Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: Kautz Seminar Summit!

July 9, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

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.

Peru Seminar: Elias & Team Reach Summit of Copa!

July 9, 2015

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar

Elevation: 20,301'

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.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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!

Posted by: Laura Voisinet on 7/9/2015 at 6:00 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Enjoy the Views

July 9, 2015

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,570'

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

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Move up to 17 Camp

July 9, 2015

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Steve Gately, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

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

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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

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Mt. Rainier: July 9th Teams 100% on Summit!

July 9, 2015

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

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!

Peru Seminar: Elias & Team Check in From Copa High Camp

July 8, 2015

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar

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.

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Hit The Trail

July 8, 2015

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 9,890'

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

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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.

Posted by: Meg Race on 7/9/2015 at 6:43 am

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Mt. McKinley: Hahn and Team Practicing Patience

July 8, 2015

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Steve Gately, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - 10:56 pm PT Not surprisingly, this morning wasn't quite right for moving higher. It was socked in, snowing and a little blustery through the night. By morning, the blustery part was finished at 14 Camp, but we could hear the big winds still raking the crest of the West Buttress, a few thousand feet overhead. The team met for pancakes in the POSH and then dispersed to do camp chores and more wall building. In the afternoon, as the storm seemed to be losing a little energy, RMI Guides Steve Gately and JM Gorum raced up to 16,200' to fetch back some of our cached food. With the extended forecast being a little sloppy, we want more supplies at 14,000' just in case avalanche conditions should develop between here and the cache site. They were up and down again in less than two hours. As we ate dinner, the upper mountain weather continued to improve. By bedtime, there was plenty of optimism that despite the forecasts, we'd get the break we need for moving to high camp. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Every extra day waiting for safe conditions to ascend is another day to spend soaking up the wisdom of Master Hahn. And pretty soon you’ll all be snow masons with the great walls you’ve been building. Good luck all on the next stage of the journey!

Posted by: Charlie Thomas on 7/8/2015 at 7:40 pm

we anxiously await the climax to the summit but happy to hear of the precautions taken by the team leaders…thinking about you Pat!

Posted by: mom and dad grengs on 7/8/2015 at 12:36 pm

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Walter & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

July 8, 2015

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 11,400'

After an enjoyable and well-deserved rest day at Hacienda Chilcabamba, we are headed up to the Jose Ribas Refugio on Cotopaxi today. We’ve had some good views of Cotopaxi from Chilcabamba, and the weather forecast looks favorable for the next few days. Our plan is to relax in the hut this afternoon, eat an early dinner, and hit the sleeping bags in preparation for an alpine start (likely around midnight) for our summit bid. We’re excited for the climb, and hopefully our next dispatch will be with news of summit success! RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Best of luck Dad! -Madison

Posted by: Madison Mason on 7/9/2015 at 9:52 am

Good luck today, Dad and Dennis!

Love,
Linds, Daniel, & Wyatt

Posted by: Lindsay on 7/9/2015 at 8:34 am

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Mt. Rainier: July 8th Teams Reach Summit

July 8, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide JJ Justman and the Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall reached Columbia Crest, the highest point on Mt. Rainier and in Washington State, around 6:50 am. While on the summit the teams enjoyed calm, really nice conditions. The teams began their descent around 7:30 am. We look forward to seeing them back in Ashford later this afternoon. Congratulations Climbers!

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: Kautz Seminar Summit!

Peru Seminar: Elias & Team Reach Summit of Copa!

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Enjoy the Views

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Move up to 17 Camp

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: July 9th Teams 100% on Summit!

Peru Seminar: Elias & Team Check in From Copa High Camp

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Hit The Trail

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Hahn and Team Practicing Patience

On The Map

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Walter & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: July 8th Teams Reach Summit

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