RMI Expeditions Blog

October 23, 2027 9:57am PDT

Just got off the mountain. We went 100% on Cotopaxi. I’ll send a blog later tonight.

RMI Guide Mike Bennett & Team

October 23. 2026 2:31 am PDT

Made it to Camp 1. Relaxing got the afternoon. Tomorrow we're gonna climb the Yellow Tower to Camp 2, then come down to C1 to sleep.

RMI Guide Eric Frank and Team

Thursday, October 22, 2023 8:26pm PDT

The weather is clear and we are feeling strong! Yesterday we took an acclimatization walk up to just below Camp 1 (19,100') to stretch our legs and preview the route. Everything is falling into place. 

We were hoping to do a full stand alone acclimatization cycle before our summit push, but there is a significant storm front on the horizon next Tuesday so we are going to compress the schedule to take advantage of the current high pressure.

Today we are headed back to Camp 1 to sleep and get in position for the climb. Wish us luck. We will try to send short dispatches each day to mark our progress uphill. 

RMI Guide Eric Frank

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 - 4:29 pm PT

Greetings!! 

Today the team woke up early and dawned crampons and ropes for the first time this trip before summiting Illiniza Norte (16,800ft) at 8 am this morning. The weather was beautiful and the summit was another high point for a lot of our climbers. We had an amazing lunch in Machachi where some of our climbers got a taste of magic chocolate, which is hot chocolate with marshmallows and cheese. It was indeed a magical experience. We made our way to Chilcabamba where the team gets to enjoy showers, another delicious meal, and separate rooms. Tomorrow we will make our way to the Jose Ribas Refugio on Cotopaxi.  For now, the team bonds over Monopoly Deal and complimentary ponchos. 

Cheers! 

RMI Guide Mac Nolde 

The last two days of trekking have taken us through some of the most beautiful terrain anyone can hope to see: small Sherpa villages set next to raging rivers with giant peaks in all directions. We walked for a few hours each day, then enjoyed afternoon tea and coffee while taking in the view.

Yesterday we finally arrived at Ama Dablam Base Camp. The basecamp here sits on a grassy field positioned with views of the upper face, the climbing route to the summit. We spent the morning practicing rope accension with plenty of breaks to stare up at the peak. 

Our plan is to move up to Camp 1 tomorrow for acclimatization. The next day we hope to climb up to Camp 2 before returning to Camp 1 for a second night. After this round we should be in good position for a summit cycle and just need to wait for the weather to give us a suitable window. 

RMI Guide Eric Frank

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Move on up! 

Today the team packed up all their gear, loaded Victor's magic school bus, and departed from the comfort of Quito, making our way to the base of Illiniza Norte. A speedy ascent put us at the Illiniza hut early in the afternoon, giving the team time to rest and relax before indulging in a local dinner and playing some cards.

After the evening briefing on tomorrow's objective, the team hit an early bedtime in preparation for the alpine start. Hopefully tomorrow brings good weather and fair climbing conditions! Regardless, we will see you on the other side. 

RMI Guide Mike Bennett 

¡Buenas! 

Today the team met up with our local guide Jaime, who has summited Cotopaxi over 400 times, and had our first acclimatization hike to the summit of Rucu Pichincha, (15,696 ft or 4696m).  The weather was great with some clouds lingering but no precipitation which is amazing for this time of year in Ecuador. Today’s summit was the highest elevation a few of our climbers have ever been to, but the whole team did an amazing job. Luke even made a friend on the summit with a Carunculated Caracara, a falcon found high on the grassy slopes of Ecuador. 

The team has been taking advantage of the spa and cold plunge back at the hotel with Eric taking his first cold plunge yesterday and loved it so much he tried to go again at 5am this morning! (The spa was closed). 

Tonight the team continues to settle into life at high elevation, enjoying dinner in Quito, and packing for our move to the Illiniza Refugio (15,100’ or 4600m) tomorrow.  

¡Adios! 

RMI Guide Mac Nolde

Sunday, October 18, 2026

The fall Cotopaxi team has arrived in Ecuador and is settling in and acclimatizing in the city. We spent the morning getting to meet one another, covering some basics on travel and culture in Ecuador, and then venturing into Quito to explore.

A local tour guide provided the team with great insight and education on various cultural and religious point of Quito. Additionally, the team visited the Equator and spent some time learning through interactive exhibits and displays. The late afternoon was occupied by a team gear check before being cut free to rest and indulge in local cuisine before resting for the evening.

All is well and the team is doing well and looking forward to the big days to come. 

RMI Guide Mike Bennett

After nearly 30 hours of travel, we finally made it to this side of the world and checked into the comforts of our hotel. It is always challenging to stay awake the whole day after a long bit of travel, but we make it until evening. 

Tomorrow the plan is to catch a helicopter into the Khumbu Valley and slowly work our way to Ama Dablam Basecamp over the course of two days. The path will take us through a scenic river valley below towering peaks. We'll check in once we get established in Basecamp and have an updated weather forecast and from plan. 

Wish us luck! 

RMI Guide Eric Frank

Sure enough, our last night in Lukla was memorable.  Our guides and porters gave us a wonderful sendoff.  And today dawned crystal clear for the first time in perhaps a week.  Great weather for flying. It took most of the morning to get three helicopter loads of people and gear from the mountains to the big city but we did it.  Thankfully it was all smooth and uneventful… just great views of a million terraces and mountains and waterfalls and eventually roads and buildings and city streets.  In no time we were back to comfy hotel rooms with plenty of hot water for showers.  The team did one more hike… over to Thamel -the tourist sector- for a final dinner celebration.  The urban walking was at least as challenging as the rugged trails we took along the Dhud Khosi.  The team earned a victory dinner, for sure. 
Still a few travel days and many thousand miles before individuals are home, but we have come to the end of the program and the scattering of an excellent team. Thank you for following.

RMI Guide Dave Hahn