RMI Expeditions Blog
June 22, 2016 - 9:29 pm PT
We took advantage of beautiful weather and moved some supplies up to the camp at 14,000 feet. We left camp around 4:30 a.m. so we could take advantage of firm snow and cool traveling conditions. Although we are on a cold mountain, the solar radiation can be stifling later in the day. Our 3,000-foot climb up to 14k took us up several big hills with names like
Motorcycle Hill, Squirrel Hill, and Windy Corner. Once we got to 14k, we dug a giant hole and then buried our super cold weather gear, food, and some fuel under 1.5 meters of snow. The team did an amazing job all day and we were back in camp in around nine hours round-trip.
The plan for tomorrow is to take advantage of the good forecast and move our camp up to 14k where we will be knocking on the door of the upper mountain.
That's all for now! We'll be in touch from 14 camp.
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
Our timing with the weather was perfect today - as I write this, there's a high intensity hail storm making a lot of clatter on the metal roof of our hut. This morning was beautiful. We ascended up to 15,500', a little beyond Pastukhova Rocks, building on our acclimatization. We were treated to some very nice turns on our 3,000' descent back to the huts, and we got a few jealous looks from climbers walking down on foot. Another great day on
Mt. Elbrus. Tomorrow is focused on rest, and the next day we'll see if we can ski from the top!
RMI Guide Tyler Reid
The Mt. Rainier
Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons led by
RMI Guide JJ Justman was unable to make a summit attempt this morning. The team remained at Camp Schurman due to wet weather (rain and snow mix) and low visibility. When JJ called to check-in with the RMI Office this morning the weather had improved a little and the team was going to spend the day training around Camp Schurman. The team will spend tonight on the mountain before descending and returning to Ashford tomorrow.
The American Lung Association's Climb for Clean Air led by RMI Guide
Win Whittaker and the Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide
Mike Uchal were unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams decided to call 12,500 ft. their high point today due to high winds and low visibility. The teams descended back to Camp Muir for some extra rest. Later this morning the teams will pack up and make their descent back to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them back in Ashford later today.
The
Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team has arrived at Camp Schurman. We are going to get settled in, get hydrated and prepare for summit day tomorrow!!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Greetings from
Mt. Elbrus!
We're nicely settled into our rustic huts here at around 12,600'. This morning we did the gondola shuffle - loading all of our duffle bags and skis onto a moving gondola, and then unloading all of that stuff from a moving gondola...multiplied by three gondolas! We were pros by the last one. This afternoon we went out for an acclimatization ski tour and reviewed some of the skills we'll need for our summit attempt. It's great to be here on the mountain!
RMI Guide Tyler Reid
On The Map
June 21, 2016 - 9:27 pm PT
Rest days are the best days!
Our team made the most of this one with an extended pancake breakfast, followed by several hours of heated "uno" playing. By mid afternoon though, the team was all business as we sorted group gear and provisions in preparation for our carry to
14 Camp tomorrow. It actually takes a good amount of thought splitting up expedition loads; we want to be sure we won't be carrying tons of weight on our move day, but also need to leave enough provisions at 11 Camp should we get caught in a storm cycle after the carry. But as of now, the packs are packed and we are excited to head up the mountain tomorrow! The solstice sun is shining brightly on us as we nestle in for the night. We'll catch you on the flip side!
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
June 22, 2016 - 12:17 a.m. P.D.T.
The final RMI Expeditions
Denali trip of 2016 is kicking off. The team assembled in Anchorage today, with a few reunions and a few introductions, and made the traditional pilgrimage to Talkeetna. Bill, our Denali Overland driver, got the van out of the Anchorage rush hour traffic and out onto the open road with big views of the Chugach foothills and the Talkeetna Mountains. After a last stop for provisions in Wasilla, we cruised on up to epic views of the Alaska Range itself just before pulling into Talkeetna. We settled our climbing gear at the airplane hangar and checked in to the venerable Talkeetna Motel. Some of the team ventured out to sample local beer and appetizers, some went straight to the mattresses after long days of prep and travel. We'll dial down on pre-climb details tomorrow morning...Tonight it was unwind and get settled in the land of the midnight sun.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
RMI Guide
Mike King and the
Five Day Summit Climb completed their two nights on Mt. Rainier with a successful summit this morning. The team spent a little time on the summit before beginning their descent around 7:15 a.m. PDT. We look forward to seeing the team in Ashford later today and hearing about their time on the mountain.
Congratulations climbers!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the entire
Four Day Summit Climb team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. On the summit, the team experienced a Mt. Rainier cloud cap with snow, low visibility and 25 m.p.h. winds. The team began their descent around 7:15 a.m. PDT. We look forward to seeing them at
Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Way to climb!
Happy Birthday Jon!! Hope you are having a wonderful time and your climb is all you hoped for. God Bless!
Posted by: Marilyn and Jerry on 6/29/2016 at 12:21 pm
Venga team El Siete!!
Glad to read that the UNO cards are being used =)
Have a good climb tomorrow!
Tom
Posted by: Tom on 6/24/2016 at 2:41 am
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