RMI Expeditions Blog

Shishapangma: Team Remains at Camp 1 for Acclimatization

September 22, 2016

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Shishapangma

Elevation: 20,990'

Good evening from Camp 1. Gnarly day we had today folks, as we're currently waiting out a nasty wind storm. The morning went well, with our Sherpa team plus guides Robby and Elías making it to Camp 2, in the vicinity of 7,000m, breaking trail with more than a one foot of soft snow. Meanwhile the climbing team, under the directions of guide Knoff, made an acclimating stroll around Camp 1. Everyone is doing well, and the effects of the altitude at this elevation are barely noticeable now. We'll keep you posted on our upcoming plan. Time to go rest now! RMI Guide Elías de Martos and team.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sounds like a great day of progress! I can only imagine what the wind is like up at that altitude. Stay safe and best of luck tomorrow!

Posted by: Trish on 9/23/2016 at 6:03 am

Glad all is going well. Love seeing photos!

Posted by: Betty (Art's sister) on 9/23/2016 at 5:29 am

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Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Reaches the Top of the Cleaver

September 22, 2016

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 12,300'

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Billy Nugent attempted to summit Mt. Rainier early this morning, but snow instability forced the teams to turn at the top of Disappointment Cleaver today. The is headed back to Camp Muir and will spend their remainder of their time on the mountain training before descending to back to Rainier Basecamp tomorrow afternoon. Congratulations to today's team!

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Climb The Shira Plateau

September 21, 2016

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,200'

We left Machame Camp 9,890' in cloudy skies but only for a short stretch. The gnarled trunks of the giant heather disappeared and we entered yet another zone, the moorland. After ascending a wide ridge we gained the broad and sloping Shira Plateau at about 12,570' and nearly three miles later we gained beautiful views of Kilimanjaro's upper slopes and Mt. Meru, our near by neighbor, standing at about 15,000'. A fine hot lunch and beautiful camp site greeted us upon arrival at Shira Camp. The team continues doing well and we are having a good time. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Joe - you got this! Can’t wait to hear the details!

Posted by: Dana Klein on 9/23/2016 at 9:42 pm

Keep on keepin’ on

Posted by: Tyler Klein on 9/22/2016 at 5:27 pm

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Shishapangma: Team Moving Efficiently Uphill

September 21, 2016

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Shishapangma

Elevation: 20,990'

Good evening from the entire team at Camp 1! We woke up to a dust of new snow and clouds this morning at Depot Camp (ABC). Soon after breakfast, we could tell the cloud layer was thin, the winds non existent, and the precipitation receding. Executing our plan of moving upwards was unquestionable. Covering known ground now to Camp 1 posed less of a challenge than the first time last week, and the team moved efficiently uphill. We reached our now well established camp shortly after 2 pm, followed by our Sherpa team, who was coming directly from Base Camp. We're all now in our tents, with full bellies, tired legs and great spirits. Tomorrow we'll start setting eyes towards Camp 2, we'll keep you posted, as we'll be dependent on the evolution of the snow that is starting to come down, as the sun set over the ridge. Good night everyone! RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff & Robby Young

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

You guys look like you all forgot your razors :). Seriously, it sounds as though all of you are doing really well. Stay strong!

Posted by: Rick Deerwester on 9/22/2016 at 6:08 am

Cheering to Galina, team and all the support crew!
You guys are awesome! GO FORWARD, STAY SAFE!

Lots of hugs, Galina.

Posted by: Zhanar on 9/21/2016 at 8:05 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Begin Climb

September 20, 2016

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 10,000'

After a nice breakfast at the Dik Dik Lodge, we sent a few final emails and we were off to climb Kilimanjaro. A couple hours later, after a stop at the market and registering with the National Park it was time to start the climb. We left the cultivation zone behind and traded it in for a lush cloud forest. The team climbed well to our next zone the Heather and Moorland. We are camped here at 10,000' with an outstanding view of the mountain and incredible weather. It is time to crawl in to the tents and get some rest before the next challenge tomorrow. The team is doing well and we will continue to check in as we ascend Kilimanjaro. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

On The Map

Shishapangma: Team Checks in from Depot Camp

September 20, 2016

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Shishapangma

Elevation: 19,500'

Rotation 2... ready, set, go! We're at Depot Camp (aka Advanced Base Camp), starting our dinner. We left Base Camp this afternoon after lunch, and after a small snow storm that made us initially question our departure. The weather cleared, and in a mere three hours we were already in our tents at the edge of the glacier. The team is feeling quite well and strong, as it is proved by the fact that we ditched one hour from our time last week. Tomorrow we'll be ascending to Camp 1, and then, the intentions are to reach Camp 2 and spend some time there afterwards. But we'll keep you posted as we go. That's it for now, we'll check in tomorrow after our move to Camp 1. Regards, RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

It has been great reading your blog and hearing about your progress. Would like to give a special shout out to my big brother, Arthur Muir. He is such an inspiration: his hard work, drive and determination are amazing! He gives new meaning to retirement! Way to go, Art, sending best wishes and much love to you and all the team! Bonnie

Posted by: Bonnie Bair on 9/21/2016 at 9:19 am

You have to be feeling a bit like a yo yo with the ups and downs! I have to think it takes real resol e to retrace those difficult steps. You guys inspire me!

Posted by: Rick Deerwester on 9/21/2016 at 6:29 am

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Ready for the Mountain

September 19, 2016

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Jambo! I had so much fun on the last Kilimanjaro climb, I decided to stick around for one more. The last of the team arrived this afternoon. Equipment is checked, the group gear is in place and our ride in the morning is all set. Great looking moon on the rise as I make my way to set down for the night. All is good here, hope there as well. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

Shishapangma: Elias & Team Prepare for Their Second Rotation

September 19, 2016

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Shishapangma

Elevation: 18,500'

Comedian Mitch Hedberg once said during a comedy skit, "I just want to be a mountain climber so I can wear brightly colored clothes, hang out at Base Camp, and drink hot cocoa." Today, for the second day in a row, we harnessed our inner Hedberg, and did just that. Our last rest day before the start of our second rotation onto the upper slopes of Shishapangma was filled with nourishment of all forms, and plenty of rest. Some of us practiced our favorite base camp activity, "sport eating." Others took competitive napping to the next level. While another team member continued his rein as supreme cribbage champion of Shishapangma 2016. Regardless of our chosen rest day activities, we all did the best we could to prepare our bodies and our minds for what lies ahead. Our second rotation begins tomorrow with a move to Depot Camp, followed by a return to Camp 1 at 20,000', and finally up to Camp 2 near 22,000' by the end of the work week. We're all feeling great, looking good, and ready for the upcoming challenge here on the 14th highest mountain in the world. We'll check in tomorrow from Depot Camp. RMI Guides Robby, Elias, Adam, and the Shishapangma Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sandra, best efforts there on the mountain.
Jim W.

Posted by: Jim Wilder on 9/20/2016 at 9:20 am

Good to hear everyone is rested, but no doubt when this is read that recuperation will be a dim memory! Be strong on the way to Camp 2 and be well. We’ll eagerly await tomorrow’s update!

Posted by: Rick Deerwester on 9/20/2016 at 5:35 am

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Mt. Rainier: Teams Turn Due to Weather and Route Conditions

September 19, 2016

Posted by: Casey Grom, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,700'

The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams turned due to avalanche conditions, deteriorating weather and winds. A fair amount of new snow has occurred on the mountain with drifts up to one meter. RMI Guides Casey Grom and Nick Hunt are currently descending from Camp Muir back to Paradise.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Better Weatherluck Next Time!

Posted by: Stan Mikol on 9/22/2016 at 1:47 am

We both would like to thank the entire RMI team for your help throughout the climb in the challenging conditions and we feel that we have learned more from those few days with you than any other experience. We also loved hearing about your various climbs.

We had a great time meeting the rest of the climbers and sharing stories. Best of luck in their next endeavors!

We hope to be back next summer with better conditions and even more prepared. It’s defnitely not to be underestimated.

Thanks again
Kelly & Kieran

Posted by: Kelly and Kieran on 9/20/2016 at 10:17 am

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Shishapangma: Elias & Team Enjoy a Well-Deserved Rest Day

September 18, 2016

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Shishapangma

Elevation: 18,500'

Last night at 6:30 in the evening, Team Shishapangma was still on the move, descending a barely visible trail etched into the ancient glacial moraine by only a few dozen boots going up and down with hopes of establishing camps on the higher slopes of this snowy mass. Clearly this footpath changes each year after the passing of the monsoon rains so we were again proven how generous and selfless our Sherpa team is when Furba and Pemba Sherpa met us more than two miles from camp with warm drinks and happy smiles. We had been away from base camp for more than three days and they were eager to greet us. The remaining walk was in the dark guessing where the trail led which our Sherpas, with most things mountain related, were better at than us. We devoured dinner and shortly after sleep devoured us. This morning, Sunday the 18th of September greeted us like most others have. The sun hits us at 7:30, the sounds of Aital and Purna our righteous cooks firing up the kitchen, echoing off the rocky hillside behind us, our neighbor's camp coming to life. But these common place things are now accompanied by a new set of sounds. A chorus of coughs, hacks, and other phlegm related guttural noises are reminding us constantly how the unforgiving altitude we are living at is tightening its grip. Life at base camp is the best we have but at 18,500 feet it is still a challenge. So we were all grateful that today the most difficult thing we needed to do was drink coffee, clean some clothes, and listen to the Mark Wilkins school of business. Rest days are quickly becoming a hard earned and well deserved reward. The rotations coming up are only going to get higher, colder and longer so we will enjoy base camp as much as we can. Everyone is dreaming of home and wishing all following along lots of love. RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

I look forward to these updates every night. It puts a lot of things into perspective. Stella, Thor and I are with you in spirit and wishing you well. XO, Trish

Posted by: Trish on 9/23/2016 at 5:09 pm

Talking to you last night (your morning) and hearing your raspy breath (and challenged breathing) made the elevation you are operating at very real and vivid. Hopefully the day of rest will allow some natural healing to take place in all of your struggling respiratory systems.
Your adventure makes my solo 3,904 mile drive to/from Bonneville seems pretty lame. BTW, I thought of you yesterday when I looked at a partly collapsed bottle of oil that I’d opened and resealed on the 4,200 ft. elevation of the flats. Can’t imagine 18,000+.

Posted by: Rick Deerwester on 9/19/2016 at 6:28 am

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RMI Expeditions Blog

Shishapangma: Team Remains at Camp 1 for Acclimatization

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Reaches the Top of the Cleaver

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Climb The Shira Plateau

On The Map

Shishapangma: Team Moving Efficiently Uphill

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Begin Climb

On The Map

Shishapangma: Team Checks in from Depot Camp

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Ready for the Mountain

Shishapangma: Elias & Team Prepare for Their Second Rotation

Mt. Rainier: Teams Turn Due to Weather and Route Conditions

Shishapangma: Elias & Team Enjoy a Well-Deserved Rest Day

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