Entries from Expedition Dispatches
The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb, led by JJ Justman, successfully reached the summit this morning. With bluebird skies, the team was able to see spectacular views all around. They began their descent from the summit at 7:10 a.m.
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Our team wasn't feeling 100% when we woke at 3:30 this morning, but our team couldn't be held down. At 10 am our entire team was sitting on the summit of Nevado Urus. Zero wind, full sun, incredible views all around.
This team has shown great strength and has supported one another through the entire journey. It was a tough day, but we pushed ourselves and ended up with a spectacular experience and one of the most beautiful summits we've seen.
Tomorrow we will be packing early and heading back to Huaraz.
RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Chase Nelson and team
Congratulations on making it to the summit of Nevado Uris. It’s encouraging to hear that, although the team wasn’t feeling 100% early in the morning, you showed great support for one another and were rewarded with an amazing experience! We feel proud and have great confidence in all of you.
Bonnie & Rick
Posted by: Bonnie & Rick on 8/15/2016 at 6:46 am
Thinking of you every day..have a great climb team be safe.
Posted by: Mary Lou keran on 8/15/2016 at 4:53 am
Posted by: Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
We had an early rise after our celebratory dinner (and some dancing) in Cheget for our transfer back to Mineralnye Vody. It was a little painful but not too bad as we had a nice, spacious Sprinter van to stretch out in. We caught a flight to Moscow and another to St. Pete's and then checked into our lovely hotel. Travel days always seem to tire you out even though you're mostly sitting around all day. Anyway, more sightseeing in the morning before the journey home!
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
This was the perfect day for climbing to the top of Africa. There wasn't a puff of wind -from the time we woke (11:30PM) to the time we left high camp (12:45AM) to the time we summited (7:55AM) or came back to high camp (11:15AM). There wasn't any high cloud and the low clouds just minded their own business all day. We did have a little cumulus roll in once we were back at 15,000 ft Barafu Camp, but by then we didn't so much care about the weather. The team made steady progress up -it seemed we had a lucky crowd free zone for the most part. As is normal, there were hundreds of other folks on the route, but through good luck, we didn't have much "traffic" around us. Sunrise was spectacular from close to 19,000 ft, but some on the team believed that last night's sunset at Barafu was even more spectacular. Our local guides, camp staff and porters helped us in every way possible today -which certainly made our success possible -and fun. After our return to Barafu, we enjoyed lunch, packed up and hit the trail for Mweka Camp. It took us just under four hours to drop a vertical mile. We got stronger as we descended -but we also got tired and were quite pleased to arrive at our camp in the trees. One last night on the hill... and we each expect to sleep right through it -which hasn't happened much lately with jet lag, altitude and that alpine start.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Congratulations to everybody! I know Mom and Cynthia are also excited for
Beth making the Summit - she chose her guide well! I’m proud of you Beth!
Posted by: Gregg Landolt on 8/14/2016 at 7:24 pm
Hope your last night is peaceful and the hike down is easy! Sounds like an amazing time! Love you-Jason and Jasna! Mom
Posted by: Pam Bethea on 8/14/2016 at 6:18 pm
Update: August 14, 2016 - 2:24 am PT
Dave Hahn here on Kilimanjaro. I just wanted to update you. We got down from the summit just fine actually at about 11:45 am local time. It's now almost 12:30 in the afternoon we've had lunch at our high camp here at Barafu and we're packing up to go down to Mweka Camp, down in the forest. So we still got an afternoon of work, but everybody is good and all is well. Bye.
August 13, 2016 - 10:16 pm PT
Hey, this is Dave Hahn with the RMI Mt Kilimanjaro climb. We are on the summit! We are on Uhuru Point. We are 19,340 feet above sea level. We are higher than anything else in Africa, and it's a spectacular day. We got up here the whole team doing just fine at about 7:55 local time in the morning. And just a beautiful day, very calm sunny, no clouds above us and clouds way down at the bottom covering all of Africa. We feel like we're the king of the world today. We're really lucking out and I'll let you know when we're down at camp safe. And will keep you updated on our progress. Bye now.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls from the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
On The Map
So excited to hear you had beautiful weather and everyone is doing fine. We can’t wait to see the pictures which probably won’t be half as spectacular as the real thing. Safe travels during your final descend and thank you for the updates and giving our kids such a wonderful adventure.
Posted by: Janet and Ted Armentrout on 8/14/2016 at 12:59 pm
Dave Hahn , thank you so much for your updates . Congratulations Jason and Jasna . Your dreams are done ! Good trip and happy return to Dik Dik. Mom
Posted by: Mama Radad on 8/14/2016 at 12:35 pm
Posted by: Jake Beren, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Jake Beren and Christina Dale led their teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Both teams reported clear skies and warm temperatures with great climbing conditions. The teams began their descent from the crater rim around 7:45 am PT. They will return to Camp Muir and then continue down to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climbers!
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Elevation: 14,400'
Today the name of the game is rest and relaxation . We're soaking up the sun, enjoying fresh ceviche and accomplishing some technical training.
Panoramic views of Tocllaraju and our next climbing objective, Urus Este, are great encouragement for advancing our rope skills. We worked on crevasse rescue and fixed line travel in the morning, before allowing our brains and bodies a full rest for the remainder of the day.
Tomorrow we'll be up before the sun once again for our final peak in the Ishinca valley. We'll check in again when we return from the climb.
RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Chase Nelson and team
Posted by: Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
Howdy!
We are down from the heights after a truly amazing day up on Mt. Elbrus. Our summit day started off with a bit of breeze and some chilly temps but after a couple hours of walking turned into one of the most calm and beautiful days in the mountains that I've had. Our team was strong and we made short work of the climb, celebrated on top with some hugs, high-5's, and photos, and had a smooth descent. A few of us even made a side excursion to the summit of the east peak and enjoyed even more sweeping views of the Caucasus range. All in all it was an epic day.
Today we spent relaxing and recovering, shopping for souvenirs, etc. And we ultimately had a great team dinner complete with kebobs and (of course) libations. Good times with great people! Tomorrow we're off to St. Petersburg for a day of culture before returning home to the states.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, JM Gorum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Elevation: 18,510'
What a spectacular day of climbing here in Russia! We got up just as that big orange ball of fire was cresting the horizon, but distant, low clouds to the East turned it blood red, as it set the Caucasus on fire. The excitement of a summit morning was palpable as everyone moved about with a little extra pep putting the final preparations on their packing jobs, and them we were underway.
The skies were crystal clear for nearly all of our ascent, and a 10mph downhill breeze kept things pretty chilly, as well as filled in any trace of a trail, though there was a group of 12 just 30min ahead of us. Three stretches of climbing brought us to the saddle between the East and West summits. There, we joined the Southside route for the final push to the West Summit. Five and a half hours after leaving camp, we were standing on the top of Europe, snapping photos, sharing congratulations, and enjoying the achievement. The wind was still chilly, and cranking steadily, so after 20 min or so, we were ready to beat feet back down. Our timing couldn't have been better; as we left clouds started to flow over the summit, and descended as we did. We got back to our high camp, packed things up, and kept rolling down to our camp 1 at 12,300, where we are now, enjoying kebab and mulled wine from our outfitter Yuri.
Tomorrow we'll wake early to descend to base camp and meet our vans to return to Kislovodsk and civilization. From there, our Russian adventure will continue in St. Petersburg! For now, we'll relish in our success and look forward to showers and beds tomorrow.
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, JM Gorum, and team
On The Map
Greetings from "Ice" Camp... Barafu in Swahili. We reached the 15,000 ft high camp on Kilimanjaro a little after 11 this morning. It took us less than three hours to come the two miles and 2000 vertical feet up from Karanga. It was a quiet and calm night for us in Karanga and the morning was windless and sunny. For the first time during our climb, there wasn't a shred of cloud on Kibo and no sign that the air was moving around up there either. The ocean of bright white cloud below us stretched from horizon to horizon with only 16,000 ft Mt. Meru standing out like an island to the west. By the time we'd come into Barafu, puffy cumulus was blocking out the sun and disguising Kilimanjaro's upper slopes once again. We settled in, had lunch and then met with Freddy, Tadey, Filbert and Eric... our all star local guide staff. We talked over the plan for an Alpine start... Up at 11:30 tonight, breakfast at midnight and set out for the top at zero-dark-thirty. The guides gave helpful advice and encouragement and then we retired to the tents for an afternoon rest. We'll do an early dinner and turn in for some final rest. Big day tomorrow and everything is looking perfect for climbing.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Congrats to the Rainier team on their accomplishment. Look forward to seeing photos….
Posted by: Rick Minton on 8/16/2016 at 6:26 am
Very cool. Looking forward to hearing about the adventure and seeing the pics.
Posted by: Mark SV on 8/15/2016 at 3:34 pm
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