RMI Expeditions Blog
Posted by: Casey Grom, Lindsay Mann
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
On The Map
We MISS you Dadda!! So proud!! Keep on trekking!!
Posted by: Kylie, Jake & Cait on 8/21/2014 at 7:39 pm
George, hope you’re have a howling good time!!
Posted by: Ranger Osborne on 8/21/2014 at 1:28 pm
Posted by: Zeb Blais
Categories: Guide News Guide Grant
The trip came to life three years ago when three Canadian skiers hatched the idea and began the logistics. I was brought on because the team wanted two more experienced ski mountaineers for the remote and relatively unexplored zone of the Pamir mountain range.
Having traveled in developing countries before, I knew that I not only wanted to travel, climb and ski in this remote range, but to give back to the mountain communities that would help inevitably help us on our adventure along the way. As I packed my gear for the trip I noticed how much great warm clothing I had to choose from and I realized that I didn’t even use half of it anymore. This was it! I could get people to donate the winter clothing they hadn’t used in years and put it to good use in a country where access to technical apparel was slim to nil. I began a clothing drive and between me and my teammates Holly Walker, Emelie Stenberg, Vince Shuley and Selena Cordeau, we were able to collect and give 350 pounds of clothing to give to the Tajik people who needed the clothes far more than we did.
The good vibes from the clothing drive started our trip on a positive note - which was good, because it was a long, hard trip. We planned on one week for getting on and off the tributary glaciers to get to and from the Fedchenko. It ended up taking us thirteen days, nearly twice as long. We planned on setting up three basecamps and skiing 6000m peaks for two weeks; we were tent bound for six of those days due to weather. On top of all that, the snowpack was just about as unstable as it could get. This greatly limited what we were able to climb and ski.
Despite the hard work and frustrating snowpack, we had an amazing trip. Massive valleys, towering peaks like Peak Ismoil Somoni (formerly Peak Communism) and Independence Peak (Peak Revolution) and miles of ice surrounded us in a grand scale. We were in a place that few people had been before and completely isolated except for our DeLorme InReach two way satellite texting device. It was humbling and inspiring.
We met our goal of traversing the Fedchenko from our starting point in a town called Poy Mazor to its head and descended out the beautiful and rugged Tanimas Valley. Due to the exploratory nature of this trip and having little information about our exit, we left ourselves a few extra days before we would all have to fly home.
Our extra days were spent regaining some of the pounds we lost during the expedition eating fresh tandoor bread, kebabs and local apricots and cherries. People greeted us everywhere and invited us to share bread and tea with them even if they couldn’t speak a word of English (and we could only muster hello and thank you in Tajik).
The team left Tajikistan with a good taste in our mouths in more ways than one. We explored and lived in a high mountain range for 29 days, were exposed to the kind and generous culture of the Tajik, Pamir and Afghan people and came home safe!
Thanks to the Eddie Bauer/ RMI Guide grant for assisting me in this amazing pursuit. The lessons I learned on this trip will forever shape my decision making and goals in the mountains. Until next time...
_________
Zeb Blais is a Senior Guide at RMI. He has climbed and skied mountains throughout North America. When he is not guiding, Zeb teaches avalanche courses and ski patrols at Squaw Valley in California. His spare time usually doesn’t save his feet from ski boots.
Great Expedition!! Fantastic photos!
Posted by: Pamir Alpine Club on 3/30/2015 at 4:57 am
On The Map
Roger I am so happy that you made it. Now you can say I told you so.Rest an Enjoy the safari. Cam
Posted by: Cam on 8/25/2014 at 6:04 am
Roger Hope you are taking lots of pictures. So proud of your progress. Looks so challenging. Good luck. Cam
Posted by: Cam on 8/21/2014 at 7:41 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Yay Sue M! Congratulations, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow night :-)
Posted by: Sarah B on 8/20/2014 at 6:01 pm
Go Grandpa Rathburn! Amanda, Emily and Sue are watching your progress. We’re all very proud of you. I hope I can make that climb when I’m 75.
Posted by: Roger Rathburn Jr. on 8/20/2014 at 5:07 pm
On The Map
So excited to hear about your journey! We are proud of you Papa Roger.
You ROCK! Blessings to your entire team. xoxo
Much Love,
Dan, Robyn, Morgan, Paige and Ericka
Posted by: Robyn on 8/21/2014 at 5:02 am
You’re a B.A. Grandpa Roger. Keep it up.
Love Luke (I’m stay with dad tonight)
Posted by: Luke on 8/20/2014 at 2:46 am
Wow, way to go. I’m sure this won’t soon be forgotten. What an opportunity, way to make it happen!
Posted by: Wick on 8/20/2014 at 10:35 pm
Congratulations Larry, Todd, Scott and all on your accomplishment! It must have been truly amazing up there.
Posted by: Angela Kantola on 8/20/2014 at 8:12 am
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Prayers for a safe and fantastic trip for the team!
Posted by: dotti cummins on 8/19/2014 at 7:38 am
So excited to hear about the first day of the climb!! Good luck to everyone! Liz, thomas, kit and Mary
Posted by: Liz Blaney on 8/19/2014 at 4:58 am
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What an adventure! My post with pictures from the trip.
http://thedaytonupdate.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-happened-last-week-on-mt-rainier.html?m=1
Posted by: Adrian Dayton on 8/27/2014 at 8:14 pm
Congrats Chris and Stefan!! I knew you would make it!!! So great to meet you on Tuesday evening before you were about to embark on your amazing journey :) Enjoy the after glow of your incredible accomplishment.
Renee :)
Posted by: Renee on 8/23/2014 at 4:22 pm
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