RMI Expeditions Blog
Today we rode the chairlift up the lower flanks of Cheget, a little ski area adjacent to Mt. Elbrus, and were treated to our first views of the mountain. As skiers, we were pleased to see some fresh snow up high. Above the chairlifts we had a beautiful alpine walk up to 11,400' - a good start to the acclimatization process. We spent the afternoon going through our equipment and making final preparations to head up the mountain tomorrow to our camp. All is great with us...
RMI Guide Tyler Reid and the Elbrus Ski Crew
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
June 20, 2016 - 11:11 P.M. PDT
Few things are as satisfying as watching a storm clear and being able to once again see the mountain you are trying to climb. Our stormy weather did just that, allowing us to do a rapid pack and move up to our 11,200 ft. camp.
We spent the afternoon digging in and letting our tents dry out, and everyone is looking forward to a well deserved day of rest and acclimatization tomorrow. It was a stunningly beautiful evening up here, watching the clouds roll over Kahiltna Dome and streaks of solstice sunlight streak Mount Foraker. Fingers crossed for good weather to come.
Love from,
RMI Guide Mike Haugen and Team El Siete
On The Map
RMI Guide Brent Okita led the Four Day Summit Climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Brent reported increasing winds speeds from light winds on their ascent to windy conditions on the summit. The team started their descent shortly before 8:30 a.m. We look forward to greeting the team in Ashford later this afternoon.
Congratulations climbers!
Way to go everyone! I’m so happy for you Jon Eastlake!! Congrats!!
Posted by: Lynnette Eastlake on 6/21/2016 at 9:13 am
The Five Day Muir Summit Climb, led by Zeb Blais, was unable to summit today due to the avalanche danger on Mt. Rainier's upper mountain. The team ascended to 12,300' when the guides assessed it was no longer to safely continue upward. Everyone is back at Camp Muir, packing up, to begin their descent to Paradise.
What an absolutely priceless adventure! Thank you and the team Zeb for an unforgetable experience!! It was truly life changing! Cheers!
Posted by: Joseph Lewis on 6/21/2016 at 6:20 pm
The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams turned at the top of the Disappointment Cleaver due to avalanche danger on the upper mountain. The teams were back to Camp Muir at 8:20 a.m. where it is snowing lightly. They are planning to depart from Camp Muir at 9:30 a.m.
That’s why you employ the best guides on planet Earth, to make it back tomorrow to give it another try. I too had to turn around there with Brent Okita. RMI is the best.
Posted by: John Newland on 6/21/2016 at 2:39 pm
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,600'
June 19, 2016 - 8:33 pm PT
Happy Father's Day!! We love all our dads, and hope they're having a great day wherever they may be- enjoying breakfast in bed, playing golf, sunbathing on Ping Island, or beekeeping.
The weather went from bad to worse over night. We took turns every hour tightening guy lines and shoveling snow from around the tents to prevent any wind incidents or tent buryings. The crew was in great spirits as we ate our way through the day staying comfy in the tents. We had a great Ramen and veggies meal to which we added sriracha sauce and called it Mountain Pho.
The weather seems to be improving a tiny bit and we are hopeful that tomorrow will bring sunshine, rainbows, and the ability to move up to our next camp!
Send us your best weather vibes,
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
Jon Buchburger is that as cold as putting up snow fence. Hope the weather holds. Gpa
Posted by: Tom and Sue Beckett on 6/21/2016 at 5:58 am
Happy belated Farher’s Day all. Sending good climbing mojo your way Senator.
Reach for the sun and settle for the summit
Paul
Posted by: Paul on 6/20/2016 at 8:22 pm
Posted by: Tyler Reid
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Ski
There's a saying I've always liked to believe, that your abilities in the mountains are inversely proportional to your abilities in the city. Whether or not this is true, I was more than happy to hand over the reigns to Svetlana this morning, our Russian tour guide. She took us on a very interesting and informative journey through Moscow, with emphasis on the Kremlin and Red Square (she speaks perfect English). A sensory overload of history, beautiful architecture, and tourists concluded with a delicious lunch at a traditional Georgian restaurant - an unmarked hidden gem down a side street, through a parking lot, around a corner, and down a staircase.
Tomorrow we fly to Mineralnye Vody, and head for the mountains! We're ready...
RMI Guide Tyler Reid & Team
The Four Day Summit Climb June 16 - 29, 2016 made their summit attempt this morning but turned back after reaching Ingraham Flats due to high avalanche danger. RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the team returned to safely to Camp Muir. The team began their descent to Paradise at 8:00 am PT.
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,600'
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June 18, 2016 - 8:58 pm PT
Remember how yesterday we told ya'll that despite the high clouds and other warning signs of low pressure that the weather was holding? Well, it sure isn't anymore. We delayed our departure from Camp 1 by a few hours and caught a lull that lasted long enough for us to travel to 9,600 Camp comfortably. We established camp and chilled the afternoon away as the winds and snow built. We are well fed, warm, and snuggled in for the night, hoping that the weather allows us to travel to 11,000 Camp in the morning. Only time will tell, but for now the psyche is high.
Love to everybody,
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
June 18, 2016 - 7:51 pm PT
We woke up this morning at 3:00 AM to a wet snow fall on the lower Kahiltna Glacier. I personally stayed up all morning waiting for it to taper off. Finally at 6 we decided to push to the runway and see if we could get a flight out today. After a couple hours of walking we turned the corner and started up the Southeast Fork, aka Heartbreak Hill. At this point we heard some planes began landing and with the shear excitement of beer and burgers we made our way up to the landing strip. The weather was in and out so we didn't all get flights out immediately but throughout the early afternoon we all got off the glacier and flew back to Talkeetna. We are currently having dinner at the West Rib and preparing for a big night of celebration.
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens
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11,200 - too easy. Go Team El Siete!
Posted by: E.L. on 6/21/2016 at 12:36 pm
Yay, Phil & team! Praying for continued good weather.
Posted by: Barbara on 6/21/2016 at 9:54 am
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