Entries from Expedition Dispatches

RMI Guide Leif Bergstrom and team reached the summit of Mt. Shuksan today via the Fisher Chimneys route. Leif reported that they were enjoying a really nice day. They will return to camp for a final night on the mountain and descend to the traillhead tomorrow.

Nice work team!

PC: Leif Bergstrom

After several days of training including a Mountaineering Day School and Technical training day, the RMI Emmons Seminar July 25 - 30 team began their ascent of Mt. Rainier.  Transferring to the White River Entrance the team set off from the trailhead with heavy packs to establish their first night's camp.  With nice temperatures and blue skies they continued their training, establishing camp, practicing crevasse rescue, setting anchors and belays.  The team ascended to Camp Schurman where they established their second camp.  This morning, with an alpine start, the team made a successful ascent to the summit of Mt. Rainier. The nice weather continues for them as they descend back to Camp Schurman. They will spend another night at camp before continuing down to the trailhead tomorrow. We look forward to hearing more about their adventure tomorrow afternoon when they return to Rainier BaseCamp.

Nice work team!

PC: Arianna Drechsler

The Five Day Climb July 26 - 30 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today!  Led by RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli and Ben Luedtke, the team reached the crater under blue skies and excellent conditions.  They enjoyed some time in the crater before starting their descent.  The teams will return to Camp Muir for a well-deserved night's rest before contining the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise tomorrow.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

PC: Ben Luedtke

The ENTIRE Mt. Baker Easton Glacier Climb led by RMI Guides Seth Burns, Miles Watson, and Brendan Oates reached the summit of Mt. Baker earlier today! The team has descended to Sandy Camp for the night.  In the morning the team will pack up camp and descend back to the trailhead.

Congratulations climbers!

PC: Seth Burns

RMI Guides Nick Sinapius and Avery Stolte led their team of three climbers to the summit of Mt. Shuksan via the Fisher Chimneys route on July 27th.  From camp, they ascended Winnie's Slide and the Upper Curtis Glacier eventually gaining the south side of the mountain. From the Sulphide Glacier they continued up to the route's final crux, Mt. Shuksan's summit pyramid. The 600 feet of climbing on the summit pyramid constitutes some of the best climbing on the route. Moving up steep snow and making some belay moves on the 4th and 5th class rock. After enjoying time on the summit, they started their descent, which involves rappels and belayed down-climbing to gain the glacier. The team returned to their high camp for overnight. Today they will descend the remaining four miles to the trailhead and conclude their program.

Congratulations team!

PC: Avery Stolte

The Five Day Climb July 24 - 28 led by RMI Guides Jack Delaney and George Hedreen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today.  Jack reported a very cold and windy climb.  The clear skies and sunshine were appreciated by the group and they enjoyed some time inside the summit crater before starting their descent. The teams will return to Camp Muir for their second night on the mountain and enjoy a well deserved rest and full night's sleep after their alpine start this morning.  The team will conclude their program tomorrow, descending the remaining 4,500' to Paradise and ending with a short celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

Early this morning, under the guidance of RMI Expeditions’ guides Brent Okita and Bailey Servais, a determined team of climbers reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. Their journey began in the dark hours of the morning, ascending through a dense marine layer that blanketed the lower elevations. As they climbed higher, the clouds gave way to clear skies and sweeping views.

Despite some wind at the summit, the team enjoyed, taking in the panoramic vistas from Washington’s highest peak.

The climbers are now making their descent back to Camp Muir, where they’ll regroup and rest before continuing down to Paradise. From there, they’ll return to Ashford, WA, where celebrations await.

Congratulations to all the climbers and guides on this unforgettable achievement!

PC: Layne Peters

At 5:45 am this morning, the Four Day Climb led by Dave Hahn and team successfully reached the summit of Mount Rainier. The climbers were greeted by clear skies and a stunning sunrise, making for a truly memorable moment at 14,410 feet.

The team reported encountering some wind while ascending the Disappointment Cleaver, but conditions improved as they neared the summit. By the time they reached the top, the winds had calmed, allowing for a peaceful and awe-inspiring views.

Currently, the team is on their descent, working their way back to Camp Muir. Congratulations to Dave Hahn and the entire team on a safe and successful summit!

At 5:45 am this morning, under a canvas of clear skies and the first light of dawn, our Four Day Climb team—led by Ray Holt and an incredible group of climbers—stood on the summit of Mount Rainier.  

The team encountered some wind while navigating the Disappointment Cleaver, but by the time they reached the summit, the winds had eased, offering a calm and peaceful moment at 14,410 feet.

Now on their descent, the team is making steady progress back to Camp Muir.  

Congratulations to all the climbers and guides on this unforgettable achievement!

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Move to high camp

Today, we moved camp from White Pass up to a beautiful spot amongst alpine lakes in Foam Basin right next to the White Chuck glacier. Getting up early, we said good morning to our fellow marmot friends, took in our first official view of Glacier peak, and set up high camp while enjoying lunch. After a short nap, we refreshed our glacier climbing skills, ate some tasty freeze dried meals, and called it an early night. Tomorrow is summit day. We will wake shortly after the sun disappears, but we are filled with excitement and we look forward to all the challenges tomorrow has to bring. Wish us luck!

RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Team

Thursday, July 24, 2025

The Glacier Peak Team led by RMI Guide Ben Luedtke reached the summit this morning a little after 8:00 am! With what little reception they had, the guides were able to call the RMI office from the summit and share the fantastic news that the entire team had made it to the top. They are now back at camp celebrating their accomplishment, they will spend one more night on the mountain getting some well-deserved rest before they descend back to the trailhead for the conclusion of their trip tomorrow morning.

Friday July 25, 2025

Summit day and walk out

Mountaineering is more than just a sport, a hobby, a vacation, or a summit. Mountaineering is about friendship, comraderie, beautiful views, unforgettable adventures, new experiences, and so much more. Yesterday, and for the entirety of this trip, we accomplished all of that which mountaineering offers. We encouraged each other with heavy packs, pushed one another with words of affirmation, and bonded over the stories of who we are. (And dad jokes). In the end, we summited Glacier Peak, together, as a team on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Some of us walk away with the success of another mountain complete, some of us with the completion of all 5 volcanoes, and some of us completing just 1 of many more objectives yet to come, but we all walk away with the memory of the people we shared it with, the laughs we had, the pains we felt, and the smile of what it truly means to be a mountaineer. Today, we walked out from high camp. Enjoying many a wild berry along the way, we are now basking in the sun that we are glad wasn't there on the twenty some odd switchbacks coming down. Cheers to all for tuning in. 

RMI Guides and Team