Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Kilimanjaro: Team Ascends the Great Barranco Wall

February 15, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 13,000'

We enjoyed tea in our tents just before 7 am and had another enjoyable breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs and toast. We then hit the trail shortly after 8 and made good time up the Barranco wall. This wall is about 1,000' high and is the steepest part of the entire climb requiring hands in a few places to assist us up a few steep steps. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and change of the new terrain. It was amazing to watch the porters easily navigate this terrain with their loads carefully balanced on their heads. We made good time and arrived in a little over 4 hours to our new home sitting at just over 13,000'. We are incredibly thankfully to all of our porters and crew who have been working so hard to keep us well feed and comfortable thus far. Looking forward to moving to our high camp tomorrow. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew.

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Looking fabulous - can’t wait to hear about the summit tomorrow - very soon!

Leslita

Posted by: Leslie on 2/16/2013 at 8:11 am

Barbara,
What a fabulous adventure! We can’t wait to hear all about it. Take in the sunrise for us. We will be thinking about you and the team.
Nancy & Tal

Posted by: Nancy on 2/16/2013 at 7:11 am

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Cayambe Summit!

February 15, 2013

Posted by: Ben Liken, Jake Beren

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 18,997'

Buenos dias from the top of Cayambe! We had an absolutely stunning day for our climb today, first clear day up here in weeks and perfect cramponing conditions all the way up. So we will give you guys a shout on the way down and super proud effort by the team today. Everybody did a fantastic job and we'll give you shout when we're down safe and sound. Alright, thanks. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from the summit of Cayambe.

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Mexico Volcanoes: Waterfall & Team See the Sights of Puebla

February 14, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Today was a well deserved rest day for the team. After a long day of climbing yesterday we spent today relaxing and seeing the sights in Puebla. Molé, the traditional sauce of Mexico, was sampled by everyone on the team and I know one person had it at every meal. It's definitely a favorite of mine. Also, since it is Valentine's day the Zocalo (town square) was full of people celebrating the holiday. It's a big one here in Mexico. We capped off the day with a great dinner at the Mason Sacristía de la Companía. Tomorrow we switch back to climbing mode and head to el Pico de Orizaba! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wish the best of luck tomorrow, say hi to Brandon for us..

Posted by: Gustavo Siva on 2/15/2013 at 3:54 pm

Finish strong on this next climb and we’ll see you back home!!

Posted by: Julie Grooms on 2/15/2013 at 9:56 am

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Beren & Team Check in from the Cayambe Hut

February 14, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,300'

Feliz Valentine's Day from all of us in Ecuador. We are at our hut on Cayambe. About to bed down for the night after a good day of training up here. And with any luck tonight, we will be giving Cayambe a shot. So wish us luck. And again, Happy Valentine's to everybody back home. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from Cayambe's High Hut.

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Those pictures of Cayambe are AWESOME. It looks like heaven. Best of luck for the climb tomorrow. With love, your valentine.

Posted by: Christina Doren on 2/14/2013 at 10:31 pm

Congrats on a good training day! I’m saying a special Cayambe prayer for the team tonight!

Posted by: Caroline on 2/14/2013 at 7:39 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Going for the Summit

February 14, 2013

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Hey everybody, this is Billy checking in for Mike King and Garrett Stevens and the rest of our crew. We are at high camp on Aconcagua at about 19,600 feet and we made our move up today. And we're gonna be hopefully taking a crack at the top tomorrow. Because it is the only weather window that we have. There is a wind event that is coming on that is supposed to blow 75 miles an hour at the summit for the next 5 or so days out in the extended forecast. So our chance is now. We're hoping things are going to lighten up for us right now. Kind of a little bit crappy here at [Camp] Cholera. Fair bit of blowing snow and about 20 mile an hour winds maybe gusts of 30 to 35. But yeah, keep your fingers crossed, and we'll give you guys a call in a little bit and let you know how it all went down. Ciao. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

RMI Guide Billy Nugent checks in from High Camp.

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Congrats you made it again , we are so proud, ! We look forward to hearing all about it That was a fast climb for you time flys when you are having fun. love Ypu Brian & Jeannie!!!!!

Posted by: Brian and Jeannie Young on 2/17/2013 at 12:25 pm

Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top, it is willpower that is the most important. This willpower you can not buy with money or be given by others…..it rises from your heart.
All of you are awesome, it has been so exciting following your progress.
Moses last words to Joshua were “to be bold & courageous”. All of have have been both.

Posted by: Beth Behrle on 2/15/2013 at 4:10 am

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Reach the Great Barranco Wall

February 14, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,800'

All is well here on Kilimanjaro! Day three took us from the Shira Plateau all the way over to the Great Barranco Wall. All in all we traveled about six miles, climbed up to about 15,000' and descended back down to 13,000'. We traversed under the southern side of the mountain where there are still hanging glaciers to see. Unfortunately the clouds obscured the view, but did allow for some nice hiking temperatures. It took the team about seven hours total to reach camp. We hike for about an hour then take a short 15 minute break, then repeat. The team is amazed and very thankful to our wonderful support crew who leave camp after us each day then race ahead to have camp rebuilt waiting our arrival. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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HOLLEY! I did a Valentine’s Day swim in your honor!

Amy

Posted by: Amy Craft on 2/15/2013 at 8:38 am

Larry - Happy Valentines Day! Love you, Deb (& Mark)

Posted by: Debbie on 2/14/2013 at 2:57 pm

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Mexico Volcanoes: Waterfall & Team In Puebla after Successful Ixta Summit

February 13, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Hi from Puebla! It's just after 11 p.m. and we just got back from dinner. It was a long and great day. We woke up this morning before 2 a.m. and started climbing just after 3. The night was cool and crisp but windless which was really great for us. Everyone on the team was very motivated to climb and we made good progress up to the top of the Ayoloco Glacier. From there the good weather continued and just over 4 hours after starting we were standing on top of Ixta. It was a beautiful day for climbing. The walk down went very smooth. We had a light breeze on the lower mountain (that's the big weather story for us so far!) and when we got to the trail head we were greeted with tortas, cervesas and refrescos. Now we're all set up for a rest day in Puebla tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Move to Camp 2

February 13, 2013

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Billy here, checking in from Camp 2 at over 18,000' on Aconcagua! The rumored winds did indeed materialize today but they also came with perfectly clear skies and were thus not enough of a hindrance to keep us stuck at Camp 1. Our team looked awesome on our move today with everybody moving well and climbing strong despite the elevation, big loads, and the gusting breeze. We've set up shop here at Chopper Camp (although nobody seems to call it that since they cleaned up all the wreckage that used to be strewn about camp) and are enjoying a sunny afternoon. Today's move only took 2 hours and 45 minutes, which speaks for this team's strength and bodes well for summit day. More as it develops... Wulpseeya! RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Your Dad and I wanted to say how proud we are of you. Everyone we brag to are in awe of you accomplishments.
Kisses and Hugs on Valentine’s Day (hee hee). Love and God’s Blessings to your group, Mom and Dad

Posted by: Kathleen on 2/14/2013 at 11:54 am

Just a walk in the park. Billy is making yall sound like a bunch of climbing badasses, no doubt it’s true. Congrats on making it to Camp 2.

Posted by: Nathaniel on 2/13/2013 at 4:58 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Exploring the Otovalo Market

February 13, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

The team is currently exploring Otovalo, the market town near the base of Cayambe. The sea of brightly colored goods in the town square is a fantastic place for a little cultural souvenir shopping. After our outing, we will head towards our next climbing objective, Cayambe. With a positive trend in the weather, it seems as though all the crossed fingers up North have made a difference. Keep it up amigos and we will check in from the hut! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Happy Valentine’s Day, Dan and friends!! Love the updates, following y’all daily! Wishes for good weather, good health and happy hiking!

Posted by: Patsy on 2/14/2013 at 5:12 pm

Yes, Happy Valentines day to Dan and friends! Following you daily, love the updates! Wishing good weather and successful hiking!

Posted by: Patsy on 2/14/2013 at 5:08 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Arrive in Shira Camp

February 13, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,200'

Day 2 greeted us with clear skies and beautiful views of the upper mountain. The day starts with "morning tea" delivered to our tents at 6:30 followed by a medium tub of warm washing water. The team did great getting ready and we made it out of camp right at 8 am. Today is one of the shorter legs being just under three miles all total, however we ascended a little over 2,000' getting to camp. We stopped about half way for the nice sit-down lunch that our staff had ran ahead and prepared. Clearly we are being spoiled! But this is vacation after all. It took a little over six hours to get to Camp 2. Its called Shira Camp because it sits atop the massive Shira Plateau at just over 12,200' and overlooks the Great Rift Valley below. Everyone is doing well and are looking forward to a good night's sleep. Hakuna matata! RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Larry S - Glad the climb is going so well. Continued good wishes to you and the team. Mom

Posted by: Gerri Seaton on 2/14/2013 at 8:33 am

Larry—your call was very clear from up on the Mt. The flowers are beautiful, you made my day and once again you are my champion! A safe journey to you and all.
Deb

Posted by: debby on 2/14/2013 at 7:23 am

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Kilimanjaro: Team Ascends the Great Barranco Wall

On The Map

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Cayambe Summit!

On The Map

Mexico Volcanoes: Waterfall & Team See the Sights of Puebla

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Beren & Team Check in from the Cayambe Hut

On The Map

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Going for the Summit

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Reach the Great Barranco Wall

On The Map

Mexico Volcanoes: Waterfall & Team In Puebla after Successful Ixta Summit

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Move to Camp 2

On The Map

Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Exploring the Otovalo Market

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Arrive in Shira Camp

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