RMI Expeditions Blog
This is RMI Guide Mike King checking in from Cusco. Our team has arrived with high spirits and all luggage accounted for. We spent the day touring 3 Inca sites and admiring the phenomenal rock work and immense size of the what the Inca accomplished without iron and wheels in just 80ish years. Cusco sitting at 11,400ft elevation requires the Team to acclimate before we reach 16,010 ft on our second day trekking. Tomorrow we will tour the Sacred Valley along the Urubamba river.
We will check in tomorrow, thanks for following along!
A fine adventure was had by all on this Mt. Shuksan Climb! Our team chose the Fisher Chimneys route and all that it had to offer. This route is fantastic for the variety of conditions it offers, from snow and ice to technical rock and a truly stunning approach via the absurdly picturesque Lake Ann.
We found the mountain to be in perfect shape, with smooth glacier travel and few other climbers on our route. As we made our attempt on the summit, we connected with climbers from the Sulphide Glacier route at the summit pyramid. There's plenty of room for everyone on that mountain and though it was a little busy, we somehow had the summit all to ourselves!
It was a fantastic three days in a crazily beautiful place, shared with a fun team. Peter and Ann rocked and we had a great time learning how to move through the mountains. Thanks everyone!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We had to put up with perfect weather again today. A quick 3 hour hike to the park gate where we said good-bye to our mountain adventure. We all boarded our monster truck that held about 30 of us including all mountain gear on the roof. A stop along the way for a lunch to break up the 3 hr drive and we are back at our lodge. The Dik Dik lodge welcomed us with open arms and has done an outstanding job assisting us with desired creature comforts. They are going to supply us with our safari guides and vehicles for the next phase of our adventure tomorrow. Tonight we just finished up a great celebration dinner. Now we are off to bed, everyone is doing well and we are looking forward to starting our safari tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker & Team
Posted by: Casey Grom, Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
Saint Petersburg!!!
We traveled all day and have finally arrived in one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. Things went relatively smooth considering we had two van rides and two flights. We checked into the hotel here and then ran out for a quick dinner.
Everyone is very excited to explore and see this city tomorrow.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and team
Hey Team-1!
How is St.Petersburg treating you? Enjoy your last day in Russia and remember that you have a place to stay in Moscow, if you ever decide to visit again. It was a great pleasure to climb with you.
Cheers,
Galina
Posted by: Galina on 8/2/2016 at 7:45 am
Posted by: Eric Frank
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
After meeting up for a phenomenal opening dinner of sushi and ceviche in Lima last night, the Artesonraju-Frank team was back up early this morning. We caught a 5:30 a.m. cab to the Lima airport, and had anticipated being in Huaraz for breakfast- a quick one hour flight away. Instead, our carrier LC Peru, had oversold our flight and despite having confirmed reservations we were told there were not any seats available for us. A terse hour of back and forth conversation with the ticket agent about finding additional seats for us, and the exact definition of of the phrase "confirmed reservation" yielded nothing. Eventually we gave in and did the only thing we could in such a situation - took a series deep breaths, bought a couple cups of burnt airport coffee and started looking for other options to cover the 300 miles to Huaraz.
Three cab rides, four bus stops and ten hours later, were finally here in Huaraz only slightly worse for the wear. In many ways, developing world travel is a lot like the mountains. Things are always changing and if you wanna succeed, you have to stay on your toes! Thanks for following along. We be out of the city, and into the mountains in a couple days, headed for a ultimate objective- Artesonraju!
RMI Guide Eric Frank and the Arteson Crew
Posted by: Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Sorry we didn't check in last night, I was unable to get any SAT reception from Base Camp. Yesterday we descended from high camp to base camp where we were welcomed by hot lunch, beers, and warm water for a foot bath. We re-sorted gear and relaxed before an outstanding dinner and then went to bed fat and happy. This morning we woke up to coffee in bed and then eggs and bacon before we finished packing. Just after 9 a.m. we began our hike back to civilization, we quickly descended through many ecosystems over the course of the day with dark clouds nipping at our heals. By early afternoon we had made our down the Santa Cruz valley and out to Cashapompa where we met our van. We are all now back in Huaraz having just finished a huge dinner and a couple pisco soures. We are all happy to have showers and some Wifi, but also already talking about the next trip.
Thanks for following along on our amazing adventure here in the Cordillera Blanca!
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens & Team
The Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Christina Dale reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Christina report clear skies and calm winds on the top. The team spent some time taking in the views before starting their descent.
Congratulations to Christina and Team!
This is Susie from Dave’s 4 day trip that shared some time with you on the mountain. Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you! What a huge accomplishment!! It was a pleasure meeting some of you and I hope to run into you again in our life journeys. Congratulations on reaching the summit!
Posted by: Susie Lambert on 8/1/2016 at 7:17 pm
Amazing job!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Posted by: Beth on 8/1/2016 at 11:25 am
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Brent Okita reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Brent reported a gorgeous day of climbing with light winds. The team has started their descent and will be back at Ashford Basecamp this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's team!
Congrats!!! Hey Brent, how many Rainier Summits now? You have to be close to the record!
Dave Kestel
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 8/2/2016 at 4:07 am
Update after successful summit:
Weather could not have been better. Same with the team. What we learn about ourselves and others up in the outer limits of our atmosphere never ceases to amaze me. Outstanding efforts today by three teens, Aaron , Hunter, and Morgan. Each along with one of their parental units, etching out some family history. A fine example of good parenting to bring out the best in these adolescents under some very demanding conditions. What they did today can put a new perspective on everyday challenges. Put that one in your tool box. The rest of us didn't do too bad either. Making good time to the top and back down safely to our last camp, Mweka, here at 10,000ft. Our total summit day only took about 15 hours. We will be back to creature comforts tomorrow after another three hours of descending.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
[Link to summit call audio]
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls from Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
On The Map
So proud of you Carol & Craig & all of your new friends. Well done!
Posted by: Joan & Randy on 8/1/2016 at 10:33 pm
Wow! You all did… And continue to do amazing! We miss you!
Posted by: Jeremiah and TeriAnn on 7/31/2016 at 9:39 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
After lucking out with weather our team spent the contingency weather day hanging out in Cheget. Rumors from the mountain were that most teams were turned around before the summit this morning due to bad weather finally coming in. The drizzle hardly dampened our spirits after our perfect conditions yesterday and we spent the day walking around town, luncheoning, ATV renting, nearly getting run over by a horse on the loose, drinking coffee, telling lies, and eventually drinking beer. Right now we're all hanging in the hotel lobby before heading out to a celebratory dinner with the entire team including our Russian staff. Hopefully we'll survive the vodka associated with a traditional Russian celebration well enough to make tomorrow's early departure for the airport bearable.
All for now!
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
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Great trip! Jake and Ann were terrific climbing companions!
Posted by: Peter on 8/3/2016 at 11:45 am
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