RMI Expeditions Blog

Elevation: 14,410'

Our Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir led by RMI Guides Mike Walter and Jake Beren reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported great route conditions, warm temperatures and clear skies. The team is now en route to Camp Muir and will spend the spend the rest of their time at Camp Muir training before returning to RMI Basecamp tomorrow. Congratulations to today's team!

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Job well done!!!! Not too many people can say they did this. Congratulations…. from the other Eileen & Ty

Posted by: Eieen on 9/16/2013 at 6:29 am

YEAH! Great News Thrilling… what an accomplishment.

Love Mom, Ty ( Bluefin Tuna Fishing on Cape Cod) and Kate!!!

Posted by: meg on 9/12/2013 at 6:12 pm

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar Training At Camp Muir

September 11, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike Walter

Elevation: 10,080'

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir September 9 - 13 led by RMI Guides Jake Beren and Mike Walter continue their training at Camp Muir. The teams ascended on Monday from Paradise to Camp Muir. They have been working on their mountaineering skills including cramponing, rope travel, running belays and ice axe arrest. The teams have been enjoying beautiful weather and spending time on the mountain. They plan to make their summit attempt this evening. We wish them luck!

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bet you don’t miss the I-phone… gr8 job.

Posted by: emerold on 9/15/2013 at 6:22 am

Eric - Awesome accomplishment!! Wishing you continued good weather on your descent. Be safe!

Posted by: Susan and jim on 9/13/2013 at 6:11 am

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Climb Ends Safari is About to Begin

September 11, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

After a short hike today we finally arrived at the exit gate of Kilimanjaro National Park and meet up with more of the Dik Dik staff who had prepared a wonderful lunch for us. It took about two hours to reach the Lodge where we greeted by all of the lodge staff outside awaiting our arrival singing and dancing. It was a very warm welcome and left everyone with big smiles. As you can guess there were hot showers for all and a few naps too. We finished the evening with a celebration dinner and handed out summit certificates to everyone. Now it's time to enjoy the success and do a little animal watching! Safari starts tomorrow! RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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That certificate will be framed and hung in a place of honor!
So proud! Have fun on your safari! Love you!

Posted by: Tracy O. on 9/12/2013 at 7:52 am

A JOB WELL DONE

Posted by: randy on 9/12/2013 at 5:29 am

RMI Guide Robby Young Recaps Climbing The North Ridge of Forbidden Peak

September 11, 2013

Posted by: Robby Young

Categories: Guide News

When the summer climbing season is in full swing, RMI guides look for every opportunity to get into the mountains. RMI Guide Robby Young took advantage of a few days off from guiding recently to climb the North Ridge of Forbidden Peak in the North Cascades. RMI Guide Robby Young navigating through the crevasses on the North Ridge of Forbidden.

RMI Guide Robby Young navigating through the crevasses on the North Ridge of Forbidden.

With the summer climbing season on Mt. Rainier in full swing, it has become a bit more difficult to sneak away and enjoy the classic alpine routes in the North Cascades. My climbing partner, Mike, recently came to town and I wanted him to experience the beauty of the North Cascade Alpine Rock. Given that it was Mike’s first time in the range, we instinctively set our sights on the classic pinnacle summit of Forbidden Peak. Climbing the North Ridge of Forbidden in the North Cascades.

Climbing the North Ridge of Forbidden in the North Cascades.

The beautifully long and committing North Ridge fit the bill for a true alpine adventure. Unlike its prestigious West Ridge neighbor, the north ridge route involved a more indirect approach, which required climbing up and over the Sharkfin Col and across the remote and broken Boston Glacier. It gave the route a more remote alpine feel. Once on the ridge proper, the climbing soon became uninterrupted and classic as we made “quick” work of the never-ending knife ridge and vertical gendarmes. As anticipated, the summit of Forbidden did not disappoint, gifting us with views of some neighboring North Cascade summits like Eldorado, Torment, Boston, Sahale, and Buckner. Our descent down the West Ridge and back into Boston Basin ended as often long North Cascade routes do, in the dark; leaving us exhausted but eagerly anticipating future adventures in this beautiful range. RMI Guide Robby Young and his climbing partner enjoy the knife edge ridge on Forbidden.

RMI Guide Robby Young and his climbing partner enjoy the knife edge ridge on Forbidden.

________ RMI Guide Robby Young leads climbs in Washington's Cascades and the Alaska Range. Robby is an an accomplished ski mountaineer, ski patroller and photographer.

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Summit!

September 10, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 10,000'

9/10/13 6:49 am PT Hello all - The team has finally made it all the way down to Mweka camp situated around 10,000' and are resting after such a big day. We had a wonderful day for climbing today with clear skies, moderate temps and very little wind. Everyone did a great job of taking care of themselves the entire day and really impressed me by making the summit in a little over 6 hours. We spent about a half hour taking in the spectacular views and getting the obligatory summit photos, then headed back down to high camp. After a brief rest we packed up and headed further down valley to tonight's camp. Everyone is doing well and I'm sure will sleep well tonight. Looking forward to hot showers and clean clothes tomorrow. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew 9/10/13 3:10 am PT - Success! Our entire team reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro today. We have safely returned to high camp and are getting packed up for our descent. We'll try to update this evening.

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Congrats Fatima, another fine accomplishment with great memories. Impressive girl! Casey rocks.

Posted by: Greg Barber on 9/11/2013 at 9:47 am

WOOO HOO!!! you made it…never doubted it.
Be safe!
Love and hot cocoa to all!!!

Posted by: Marilyn on 9/11/2013 at 9:34 am

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Preparing for Summit Bid

September 9, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 15,000'

Hello again everyone. Day 5 and we have arrived at Kilimanjaro's high camp, 15,000ft! The team once again did a great job of getting to camp in just under our 3-hour target time. It was another nice day here this morning and now we are sitting in the clouds, which will make for perfect napping temperatures. We have just finished another enjoyable lunch and have discussed the plans for our upcoming climb. Everyone seems excited and as usual, a little nervous too. Our plan is to wake up at midnight, have breakfast at 12:30 p.m., and hopefully start our climb around 1 a.m. If all goes according to plan, we should reach the summit somewhere around 7 - 9 a.m. EAT (5 - 7 a.m. PST). Wish us luck! RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Jami & Heidi. We got your message. Congratulations! We have been watching your progress. Love you both, Mom, Dad and kids.

Posted by: Carrie Whitney on 9/10/2013 at 5:13 am

My Heidi Looks COLD…..Keep warm Girl! Miss You!!

Posted by: Mary Jo Sabo on 9/10/2013 at 3:51 am

Mt. Rainier: September 9th Update

September 9, 2013

Posted by:

Elevation: 12,300'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Leon Davis reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver before route conditions forced them to turn around. When Dave called to check-in around 7:15 am, the teams were descending the lower third of the Cleaver en route to Camp Muir. They will be back in Ashford later this afternoon.

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I am so proud of all of you guys! You had a dream and went for it! You are my heros!!! Be safe and come home in one piece!

Posted by: Susan Angell on 9/9/2013 at 2:29 pm

Bummer guys! We had an issue with the route two days before as well. Next time!

Posted by: Jeff Marcoux on 9/9/2013 at 11:58 am

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Climb the Barranco Wall

September 8, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 14,500'

Hello all. It was a beautiful day here on Kilimanjaro today. Clear skies and relatively warm weather made for an enjoyable day. The team easily climbed the 1,000-foot high and intimidating Barranco Wall on our way to camp today. We made our way via a series of broken ledges and small steps and we were in awe of how easily the porters climbed this wall while still balancing their loads on their heads. We are currently resting at Karanga Camp, which sits above the great Karanga Valley and has views of the towns far below. Everyone is doing well and we are in good spirits! RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: September 8th Teams Thwarted by Winds

September 8, 2013

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Elias de Andres Martos

Elevation: 12,700'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Billy Nugent and RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos reached 12,900’ before high winds forced them to turn around. The teams were at Ingraham Flats around 7 am this morning en route to Camp Muir. From there, they will refuel and prepare to descend back to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them back in Ashford this afternoon. Way to climb teams!

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Quinn & I are back in Atlanta and missing everybody! I am homesick for that beautiful mountain, even if she did kick us off. Would love to stay in touch with all of you, and maybe we can schedule another summit attempt! Also, I failed with camera duty and would love any pictures y’all may have to share. Email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Thanks to our wonderful RMI guides for a challenging and unforgettable experience.

Liz

Posted by: Liz Wiedemann on 9/9/2013 at 9:40 pm

Hey Billy and Elias,

You guys really did a great job and pulled off a very memorable climb. I definitely will not forget the sight of that ladder bridge blowing in the wind at 12,900 ever! Look forward to catching up with you guys again, good luck on your upcoming climbs!

All the Best,

Dave

Posted by: Dave Flahive on 9/9/2013 at 9:01 pm

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team at Barranco Camp

September 7, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Elevation: 15,000'

Jambo everyone! Day three here on Kilimanjaro was a little windy and cloudy. But those conditions allowed us to make good time on our hike by keeping us cool but not cold. We hiked up the Shira Plateau for a few hours and reached our high point around 15,000' (new heights for some) at a place called Lava Tower. We stopped and took a nice break and enjoyed the limited view then easily descended down into the Barranco Valley to camp. Along the way we saw some of the unique vegetation that only grows in this part of the world. The giant Senecio trees that look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, groundsels,and lobelias. We are all currently relaxing in camp either taking naps or playing cards. Everyone is doing great and having a good time! RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

On The Map

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Fatima and Pete..You are heading to Summit day. Savor every moment….Say HI to Casey. Deb

Posted by: Debbi on 9/8/2013 at 4:41 am

You’re doing a Wicked Good Job!!!

Posted by: John Ehntholt on 9/8/2013 at 4:14 am