RMI Expeditions Blog
On The Map
Posted by: JJ Justman, Katrina Bloemsma
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
On The Map
Please remind Bob Strode he owes me 25 pushups at the top
Thanks
Posted by: Theresa Edwards on 2/12/2014 at 7:00 am
Hi Brenda how’s your camera holding up? You better be filming your climb can’t wait to see your journey! Love you enjoy camp 2 Richie & Sea Jayntexpoc anxiety
Posted by: Richie larscheid on 2/12/2014 at 5:56 am
On The Map
Hey Mom, when you have to carry Eric up the mountain, its best to use the fireman’s carry. It will center his weight above you rather than behind you if he is on your back. I’m sure you guys are doing great! I love you all, good luck over the next couple days!
With very much love,
Derek
Posted by: Derek Kraft on 2/12/2014 at 6:59 pm
First day completed - WAHOO!!! You all look great. Enjoy each day and take lots of pictures.
Posted by: Candy on 2/11/2014 at 11:25 pm
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
How ya doin the Donster? getting some good cwoffee up there?
We’re rooting for you and the team!
Send us a YO! From the top!
Kisses…
E,D S….
Posted by: The Lahtinens on 2/10/2014 at 8:44 pm
Don—It’s your birthday too! Everydays your birthday—Happy Birthday! Have a great time. We are thinking of you. hugs, Ilene & Andrew
Posted by: Ilene & Andrew on 2/10/2014 at 5:29 pm
Posted by: JJ Justman, Katrina Bloemsma
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
On The Map
Good morning Brenda hope you had a great night under a star filled sky!! The weather gods are really being nice to team 7. We’ll after a day of rest I’m sure you can’ t wait to hit the trail and get to the next spot. Stay strong and have fun and take lots of pictures. Love you , Richie & Sea Jay. Xxxxooox
Posted by: Richie Sea Jay on 2/11/2014 at 5:42 am
Rich - Hey honey so glad you have a day to just chill and enjoy your surroundings…siestas and sambas and solar showers? Doesn’t get any better than that..oh yeah I guess if I were actually there it would be better. :-) Enjoy the break - you earned it for sure. Love you stay safe, Susie
Posted by: Susie on 2/10/2014 at 6:04 pm
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Trace, Sarah, Bro-ski, Dad, ESM…
This experience is going to exceed your expectations, I’m sure. :) Dad, the guide won’t let you drive on the safari, so don’t even ask.
PS For the love of Pete, please try and pick up some Swahili while you’re out there. haha. Eric, we should have made you some post cards to study off of.
Posted by: Rachel on 2/11/2014 at 11:14 am
Sarah, friends, guides, helpers,
Have a magnificent adventure!
Safe journey! xoxox’s, mom
Posted by: Marguerite Saslow on 2/11/2014 at 7:18 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Katrina Bloemsma
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
On The Map
Hi Keith (Lewis)
I am so excited for you and a little scared. Your mom keeps me in formed of all your adventures and accomplishments, and I could not be more proud of you. Everyone back home is thinking and living vicariously through you, have a wonderful and safe trip. God be with you and your team.
Love,
Stacy your Virginia cousin!
Posted by: Stacy Turner on 2/11/2014 at 8:47 am
Keith (Rich), love looking at the pics- how lucky you guys are to be surrounded by those gorgeous mountains! Love reading the blurbs of your days! Hope you are enjoying every minute…Doug and I are living through you guys (and the peace and quiet there) as the whole neighborhood is having a dance party in our playroom! Enjoy the moment! xo
Posted by: Nikki on 2/10/2014 at 4:07 pm
Posted by: JJ Justman, Katrina Bloemsma
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Thanks for the support! I have just a few min of connectivity; Set a personal best today, the gear carry to camp 1 (was super easy, NOT) put be at 4800m/15k ft. Back at base tonight.
Kiernan happy birthday!
Aidan i cant wait to hear how you won 5 bucks from mom.
Devlin i love you too.
Julian, team & guides are great and the jury is still out but I think Paris might have been a better vacation ;) Xoxoxox
Posted by: KenM on 2/9/2014 at 11:56 am
Rich! Love you so much and wish I were there with you! Have fun and enjoy the climb…looking forward to more blog posts we are following them closely! Stay safe
Siriana says “Daddy I love you have a good trip and make sure you are safe in Agacagua in Chile” LOL
Ky says “I love you Daddy and have fun at Aquacongua and be safe so we can see you on the computer while you are in your tent!”
Chanchai is sleeping so no comment from him right now. :-)
Posted by: Susie on 2/9/2014 at 9:05 am
Posted by:
Categories: Guide News
I spent over a decade working as a mountain guide and many days I found myself working in very cold environments, often for weeks at a time. I carried my camera on all of these trips. One of the coldest places I worked was on Denali in Alaska while working for RMI. During those expeditions, climbers often had questions about using cameras in these cold environments. Here are a few tips that I shared with them:
1. Keep multiple batteries available. Keep them close to your body. Sleep with them. If you're not going to be using your camera for long periods of time take the battery out so that it stays warm and it's ready to go.
2. Remember that if you bring your cold camera into a warm room that condensation will rapidly fog the glass in your lens. I have found that if I bring my camera into my tent its usually not enough of a temperature gradient to cause condensation.
3. The solar kits these days are very affordable, compact, light and you would be surprised at how much charge they will provide even if it's snowing. Check out the Goal Zero kits, they will have whatever you could possibly need.
4. Camera technology changes rapidly. One major advantage of the new technology is the size of the cameras available these days offer very high performance while being slightly bigger than your iPhone. A couple of cameras that I have had success with for a pretty good dollar value are the Sony RX-100 and the Canon s100. They are sleek cameras that will fit in your pocket comfortably. Of course one thing to consider in the colder environments is that using the LCD screen will use more battery juice. Having a viewfinder like the Nikon Coolpix 7800 will provide longer battery life.
5. Keep your camera handy. The more accessible your camera is, the more images you will capture. I typically will carry my camera clipped to my backpack shoulder strap about chest height and tether it to a small locking carabiner. That way even if I drop it I will not lose it.
6. Safety first. Mountaineering is a team sport. You're tied in with other people. Just because you see a picture that you have to take right then don't forget that it's your responsibility to make sure its safe to capture that picture. Communicate with your teammates.
7. Shoot details. Shoot unique angles. Shoot to tell the story. Simply, just dropping to a knee for a different angle will improve your image.
8. IPhones make amazing images. I just recently picked up this iPhone case and modified it by drilling 2 small holes in the side of the case and installed a short tether.
9. My light and fast alpine style camera kit includes the Sony DSC-RX100, Joby Gorilla pod (be gentle with these in really cold environments as they can be fragile), a Hahnel Giga T Pro II Wireless Remote, Sandisk 32GB SD card x2, 1 ziplock bag, 1 dust cloth for the lens and the Lowpro Portland 30 case. This comes in at about just over 3lbs.
_________
Jason Thompson is a Senior Guide at RMI Expeditions and a renowned photographer. He has traveled the world to places such as Alaska, Patagonia, and the Caucasus Mountains leading climbs and documenting mountain adventures through his camera lens. See his work on www.jthompsonphotography.com. Jason's recent videos include the 2013 Reel // Artist Statement and Wrangelled, which was nominated for a Coldsmoke Award. Follow Jason on Instagram at @_jt_photo.
Thanks for the great tips and for the awesome pics. It’s one thing having all the gear and technology but having the eye for that unique angle or opportunity is another thing. You have both. Have enjoyed looking at your photos over the years. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Josephine Johnson on 3/28/2014 at 12:34 pm
Hi Brenda looks like the sun is so wonderful for your journey . Sea Jay and I are doing fine did cardiac hill today we miss & love you and are so happy you got the best weather! Stay safe, love you, Rich. Xoxoxo
Posted by: Richie Larscheid on 2/9/2014 at 10:32 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Katrina Bloemsma
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Get it Dad!!! Wish I was climbing up there with you! Love you!
-Ezra
Posted by: Ezra on 2/8/2014 at 1:40 pm
Way to go Casey! Enjoy your adventure. We are thinking of you and praying that you get up and down the mountain safely and with incredible memories.
Posted by: Emelie Kallen on 2/8/2014 at 9:42 am
Holly and Chris,
Just wondering if some of the stories included the torture you endured under my watch… kidding. Enjoy the continued beauty of your climb, I am jealous!
Adam W
Posted by: Adam on 2/12/2014 at 10:03 pm
Hey Chris….we have an open shift this week - wanna fill it??? NO, I didn’t think so!! Oh well, guess you’re stuck there having to enjoy the beauty, the challenge, and the awesome wife you have by your side!! Can’t wait to hear all the stories and see the pics!!
Candy
Posted by: Candy on 2/12/2014 at 1:40 pm
View All Comments