We topped out at 6:30 am, snapped a few photos and began our descent. By 9 am we were back at the climbing hut. It was an awesome climb to close out an incredible week of climbing Ecuador’s Volcanoes.
Now we’re in back in Quito and it’s time for a shower and a nap before we meet for our team’s final dinner together in Ecuador.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz led by RMI Guide Seth Waterfall reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning via the Kautz route. Seth reported warm, sunny weather on the summit. The team will descend back to camp for their final night on the mountain before returning to Ashford tomorrow.
Hello, this is the Elias calling from 200 meters below the summit of Copa, which we just tackled about half an hour ago. We wanted to get out of the wind and we're taking a break, heading down. It is 10:16 am local time and we've had a really, really hard day of work to get to the top - intricate navigation and steep trail breaking to 6,200 meters which is the top of Copa (roughly the same as Denali). Now we're heading down; we're pretty happy. And we look forward to sending you a dispatch from our camp. We're going to try to make it down to base camp, if we can, but our first objective will be high camp. So hope all is well at home and we'll keep you posted in a few hours. Bye.
RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos calls from just below the summit of Copa in Peru.
Congratulations to the entire group! Sounds like an exciting and exhilarating climb! A special hello and congrats to my dad, Larry. Looking forward to hearing more!! -Jen
Posted by: Jen on 7/10/2015 at 6:17 am
Congratulations to Elias and whole team upon reaching summit of Copa - - what a week!
Battery recharge accomplished! It is so important to be good at resting when climbing a big mountain; and boy can this team sleep!
How about a perfect weather day? It was tough but that is what we had to deal with today. Fantastic views of the upper mountain got the teams attention as we continued our journey upward on Kilimanjaro. It sure looks like along way up and it is so we are taking it one day, one stretch, and one step at a time. In addition to the jaw dropping views, the team spent today's climb focusing on their fundamental climbing techniques.
We are now settled into our camp at 12,570' on the Shira Plateau. Adjusting to this kind of altitude is always a challenge but this team is up for it. No headaches, good appetites, and great attitudes confirm that this team is doing well and enjoying the climb.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Great report. Go team go!!! Keep up the awesome job!!! Glad ya’ll had beautiful views and great weather. Prayers for safety and good health sent your way. Love and hugs,
Edi and Tim
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - 10:51 pm PT
No forecast could have predicted a day as nice as the one we just had, and certainly none did. They were calling for more snow, and perhaps it was snowing below the immense blanket of clouds that we looked down on all day. But right from our 6 am start at 14,200' Camp, it was nothing but calm, blue sky and sunshine - where we were and up above where we wanted to be. We got climbing just after 9 am and made excellent progress, reaching our previous high point in a little over three hours. We then worked up the crest of the West Buttress, climbing steep snow with a hand on perfect granite from time to time. There was plenty to concentrate on to ensure safe climbing, but there were also moments devoted to pure pleasure, gazing down at ridiculously steep drop offs and at the gigantic faces of neighboring mountains. We rolled into 17,200' Camp after about six hours and fifteen minutes on the route. This gave us plenty of time in the strong afternoon sunshine to build a strong camp and eat a good dinner. We are all ready to go climbing to the top tomorrow if the great weather continues.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Congratulations! You did it. We’re mighty proud of you and the team. Thanks to the team guides. Job well done, by all. We are at Bill’s home using his computer. Dad called Karen to tell her, You made it to the summit. CONGRATULATIONS1 AGAIN AND AGAIN. May all of you follow the same FOOT PRINTS in the SNOW coming down the mountain. We Love You lots and lots. You’ll get a Super Big HUG WHEN WE SEE YOU.
Posted by: Dad & Mom Ross on 7/10/2015 at 8:20 pm
I hope everything went well and you made summit. Congratulation!!!! To all of you!!!
Keep safe and come back home
Posted by: Iza Smolokowska on 7/10/2015 at 6:35 am
100% on the summit of Mt. Rainier!
RMI Guides Brent Okita and Leon Davis led their Four Day Summit Climb teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Brent reported gorgeous weather with no wind. The teams began their descent from the crater rim just after 7 am. We look forward to greeting them back in Ashford later today.
Way to climb!! Congratulations!
Hello, this is the Peru Seminar and Elías and Robby and Peter with the team at High Camp on Copa. We are currently at 5,200 meters. The crew climbed really well this morning. It took us slightly less than 4 hours to move from Base Camp to here, and we are currently settled in, cooking dinner, replenishing water, and getting ready for what's ahead tonight: the biggest of our objectives, Copa, at 6,200 meters. We'll be checking in tomorrow, hopefully from the summit, and stay tuned for more. That's it for now. Everybody's doing really well, and we wish everything is good at home. Bye!
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos calls in from High Camp on Copa, Peru.
Gortex was the outfit of choice when we arrived at the Kilimanjaro National Park Entrance Gate this morning. Lucky for us, the rain stopped and we had nice conditions as we climbed through the rainforest on Kilimanjaro's lower slopes and the giant heather in the Moorland Zone to reach Machame Camp. The team did well and we're all our tucked in for the night at ~10,000 ft on this beautiful mountain.
Jet lag still prevails and we are looking forward a good night's sleep for our first night on the mountain. We will check in again tomorrow with our progress towards the Roof of Africa.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Love the pictures and hearing where you are on the climb, looking forward to the next instalment
Posted by: Emma and Alex on 7/12/2015 at 8:11 am
Mark’s blog is great - didn’t know we’d get pictures too! Y’all look like a scout troop standing by the bus after a ‘dressing down’ by the scout leader (what did you guys do?) except for Bonny who can’t help but smile. (Was she the informant?) Love to you all. Best wishes for a great climb, from the Lowlanders.
Congratulations Jess and team!!! I’m so proud of you!! Can’t wait to hear all about this adventure!! Love you Jess!
Your favorite cousin,
Shari ;)
Posted by: Shari on 7/10/2015 at 3:53 pm
Congratulations Jess, so happy for you! Job well done!
Posted by: Jan on 7/10/2015 at 1:49 pm
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