RMI Expeditions Blog

RMI's four-day climb led by guides Dan May and Calvin Jiricko made it to the summit this morning around 7:40am. They reported a nice morning although a bit breezy. They are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir, and they will return to Ashford this afternoon. 

Great work up there, team!

Looking back on Denali

The glacial environment presents a curious juxtaposition. At times, we witness a frozen, static world where quietude and stillness exist - perhaps much like they are found in the dark of a cave or the bottom of a cold lake. Yet, here they present in such luminous expanses that it boggles the mind and shrivels the self. From the disturbed skyline, pierced by menhirs and minarets, to the inland sea of ice filling the valley floors - and all the intermediate seracs layered and bunted on the surrounding megaliths - the scenery feels utterly immobile and still. Until, quite suddenly, the illusion is shattered in a violent display of force. In an instant there is motion, seen before it’s heard, a blur of ice and rock come free and already flaunting its veil of pulverized and sublimated snow, trundling in booming din. The delicate chandeliers of ice along the ridgelines and faces show themselves for what they happen to be: some of the most powerful natural forces of erosion which exist in, and as the result of, a near constant state of motion, plucking and mashing in a ceaseless flow of primeval destruction. 

A Denali expedition can experience the same contradictions from day to day. We spend multiple days where our only minute movement may be in transit to the bathroom or simply rolling over in bed for fear of pressure ulcers. On these days the mountain itself may feel more alive with weather and with that, even moody or spiteful. We spend many days where we only yield a brutal locomotion to consume or sleep, spending the daylight hours (and there are many) in a constant toil. On these days it may seem that the mountain has drifted back down to a state of rest and wouldn’t note our proceedings, until that serac falls in the distance. Throughout, if you happen to take notice, both the ultimate stillness and the constant motion are in abundance. In this place and in leaving we are so grateful for the opportunity to experience such an atypical environment with a group of people so willing and capable.

Despite not reaching our goal of the summit, I am quite pleased with how much I’ve learned on this trip and how much I enjoyed the company. I am pleased with our safe descent and return home to family and friends. I am hopeful for another attempt at Denali’s summit in the future.

RMI Guide Will Ambler & Team

The four-day climb led by RMI guides Sam Marjerison, Celeste Wilson, and Oliver Kendall reached the summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 5:10 am. They reported sunshine and a fantastic climbing route. They are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir and will return to Ashford this afternoon. 

Way to go climbers!

RMI Guide Nick Sinapius led his team to the summit of Mt. Baker via the North Ridge early this afternoon. After a successful summit day, the team will spend one more night on the mountain to rest and recuperate before descending to the trailhead tomorrow morning, where they will conclude their trip.

RMI climbers, led by Ray Holt, started their trip on the Fourth of July with the goal of climbing Mt. Baker via the Easton Glacier. At 8:00 p.m. on July 5, they achieved that goal and reached the summit of Mt. Baker! Today concludes their trip as they walk out with another Washington volcano summit story to tell.

Congratulations team!

RMI’s Five Day Climb took advantage of the first of two potential summit opportunities and successfully reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. A warm morning and light breeze on the upper Disappointment Cleaver had the team descending from the crater at 6:45 a.m. They’re currently making their way back to Camp Muir, where they’ll enjoy one final night on the mountain before returning to Ashford tomorrow.

Nice work team!

RMI's Four Day Climb summited Mt. Rainier this morning and were descending from the crater at 6:45am. They reported a warm morning with some light breeze on the top of the Disappointment Cleaver. The group celebrated RMI Guide Mike King's 100th summit of Mt. Rainier!

They're currently on their way back to Camp Muir and will return to Ashford this afternoon. Congrats, team!

RMI's four-day climb led by guides Henry Coppolillo and Sam Hoffman reached this summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 5:15am. They reported cold temperatures and moderate winds. They are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir and will return to Ashford this afternoon. 

RMI's four-day climb led by guides Eric Frank and Tom Skoog reached the summit this Independence Day morning! They reported moderate winds and a small cloud cap, and are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir. They will return to Ashford this afternoon. 

Great work team!

RMI's four-day climb led by guides Joe Hoch and Felipe Guarderas reached the summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 6:20am. They reported sunshine with a light breeze and a trace of new snow. They are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir and will return to Ashford this afternoon. 

Great work everyone!