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Good morning! We're packing up as we speak, and are scheduled to fly back to Talkeetna in the next few hours. Unfortunately we can't report another summit from yesterday. We continued to have more snow through the early afternoon and our fears for avalanche danger were confirmed when the temps climbed up later in the day. We settled for just the approach to the lower Pika, as we tested an incredibly reactive snowpack; while no climbing, that provided a super valuable safety learning opportunity for everyone. That's it for now, our next post will be from civilization with some pics. Best, Rmi Guide Elías deAndres Martos and Team

Alaska Alpine Seminar: Elias & Team Climb Big Arapiles

May 16, 2015

May 16th 2:06 am PT Good morning from Little Switzerland. We had an awesome day yesterday!!! We woke up to marginal weather and spent the morning mastering lead climbing techniques and tricks at the belay. As things stabilized, we broke again into groups and climbers took the lead and responsibility to guide us to Big Arapiles, both up and down; It was an incredible outing and Vanessa, Tyler, Kyle, John and Paul made us proud. Our plan today may change, as we are receiving a ton of snow. We'll check back in later and let you know. Standing by from the Pika Glacier, RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos, Sean Collon, Andy Hildebrand, and team

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Way to go V!!!
Enjoy every minute, be safe and I will see you soon! 80 degrees is waiting for you :)
Love you,
Brett

Posted by: Brett on 5/16/2015 at 3:11 pm

Grandma and Grandpa say hi to Taylor and the group. Looks like fun, next time we would love to go with you. Stay safe.

Posted by: Stan & Ruth Briggs on 5/16/2015 at 2:54 pm

Alaska Alpine Seminar: Elias & Team Plan for Next Climb Objective

May 15, 2015

May 15th 1:30 am PT Good evening from Pika Glacier camp. We are writing from the relative comfort of our posh tent, after a day of on and off fog, wind and snow. We're all in great spirits and hoping for the weather to clear to focus on our next objective. Enjoy a couple pictures of today's view from home. That's it for today! RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos

Alaska Alpine Seminar: Elias & Team Climb Lost Marsupial

May 14, 2015

May 14, 2015, 1:45 am PT Greetings from Little Swiss camp! We're "off rappel" for the day... and what a day! Full alpine experience. We climbed the route "Lost Marsupial" on The Throne, one of the MEGA CLASSICS in the area. We had A BLAST and everybody did a great job, but also had the opportunity to experience what alpine climbing is all about. Splitter granite on the crux pitches, snow over the upward traverses in between, and getting out of our comfort zones by climbing with a pack and mountaineering boots. Big dinner followed upon arrival to camp, following the eight full length rappels that took us off the wall, and allowed us to beat the storm that now we are under. We will keep you posted on our upcoming objectives. Best that's from the promised land of climbing that is Alaska. RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos, Sean Collon and team

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Hi Naie & Team,
I bet the night sky up there is pretty incredible huh?
The Kurdish people have a saying, “No friends but the mountains”.
The mountain is your friend too, she will protect you.
Best wishes for a successful climb.
From Jeannie,
currently West Coast of the Southrrn Alps, NZ.

Posted by: Jean on 5/15/2015 at 5:32 am

It sounds like a great adventure! Congrats to Kyle, Paul, and the whole team!

Posted by: Christie on 5/14/2015 at 6:24 pm

Alaska Alpine Seminar: Elias & Team on Belay!

May 13, 2015

May 12, 2015 10:15 pm PT Team is ready for our first objective: tomorrow morning we will be switching to multi-pitch mode and conquer our first big route. We had a great day training on (and summiting) "the Munchkin." We spent the day on its south ridge and east face rehearsing for steep snow and technical rock. Everyone is doing great and we all look forward to checking in with more accounts from the outstanding routes we are about to tackle. Good evening! RMI Guides Elías, Sean, Andy and the team.

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Awesome job you guys! Paul you are amazing!!!

Posted by: Merilee Jopson on 5/14/2015 at 9:58 am

Congratulations to everyone! Very exciting to get the updates. Wish I was there!!! Good luck!

Posted by: Leo Wright on 5/13/2015 at 12:17 pm

Alaska Alpine Seminar: Elias & Team First Full Day on the Pika Glacier

May 12, 2015

Elevation: 5,600'

May 11, 2015 11:00 pm PT Greetings! Warm temperatures, clear skies and pristine snow is what we enjoyed today. Our first full day in the Pika entailed a thorough review of our different anchors, crevasse rescue systems and scenarios, and a tour of the glacier to check the approach to our upcoming routes. Keeping a close eye on the ravens, whom are after our kitchen and tents, we enjoyed a massive production of tortellini at dinner. This will fuel us for our first objective tomorrow, when we'll try our first summit while mastering transitions, protection and descents on rock and snow. Best regards, RMI Guides Elias, Andy, and Sean

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I’m so proud of your adventurous spirit. Your trip looks amazing! I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get home.

Love you so much,
B

Posted by: BC on 5/13/2015 at 8:44 am

Hope the good weather continues..enjoying your Blogs.

Posted by: JH on 5/12/2015 at 7:52 pm

Alaska Alpine Seminar: Elias & Team Fly to the Pika Glacier

May 11, 2015

May 10, 2015, 9:28 pm PT We woke today in Talkeetna to beautiful weather and were able to fly on to the Pika Glacier before noon. We spent the day building the camp that we'll be calling home for the next week, and also had time for some avalanche education and training. For now, we are in and out of light clouds and snow, but things are relatively calm, temperatures are mild and all of us are excited to be in Little Switzerland after a weather day in Talkeetna. Fingers crossed for blue skies in the coming days! RMI Guides Sean Collon, Elias de Andres Martos and Andy Hildebrand

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Praying for all!
Spoke with Phillip and Christy last evening. Phillip sent me a picture of he and his girlfriend.

Love You Brian

Posted by: Duane Mycroft on 5/12/2015 at 6:18 pm

The trip looks beautiful! We admire your courage. Be safe and enjoy a trip of a lifetime!

Posted by: Ken and Pam on 5/12/2015 at 8:56 am

Alaska Alpine Seminar: Elias & Team - Day 1 Training in Talkeetna

May 9, 2015