RMI Expeditions Blog
Today we woke to what might be the clearest morning of the Mexican countryside one might ever see. With the massive populations of Mexico City and Puebla the view is usually obscured with smoke, volcanic fog, smog. This morning we could make out high rise buildings and had a crystal clear view of Orizaba.
The Team took four hours to ascend to High Camp, located at 15,500’. We had warm weather and heavy packs. Everyone is relaxing in their tents as afternoon clouds roll through.
We will have some dinner and prepare for our summit bid tomorrow morning. Should be a nice day if the recent weather holds.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Hello from Kyajo Ri Camp 1,
All is good here, except that we had an extraordinarily windy day, preventing us from moving up to Camp 2. We did, however, take some of our gear to the base of the gullie that provides access to it, as we plan on attempting the summit from here.
The sun is shining and the spirits are high! We are going to bed early, so cheer for us on our push to summit our first objective here.
Regards,
RMI Guide ElÃas de Andres Martos
Posted by: Hannah Smith
Categories: Guide News
Sometimes you find yourself in a place you didn't expect. One of those places is on the side of a grassy hill in Western Nepal squished in a tent with three other people sharing your snacks. We decided to leave Base Camp and try to go up over a col to another valley to attempt to climb a peak. It turns out our eyes for the mountains are bigger than the desire and fitness of the team. We started too late. We took too long to get to the pass. And we found ourselves entering steep grassy terrain with consequences on both sides as night time crept in. We were not going to get to the valley below. It's been a long day. We decided to find the flattest spot, which is not flat at all, and put up the tents. The conditions aren't ideal, with no water or snow to make water. But with all that has happened today, you find the fun and happiness in the little things, like sharing snacks with your friends and eating a hard boiled egg.
We will see what happens tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Well I love your attitudes! You should get a reward for finding the positive in every day. Keep on chugging. I hope the snacks hold out.
Mich
Posted by: michelle the mom on 11/6/2018 at 11:16 pm
This is Mike checking in from the lower flanks of Ixta. Today we had a casual breakfast and a two plus hour drive to the National Park where our first climbing objective is. We are at a hut looking out on the snow covered peaks of Ixta and Popo. There has been lots of rain this week which means good climbing conditions. The Team has been taking in the scenic countryside in between some short walks to acclimate. We have our gear checked and are getting ready for a delicious dinner before turning in for the night. Tomorrow we head to High Camp to get ready for a summit bid. Fingers crossed for good weather and calm winds.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Wishing for good weather for the team. Good luck for your summit on Wednesday!!
Posted by: Jon & Lynda Jones on 11/5/2018 at 9:43 pm
Good evening again from Camp 1 of Kyajo Ri! We made the move under incredible weather today, and our camp by the lake at the toe of the glacier is worth a trip to the Himalaya by itself.
We're in a good position, and we'll continue to make progress tomorrow, so stay tuned!
RMI Guide ElÃas de Andres Martos
Posted by: Hannah Smith
Categories: Guide News
After getting pushed back down to Base Camp by poor weather we said good bye to a few team members who are headed home today. Our team is getting smaller and smaller as we near the end of our time here. It's been almost two weeks at Base Camp, and although we unfortunately did not get to climb our objective, it's been a worth while experience. I believe everyone will be walking away from this expedition having learned something. Our journey in this valley is over but our journey in general isn't. Tomorrow we will head to the valley to our east and try our hand at a peak over there. We are hopeful that we can find a smaller peak to teach more mountaineering skills to the Nepali girls and to be able to stand on top of peak.
Here's to some lady luck,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
If only we could control the weather…
Good Lady Luck on alternate peak!
-MA
Posted by: Mary Ann on 11/5/2018 at 9:49 pm
Hey you gave it your best shot! I’m sure the Team all benefited from the incredible experience! You are all my heroes.
Mich
Posted by: michelle the mom on 11/5/2018 at 8:23 pm
Hi, this is Mike with the Mexico Volcanoes program. Everyone arrived yesterday with all our bags and we spent the night in Mexico city. We loaded our vehicle this morning and toward the mountains. We had a nice, casual day today. Lots of rain and thunderstorms kept us from hiking La Malinche. The group is hanging out watching some football and we are going to sleep tonight around 10,000', the former training center for the Mexican Olympic team. We'll be heading over to Ixta tomorrow. We will be checking in every day from here on out. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Good luck. Hopefully the weather is good for your summits.
Posted by: Jon Jones on 11/4/2018 at 7:54 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith
Categories: Guide News
Snow lightly pitter pattered against our tents. Every so often we tapped the sides of the tent to knock the snow down. We woke to a winter wonderland. As we boiled water for coffee you could hear sloughs of snow tumble down the mountain side. Mother nature had spoken. The mountain had spoken. We were not going to climb. Due to the amount of snow that had fallen and the terrain we were going to get on, we were concerned about the avalanche hazard. Today was not going to be our moment to climb. Instead we packed up our camp as the snow fell from the sky and more snow rumbled down the mountain. Our packs were heavy and the walking slippery with the new snow on slick grass and crumbly rock as we made our way back to Base Camp. Tomorrow we will enjoy our last day at our Base Camp. The following day we are looking at going up and over a col to a new valley for a few days before we begin our trek out. For now, we are all getting cozy in our sleeping bags, for there is a chilly crispness to the night air.
Sweet dreams,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Good evening from Kyajo Ri Base!
We made our move from the village of Khumjung this morning uneventful. Beautiful day indeed witnessing some of the towering peaks nearby getting just a little smaller.
The beautiful meadow where we are is enclosed under steep granite walls, and while the views are short, they sure provide a sense of greatness above us.
My colleague, Sherpa guide Lopsang added to the mysticism of the night by burning some juniper as an offer to the God that might inhabit Kyajo Ri; with His blessings, we will go to sleep in hopes He grants us passage tomorrow into the higher grounds of Camp 1.
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos
Thanks for the updates. Good luck this week.
Posted by: lisa maiser on 11/4/2018 at 10:28 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith
Categories: Guide News
Moving day! The day we have been patiently waiting for has arrived. We packed up our things and made our way to high camp. After walking as the Nepalis say, bastary bastary (slowly slowly) we made it to our camp in three hours. The team did great, with everyone making it to camp. The air is rather chilly as snow flurries dance from the sky. Clouds have been building and descending on us all day. We are all cozy in our tents, melting snow for water, and getting ready for dinner. Tomorrow we will wake in the dark, but we will wait for the sun before we set out on our climb.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Quite the epic journey. Must feel good to be moving on up. Go Gloria! We have so much admiration for you and the team. Stay warm and safe!
Posted by: Mary Ann on 11/4/2018 at 6:54 am
Off you all go! So glad you are moving along to reach your destination! Best wishes!
Love Mich
Posted by: Michelle the Mom on 11/3/2018 at 9:53 pm
Hoping for optimal weather for you all. Sounds like a great crew that can prevail no matter what!
Stay safe
Posted by: lisa maiser on 11/6/2018 at 8:53 am
Hoping for optimal weather for you all. Sounds like a great crew that can prevail no matter what!
Stay safe
Posted by: lisa maiser on 11/6/2018 at 8:53 am
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