RMI Expeditions Blog
Posted by: Tom Skoog, Felipe Guarderas, Jackson Breen, Celeste Wilson, Robert Whyte, Kat Porter, Lukas Bergsten, Gabriel Puhky
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Climbers were greeted with clear skies and calm winds as they made a successful ascent of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reached the summit under beautiful conditions, led by RMI Guides Tom Skoog and Felipe Guarderas.
After spending time on the summit, the teams have begun their descent and will return to Camp Muir before continuing down to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to all of today's climbers and guides on a successful summit day!
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:34 pm PT
Egg muffins kicked off our snowy day,
and Farkle helped pass the time away.
With plenty of group talks in the den,
and camp strolls now and then,
We rested while weather held sway.
Monopoly Deal took the lead,
And castle walls got what they need.
Now we wait and we see,
What weather will be,
And hope for summit bound speed.
RMI Climber Ethan
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition, June 9, 2026
Posted by: Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Billings
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:00 pm PT
The expedition continues! The past few days have been overwhelmingly successful. On the 21st we had a short day consisting of picking up our cache at 9,800 and bringing it up to 11,000' Camp. The next day, we brought a cache up to 14 Camp and met up with Ben’s team. Today, we woke up early and outran (or out-shuffled) the worst of the bad upcoming weather to 14 Camp, and are resting victoriously!
With luck, we’ll be able to get a cache up high after weathering the storm.
RMI Climber Daniel
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition June 16, 2026
YAY! So exciting to hear from this private expedition! Thank you for the incredible adventure update! Victorious rest sounds fabulous!
Posted by: Patti on 6/24/2026 at 10:16 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Will Ambler, Jack Ritterson, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:57 pm PT
Not much action for us today, big storm hitting the mountain. We were watching the weather from 3 AM, hoping for a chance to sneak up to 14 Camp ahead of the incoming storm, but ultimately we decided there wasn’t a sufficient window for doing it safely. After five days of walking and carrying loads, we rested today and watched it snow and blow. We sat a little long following meals and told each other stories in the dining tent. Forecasts suggest the storm will be with us tonight and tomorrow as well. We can wait.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Custom Expedition June 15, 2026
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Dylan Anderson, Margo Kerr, Aidan Whitelaw
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz June 19 - 24 led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo, Dylan Anderson, Margo Kerr, and Aidan Whitelaw reached the summit of Mt. Rainier just before 10 am today. Henry reported beautiful weather and great route conditions. The team spent a few minutes in the crater before starting their descent. They will return to their high camp for one more night on the mountain and some additional training. Tomorrow they will retrace their steps to Paradise and conclude their program at Rainier BaseCamp in the afternoon.
Way to go climbers!
How has been today team with Nicole Wall?
Posted by: Roxana Trejo on 6/24/2026 at 6:04 am
Posted by: Seth Burns, Calvin Jiricko, Lael Butler, Layne Peters, Matt Tucker, David Rathbun, Oliver Sperin, Oliver Kendall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb teams for June 20 - 23 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:40 am. The team reported great conditions and a beautiful day. They will descend to Camp Muir, take a short break and continue down to Paradise later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers.
Photos: Seth Burns
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:11 am PT
June 22nd - Day whatever.
Today was the teams first unplanned rest day. A storm is moving through the area over the next few days, and while we are unsure of how severe it will be, we are sure we don't want to be high on the mountain until it passes. We are also sure as hell up to the task when our time comes. Today we enjoyed excellent breakfast quesadillas (send hot sauce) and built up our fortifications around camp. These fortifications are 4-5 ft high walls made of quarried snow blocks, complete with a 6.5 ft arch the ancient Greeks would approve of. Shout out to Jimmy's vision and passion to this beautiful piece of work. Bob the builder ain't got shit on him. After a short break we jumped right into a quick yoga session. Amanda led us through an excellent vinyasa... in the snow, at 14 thousand feet, we are not in Kansas anymore. After another short break Dr. Nick gave us a wonderfully compelling, if not sobering, lesson in the basics of wilderness medicine and the benefits of a tongue piercing. I feel compelled by the many elegant writers in our group to expand beyond the literal in this writing, and the reflection of Nick's question seems to be the jumping off point for this so here goes...
What makes you feel alive? This is a very individual question with no proper answer. Personally nothing challenges me, fulfills me, or motivates me like the wilderness. Nothing gives me perspective, closure, or meaning like the places in the world where nature still reigns supreme.
Nothing makes me feel alive like being in the mountains. Everyone on this mountain, not just this team but the true spectrum of humanity that coexists in this frozen paradise has a common goal, and in this goal we are united and supported by each other in ways that don't always persist off the mountain. We are far more than surviving out here, we are thriving and growing and learning in ways that you cannot replicate in a classroom.
Life is weird and trippy and completely uncertain, but in these moments and in these places we are present and living to the fullest. We are very very lucky, and very very smelly.To avoid writing a thesis, I think what it boils down to is to find your mountain. Find what makes you feel alive, whatever it is and keep climbing until your knees give out. Then maybe crawl for a little bit. I want to thank my parents and siblings for supporting me while I chase my dreams across the world. I love you guys, and I miss my dog.
RMI Climber Matt Gates
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition, June 9, 2026
Batten down the hatches! I had to read the weather reports on the mountain multiple times to ensure the snow face predictions were not typos. This looks like a significant snow storm, but you all are a strong time and we’re persevere. Storms are temporary and sounds like you all have built formidable snow walls to encompass the Trango tents. Enjoy the experience of this all!
Posted by: Ed DaPra on 6/23/2026 at 12:37 pm
Matt,
Thank you for the welcomed update! I hope you all get the rest you need to hit the fresh snow. It must be absolutely beautiful!
You are all missed very much and supported with so much love and strength! I hope you feel it!
Thank you 14k for providing exactly what is needed!
Stay safe, stay sharp!
Love,
Kier
Posted by: Kierstin Decicco on 6/23/2026 at 11:32 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Will Ambler, Jack Ritterson, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 13,000'
Monday, June 22, 2026 - 9:48 pm PT
Our crampons were crunching snow just after 8 this morning as we got going up Motorcycle Hill. An hour of climbing got us to the middle of Squirrel Hill, where we had great (and new) views of the Peters Glacier and the NW Buttress of Denali. We had some steep hills to muscle up before reaching the relatively flat terrain at the start of the Polo Field below the end of the West Buttress. An hour of gradually steepening climbing then got us to the relatively flat terrain at the start of the Polo Field below the end of the West Buttress. An hour of gradually steepening climbing then got us to the pass at Windy Corner. There, at about 13,300 ft we chose to cache our food and fuel. The weather stayed more or less stable -there was no wind at windy corner- but clouds were increasing and we were getting intermittent snow showers. The team had a smooth descent to 11k with lighter packs and sleds. The afternoon and evening were mostly cloudy back at camp, but we enjoyed a few sun breaks too. We hope to move up to 14k tomorrow ahead of a forecasted storm. Fingers crossed.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Custom Expedition June 15, 2026
Thank you for the updates and perspectives. Such an amazing journey that only few will ever experience. Keep up the GREAT work.
Posted by: Bob Jordan on 6/24/2026 at 5:00 am
Exciting! Sending positive vibes to the team and a special hello to Jodi V!
Posted by: Dawnelle Sohl on 6/23/2026 at 6:57 pm
RMI Guide Jack Delaney led his group of climbers to the summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 7:45am. They reported beautiful weather other than some wind. They are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir and will be back in Ashford this afternoon.
Great work up there!
Can’t wait to hear the epic tales of this adventure! Proud of y’all. Xo
Posted by: big ruby on 6/22/2026 at 1:16 pm
RMI Guide Jess Wedel led the four day climb to the summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 7:30am. They reported some notable winds, but otherwise a beautiful morning on the summit. They are on their descent back to Camp Muir and will be back in Ashford this afternoon.
Great work team!
Hello-
If this is the team that includes Sarah, Tyler, Liv and Jonny, please tell them congratulation and I love them. So glad you have these memories
Lori
Posted by: Lori on 6/22/2026 at 9:01 am
Hello-
If this is the team that includes Sarah, Tyler, Liv and Jonny, please tell them congratulation and I love them. So glad you have these memories :-)
Lori
Posted by: Lori on 6/22/2026 at 9:01 am
What a fun and enjoyable read. Soon there will be sun again and the summit will be in sight. What a perfect timing for strong recovery and positive connection with the team for the summit bid. Cheering you all on!
Posted by: Ed DaPra on 6/24/2026 at 9:12 am
Ethan I love a good rhyme, thanks for the boost!
All is well as Mother Nature rules the roost!
The sun will shine without a sound,
and just as planned you’ll be summit bound!
All my love,
Kier
Stay safe, stay SHARP
Posted by: Kierstin Decicco on 6/24/2026 at 8:32 am
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