RMI Expeditions Blog

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall and Team reach Barranco Camp

January 29, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 13,000'

Hi from 13,000' on Kilimanjaro! Today was a long day on the trail for the team but we did great. It was a little chilly when we woke up at Shira Camp with ice on the ground and some frost. After the sun came up we started to warm up and after the first hour of hiking everyone was in one or two layers of clothing only. We spent about 4 hours getting to our high point at 15,000' and by the time we reached it the skies has clouded over. No rain or anything for us but it was a bit chilly. It's warmer down here at camp but the clouds are still in and out. Everyone is feeling just fine and we are all looking forward to heading out again in the morning. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall & Team

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Congrats Patty and team! “Jambo” from Bill. Huge hugs and love on this magical day and every other day in between. Regina

Posted by: Regina on 1/30/2015 at 5:15 am

Sending positive energy to the whole group. Good luck to all, especially Jessie & Will.

Posted by: Andrew Modrall on 1/29/2015 at 6:03 pm

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Aconcagua: King & Team Leave Mendoza and Head for the Mountains

January 28, 2015

Posted by: Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

This is RMI's last expedition of the Aconcagua season. Our team enjoyed a scenic drive through the Andes and arrived in the rustic ski town of Los Penitentes. Our team rallied and got bags packed for the mules. Everyone is excited to hit the trail when we begin the trek to Base Camp tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike King

Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Keep Momentum and Carry to Camp 2

January 28, 2015

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

Another day, another step in the uphill direction. We continued on yesterday's momentum, woke with the sun, sorted loads, and pointed our boots uphill to Guanacos Tres, or our Camp 2. It's not a huge day, only 1,600' of elevation gain, but it's great for our acclimatization process, and now we have the bulk of our food and fuel up high. This year is a bit bizarre in that this is traditionally high season and the mountain is very empty. We are the only team in Camp 1, and there is one other small team at Camp 2, which makes for a much more remote feeling to the expedition. Some clouds blew over this afternoon, with a few flurries, but our weather remains spectacular overall. We're looking forward to a rest day tomorrow, and then hopefully on up to Camp 2. Hasta luego, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Alex Barber, Juan, and team

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Hope are all acclimating well and enjoying your rest day. We enjoy hearing about your progress. Now the entire Nativity Elementary school is following your progress and cheering you on. The Hoedl kids give an update at daily announcements. Hope the weather continues to hold and push up to Camp 2 goes well.
Lee - a personal note - Mr Rustad had a severe heart attack this past Saturday. Life support is being removed this afternoon. Our community is certainly very sad and in mourning today. I thought you would want to know so you could add your prayers from on High. Facebook is active with Alumnae trying to collect all the stories of the Mr. Rustad Senior Pranks over the years.

Posted by: Diann on 1/29/2015 at 1:42 pm

To the Norwegian in the group. Have fun toiling away in that freezing climate, tomorrow it is my turn to shut off civilization, but I crave the tranquil heat….. It’s only a matter of time before I am lounging by the pool with a drink in my hand 
So far everything under control so no need to hurry back.

Posted by: Ruthie on 1/29/2015 at 8:30 am

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Ecuador: Grom & Team Ready for Their Cotpaxi Summit Bid

January 28, 2015

Posted by: Casey Grom, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Hola Amigos! Things are good here in Ecuador and the team is well rested after two nights at the wonderful Chilcabamba Lodge. Everyone is excited for tonight's climb on Cotopaxi. Today we bumped up to another Lodge that is nestled in right below Cotopaxi itself. Normally we stay at the Refugio on the mountain, but it is currently under renovation so we'll be climbing from here. We have done this on the last few climbs and it has worked out well for the past teams and I expect the same for us. Tonight our plan is to have dinner around 4:30 then head right to bed. We'll wake at 10pm and have a sit down breakfast and then hit the road around 11pm. We'll drive our bus to the base of the mountain and start our climb close to midnight. Based on how well everyone did on Cayambe, I'm guessing it's going to take us somewhere around six to eight hours to reach the summit. The weather has been improving each day and we have our fingers crossed it will continue for one more day. We'll check back in tomorrow hopefully with good news. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Arrive at Shira Plateau

January 28, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,200'

Hi from Kilimanjaro! Everyone is up at our second camp, Shira Plateau. We were on the move just after 8:00 this morning and spent about five hours on the trail. We gained over 2,300' from our last camp so that puts us over 12,000' above sea level. The altitude hasn't effected anyone's appetite just yet, we all wolfed down lunch here at camp. Our plan from the afternoon is to rest and hydrate up for tomorrow's big push to the Lava Tower at 15,000'. That's all I have for now. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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Way to go Patty! Hope you have a safe trip home…can’t wait for all the details! xoxo Sandi

Posted by: Sandi on 2/2/2015 at 3:58 am

Hi Lourdes my love. I hope you are having a blast. Can’t wait to see you!!!!! I’m waiting for the new updates of your trip. Love you. Luis!!!

Posted by: Luis Baez on 1/31/2015 at 8:59 am

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Ecuador: Grom & Team Catch Up on Some R&R at the Chilcabamba Eco Lodge

January 27, 2015

Posted by: Casey Grom, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Rest day at the beautiful Chilcabamba Eco Lodge! Our team enjoyed the opportunity to sleep in and relax, and prepare for Cotopaxi, our next objective for this trip. After a delightful breakfast, we were able to catch a few glimpses of the mountain in the distance and talked about the route. Based on the team's performance on Cayambe, we'll have no problem with this next climb! We spent the day reading books and sharing stories, and wrapped the evening up with a technical skills session. We learned a variety of knots, talked about climbing anchors, and finished with a full-blown crevasse rescue scenario in the lawn. Spirits are high and we are ready to go! Tomorrow we move on to the Tambopaxi Lodge in preparation for our summit bid on Cotopaxi. Until then, RMI Guide Nick Hunt and the Ecuador team

Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Move to Camp 1

January 27, 2015

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

Today we moved to Camp 1 under perfect weather. The team made great time moving to Camp 1 and are handling the altitude well. Shortly after arriving we exchanged high-fives with Billy Nugent's team. They made the summit of Aconcagua the day prior. We're all settled into camp now and enjoying hot drinks. Having left the comforts of base camp, we've had some lively discussions about the toilet situation, etc. Tomorrow we will carry to Camp 2, as we continue to take advantage of this good weather and push higher. RMI Guide Alex Barber

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Following your progress every day. Best wishes and good luck from Santa Fe, NM in the Rocky Mountains.

Posted by: Jim Arnold on 1/28/2015 at 9:35 am

Will be following your progress. Good luck and all best wishes from NJ!
Jane Osman

Posted by: Jane Osman on 1/28/2015 at 6:46 am

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Experience Beautiful Weather as They Begin Their Trek

January 27, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 10,000'

Hello, we have reached Machame Camp at 10,000ft on Kilimanjaro. We left the hotel just after 7:00 am this morning. The drive to the trailhead was about two hours. That's a little bit longer than normal but the mountain was so clear this morning that we had to stop and take a few photos. The check-in process was smooth and we were on the trail just after ten. The trail is in great shape and after about six hours of hiking we made it to camp. The cooks are preparing dinner as I type this while the team is out taking photos. Our next stop is the Shira Plateau. I'll be checking in again from there. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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Kilimanjaro: Seth Waterfall & Team Meet Up at the Dik Dik Hotel

January 26, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Jambo from the Dik Dik Hotel. The team for this Kilimanjaro trek is all here, packed and ready to go. We've got folks from all over the US and even a couple of Canadians. Everyone seems to have made the long trip from North America without any problem. Although we did have a couple of missing bags, those did arrive so no real worries there. The food and tents are packed, the crew is ready and the weather forecast is looking good. It is pretty much all systems go. I'll check in again from the mountain. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Patty, you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Wishing you a safe and EPIC journey. I can’t wait to see and hear all about it!

Posted by: Regina on 1/28/2015 at 6:57 am

Wishing all of you a great adventure! Go Patty!
Xoxo The Derkens

Posted by: Lisa Derken on 1/27/2015 at 4:05 pm

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Ready to Move Uphill

January 26, 2015

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

With our departure from Aconcagua Basecamp imminent, the group took full advantage of the amenities today, ordering pizzas for lunch, taking showers, and sipping coca colas. Cards came out and heated games ensued. A few folks headed back down the trail to take photos and stretch their legs, but ironically, the blue sky turned dark gray and a short but intense hail storm chased everyone back to cover. We enjoyed our last base camp dinner for a little while, with several people heading back for seconds on lasagna. As dinner wrapped up, we stepped outside to another gorgeous pink sunset, but today the shadow of Aconcagua imprinted itself on the sky as well. We're heading to bed ready and excited for the move to Camp 1 and the continuation towards our goal that it signals. We'll be in touch, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Alex Barber, Juan, and team

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Best of luck and fair skies to everyone on the team, with a shout out to my good friend Kevin Stitely. Tag one for the Slingers Kevin. We are following your progress from here where all is well. Have fun and be safe. We leave for Mexico on Friday. 83 in Puerto Vallarta. Just sayin….....Big D

Posted by: Dick Greenbaum on 1/27/2015 at 5:22 pm

Let the adventure continue! Hope the climb to Camp 1 went well and you are all safe and sound. The kids are enjoying the daily blog updates and taking them into their 5th grade classes at Nativity Elementary in Fargo ND- so you have 50+ 11 year olds cheering you all on every day! All my love to Lee - so proud of you each and every day!

Posted by: Di Hoedl on 1/27/2015 at 7:28 am

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RMI Expeditions Blog

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall and Team reach Barranco Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team Leave Mendoza and Head for the Mountains

Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Keep Momentum and Carry to Camp 2

On The Map

Ecuador: Grom & Team Ready for Their Cotpaxi Summit Bid

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Arrive at Shira Plateau

On The Map

Ecuador: Grom & Team Catch Up on Some R&R at the Chilcabamba Eco Lodge

Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Move to Camp 1

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Experience Beautiful Weather as They Begin Their Trek

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Seth Waterfall & Team Meet Up at the Dik Dik Hotel

Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Ready to Move Uphill

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