Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
The team assembled in Moscow yesterday evening for the start to our Elbrus Northside adventure. We kept things brief, as many of us were working off the affects of many hours of transatlantic flights, and headed out for a nice dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Moscow River. This morning it was time to kick it into tourist gear and explore some of the historical architecture in and around the Kremlin. We met our tour guide Victoria in a bustling Red Square and joined the queue to file through Lenin’s Tomb to see his body. We emerged from the darkness to cross Red Square and enter St. Basil's Cathedral. The building is actually made up of 11 individual churches, all connected, that were built and dedicated to a variety of saints; some local heroes of Moscow, and some of the Eastern Orthodox religion. After a quick swing through the GUM department store, we swung around the walls of the Kremlin to the entrance and filtered through the main gate. Inside, buildings from a variety of time periods, some dating back to the Czars and emperors, some built during communism, house a variety of museums, assembly and concert venues, and current Russian government offices. Of interest to us were the five cathedrals towards the back of the Kremlin. Cathedrals that were used for the coronation of emperors, to hold the remains of royalty, to be the head of the Eastern Orthodox religion, and to be the location for royal baptisms, weddings, and other major events.
Our whirlwind tour of cathedrals concluded, and we wandered into the old city for lunch, before making our way back across the Moscow River to our hotel for a little free time. We got together this evening for another delicious meal atop yet another Moscow building, this one themed around mushrooms and all of their unique flavors. We’ve only just gotten off the planes it feels like, but early tomorrow, we’ll be back on the road to the airport, headed for Kislovodsk, our departure point for the mountain and our objective. It will feel good to be closer to the hills, and to the rhythms of climbing that we're accustomed. We'll check in tomorrow from Kislovodsk.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
RMI Guide Eric Frank and the Mt. Rainier Summit Climb team reached the summit just after 7:00 a.m. The weather is nice with blue skies and winds between 15 - 20 mph. The team is currently on top enjoying the views before they begin their descent back down the mountain.
Hurray team! And now for the decent..stay sharp & alert.. it’s not over til it’s over.. can’t wait to hear about the expedition!
Posted by: Donna Greenwall on 8/5/2019 at 11:02 am
Awaiting to board our planes that will eventually bring us home and to the loved ones we've been away from for two weeks we're all excited yet sad to see our big adventure come to an end. That our team is breaking apart is even sadder. We've come to know and appreciate one another to no small degree. Sharing life as closely as we have, and with such warm, generous souls, is a special experience. Plans to climb together again are thrown up and we'll see if they stick. I know right now we'd all like to get back together.
As I reflect back on this trip I'm reminded why I've chosen this career and am thankful for the opportunities that have come my way. This trip has been extra special because of the people on it. They are the reason I continue pursuing my craft and livelihood. Thanks team, and thanks to everyone following us on the blog.
Until next time!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
PS As for our last safari, our morning revealed only a few hundred animals, not the thousands we saw yesterday. But, it was a short day to allow some shopping and relaxing before our flights. A nice way to end
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Mike King and Alex Halliday reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported clear, calm and beautiful Skies. The team just departed from the crater rim and are en route back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations team!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,060'
The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams, led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Jenny Konway, were unable to summit this morning. They stayed at Camp Muir due to high winds and rain. The teams will begin their descent to Paradise later this morning.
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
We just got back down to town after a great climb up the Easton Glacier on Mt.Baker with Wilderness Adventures! The weather could not have been better, with calm conditions and warm temperatures abounding all the way to the summit and back down to camp. The group all climbed strong, pushing their physical limits while trying out mountaineering for the first time, all amidst stunning views of the North Cascade mountains.
Afterwards we ended up back at beautiful Sandy Camp for a relaxing afternoon of eating, drinking glacier water and napping. All in all a great trip.
RMI Guide JT Schmitt
The American Lung Association Climb for Clean Air team led by RMI Guide Hannah Smith reached the summit of Mt. Baker today. The team had beautiful sunshine skies and light winds. They are back at camp where they will rest and enjoy their success. The team plans to walk out tomorrow.
Congratulations to Today's Team!
Congratulations team. Job well done!
Posted by: Tideworks Mountaineers on 8/4/2019 at 11:03 pm
Yay! Way to go team!
Posted by: Darla on 8/2/2019 at 7:31 am
RMI Guide JM Gorum and the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning via the Emmons Glacier route. The team will return to Camp Schurman for a final night on the mountain. They will return to Ashford tomorrow.
Congratulations climbers!
Great Job you two!!! Super Excited to hear all about it. Take Care!
Posted by: Susan Stassen on 8/1/2019 at 3:04 pm
Congratulations to all the climbers. Annu I am very happy for you. Can’t wait to hear the whole experience!
Posted by: Viji Thuppul on 8/1/2019 at 11:48 am
Posted by: Christina Dale, Jess Matthews
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Christina Dale and Jess Matthews and led the Four Day Climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Jess reported steady 25 - 30 mph winds from the summit. The teams are making their descent to Camp Muir where they will rest, refuel, and repack before continuing their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp in Ashford this afternoon.
Nice work teams!
Congratulations to all!! We are looking forward to seeing you at Paradise!
Posted by: Delene gillespie on 8/1/2019 at 8:39 am
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
It just never let up today. Huge herds of zebras, wildebeest, gazelle and other critters surrounded us throughout the day. Ostriches, hyenas, jackals, hippos, birds and other animals also showed up. However, the lions are what really took the cake. Fifteen individual lions graced our day, some just a few feet away from our rigs.
It was just crazy how many we saw. We saw some big males following a female in heat. The biggest male actually walked around and in front of our Landcruiser in slow pursuit of the girl of his dreams. We observed an older female, said to be the best hunter in the pack, sizing up her opportunities for a kill as the herd of hundreds nervously milled around her in the 'safe zone' just out of reach. We also witnessed three females as they cautiously sized up their opportunity for a kill while following a small group of unaware zebras.
And on the road towards the park entrance, when we thought the day done, two exciting events took place.
First, we encountered a pride of four cats walking down the road. Although we made them a little nervous, they didn't bolt until our excitement got the best of us and they slipped away into the thick brush off the side of the road. The last lion actually hung in the brush just 6-7' away watching us watch her.
And to top off the day was a call to action when our group came upon a safari vehicle that had rolled off the side of the road and down a steep, 45-55 degree embankment. Caught with just my flip flops on I quickly donned my shoes, but not before our drivers and four of the team hopped out to the rescue. Normally I'd keep well intended but untrained folks away from a scene like this until we came up with a plan, but three of the four were medical professionals and one just darned strong.
By the time I scrambled down the brushy, vine covered slope the 'walking wounded' were climbing up to safety and the first people on scene had extricated a young boy trapped under the vehicle and were starting the process of hauling him up this very steep slope.
Following that difficult extrication a quick assessment found no life threatening injuries and we transported him in another tour vehicle to a hospital 20 kilometers away.
Huge kudos go out to Shavran, Liz, Craig and Joe for their selfless and heroic actions. A doctor, nurse, ski patroller and hard man, respectively. This kid was in good hands. Even our driver was instrumental in lifting the vehicle enough to pull the young boy from beneath the wreckage. Shavran and Liz didn't think twice about jumping into the Landcruiser with our patient to maintain C- spine precautions and monitor his airway during transport.
I later found out that both Shavran and Liz did this in their sandals and flip flops. Wow!
Good news, we think the kid is going to be OK, thanks to the efforts of some incredible individuals. (By the way, in general, let the medical and rescue professionals handle this kind of situation. If you want to be prepared to help in an emergency, get training).
Now, on to our last full day of our safari. Tarangire National Park. What are we going to encounter next ...
RMI Guide Brent Okita
My heart goes out to the families and people who were involved. I’m so glad to hear everybody’s going to be OK. Life and love is precious Hold it dearly to our hearts. Mary and everybody have a great safari on your last day.
Posted by: David Workman on 8/1/2019 at 3:58 am
I hope you all have a safe and fun climb! What an adventure! I looking forward to following you on this amazing journey
Posted by: Kelly Nyquist on 8/7/2019 at 3:17 pm
Looks amazing have a safe climb!! We’re following along
Posted by: Sean on 8/6/2019 at 7:49 pm
View All Comments