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Today the team did a fantastic job climbing the intimidating looking Barranco Wall. It is the technical hurdle of this expedition and everyone did great. Everybody enjoyed the challenge; of course, the porters made it look easy as they climbed the wall with their loads carefully balanced on their heads.
Once above the wall we took a well-deserved break to enjoy the valleys below and the peak above. Yet another day of great hiking conditions. We are now at about 13,000ft at the Karanga Camp. High camp tomorrow and the team is looking good.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
The Four Day Summit Climb teams, led by Dave Hahn and Mike Uchal, were on top of Mt. Rainier by 7:30 AM this morning. The team had clear skies and moderate winds, a perfect day to be on the highest point in Washington.
Congratulations to today's summit climbers!
We did it! 100% on top!!! The entire team stood on the highest point in Europe.
We were pretty lucky with the weather, as it was near perfect, so the decision to climb early and avoid the forecasted weather paid off. We started at 3:30am with a snowcat ride up to 15,000' then hit the trail in a decent breeze that thankfully mellowed out a few hours later. It was a beautiful and welcomed sunrise as the sun helped warm us up.
The team did a fantastic job of taking care of themselves and climbed strong. We summited in clear skies with a wonderful view of the entire Caucasus Mountain Range, which is something I haven't had often here on Elbrus.
After descending a short ways back to the saddle between the two summits that Elbrus has, a few of us decided to climb the second summit while the rest of the team descended safely back to camp. I've been pretty lucky the last few climbs and have pulled off the double summit a few times. It was a bonus for sure.
After everyone returned to camp, we had a quick lunch and are currently relaxing with smiles on our faces.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy crew
On The Map
What an accomplishment! Congrats!!!
Posted by: Brinkley Pound on 7/28/2017 at 11:17 am
It was clear and cool last night with temperatures right around freezing. Our team kept warm with hot water bottles and warm sleeping bags. We left Shira Camp and slowly climbed uphill before we started our traverse over to Barranco Valley across the volcanic plateau and just below the remaining glaciers that cling to Kilimanjaro's slopes. As we approached camp we were all amazed to see the giant groundsels and famous senecio trees that look like something out of a Dr Suess book. Once again we pulled into camp and our stellar crew had camp all set up and were ready with hot drinks and snacks after a solid six hour day. The team is in good shape and ready for the Barranco wall which sits just above camp and will be our first objective as we continue up hill tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
Enjoy this special time together!! Looks so exciting. Be Safe and send pics!! xxoo
Posted by: Aunt ME & Uncle Gene on 7/28/2017 at 5:44 pm
Way to go Annie, Philip, and team! It is warm here in Minnesota.
Posted by: Kay Weaver on 7/28/2017 at 10:43 am
Hello again from 12,000' in Russia!
Things are good here and the team is excited for tonight! Today we had our last acclimatization hike before tonight's climb. Normally we take an extra rest day before climbing, but the forecast doesn't look too good the next few days so we are making our bid tonight. We started early today to maximize our rest today and have been relaxing since noon.
Our cook Dasha has done an amazing job of keeping our bellies full with plenty of good home cooked Russian food.
This evening we had a thorough discussion about tonight's upcoming climb and everyone is packed and ready. Hopefully the weather continues to hold and we'll be up shortly after 2am and after a quick breakfast hop on the snowcat to give us a bump a little further up the mountain. This will shorten our climb a little and increase our chance of reaching the highest point in Europe.
We had a trivia challenge today and one lucky winner will get to make a satellite phone call from the summit. So everyone following along, keep your phones handy, you just might receive a call.
I'm expecting us to reach the summit somewhere around 10-11am here, same time zone as Moscow.
Keep your fingers crossed for us!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
On The Map
Way to go! Very much of a team effort. Can’t wait to hear all of the details. Safe travels on the return.
Posted by: Jim Pound on 7/28/2017 at 2:25 pm
So happy for you all. Sorry to miss Seth’s call but will treasure the voice mail!!!! Absorb the moment!
Posted by: Brinkley Pound on 7/28/2017 at 6:29 am
Posted by: Solveig Waterfall, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
The Wilderness Adventures Team reached the summit of Mt. Baker via the Coleman - Deming route in the early hours Wednesday, July 26th lead by RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall and Steve Gately. The team had a great climb and beautiful weather.
During this program, the teens learned various techniques which meet the challenges set forth by Mt. Baker. Including basic mountaineering skills; efficient mountain travel (rest-stepping and pressure breathing), various safety practices including use of helmets, harnesses, and avalanche transceivers, climbing in balance, proper use of our ice axe, self and team arrest, and moderate cramponing.
Congratulations Team!
After a few days of training on the upper slopes of Mt. Rainier, the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team led by RMI Guide Walter Hailes reached the summit via the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous U.S. The team has started their descent and will spend one more night on the mountain before returning to Rainier Basecamp tomorrow.
Congratulations to today's team!
Posted by: Eric Frank, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Eric Frank and Christina Dale reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Christina reported beautiful clear skies and great route conditions.
Congratulations to today's teams!
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Awakening at Mweka Camp early, the feet and legs had miraculously recovered from our sixteen hour summit day. Ok, maybe not completely recovered, but everyone was moving quite well after such a huge effort. Of course, a little vitamin I (Ibuprofen) never hurt.
Breakfast awaited us, to be followed by song and dance from our mountain staff in celebration of a wonderful week on the mountain. In return we expressed our appreciation of the tremendous care they gave us with tokens of gratitude.
Our three hour hike to the Mweka gate ended in a final meal together. This time the food reflected the local cuisine, and was delicious!
Goodbyes were made and a two hour bus ride brought us back to the comforts of the hotel and the showers everyone had been looking forward to for days. I guess the three hundred baby wipes some folks took weren't quite enough.
We celebrated in style. Not just our success on the mountain, but also the birthday that motivated this whole affair, getting a group of individuals way out of their comfort zone and learning what it means to climb a mountain.
The hotel staff graciously set up tables outside and built a roaring fire so that we might enjoy a final night together feasting and indulging in fabulous wines brought in special for the occasion.
Toasts were made and reflections on our trip shared, all the while the Blue monkeys and little Dik Dik antelopes watched on, visible in the glow of the flickering flames, no doubt wondering what all the fuss was about.
But we know what the fuss was all about. It was about an adventure shared by family and friends, and challenges that were quite hard at times, and the lessons and memories made over the course of an incredible week on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Habari ya asubhui and asante sana,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Amazing to think that just 24 hours ago we were striking our high camp on Alpamayo at 17,500' in the snow, ice, cold and wind and now we are hiking in T-shirts and shorts past cactus and gorgeous rivers. Back in Base Camp this morning we had a very civilized breakfast of bacon and eggs with lots of strong coffee, loading donkeys and shortly after 9 AM we hit the trail. Chased by clouds and propelled by music the 6 hour hike back to Casha Pompa went by quickly and by mid afternoon we were sitting in a courtyard sweaty, dirty, but happy with a beer in hand. Then a three hour van ride brought us back to Huaraz. After cleaning ourselves up we met for drinks and dinner at the Andino and realized that we are all still on mountain time. Most people are starting dinner around the time we are ready for bed.
Because we didn't use our weather day we have bought ourselves an extra day here in Huaraz, we will most likely sleep in, slowly re enter the "real world" and wander around town tomorrow. We are all happy to be back.
Thanks for following along
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens and the Alpamayo Team
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To infinity and beyond. Way to go Mick and Matt!
Posted by: Brett on 7/28/2017 at 2:33 pm
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