Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Hello from the Sacred Valley! Today felt like someone hit a fast-forward button on wonder.

We started at the Maras salt mines, which are, visually, out of this world. Thousands of small terraced pools cut into the mountainside, all fed by a single underground spring. Salty because this land used to be ocean floor millions of years before it was mountains. The Andes basically pushed the sea up and out and left the salt behind. People have been harvesting it by hand the same way for centuries.

We also met Edgar, our local guide, who’s with us for the rest of the trip. He walked us through the history and the agriculture of it all with this quiet, easy authority. The kind of person you feel lucky to be learning from.

From there, Moray. An old agricultural site built in circular terraces. Each ring its own microclimate which the Incas apparently used to figure out what would grow where. Hot sun, curiosity and a lot of walking and talking.

Lunch was box lunches by a still lake, Urubamba mountains in front of us, two baby alpacas grazing about ten feet away. The cutest little faces you’ve ever seen. Genuinely one of the better lunch spots of my life.

After a little rest, we had dinner in Cusco square: Japanese-Peruvian fusion. Does it seem like we’re only eating the best food ever? Okay good. Because we are…

Big day but we’re all doing well adapting to life at nearly 11,000 feet and looking forward to more tomorrow!

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Machu Picchu team

Hello from Cusco!

We made it. Though “made it” is a relative term for a group that survived delayed flights, rebooked tickets, and enough all-night travel to qualify as its own endurance event. But every duffel and every human is here, upright, and (mostly) coherent. We’ll take it.

Today’s whole job was: recuperate. And that we did. Some wandered the streets a bit, some rested and most of us consumed our first coca and muña teas. Definitely not our last.

Then this afternoon we gathered for our first team meeting — introductions, the shape of the next 10 days, and the buzz of a team coming together.

Cusco is not a city you see, it’s a city you feel. With its narrow cobblestone streets, worn smooth by about a thousand years of foot traffic. Terracotta pots hang off white walls. Immovable gray stone sits shoulder to shoulder with European facades, and somehow none of it argues with the other. Then color just erupts everywhere it can: pinks, blues, greens, color forever.

We closed the day with our first team dinner. Authentic Peruvian — lomo saltado, osobucco, potatoes and corn galore. (Nom nom nom, no notes.)

Ten days, one incredible crew, and Salkantay and Machu Picchu waiting on the other side. We’re just getting started.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Machu Picchu team

8/1: Just wanted to give you a quick update about our trip to Baker. 

All went smooth. Weather was great for the climbing days. Bad weather came in as we where hiking out. All clients reached the summit in good style. 

The climb was fun and the ridge is in good condition still. Creavases are starting to open a bit, but still manageable and safe. We had a great time. 

- RMI Guide Felipe Guarderas

The Four Day Climb led by Nikki Champion turned at the top of the Cleaver this morning due to high winds. They'll descend from Camp Muir around 9am and return back to Basecamp in Ashford this afternoon. 

At 5:15 am the Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Calvin Jiricko were standing on the summit of Mt. Rainer 14,410'! Calvin reported a beautiful day and a great climb. The team is on their descent in route to Camp Muir.

Congratulations Team! 

The All Women's Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Jess Wedel Reached the Summit at 5:15 am this Morning. The team reported beautiful views and great weather. They are on the descent and will be back at Camp Muir Shortly. 

Congratulations Team! 

Great news from the mountain!

The Expedition Skills Seminar Emmons Team, led by Sam Hoffman, successfully reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team enjoyed favorable climbing conditions with clear skies, some gusty winds, and an excellent day on the mountain.

The climbers are currently descending and have reached approximately 13,800 feet as they make their way back to Camp Schurman. They will spend one more night on the mountain continuing their training before beginning their final descent.

Congratulations Team!

The Four-Day Climbs led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Joe Crawford turned around at 11,500 feet this morning due to route conditions. The teams safely returned to Camp Muir and plan to begin their descent to Paradise at 9:00 a.m.

Nice work teams! 

Mon 7/27/2026 8:03 AM 

We are out and off Shuksan. We left early due to lots of rain. No summit due to weather. 

- RMI Guide Seth Burns

The Four Day Climb July 24 - 27 led by RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli turned around 13,000' due to high winds and a cloud cap above them. The team is enroute to Camp Muir and after a short break will continue down to Paradise later today.