Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Today turned into a big game of hurry up and wait for the Mongolia climbing team. We started the morning with a 4am launch from our hotel to make it to the airport for a 5:50am flight. Unfortunately high winds kept us grounded until nearly 11am, so we drank coffee, took turns walking around the terminal and did our best to rest in preparation of the upcoming climbs.
Once we were in the air, the flight was a non-stop glimpse into the varied terrain of Western Mongolia. From turquoise blue lakes to dark green hills of conifers, this place is breathtaking in every regard.
After a quick lunch we boarded a trusty Russian van and made the five-hour drive out to the edge of the Tavan Bogd Park. We sat so much today that everyone feels fully rested and ready for a week of physical movement starting tomorrow!!
RMI Guide Eric Frank
Posted by: Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Greetings all,
The gangs all here and our adventure in Peru is officially underway! The first hurdle of the trip has passed; which is to make it to Peru with all of our climbers and all of their bags. We even made it out of the big chaotic city of Lima in excellent time yesterday morning and set our sites on the beautiful town of Huaraz. It took us about 8 hours to get here, but the ocean views, and then the mountain views keep us entertained for the long bus ride. As soon as we crest Conococha Pass at 12,600’, we’re treated to some incredible views of the glaciated peaks of the southern Cordillera Blanca as well as the Cordillera Huayhuash. What a site to get us pumped for some climbing!
We’re now in Huaraz at my absolute favorite hotel in the world, Hotel Andino. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner here last night and got a great nights sleep. Today, it’s all about gear, an acclimatization hike above town, and some good eating. We’ll tell you all about it later. Thanks for checking in.
RMI Guide Robby Young and Team Alpaca Steaks
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Grayson Swingle, Cody Mack
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,400'
The Four Day Climb July 12 - 15 led by RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer was unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier today due to weather. The teams climbed to 13,400' before deciding to turn back. They had been in the rain and snow since 3 AM and the weather was not improving. The team is returning to Camp Muir and will repack and continue down to Paradise later this morning.
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Huascaran
Elevation: 20,846'
Greetings from Chopicalqui High camp! What a day... This mountain is no joke: five 60-degree pitches at 20'000ft, no visibility for the upper half of the mountain on ascent, and no visibility on the entire descent! But we did it! We reached the summit of Chopicalqui! The team needed to put up a fight and they did. Everyone stood on top shortly after 8:00 AM on a seven hour uphill strenuous push. We rolled into our sleeping bags after an early dinner that our porters had ready upon arrival. Tomorrow we're looking forward to town and well earned rest.
RMI Guide ElÃas de Andres Martos and team
So proud of you guys! Great job!
Posted by: Terry Wisler on 7/15/2019 at 2:07 pm
Yay! Congrats Kim and team!!!
Posted by: Ally on 7/15/2019 at 12:40 pm
Hello Everyone!
Things are well here in Russia! Most of the team arrived in Moscow yesterday evening after some very long flights and are still adjusting to the massive time change, so we kept things simple with a little round of introductions before stepping out for a short walk and a nice dinner not too far from the hotel.
Today we started with a visit to Lenin’s Tomb, which takes a bit of time as there are thousands of other tourists visiting. We then met up with our kind, local tour guide Victoria, who gave us a wonderful tour of the nearby Red Square, the Kremlin, and several churches including the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral. The team also visited the famous Moscow metro, which moves millions of Moscovites daily. It’s incredibly efficient, with 228 stops, many of which are elaborately decorated.
After our tour we took a short break and then headed out once again for an amazing dinner and a nice walk. Everyone is doing great and looking forward to heading to the mountains tomorrow.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and team
RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall and the SheJumps Four Day Climb stood on the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Solveig reported windy conditions and a busy route. Once at the rim of the summit crater, the team crossed over to Columbia Crest, the highest point on Mt. Rainier. The team is descending back to Camp Muir and will return to Ashford later this afternoon.
Congratulations SheJumps climbers!
Congratulations Katy and the She Jumps Team!! You all Rock and Are AWESOME!!
Yay!!!
Posted by: Gayla Prociv on 7/14/2019 at 7:44 pm
WOO HOO!! So proud of you sweet girl! Love you!
Posted by: Jami carino on 7/14/2019 at 11:28 am
After a few delayed flights and minor complications, all members of the Mongolia climbing team have arrived and are getting settled here in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.
We are all a bit jet-lagged but this morning after a quick breakfast meeting, we struck out to see the sights and sounds of city. The Sukhbaatar Square, the National History Museum, first Buddhist temple and Russian Friendship Monument filled our morning. After a quick pit stop for lunch, we journeyed outside of the city to witness the Nadaam festival.
Nadaam is the Mongolian celebration of their three main sports: wrestling, archery, and horsemanship. We were treated to front row seats for all three competitions. After the archery competition, they even invited us to try pulling the bows and shooting a few arrows. Suffice to say, they make it look a lot easier then it was for us.
A traditional Mongolian dinner rounded out the day and we are in bed early to prepare for morning flight to Olgii on the other side of the country.
RMI Guide Eric Frank
WOO HOO!! So proud of you sweet girl! Love you
Posted by: Jami carino on 7/14/2019 at 11:19 am
So proud of you, Em! What an inspiration and testament you are to put in the work & following your dreams! To many more summits in this lifetime! Love ya mountain mama!
Posted by: Emma Patrick on 7/14/2019 at 10:58 am
We made it to the top of Europe this morning! The weather forecast turned out to be horribly wrong, but in our favor. What was supposed to be a pretty marginal day turned into one of the best weather days we’ve seen this whole trip. After we hit the top of Mt. Elbrus, we boogied back down to camp, packed up our things, and moved back down into town. We’ll have our celebration dinner down here tonight, after some well earned showers. Everyone sends their best!
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
so proud of you mom!!! I love you!
Posted by: Prudy on 7/19/2019 at 2:26 pm
Wow!! Well done everybody! Wendy, we are proud of you :)
Posted by: Carlos Alcaide on 7/15/2019 at 4:48 am
Hello from high camp on Chopicalqui! We're perched up here at 17,716' (5400m) after an early start this morning. The early start allowed us to arrive at high camp with enough time so we can give our bodies the rest they need before our summit push tonight. We're currently making dinner and we're shooting to be in bed way before sunset. The weather has changed a bit on us, but we how to have a good window for tonight. Keep your fingers crossed for an update from the summit!
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos and team
Good luck on an amazing summit!!!
Posted by: Ally on 7/14/2019 at 3:31 pm
I don’t recognize what country you’re all in. But, best wishes to y’all for a safe summit and descent. Step safe!
Posted by: Susan Moore on 7/14/2019 at 12:51 pm
Posted by: JM Gorum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
Well, we had our fill of pizza, thick air, and dance remixes of American top 40 pop songs. We’re back on the mountain now, preparing for our summit attempt tonight. We just enjoyed dinner and a movie, chicken and couscous while watching a Russian overdubbed version of Twilight. The weather is better than it was last time we were here, but I wouldn’t say it’s remarkable. We can’t control what the weather does, but we can give it our best and see what happens.
Wish us luck tonight, and we’ll check in tomorrow!
RMI Guide JM Gorum & Team
Gorem,
You’ve had a successful summer of summits. Keep it up for Tyler and the others. Best wishes, and step safe!
Posted by: Susan Moore on 7/14/2019 at 12:47 pm
Hoping and praying conditions improve! Love you Tyler
Posted by: donna shearburn on 7/14/2019 at 6:26 am
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Mother nature was not in your favor today. There’s always another day. Grateful that you are safely back at Muir. Take it easy on the decent. Josh and Lisa, you inspire me to get back in the saddle, after many years of being away from the mountain. She always takes my breath away! Love and (((hugs)))... See you soon
Posted by: Cynthia Drake on 7/15/2019 at 8:23 am
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