Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
We sent off our Antarctic luggage this morning as planned. By now our gear should be nestled in with a pile of other gear on board the Illyushin 76 transport, awaiting takeoff. We spent the day in a variety of ways, napping, walking, running, swimming, eating and watching hotel TV. Relaxing, in other words.
This evening we gathered at the offices of ALE (Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions) to meet the other fifty or so folks on our flight, to be briefed on procedures, and to be updated on current conditions. The subject of the current weather and expected weather didn't take much time at all to review... it is good and is expected to remain good. The flight is on! We'll be ready for pickup at our hotel by ten minutes after six tomorrow morning. We each enjoyed chatting with the other adventurers on board... climbers for Vinson, folks looking to travel to see Emperor Penguins and people journeying to the South Pole. As well, there will be a number of ALE staff on board the flight, since this is still the kickoff to their 2016-17 season.  We mingled and lingered for a bit and then my team came out of the office to walk the streets of Punta Arenas once again. It was quite pleasant out, delightfully cool with clear skies. We had a last South American dinner in one of the fine and eclectic restaurants of downtown Punta. And then we made an early evening of it... a little more personal time to finish correspondence and get good rest for the early and exciting start to tomorrow.  Fingers crossed, we'll make our way down to Union Glacier in the interior of Antarctica.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
It may have been a holiday in North America, but down here at the lower end of South America, it was a big work day. Meeting after breakfast in our hotel, the team got to know one another a little better and then got right into the details and mechanics of how the trip might proceed. We discussed the protocols for arranging gear for the ride down to the ice... the peculiarities of dressing in summer on one continent to take off, and of then landing in perpetual winter in the middle of another continent. We talked over how it might just go smoothly and right on schedule from one flight to another culminating in Vinson Basecamp... and of how it might get weird if bad weather delays flights at some point along the way. We reviewed the necessity for checking our gear and clothing for dirt and vegetation that has no business being transported to Antarctica. And then the team endured a series of nosy and tedious equipment checks by the leader. The afternoon then got easier with lunches and strolls about town. We got together for another fine dinner and then a good walk up the shoreline of Magellan's Straight, checking out old shipwrecks and even an odd dinosaur or two along the way. The endless twilight and the Patagonian wind sculpted clouds kept us mesmerized for our return to town..
The gear needs to be packed and ready by tomorrow morning. It will get stowed in the big plane and things will start to get real.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Our attempt on the highest mountain in Antarctica is coming together. We've got our entire team -four climbers and one guide- pulled together in Patagonia to kick this thing off. The "normal" air travel is finished... we even got all of our baggage through the system. We celebrated by walking about the town of Punta Arenas, Chile in unseasonably warm and comfy weather. The team fought off jet lag long enough to enjoy a great meal together. We've got to get to work in the morning to prep for a Saturday morning departure for the Ice, but now it is time to sleep hard and recover from overexposure to those evil airline seats.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
AMO MEXICO
These climbing expeditions are so much more than putting one foot in front of the other for hours on end. It really is fun and exciting pushing yourself way beyond what you think is your limit. Such a great mental boost and refreshing perspective you return home with that your friends, family and co-workers always benefit from the zest for life you exude. A few hour drive, seamless check in and the team is on the way home. We all not only climbed the third tallest mountain in North America, but were true ambassadors. Thank you team for representing the USA with great poise. Have I told you guys what a great job you did!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Thank you to the whole team! Special appreciation to Mark and Hannah along with the local guides. We couldn’t have done it without all of you. It was a wonderful trip and experience of a lifetime.
Posted by: Sierra on 11/14/2016 at 5:21 am
A big and successful day for the RMI Mexico team. A fifteen-hour summit day on Pico de Orizaba. We woke up to perfect weather. Right out of the gate it is steep. No new snow at 14,000' so it was dirt and rock to start. After about an hour we entered a crazy area called the labyrinth. Such exciting terrain winding through gully after gully with mixed moderate climbing. We put on the crampons as the snow got firmer adding to the fun and excitement of the climb. Still dark with the beautiful moon we arrived at the base of the glacier. Ropes, ice axe and all the other toys that a prudent mountaineer hauls up hill were part of the next phase. Long and pretty darn steep at that point. Snow conditions were perfect and not much wind. As the sun rose, imagine the shadow cast on the surface of the Earth by this monolithic monster of a volcano. What a sight. Keeps me coming back for more. The team did an outstanding job up and down. The team is sleepy but still lots to do here at the historic old soap factory, which is our digs for the night.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls from the Orizaba summit!
On The Map
Buenos tardes!
Today we made the journey to Tlachichuca where the great Sr. Reyes lives. Sr. Reyes runs Servimont, the guide service we use to get to Piedra Grande by 4X4 trucks. The compound to which he runs his operation was once a soap factory. One of the drums used in the process to make the soap came from Philadelphia. But enough with the history lesson and back to the climbing. Once we arrived in Tlachichuca we were down to business, doing yet another gear shuffle. We packed our bags, ate a delicious lunch, and boarded the 4X4 trucks. A two-hour drive up a very bumpy and steep road brought us to Piedra Grande which sits at roughly 14,000'. We were in and out of the clouds while we pitched our tents and got settled in. Before eating dinner we had a refresher course of our skills for the climb. With fully tummies of probably the best rotisserie chicken we had ever had, we are off to get some shut eye before an early alpine start. Hopefully the next time you here from us we will be cal ling in from the summit.
Till then, good night to all,
RMI Guides Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith, and team
Looks awesome! Good luck, stay strong!
Posted by: Paul Lawrence on 11/14/2016 at 7:11 am
Good luck to all! I know you have it in ya dad!
Posted by: Kate denver on 11/12/2016 at 7:27 pm
Posted by: Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Mole Mole Mole!
Hey all! Our rest day in Puebla was a day of choosing your own adventure. For some it started with a nostalgic breakfast at McDonalds. The team spent their day exploring all that Puebla had to offer from the beautiful and impressive cathedrals to strolling the Mercado el Parian to buying some souvenirs to drooling over climbing gear at Origenes Puebla. Bellies were filled plump full with authentic cuisines, most notably the delicious mole poblano. The team even gave fried crickets a try, to which the consensus was it tasted like popcorn. It has been a fun filled day, but now we are ready and psyched to hop aboard the bus and head to Tlachichuca where we will pack up for Piedre Grande on Orizaba.
Buenos noche,
RMI Guides Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith, and team
Posted by: Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Hola mis amigos!
El equipo esta todo marcado...oh sorry wrong language. Hey all! The team is all checked in to the Hotel Colonial Puebla. Today started with an early wake up at 2:30am in hopes to go to the summit of Ixta, but was thwarted by relentless clouds, snow, and wind. After numerous checks out the vestibule for a break in the weather, we settled in for a casual morning of hot drinks and breakfast, followed by a break down of camp. Our hike out was among the clouds but still very beautiful and enjoyable. With a reshuffle of gear and farewells to our local guide Carlos, our two porters Daniel and Jose, and our favorite driver Rogelio, we loaded the bus. One bathroom break, a movie, and many bumps later, we arrived in Puebla. Tonight we will meet for another delicious dinner and tomorrow we will spend our day exploring Puebla and relaxing.
Hasta luego,
RMI Guides Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith, and Team
Sorry about that! Good luck dad!
Posted by: Kate on 11/11/2016 at 7:27 am
Sorry about that! Good luck dad!
Posted by: Kate on 11/11/2016 at 7:27 am
Hey-
We are checking in from High Camp on Ixtaccihuatl. We had pretty good conditions coming up and getting our big loads up to camp. We have been here about four hours acclimatizing at 12,000'. As we pulled in, the weather came in we had a little bit of a lightning event that went over. It wasn't a big deal as we already had camp set up. Then the sun broke through for a little while and we were able to get in a little training to get us ready for tonight.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
Nap time at 13,000+. Team is doing great! Said goodbye to La Malinche this morning and hello to the mountain Ixtaccihuatl (The Sleeping Woman ). A four-hour drive has brought us to a nice hut. Our local staff made us a fantastic dinner so we are well taken care of and fired up for an early morning ascent to our high camp. Loads are reasonable but not light. Weather has been a bit unsettled but not bad. Lots of gear shuffling and we are looking prepared. All is well.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
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Love to follow your climb thru your dispatches!
Wishing you great climbing weather .
Posted by: Jayne Edgington on 11/24/2016 at 5:23 am
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