RMI Expeditions Blog

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

January 18, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Howdy all... Checking in after a busy, busy day up here on Aconcagua. There was a bit of commotion buzzing around Plaza Argentina this morning with a bunch of helicopter flights coming in and out of basecamp requiring logistical assistance on our part that stalled us from getting out of the gate on our planned carry up to Camp 1. Luckily, what could have been a logistical nightmare was averted and despite the late start, our team made a great effort and put in a big cache of personal gear, food, fuel, and other group gear up at ~16,400' right in the heart of Camp 1. We're back down here at Plaza Argentina, tired after a long day on our first foray onto the upper mountain but psyched that the team performed so well despite the heavy loads. Spirits are high after a job well done and we hope to keep the good times rolling through another rest/acclimatization day at basecamp tomorrow. Signing off... RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Aconcagua: Justman & Team In Position for Summit Bid

January 18, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Sorry folks this is gonna be short. Our Aconcagua team is great and we are settling into high camp at 19,600 feet. There's a lot of work for the guides so we gotta run. Tomorrow is looking good for a summit attempt so wish us luck!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Robert, Jo and the group,
May the winds be calm, the view magnificent and your goal reached! Can’t wait to share the adventure. Pat

Posted by: pat ward on 1/19/2015 at 8:28 am

Ok Sue,Jo & Robert and all,
Time to finish that big lump of rock, snow and ice off! Looking to soon view well produced summit photos and video…..

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/19/2015 at 7:51 am

View All Comments

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Summit!

January 18, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 19,340'

January 17, 2015 - 8:25 pm PT Hey, this is Seth checking in from the summit of Kilimanjaro! We are on the Roof of Africa. We had a great day, just clear skies and no wind was the story. A little bit chilly. Also, not very people on the route, so we actually were on top by ourselves for a solid 10 or 15 minutes before the next group came up, which is a total treat and a first for me. Everybody is feeling great, feels like we want to get back down to some thicker air. We are gonna head on down right now. Actually everyone has ditched me and I'm going to go catch up. That's it. We'll check in from high camp when we get back down. All is well in Africa. 11:32 pm PT Hey, this is Seth checking in again. We have all returned back to high camp, safe and sound, although all are a little bit tired. We are going spend some time packing up, get some food on board and then we're going to head to our last camp for this Kili climb. Should be down there sometime mid-afternoon and then tomorrow we'll be walking off the mountain. That's it for us. We'll check in again tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

RMI Guide Seth Waterfall calling in from the Kilimanjaro summit.

Seth checking in once the team is at high camp after Kilimanjaro summit.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations to the whole team, especially to my awesome daughter, Ryan!! I have no doubt that new friendships have resulted from the teamwork needed for everyone to summit. I am in awe of each one of you. Great job everyone. You guys definitely rock!

Posted by: Shirley on 1/18/2015 at 2:24 pm

Congratulations to the team!! You did it! Looks beautiful. What an accomplishment. Matt hope you took lots of pictures!! Stay safe.

Posted by: Barb McAllister on 1/18/2015 at 12:52 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Resting at Camp 2

January 17, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Hello RMI blog groupies! Guess what?! Team 4 is resting at Camp Two at 18,000 feet on Aconcagua! Exciting huh! After a casual morning the team talked about preparations for summit day on the 19th. We talked about what color long johns were in fashion for 2015...lime green and how to use the buff headwear in various ways...Steve's favorite...tube top! Jenny on our team took on Adam in a new game created called Rockcci ball...don't ask, simple things confuse me. We went for a casual walk to stretch the legs and get the blood flowing. We are ready to move to high camp and the team is ready! Let's Get it On!!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Glenn, Frank and I are keeping posted on your climb….stay well! Looking forward to hearing all about adventure.

Posted by: Margie Grillo on 1/18/2015 at 8:12 pm

Safe and happy travels tomorrow and always!

Posted by: Dan Griswold on 1/18/2015 at 8:07 am

View All Comments

Ecuador Seminar: Team Reaches Summit of Cotopaxi!

January 17, 2015

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 19,348'

We are thrilled to report that today's challenging climb of Cotopaxi, elevation 19,348 feet, was a complete success! Things started off a bit shifty when more than twenty climbers and guides all prepared to begin climbing the glacier at the same time. The opening three hours of this climb are extremely steep and without any relief. Our team's strong and steady pace uphill proved their readiness both with skill and acclimatization. Despite some lessening of the slope angle, I would say this mountain takes the cake for difficulty. After an hour or so the crowds spread out and all we had to do was climb. The weather changed two or three times from steady snow fall to cold and windy to picture perfect. We could not have asked for a better day! This was truly ending on a good note. We then packed up at Tambopaxi, ate a great lunch at an amazing road side pizza place and are now rushing for the showers at the Ancient and haunted Hosteria of La Cienega. We need to get some sleep because there is a big day of football ahead when we head back to Quito. GO PACKERS! RMI Guide Adam Knoff

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats to Dusty and the rest of the team from sunny Carbondale! Love, prayers and safe travels to all.

Posted by: Terry Claassen on 1/18/2015 at 9:53 am

Awesome!!!! Way to go team that is truly a lifetime accomplishment!!! Or is that an accomplishment of a lifetime?

Posted by: Greg Smith on 1/17/2015 at 4:19 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

January 17, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Resting today... We are all enjoying a pleasant afternoon up here at Plaza Argentina. Our two principal goals for today are letting our bodies rest up from the work we've done over the past three days and continue that acclimatization process, and to prep and pack our gear, food, and fuel for tomorrow's planned carry up to Camp 1. The team is again in good spirits and enjoying the day. We'll check in again tomorrow and let you know how our first true push up the mountain went... RMI Guide Billy Nugent

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lucy - Great going. Enjoy your day off. We hope you have great weather for the rest of the climb. We miss you. Love, Carter, Walker and Christopher

Posted by: Carter on 1/18/2015 at 9:17 am

Glen, we are with you - in thought anyway. It is good to see photos, so we can see, too. Now, your training is paying off!

Posted by: Jerry y Rhonda on 1/18/2015 at 8:11 am

View All Comments

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Reach High Camp in Style

January 17, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 15,000'

It has been another great day on Kilimanjaro. The weather has been fantastic and the crew has been getting stronger as we have climbed higher. I've been telling the team that this mountain can be cold but I don't think they believe me any more. We are at high camp now which gives us about 12 hours to rest and fuel up for the summit push. Our crew has selected a great camp site with nice tent sites and that will really help us relax before the climb. I will check in again from the summit if all goes well! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

I hope your summit day is all that you wish for!! Anxiously anticipating the summit update!!

Posted by: Shirley on 1/18/2015 at 7:54 am

We are sitting in Amsterdam waiting to board our flight to Kilimanjaro - sending best wishes for a successful climb - can’t wait to see you soon! Go SPS!!! Go Daddy!!
Angela, Nicholas and Madison

Posted by: Angela Chapman on 1/18/2015 at 12:37 am

View All Comments

Ecuador Seminar: Knoff & Team Settle in at Tambopaxi

January 16, 2015

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Greetings from the beautiful Eco Lodge of Tambopaxi, located inside of Cotopaxi National Park. We are all resting nicely despite our elevation being well above 12,000 feet. In the ten days we have been in Ecuador, eight of them have been spent living or climbing above 14,000 feet so despite this lodge being higher than any staffed tourist joint in the US, we are all feeling dandy. It is amazing how after three days away from civilization the internet can trump even a shower. But now that we all got our fix, 19,400-foot Cotopaxi is taking center stage in our heads and out the window. It is quite a quick transition from mountain to mountain but the team's successful summit of Antisana, the first by any RMI team, is proving a strong motivator to push our tired legs upward one more time. Our legs won't be the only tired things because with the famous Cotopaxi hut closed for the time being, Tambopaxi sits a short 45 minutes away from the trail head, which in turn sits a short 45-minute hike from the mountain's normal starting point so our wake up call will casually be at 9:30pm. We expect a long night and day so resting now is crucial. We will be taking dinner in an hour then getting ready for our final mountain climb. We will report tomorrow with the outcome. Wishing all of our families and friends the best. We miss you all and look forward to coming home soon. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Basecamp!

January 16, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We've made it to Basecamp! After three long days on the trail our team rolled on in to Plaza Argentina this afternoon in good style and in good spirits. And while we are all feeling the altitude a little bit we are no worse for the wear. We enjoyed some refreshments upon arrival from the great Grajales staff and proceeded to set up camp and get settled in after a little breather. We just finished a great meal of of soup, homemade lasagna (!!!), and flan for dessert and are getting ready to tuck ourselves in for the evening. Up at nearly 14K, it's a fair bit colder here than it was on our trek in, especially at night so we're finally putting some of our warm clothes to good use. Typically, the first night at a higher elevation can be a little uncomfortable so we'll see how everybody fares tonight. I'm sure there may be a few headaches in the group, but that's totally normal... Anyway, we're all still having fun and looking forward to a good rest day tomorrow. All for now, RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move to Camp 2

January 16, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Occupation Camp Two is in full effect ladies and gents. Our Aconcagua team is thriving and jiving at 18,000 feet. It's the same old same old...eating, drinking soup, drinking mate, eating chocolate peanut butter cups and listening to opera. Yes! We have some class! Our plan is to rest up here tomorrow before we move to high camp and the hope is to summit on the 19th. Keep your fingers crossed for continued good weather. RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Sue, Jo & Robert & all,
Opera at 18K…..well….anything but Rap works I guess?
Now get up that hill!

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/17/2015 at 7:53 am

Congrats all on making it to Camp 2. We will definitely be thinking of you on the 19th and hope that all have a successful summit. Giulia and I went to a great puppet show tonight called Exaltation of Larks. The puppets were amazingly lifelike…five elderly nursing home patients scaled to the size of three year olds, sitting in wheelchairs made out of crutches and stroller pieces. Maybe you had to be there, but it was amazing. Wishing you all good hiking weather. M/N

Posted by: Nancy G Hines on 1/16/2015 at 8:34 pm

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

Check Availability

RMI Expeditions Blog

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

Aconcagua: Justman & Team In Position for Summit Bid

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Summit!

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Resting at Camp 2

On The Map

Ecuador Seminar: Team Reaches Summit of Cotopaxi!

On The Map

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Reach High Camp in Style

On The Map

Ecuador Seminar: Knoff & Team Settle in at Tambopaxi

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Basecamp!

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move to Camp 2

On The Map

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

RMI Expeditions Blog

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches