Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Daniel May, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
We woke up to a surprising blue bird day. The frosty tents and cold night told us the skies were clear. Taking advantage of the good weather we hiked along the relatively flat Ruth Glacier heading deeper into the gorge eyeing new terrain along the way. We caught a glimpse of the east face of Mount Dickey, basically two El Capitans stacked on top of each other and riddled with snow and ice. After a whole day of exploring we made it back to camp just in time for a dinner of some tasty burgers. The team has decided that to counter the incoming bad weather we keep hearing about, they will work on digging underground tunnels from their tents to our cook tent using only sporks. Results to come in future posts.
RMI Guide Dan May & the Ruth Glacier Team
New Post Alerts:
Ruth Glacier Seminar May 2, 2025
Posted by: Daniel May, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Monday, May 5, 2025 - 10:50 pm PT
Another day of unsettled weather and our fair share of snow. We hunkered down at our camp with the intent to fortify in lue of the impending snow storms. We boned up on our technical skills under the presence of the awe inspiring granite sentinels around us. Good lessons are being learned. It’s easy to make plans prior to entering a place such as the Alaska range but quickly we learned our plans are nothing compared to the mountains indifference. Our fingers are crossed for the high pressure lurking in the forecast. Until then we will continue to explore around us while learning the finer points of alpine climbing and mountaineering. In our downtime we etched a friendly ephemeral snowman to greet any passerby’s of our basecamp. Talk soon
RMI Guide Day May & the Ruth Glacier Seminar
New Post Alerts:
Ruth Glacier Seminar May 2, 2025
Posted by: Daniel May, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Sunday, May 4, 2025 - 10:44 pm PT
Hello from the Ruth Gorge! We landed in the amphitheater today to some fickle weather and unsettled clouds, but K2 was able to sneak us on. After trudging through some knee deep snow for 3-4 hours, we got to work building camp below the granite spires of the gorge.
Seems like more weather is on the horizon so we will cross our fingers and take what we can get!
RMI Guide Dan May and the Ruth Glacier seminar
New Post Alerts:
Ruth Glacier Seminar May 2, 2025
Posted by: Casey Grom, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb May 1 - 5 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Calvin Jiricko. Casey reported strong winds but otherwise clear and sunny.
This is the first RMI team of the season to reach the summit. What a great start!
Congratulations to the today's climbers!
Posted by: Daniel May, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar
Elevation: May 2, 2025
Saturday, May 3, 2025 - 10:33 pm PT
First couple days were spent meeting up in Anchorage and shuttling our way to Talkeetna via the scenic drive toward the Alaska range. After arriving we quickly got to packing, sorting gear and setting ourselves up for when the weather would allow us to get into the range. Sadly today wasn't our day in that regard but time was still well spent. Rest, rope and camp skills were the name of the game to further put as at advantage once on the great Ruth Glacier.
We are hopeful that tomorrow's weather will grant us passage into the amphitheater to begin our days amongst the peaks.
The RMI Guides Dan May & Joey Manship and the Ruth Gorge Team
New Post Alerts:
Ruth Glacier Seminar May 2, 2025
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,500'
Our first Expedition Skills Seminar – Muir of the season wrapped up a productive and rewarding week on Mt. Rainier. Led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Dominic Cifelli, the team came together on Saturday for a comprehensive gear check and began their foundational skills training at Rainier Base Camp.
With full packs and high spirits, they made the ascent to Camp Muir the following day. Throughout the week, the group focused on essential mountaineering techniques, including glacier travel, ice axe arrest, and cramponing. They also practiced crevasse rescue skills, learned how to set up tents in alpine conditions, and took a windy acclimatization hike to Ingraham Flats.
Today, the team set out for their summit attempt and reached an elevation of 12,500 feet before making the decision to turn back due to potential avalanche hazards. They returned safely to Camp Muir and will continue their final 4,500-foot descent to Paradise.
It’s been a great start to the seminar season, with valuable experience gained and strong teamwork throughout.
Posted by: Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
We made it back to Kathmandu!
After descending to Lukla yesterday, we had a final team dinner with our Sherpa guide team and all the porters that helped make our trip possible.
We ended the night with a boom box and dancing — each song switching between USA pop songs and Nepali music. There was so much laughter and it was such a lovely evening celebrating a wonderful trip.
This morning we woke up early and made it on helicopters back to a hazy Kathmandu. People spent the afternoon resting and shopping on the bustling streets of Thamel.
One final team dinner tonight where we reminisced on an amazing experience - full of challenges, growth and pushing ourselves. One thing we all agree on is the smiles and open hearts of the Nepali people is something we’ll keep with us for a long time.
Until next time,
Jess and the Lobuche team
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 15, 2025
Nice work team!
Posted by: Melissa on 4/14/2025 at 11:12 am
Posted by: Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 11,300'
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 5:59 pm PT
We woke up in Pangboche and headed back on the trail. Descending hills, crossing bridges, ascending hills and descending more until we made it to Namche Bazaar.
We passed our final yak trains (only mules and zopke below Namche) and many teams looking fresh as they headed in the valley.
We got an early start so we had the afternoon in Namche to shop for final gifts - yak bells, yak wool scarves, customized hoodies and more.
Tomorrow we have one final big day of trekking until we reach Lukla.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the team
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 15, 2025
Posted by: Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 13,074'
We had a leisurely morning in Pheriche - taking our time to pack and sit in the sunroom playing games. Much needed after our big Lobuche push.
We said goodbye to Dawa, our head Sherpa guide, as he heads back to Everest Base Camp to climb this season and took off out of Pheriche.
Right before we left town, we were sent off by two more of the floofiest baby yaks. Always a day maker.
We took in the views and walked just under three hours to our teahouse in Pangboche. A lovely short day so we had the afternoon to rest before two big days of walking ahead.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 16, 2024
Posted by: Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 20,075'
We made it to the summit of Lobuche!
With an alpine start, we headed up the mountain. The first half of the climb we ascended slabby rock, up and up we went. Climbing below a moonless sky with stars forever. Although the forecast had called for high winds, it was still and quiet.
Soon we crossed the ridge to what is normally crampon point near 18,400 feet but it’s been a very dry winter in the Himalayas so we continued on a rocky ridge to nearly 18,800ft where we finally dawned our crampons and got on the steep snow and ice. First light of day was just beginning to show the outline of the mountains around us and it was beautiful. The colors of the sky changed and soon the sun came up! After a lot more steep climbing up the face of Lobuche we reached the summit.
We’ve now descended to Pheriche where we reunited with our other two team members and plan to all walk out together over the next few days.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Lobuche team
Good luck team! Have a great flight to the glacier today and enjoy setting up your first camp amongst the peaks!
Posted by: Jeremy Rutter on 5/4/2025 at 10:04 am
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