RMI Expeditions Blog
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer checks in from 17,000 ft Camp on Denali.
On The Map
Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
On The Map
Hi!!! Thinking about you tons! Hope u r enjoying every minute! Can’t wait to hear all about it in person! Love Us
Posted by: Cosco Clan on 6/2/2017 at 2:51 pm
Good morning to all
Wish I could make you all my famous meatballs and homemade pasta
Be safe
You have hundreds of people sending you all good wishes and prayers
Love you Stephen
mom/dad - aka Tina and John
Posted by: Tina Zabinski on 6/2/2017 at 6:11 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Dear Lindsay & Steve,
Have been trying to get through to send you a message but it won’t go through. Sorry. Want you both to know that I can’t wait each morning to check and see what you’re doing. I was aware of the intense training required (for which I give you so much credit) but never appreciated the patience required to get to the summit! Hang in there. It will happen.
Had to chuckle when your guides were describing the personalities of the group. No question who the “dynamo” is.!!! Give my best to the couple from Colorado.
Safe journey. I am there in spirit with you !
.Love Auntie A & Uncle Fred
Love from Mom & Dad too!!
Posted by: Sandra Friaglia on 6/2/2017 at 3:41 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
RMI Guide Mike Walter checks in from High Camp at 17,200 ft on Denali.
On The Map
At the moment with 5/31/2017 imagery you are visible on google earth.
Posted by: Tom Rodger on 9/1/2018 at 11:02 am
SO happy for you David and team! You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Cheers to a summit today! Safe travels down…
AK and Mom
Posted by: Ann Kathryn Scott on 6/1/2017 at 9:43 am
Posted by: Eric Frank, Caleb Ladue
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
Kim & Co. sorry the weather and conditions didn’t exactly cooperate. Still sounds like an AMAZING trip and I love the impromptu croquet…don’t be too concerned, but Lucky has found a suitor by the name of Hugo the Persian.
Xoxoxo Lora
Posted by: Lora on 5/31/2017 at 6:48 pm
Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Thanks for the progress updates! I’m sure Matt is wondering how the kickball team is faring without him, and we want him to be fully focused on your dangerous mission, so if you could let me know we have won the past 2 games. We are ranked 7th in the league (of 11) heading in to playoffs next week.
Stay safe & have a great time!!
Posted by: Denise on 6/1/2017 at 11:27 am
Hi John and Team!
Impressed with your progress so far… and love seeing the posts… it looks very very cold! Be safe!
Southwire Groupies
Posted by: Southwire Groupies on 6/1/2017 at 6:43 am
Posted by: Kel Rossiter
Categories: Guide News Guide Grant
Thompson Pass is part of the storied Chugach Range, the setting for more extreme skiing videos than perhaps anywhere else on the planet. Jagged, flat-iron peaks are flanked with row upon rows of steep and deep powder couloirs that spill into massive glacial basins, with easy access provided by the Richardson Highway running through it, connecting the port town of Valdez with the rest of The Last Frontier. This makes it the perfect place for the Advanced course. Whereas the introductory Ski Guides Course focuses on safely moving groups through backcountry avalanche terrain and finding the best skiing along the way, the Advanced Ski Guide Course brings in the components of safe travel on glaciers (e.g., navigating in white out conditions, avoiding crevasses, dealing with crevasse rescue, etc) and managing skiers in technical mountain terrain (e.g., roped travel through steep rock and snow, belayed entry into steep terrain, effective group management in narrow couloirs, etc).
But there's more to it than just the technical aspects—because, after all, in ski mountaineering the focus of climbing a peak goes beyond just the joy of standing on the summit—there is the consideration of finding the most enjoyable line to ski on the way down. Having completed AMGA certifications in Rock and Alpine Guiding, I'm versed in the technique and mindset needed to successfully climb large objectives, and that mindset could be generally summed up with the word “efficiency”. Moving into the world of ski mountaineering has been an exciting shift of paradigms, working to also incorporate in the concepts of “aesthetics” and “enjoyment”. In the world of alpine climbing, enjoyment is often seen as what you experience upon completing the goal, standing on the summit and coming back down safely. In the world of ski mountaineering, standing on the summit is a necessary pleasure before the true pleasure of ski descent can be attained. A greater focus on both product and process that I'm finding increasingly attractive.
I'm not the only one finding this product and process increasingly attractive: backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering is among the fastest growing segments of the outdoor world. And RMI is at the forefront in developing programs to help its audience enjoy the sport. RMI Guide Tyler Reid leads ski descents of Europe's highest peak, Mt. Elbrus, and explores Chile's renowned skiing with RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall. In 2018, I'll be doing a Mt. Baker Climb/Ski as well as a custom ski/climb program. RMI, long at the lead in helping climbers reach their summit goals, now has a range of excellent ski options to ensure that the descent is both safe and extremely rewarding.
For a look at some of my other experiences with backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, and the AMGA Ski Guide program, check out these links:
• Mammut Athlete Team Blog about my ski experiences in the Alps prior to the Ski Guides Course.
• RMI Blog post about my experiences in learning snow science during the American Avalanche Institute's Level 3 Avalanche Course.
RMI Guide Kel Rossiter
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Paul Rachele
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Great Job Team!! Amazing accomplishments!!
Posted by: Jimmy Hoadrea on 6/1/2017 at 5:29 pm
Congratulations guys! Great job, now get off that mountain and get home!
Posted by: Carrie on 6/1/2017 at 12:46 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
RMI Guide Robby Young calls from 14,000 ft on Denali.
On The Map
The bet was that the Eagles Greatest Hits sold more than 29 million, which it did…I agreed that Thriller sold more.
:0
Also, amazing that you guys summited! Nicely done dudes.
- Mark
Posted by: Mark on 6/7/2017 at 11:54 am
Pretty sure it still isn’t close to Thriller at #1 all time. You can mail me the $50 or send it PayPal. Glad you guaranteed the Eagles was the highest selling all time.
Posted by: Todd on 6/5/2017 at 1:21 pm
Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
steve i’m almost jealous! hang tough and godspeed. stay warm!!
Posted by: keith h on 6/2/2017 at 7:51 pm
We love you and wish you and your awonderful safe climb
All the guardian angels are watching over you
Posted by: Mom and Dad zabinski on 6/1/2017 at 11:01 am
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Good luck guys.
Hope you have a speedy ascent and clear skies.
Enjoy the moment Mark and Rach.
James
Posted by: James on 6/1/2017 at 4:55 pm
Gutted I’m not with you all. I wish each and every one of you a safe and successful summit attempt. Take care, Andy from Scotland.
Posted by: Andy mcronald on 6/1/2017 at 3:04 pm
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