Entries By abby westling
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 7,000'
Today the team enjoyed a well deserved rest day in the beautiful city of Puebla. After enjoying breakfast together at the hotel, we all went our separate ways and wandered the city streets, taking in the views and enjoying everything from fresh squeezed juices to fried grasshoppers. At 7pm, we met up at one of our favorite restaurants for a team dinner, where we tasted some of Mexico's finest moles, a sauce unique to this area. We followed this up with a quick trip to the ice cream stand, just down the street, then headed to our hotel's rooftop patio to take in the evening views. We're headed off bright and early tomorrow morning to start our move to basecamp for our Orizaba climb. Everyone is excited and ready for the next leg of the trip.
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 17, 340"
Patience was the name of the game for Ixta. The team awoke multiple times during the night to find various conditions. First snow, then total whiteout, then a menacing cloud cap over the upper mountain. Knowing the patterns of the local mountains we decided to take the cloud cap as our opportunity to climb and we’re rewarded. As we climbed, the cloud dissipated, and team was able to keep ascending under the full moon and cool temps. We reached the summit at 7:50 AM with views of the surrounding peaks and the route we had just ascended. No time to waste though, it was time to descend. We knew of the incoming weather and descended without incident to the parking lot.
Off to Puebla we went to enjoy our much-deserved showers, tacos, and real beds. Great effort by all the team members and we look forward to exploring Puebla tomorrow.
RMI Guides Dominic, Abby and Team
Congratulation on the summit, Abby you are a badass. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Uncle Chewy on 2/17/2022 at 7:32 pm
Congrats team! So psyched for you guys and gals, especially my Z! Enjoy your rest, next stop - summit #2!
Posted by: Jessica Purcell on 2/17/2022 at 1:12 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 15,400'
The team awoke early this morning to frost encasing the tents. As we broke the icey zippers and looked out we saw what the crisp morning had brought. Sprawling views of Ixtaccihuatl, a smoking Popocatepetl, and the valley below. To let the frost melt, we hit the pause button and enjoyed our delicious breakfast/coffee before we donned our heavy packs and hit the trail. Unfortunately, the weather decided to change its tune too. We battled the cold wind and whirling clouds as the team pushed on. With a quicker clip than usual, we were all business and made great time getting up to our high camp at 15,400 ft, many of the teams high points. Now we’re bundled up, eating quesadillas, and planning for the climb ahead. Hoping for good weather for tomorrow. Wish us luck!!!
Go Mom and Dad! You guys got this! Love and miss you!
Posted by: Ella Beuning on 2/16/2022 at 11:08 am
Rooting for you all today - and rooting for great weather! Have so much fun!!
Posted by: Jessica Purcell on 2/16/2022 at 8:49 am
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 13,000'
The team has arrived at La Joya, our Basecamp for our climb of Ixta. We had a busy day of traveling, leaving Malinche to do some last minute shopping in Amecameca. Enjoying the warm Mexican sun, we walked around the markets and ate delicious street food before shipping off to our destination. It was right back to work though as we tuned up, packed and sorted our gear for the coming days. It's cool, breezy and cloudy here at Basecamp, but no rain so we are thankful!
The team is in high spirits and we are excited for the climb. Good night to everyone at home.
Lets go, team! Psyched for you and living vicariously through you back up here in the urban jungle :-)!
Posted by: Jessica Purcell on 2/15/2022 at 8:30 am
Go Team Go! Rooting for you!
Posted by: Ashley Voyles on 2/15/2022 at 5:57 am
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 10,000'
The team awoke bright and early today to eat a quick breakfast and start heading to La Malinche, our first objective of the trip. We were treated with sprawling views of the Mexican countryside as well as our first main objective, Ixtaccihuatl. We were thankful to stretch our leg and lungs as we hiked through the forest of Malinche, a welcome change from the urban jungle of Mexico City. Unfortunately, that’s where our hike ended, just below 13,000 ft, due to incoming weather. Though we didn’t reach our objective, we did get to our highest elevation of the trip so far, hiked with stray dogs that we named Beavus, Butthead, and Hank and ate a delicious carne asada for dinner. Now we rest and get ready to head to Ixta basecamp tomorrow.
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
We did it. The Team has arrived in Mexico City safe and with all of our gear. We just wrapped up our first official team meeting where we discussed logistics, gear, and our various experiences today. Some of us enjoyed sightseeing, some of us saw a sword fight in the park, and others got some much needed rest. The group is in high spirits and ready for the adventure ahead.
Now we’re off to go eat tacos and enjoy a good nights rest.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling and Team
Posted by: James Bealer, David Price, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier August 3 - 5 team reached the summit of Mt. Baker today around 10 am. Along with training and preparing for this climb, this team is part of the American Lung Association Climb for Clean Air raising money for the cause. We are excited to report that all team members reached the summit today led by RMI Guides James Bealer, David Price and Abby Westling. They will return to camp on the mountain for a final night. Tomorrow they will walk out to the trail and conclude their program with a small celebration.
Congratulations everyone! Nice work!
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Camille Leininger, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,900'
The Women's Mt. Baker Climb, led by RMI Guide Nikki Champion, aborted their climb at 8,900' this morning due to rain and high winds. The team is currently on their descent back to camp where they will break camp and head to the trailhead.
Jessie is a champion climber.
Posted by: Batman on 8/1/2021 at 12:38 pm
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling, Kiira Antenucci, Daniel May, David Shuer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guide Mike Haugen reported sunshine, great weather and a light 5 mph breeze as his team was on the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The Four Day Climb July 25 - 28, 2021 led by Mike Haugen and Alex Halliday were descending from the crater rim at 7 am.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Amazing climb. Expertise guidance made this ascend safe and possible. Out of body experience for me.
Posted by: Eva Steinwald on 8/1/2021 at 7:01 am
Looks like it was one of the best weather days possible. One of the best ever photos too from the summit.
I have a cousin who lives in Kent. Have never visited. Too old to climb but would enjoy visiting Paradise for the exhilarating views. So far have been traveling there vicariously, a regular visitor to the webcam site. Amazing snowfall !!
Congrats on your success to the top. J.B.
Posted by: JOHN BUCKETT on 7/29/2021 at 6:37 am
Posted by: James Bealer, Abby Westling, Cal Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
The RMI Glacier Peak Climb, led by James Bealer, started at the trailhead on July 5th in high spirits. They hiked through beautiful old growth forest and crossed cold glacial streams. As the team gained altitude, they could see more and more peaks all around them. Finally they reached the top of White Pass and made camp for the night.
Today, July 7th, the team was on the summit! They plan to move their camp back down the mountain a bit today and hike out tomorrow.
Congratulations team!
Good luck on your next climb. We’re sending love and light to you all. Nice bib Alex
Posted by: Deb Anderson on 2/18/2022 at 6:12 am
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