RMI Guides Tyler Jones and Jake Beren led their Four Day Summit Climb July 17 - 20 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Tyler reported windy and cold temperatures but good climbing conditions. The teams were starting their descent from the crater rim just before 9 am.
Congratulations to today' Summit Climb team!
The Alpamayo team is doing great! This morning we had a leisurely breakfast and began packing for our carry to Moraine Camp. We waved goodbye to Elias and his team as they started their descent to Casha Pompa and by mid morning we shouldered our packs and began hiking. The trail to Moraine Camp weaves through a boulder field as it ascends towards the glacier above. With blue skies overhead we all found ourselves pausing to taken on the spectacular views of the Cordillera Blanca. Once at Moraine Camp, 16,100 feet, we unload our equipment and relaxed for a bit before starting our descent back to BC. After rolling into base camp we enjoyed some delicious soup and spent the afternoon relaxing, reading, or napping. Tomorrow will be our first true rest day, and despite the fact that everyone is strong and healthy we need it more for acclimatization.
That's it for now.
Thanks for following along
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens and the Alpamayo team
Hello,
This is the North Ridge of Mt. Baker Climbing team calling to check in. We are back in our camp here at 6000'. We had a successful climb of the North Ridge today. Everyone in the group made it to the top! We had great weather, almost no wind until we were on the summit, and good temperatures. A in all a very pleasant day. The team just drive back to camp, we are relaxing, taking a little siesta out in the sun.
Thanks for following along!
RMI Guide Eric Frank - Mt. Baker North Ridge Summit
The team sends their greetings from 12,500ft. We all made it up to the Garabashi Hut in good style today. Everyone got moved in, and then went for a nice jaunt in perfect weather. We got a little training in on our new snowy surface, and then headed back to the huts for a nice lunch. Nobody is going hungry just yet.
The heat of the day lead to some building clouds, precipitation, and eventually some light thunderstorms in the distance. People spent the afternoon reading, writing, and napping. We're settling in quite nicely up here. Check in tomorrow.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
A long day was had as we reviewed our climb to come and covered some important ideas that will make our big adventure as safe, successful and fun as possible.
Kilimanjaro is a great mountain to get ones feet wet on given its non technical nature, but the fact that it's seven days long does present a bit of a steep learning curve for us in many ways.
We're all ready now for the climb to begin tomorrow! The hard work of today was nicely softened by massages for all coordinated by brother Brad. Such a great idea!
We're looking forward to a big day tomorrow and finally getting underway.
All for now from the comforts of the Arumera River Lodge. Next stop, the flanks of Kilimanjaro.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning via the Emmons Glacier route. This team of all female RMI Guides and climbers left Ashford on Monday, July 17 after two days of training at BaseCamp and Paradise and drove to the White River Trail head. The team spent the last few days training and climbing on the route. This morning they began their summit attempt from Camp Schurman. After enjoying a bit of time on the summit they will descend to Camp Schurman for their final night on the mountain.
Congratulations to today's Emmons Seminar Team!
At 7:45 this morning, RMI Guide Dave Hahn radioed as he and his team crested the Mt. Rainier crater rim. He reported a 10 mph breeze from the Southwest and a great day to be on Washington's highest point. His team as well as RMI Guide Christina Dale's team began their descent to Camp Muir at 9:00 a.m.
July 18, 2017
Most of the team flew in last night, weathering the long flights and time changes admirably. Our hotel, the Arumera River Lodge here in Arusha, Tanzania, is great. They held the restaurant open for us so we could have dinner and decompress from our travels some.
This is unlike any hotel I've stayed at. Africa at it's best, with the diminutive antelope called the Dikdik and Blue monkeys running around the grounds filled with tropical trees and vegetation and insects I've never seen before. Kansas it ain't!
The drive in from the airport earlier was a forty five minute exercise in restraint as I tried to concentrate on my conversation with the manager of our outfitting company here for Kilimanjaro, while still watching the people and goings on around me. Bikes piled high with crops from the fields, women in beautifully colored saris and everything else that makes Tanzania such a wonderful place to visit.
I must confess, this is not my normal expedition. This is a family affair triggered by my sister in laws big birthday and my brother's pulling the strings to make it all happen. Plus, my wife is part of the team too. Thanks Brad!
Ahead of us is breaks, our official team meeting and orientation and subsequent equipment check readying us to begin our climb tomorrow of one of the 'Seven Summits,' family style.
Now if I can just get over my jet lag.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Hey there. It's Eric Frank calling from the Northside of Mount Baker. This is our first day of a North Ridge of Baker trip. We're up here at the Hogsback Camp at about 6,000 feet. Things are melting out here and the snow is rapidly disappearing. We're actually able to camp on some beautiful meadows covered in wildflowers. We just got done doing a little training- practiced placing ice screws, practiced pitching out terrain. Tomorrow morning, early in the morning we are going to be up to climb the North Ridge of Baker. Everything's looking good, weather forecast is nice, the team is strong, and we anticipate giving you an excited call from the top sometime mid morning. Thanks for following along. Bye.
RMI Guide Eric Frank
RMI Guide Eric Frank calls in from Hogsback Camp on Mt. Baker.
Greetings from Alpamayo BC!
We initiated our descent this morning from high camp and retraced our steps back out of the kingdom of the ice and into the warm confines of base camp. We are excited to savor lower altitude air and the amazing food of our cook. Our plan is to head out tomorrow and get into town in the evening. We are all super proud of our climb, yet looking forward to telling our accounts in person to our loved ones, so stay tuned for our arrival tomorrow into town!
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos and team
Charlie, Nikolai and Aleksandr (My Stevens Boys)- Looks Amazing! I wish I were there. Sending you lots of love and positive energy. Godspeed!
Posted by: Vivian M. Urena-Stevens on 7/19/2017 at 6:35 pm
Craig and Carol, Sending lots of love ( and not a little envy!) and blessings for a great climb. You guys rock! Armen and Vicky
Posted by: vicky hanjian on 7/19/2017 at 11:57 am
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