RMI Expeditions Blog
June 8, 2014 - 10:49 pm PT
The team broke camp for the first time in three days this morning. We loaded our remaining gear into our packs and made the climb up to
14,000'. Even though the sun bore down on us for the last few stretches, we climbed strong and were in camp by mid-afternoon. As a group we are working on efficiency in building camps. So far we have had plenty of time and warms temperatures to put up tents and get organized. We are very strong and efficient when climbing, but on the upper mountain we can't wast any additional energy setting camps. I'm confident we'll get there. Light snow is falling and we are all tired from a long day. Good night.
Thanks for following our progress,
RMI Guides Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens the UWR team
Andy sends love and hugs to his lovely wife Vivian and kids Jessika, Milli, Jayden, Jaylyn and Devon
On The Map
June 8, 2014 - 9:19 pm PT
Today was a great day for resting and that is what we did. We awoke to some clouds and snow at our
camp at 7,800' and decided to hunker down. Reviewing some knots and hitches filled the spaces between naps and we are raring to go tomorrow if the weather allows. It is snowing at present and with more snow in the forecast, we'll just have to wait and see.
RMI Guide Jake Berenn
On The Map
June 8, 2014 - 5:50 pm
This morning we woke to warmer and windless air. The team packed our camp, had quick coffee with oatmeal and a granola bar. We then packed tents away, and organized snowshoes along with most of the sleds, some trash and few extra things we could spare to leave behind in a cache for us to pick up on our decent.
The travel was as calm and nice as we could ask for with light clouds passing over head. If we could complain about our weather we would just say we were too hot at times. This was a welcome change to the chilly morning we climbed in for our carry yesterday. Our crew made great time, even adding a rest stop on a completely windless
Windy Corner.
Once we arrived at camp our days work was far from over as the snow began to fall. We dug tent platforms, built another priceless kitchen posh house and prepped camp for a storm that is expected over the next few days. We are now getting some rest and fluffing our feathers. Soon will have a deluxe meal of quesadillas with chicken, fresh veggies, beans and rice to fill our bellies and help us sleep warm in our new camp in the Genet Basin at 14,200 ft. Tomorrow we have earned a full rest day of eating, drinking and acclimating.
Will be in touch soon!
Cheers,
RMI Guides Tyler, Garrett, Bryan and the "No Troubles" crew!
On The Map
The
Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide
Tyler Reid was able to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Strong winds kept the group from spending much time on top. As of 7:15 am they were at 12,900' on their descent.
The group will take a short rest at Camp Muir before continuing down to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to today's team!
Saturday, June 7th 10:36 PM PT
Greetings from
our home at 7,800' at the base of Ski Hill.
Today we carried big loads up to 9,600' camp and made a cache. This allowed us to get in some mileage and take a day off the sleds. It also gives us a lighter move day tomorrow and every little bit helps! Just before dinner it started to snow and we retreated to tents to rest up for the upcoming day. Cross your fingers for clearing skies and we'll make the most of them.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
The
Four Day Summit Climb Teams for June 5 - 8, 2014 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier just before 7 am today.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall checked in from the crater rim. The teams are enjoying clear skies and cool temperatures during their time on top today. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise and return to Rainier Base Camp later today.
Congratulations to today's teams!
June 7, 2014 - 7:23 pm PT
The past day and a half have been a whirlwind. Awakening early at 14,200' the skies had cleared spectacularly, a very nice change from the snowy weather we had getting to camp. With new snow on the ground climbing back down to 11,200' camp was easy.
We picked up our cache and visited with friends and some fellow guides before heading down glacier to
Basecamp. Because the glacier was in great shape we could travel during the day without needing to get on to a nighttime schedule to walk when the snow is cold and crevasse bridges stronger and safer.
Six hours later we were at the airstrip on the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. An hour later the great pilots at K2 had landed and were whisking us back to civilization. It was a rush to get in a shower before the restaurants closed.
But we made it and gorged on some wonderful food and cold beverages. A visit to the infamous Fairview Inn to celebrate our trip led some to hydrate to excess into the wee hours of the morning, but incredibly all made it to breakfast at 8:00.
And now we've split up and are going our own ways. Part of the team are going fishing and enjoying this great state some more, while the rest of us are flying home.
Leah, Nick and I are among those going home, opting out of fishing this time so we can see our loved ones, and take a well deserved rest.
Thanks for following along on our great adventure. See you next year!
RMI Guides Brent Okita, Leah Fisher and Nick Hunt
June 7, 2014 - 7:33 pm PT
The team got busy today by hauling a load of food and personal gear up to the next camp at 14,000'. Everyone performed well and we were able to cover the distance in just over four hours- a great pace.
All along the trail, we passed groups who were either hauling gear up to cache or moving camp from
11,000' to 14,000'. It was fun to say "hi" and encourage groups we have met along the way. The small tent city that has surrounded us for the last few days will reassemble up higher as groups ready for a summit bid.
Sitting at 14,000' this afternoon, the team got our first good look at the route. We talked through the flow of the climb and got excited. Hopefully, a few more short days will bring us the time to see if all of our preparations are sufficient to get to the top.
Thanks for following our journey.
RMI Guides
Eric Frank,
Geoff Schellens and the UWR team
On The Map
June 7, 2014 - 6:49 pm PT
...and the players are ready! Hello from our cloudy camp at 11,000. The team had a productive morning rising to a cold clear day! We started the day with a classic mountain breakfast of instant grits with a side of pop tarts. We know it's not likely many would approve but for us it hit the spot and was the fuel we needed on a breezy, cold morning lugging our cache loads all the way to our next
camp at 14,200 ft.
This was our first day of more technical climbing - we've been referring to the mountain behind us as the long heavy approach. The rope teams climbed with crampons and ice axes up Motorcycle Hill around to the famous Squirrel Hill. Lore has it that one early expedition had a furry stowaway on board that jumped from a member's pack at a break on this stretch of mountain, resulting in the long-standing name "Squirrel Hill."
After this section we made great time up to and around Windy Corner, which gave us a taste of some icy breezes as we crested over into the sun. The remaining stretch of glacier went quickly, and we were dropping our kit into yet another snow hole before noon. The group climbed flawlessly as we were back to our tents at 11,200' before we knew it. Now we're resting and preparing for tomorrow's move up to our fourth camp,the highest so far. Don't touch that dial, we'll be back with an update tomorrow!
RMI Guides Garrett, Tyler, Bryan, and the team
On The Map
RMI Guides
Mike Haugen and
Solveig Waterfall and their Four Day Summit Climb Team reached the top of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported clear and beautiful weather with light winds of about 10 mph. The team has started their descent and will be back at
RMI Basecamp this Afternoon.
Congratulations to Today's Team!
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Well,here I am again… 2 blogs in one day.. But I have actually checked for updates about 10 times today! Mom Frank, I just read your message to me, and needed to immediately respond. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You can’t imagine how much your words of encouragement mean to me! John has great respect for the guides and their expertise. He has reassured me numerous times that they are very skilled and safety minded. However, no one but another Mom could ever understand or imagine just how much we worry about our children… Be they big or small! You made me feel so much better!!!! I will try to relax! THANK YOU!
Posted by: Patty Stenderup on 6/9/2014 at 9:52 pm
Praying for safety as you head for the high country. It sounds like you have an awesome team! I don’t normally comment on the blog but it has been fun watching the Stenderup family follow this trip. I just couldn’t resist sending Mom Stenderup some encouragement. Mom Stenderup - I remember the first time my,as you put it, “baby boy” headed up this 20,000+ mountain. I checked the blog what seemed like a million times a day for 26 days. Now I am watching this climb with a little different perspective. You see my “baby boy” has grown into the young man who is the senior guide leading this expedition. From one mountain climber’s mom to another… it’s OK to relax a bit, breathe and enjoy the journey. Your boys are in good hands. Eric and Geoff are both incredibly skilled, smart, mountain savvy, safety conscious, Senior RMI Guides. They are good at what they do. So be encouraged. Like you, I will continue to pray for the team’s safety. GO TEAM! Summit this mountain with style. Mom Frank
Posted by: Kathy Frank on 6/9/2014 at 8:01 pm
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