Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 10,080'

The Four Day Summit Climbs August 12 - 15, 2013 led by RMI Guides Eric Frank was unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Strong winds and precipitation prevented the teams from climbing. The teams checked in from Camp Muir shortly after 7 am where they were safe and warm in the Muir hut. The teams will descend from Camp Muir to Paradise this morning. The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz led by RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos was unable to summit this morning also. They will spend today training on the mountain. Tomorrow they will descend to Paradise and complete their program. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp.

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Waterfall and Team are off the Mountain

August 14, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

We're off the mountain and on the way back to the hotel! It's been a great climb but everyone is really looking forward to hot showers this afternoon. Summit day was awesome yesterday. This team really kicked some butt! It wasn't easy, that's for sure. Everyone stepped up and performed to the best of their abilities. The weather, once again, was fabulous and that just added to our enjoyment of Kilimanjaro. Tomorrow we're shifting gears into safari mode. That is always a fun time. That's all for now. Here's a summit shot. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall and Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Success is spelled “Kilimanjaro”! Well done, all!

Posted by: Frances on 8/14/2013 at 7:23 pm

The picture is great. What a thrill for all of you. Now to the animals- hope you see some giraffes. I found you among the group. Love Mom

Posted by: cornelia miller on 8/14/2013 at 10:22 am

Mt. Rainier: August 14th - Teams on the Summit!

August 14, 2013

Posted by: Brent Okita, Solveig Waterfall

Elevation: 14,410'

The Five Day Summit Climb August 10 - 14 led by Solveig Waterfall and the Four Day Summit Climb August 11 - 14 led by Brent Okita reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reported steady winds of 40 mph at the summit and a cloud cap that had descended on the mountain. The teams began their descent from the crater rim around 7:15 am. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break and then continue to Paradise this afternoon. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later today. Congratulations to today's summit climb teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

So proud of you Tiffany! Quite an accomplishment to add to your many. I’m just happy you are safe and that you had a wonderful experience.

Posted by: Cyndi on 8/14/2013 at 3:38 pm

Congratulations Ross, Griffin, Jeremy, Scott and Calvin! All your hard work paid off. Party in Puyallup!!

Posted by: Margie on 8/14/2013 at 1:50 pm

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Waterfall and team check in from Mweka Camp

August 13, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 10,000'

Hey Seth here checking in from Mweka Camp, that is our last camp on Kilimanjaro. We made it back to High Camp in really good time and the good weather continued all the way down. Everyone is tucked into our tents and just waiting for dinner. We are going to crash out early tonight after a super long day, but a successful one. Tomorrow we are off the mountain and back at the hotel. I will send summit photos when we get back into Wi-Fi range. That’s it for us. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall and team.

Seth and Team checking in from Mweka Camp

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Unbelievable accomplishment for this team. A huge congrats to Phil and Susan. We are super proud of you both, but Susan, you rock! Missed you in the Hood, but what you did there can’t be topped. Ciao! D & W

Posted by: Denise and Wayne on 8/13/2013 at 10:01 pm

A Hurray for you all, especially Susan & Phil!!

Posted by: Katherine on 8/13/2013 at 12:44 pm

Mt. Rainier: Teams on the Summit August 13!

August 13, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 14,410'

The Expedition Skills Seminar – Emmons led by RMI Guide Garrett Stevens called from Columbia Crest at 6:56 am, the team arrived at the summit around 6:30 am PT. Garret reported clear skies with a marine layer below at 5,000’, moderate winds and cold temperatures on the Emmons route. The team will return to their high camp for a final night on the mountain. RMI Guide Casey Grom & the Four Day Summit Climb approached the crater rim of Mt. Rainier shortly before 7 am. Casey reported 100% of the team members would be reaching the summit. He also reported winds from the west and good route conditions. Congratulations to today summit climbers!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

It was all because of our incredible guides Casey, Nick and Nick. They took really good care of me, supported me all the way. Email me and well talk further.what an adventure! Thanks to the whole incredible team for making my 50th birthday my summit day!

Posted by: Amy Daniels on 8/14/2013 at 8:34 am

Congrats Amy and Marc! We don’t know each other but my husband Richard and myself are just waiting for next Aug dates to sign up! I’d love to hear about your guys journey! Hope to hear from you when the dust settles.
Again, CONGRATS!

Posted by: Beth on 8/13/2013 at 11:21 pm

Kilimanjaro: Seth Waterfall & Team Summit!

August 12, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 19,340'

Hey, this is Seth checking in from the top of Kilimanjaro! It's a beautiful day here to be on the Roof of Africa. Zero wind. We got up here right in time for sunrise, and just an awesome day of climbing. The crew did so good. I had to slow them down. They were going too fast so we took some extra breaks just to reel them in. Great crew, great day. It's beautiful up here and now we are going to flip it around and head back to our low camp at 10,000 feet. So, 9,000 feet to go downhill for us, but we should have a great day. That's it from the top of Kili! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

Seth Waterfall calls in from the Roof of Africa, Kilimanjaro.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

How exciting for you all. It must have been breath taking. Hope you got some pictures Mark. Much love Mom

Posted by: Cornelia Miller on 8/13/2013 at 8:55 pm

Awesome! You made it. Hope you got some pictures from the top, and at sunrise—how special. MA

Posted by: Mary Ann on 8/12/2013 at 10:11 pm

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Waterfall and Team Begin Summit Attempt

August 12, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 15,000'

Monday, August 12th 1:57 PST RMI Guide Seth Waterfall sent a dispatch: Hey, this is Seth checking in from high camp on Kili; it's a beautiful night, just after midnight and we are getting set to go for the summit. Everybody's putting their packs on. Hopefully, in 6 - 8 hours will be standing on top of Kilimanjaro. I'll check in then.

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team at Barafu Camp Preparing for Summit Bid

August 12, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 15,200'

Jambo! We are at Kilimanjaro's high camp, 15,200 feet! We've been in and out of clouds all day but no precipitation. The team did great coming up from Karanga Camp. We practiced taking nice and efficient breaks today in prep for our summit bid tonight. We came up with plenty of time to relax and get things organized for the night-time departure. I'll call in when we're headed for the top. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

You are ” not in Kansas anymore”! Great sights behind and ahead for you!!

Posted by: Frances on 8/12/2013 at 4:53 pm

Only about 4000” to go! If that atlas is correct, that is. Good luck, MA

Posted by: Mary Ann on 8/12/2013 at 2:45 pm

Mt. Rainier: August 12th Teams Reach Summit!

August 12, 2013

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Geoff Schellens

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer and Geoff Schellens led the Four Day Summit Climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Pete reported blustery, clear, and cold conditions on the upper mountain. The teams will spend some time on top before beginning their descent to Camp Muir. We look forward to seeing the teams in Ashford this afternoon. Congratulations on a great climb!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

The guides at RMI really make the difference here! We were fortunate to have Pete and Chase who pushed us along the way and made sure that we were doing all the right things to make the summit! Thanks Guys!

Posted by: Anil on 8/14/2013 at 11:26 am

Congratulations gang! I hated to ‘bail-out’ but conditioning is the key to keeping a group on-schedule and I personally didn’t feel I had it yet. No worries… Next time! Thanks Pete for your most professional guidance…and to Chase for yours. Again thanks!... Congratulations…and ‘See you on the mountain!’ Cheers!

Posted by: Dave McLaughlin on 8/13/2013 at 12:28 pm