Entries from Locations

Our Kautz Expedition Skills Seminar team arrived back to RMI Basecamp in Ashford, Washington, yesterday evening. We enjoyed excellent weather during the six day program, and we took advantage of it to spend lots of time climbing and training in the mountains. We trained on a variety of skills, including various knots and hitches, anchors, crevasse rescue, and ice climbing. On our climb, we moved camps up the mountain and went for our summit push. The Kautz Route was in a very challenging condition, and our climbers did a great job of managing the terrain. The Kautz Ice Chute was at least eight pitches (150’ rope lengths) long, with some additional steep climbing above it. The ice presented challenging climbing at high altitude, and pushed our limits. Due to the challenging nature of the ascent and a technical descent ahead of us, we opted to turn our climb around at ~13,000’, at the top of the Wapowety Cleaver. It had taken us ten hours to get to this point and only a couple of hours of glacier travel stood between us and the summit of Mount Rainier. But, we knew we had our work cut out for us to safely descend the Ice Chute and return back to camp. Everything went smoothly and it still took us ten hours to descend. A huge 20-hour day in the mountains is very challenging, and I’m proud of our climbers for staying strong throughout the entire journey. I hope everyone has enjoyed a shower, cold beer, and flip flops… RMI Guide Mike Walter

North Cascades: Seminar Team Summits Sahale Peak

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 8,680'

RMI Guide Geoff Schellens just called from the summit of Sahale Peak! The team had a great climb and ended up above the clouds with great views of the surrounding North Cascades peaks peeking out. The seminar team has had a fun week of training and climbing, reaching the top of Aiguille and Sahale Peak. Tomorrow they will finish their training and descend back to the trail head before parting ways.

Mt. Rainier: August 21st Summit!

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Casey Grom, Lindsay Mann

http://thedaytonupdate.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-happened-last-week-on-mt-rainier.html?m=1

Elevation: 14,410'

The Mount Rainier Summit Climbs led by Casey Grom and Lindsay Mann are on the summit! They reported clear skies above, cloud deck at 7,000’, and light winds. Since they just crested the crater rim at 7:00 a.m., they are enjoying the views and crossing over to the true summit, Columbia Crest, before beginning their descent.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

What an adventure! My post with pictures from the trip.

Posted by: Adrian Dayton on 8/27/2014 at 8:14 pm

Congrats Chris and Stefan!! I knew you would make it!!! So great to meet you on Tuesday evening before you were about to embark on your amazing journey :) Enjoy the after glow of your incredible accomplishment.
Renee :)

Posted by: Renee on 8/23/2014 at 4:22 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Enjoying the Views of Lava Tower

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 15,000'

Well, it's a cloudy day on the trail but the group is hanging tough. We're having lunch at the Lava Tower (15'000'). That means we are setting new altitude records for just about every one. Tonight we will camp at Barranco where some of the giant plants that are unique to Kilimanjaro are concentrated. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

We MISS you Dadda!! So proud!! Keep on trekking!!

Posted by: Kylie, Jake & Cait on 8/21/2014 at 7:39 pm

George, hope you’re have a howling good time!!

Posted by: Ranger Osborne on 8/21/2014 at 1:28 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Check In from the Shira Plateau

August 20, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 12,200'

Hi this is Seth. We are up on the Shira Plateau headed to camp. Its been an excellent day on the trail. The weather has been fantastic and we are looking forward to a hot lunch in camp. Tomorrow we will head to the Barranco Valley. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Roger I am so happy that you made it. Now you can say I told you so.Rest an Enjoy the safari. Cam

Posted by: Cam on 8/25/2014 at 6:04 am

Roger Hope you are taking lots of pictures. So proud of your progress. Looks so challenging. Good luck. Cam

Posted by: Cam on 8/21/2014 at 7:41 am

Mount Rainier: Summit Climb Teams Reach the Top!

August 20, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Elias de Andres Martos

Elevation: 14,410'

The RMI Four- and Five-Day Mount Rainier summit climbs reached the summit this morning by 7:30 a.m. The weather was surprisingly cold, moderate winds and a cloud deck at 8,000'. At 8:35 a.m. the teams began their descent from the crater rim and will make their way to Camp Muir, Paradise and then their celebration awaits at Rainier Basecamp. RMI Guides JJ Justman and Elias de Andres Martos

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Yay Sue M! Congratulations, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow night :-)

Posted by: Sarah B on 8/20/2014 at 6:01 pm

Go Grandpa Rathburn! Amanda, Emily and Sue are watching your progress. We’re all very proud of you. I hope I can make that climb when I’m 75.

Posted by: Roger Rathburn Jr. on 8/20/2014 at 5:07 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team at Machame Camp

August 19, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 9,800'

All is well at Machame Camp! The team was really fired up this morning. I was three minutes early to breakfast and I was the last to arrive. It's great to be on a trip with such an organized team. The drive to the gate was smooth and after checking in at the gate we started our trek. The trail was a little slick and muddy but we didn't get any rain along the way. Once we arrived in camp the crew had everything set up and ready to go. Everyone is now settling in for the night and getting ready for the hike up to Shira tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

So excited to hear about your journey! We are proud of you Papa Roger.
You ROCK! Blessings to your entire team. xoxo

Much Love,
Dan, Robyn, Morgan, Paige and Ericka

Posted by: Robyn on 8/21/2014 at 5:02 am

You’re a B.A. Grandpa Roger. Keep it up.

Love Luke (I’m stay with dad tonight)

Posted by: Luke on 8/20/2014 at 2:46 am

Mt. Rainier: August 19th Update

August 19, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Jake Beren and the Mount Rainier summit climb began their descent from the crater rim at 7:55 a.m. They spent over an hour on the summit in beautiful and crisp weather. Congratulations to today's summit climbers!

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Wow, way to go. I’m sure this won’t soon be forgotten. What an opportunity, way to make it happen!

Posted by: Wick on 8/20/2014 at 10:35 pm

Congratulations Larry, Todd, Scott and all on your accomplishment! It must have been truly amazing up there.

Posted by: Angela Kantola on 8/20/2014 at 8:12 am

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Arrive in Africa

August 18, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Greetings from Tanzania! Our group is getting excited for the start of our trek. All of us arrived yesterday evening and spent today sorting through gear and recovering from the long flights. We also spent some time chatting with the folks from Mark Tucker's Kilimanjaro Climb and they all reported a great experience on the mountain. Tomorrow we'll get an early start and make our way to Kilimanjaro National Park. It should be good times! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall & Team.

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Prayers for a safe and fantastic trip for the team!

Posted by: dotti cummins on 8/19/2014 at 7:38 am

So excited to hear about the first day of the climb!! Good luck to everyone! Liz, thomas, kit and Mary

Posted by: Liz Blaney on 8/19/2014 at 4:58 am

Mt. Rainier: August 17th Update

August 17, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn