Entries By bailey servais
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
After a restful couple nights in Puebla, team Mexican Koala has arrived in Tlachichuca to prepare for our ultimate challenge, 18,500ft Pico de Orizaba!
Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful rooftop of our Hotel Colonial to do some sunset Snow-School Review, then everyone got to explore their favorite culinary adventures.
Reports from the mountain are great route, good weather, and cold!
Wish us luck!
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
Team Mexican Koala was in high spirits on the van ride to Ixta Base Camp. We played “What’s That Song?” to our guide Joe’s epic 80’s playlist, and even managed to get phone reception for a bit to send quick updates to family and friends.
Once we arrived at base camp, the team refueled with soup and chicken tacos, then made our way up to high camp at 14,500 feet. The scenery was unreal, and some of the most beautiful any of us had ever seen-tall yellow prairie grass dotted with pine trees across massive mountainsides, and the Popo volcano belching ash and smoke.
After an alpine start, the team tagged the summit of Ixta, even with Mother Nature throwing us a curveball in the form of a full-on whiteout and a quarter inch of rime ice on helmets, backpacks, sunglasses, goggles, eyelashes, everything……
Huge thanks to our incredible guides, Joe and Bailey, for getting us up and down safely!
Now we’re looking forward to a hot shower and a rest day in Puebla before our summit push on Orizaba.
RMI Climber Matt Hirschberg-Team Mexico Koala
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
Leaving Mexico City, team Mexican Koala - our girl Bec flew all the way from Australia - was excited to tackle our first volcano, Malinche at 14,501.
Our van ride went smoothly and before we knew it we were enjoying the crowd-favorite bbq meat towers at the Malinche cabins restaurant. Our weather was cold but clear, and folks went to bed ready for an early-ish morning.
Alarms went off at 4:30am, and unfortunately Bec’s long trip from Australia had her under the weather. But the rest of them team rallied for her and left the cabins in the dark. At around 13,500’ we walked into a moody mist cloud, and with our army of mountain-dogs, around 11am, we climbed onto the summit just in time for a sun break! 100% for those who left the cabins!
More meat towers yesterday evening and a good night’s sleep and we’re off to Ixta!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
Our excited team of climbers met face to face for the first time last night in the lobby of our lovely Hotel Geneve in Mexico City. They have been messaging excitedly on WhatsApp for months, so even the Bills' heartbreaking loss to the Broncos couldn't stifle the excitement (our thoughts go out to Micheal).
After a logistics chat we headed of to the local taco spot. We have a great crew and everyone is excited for our week to come.
Off to Malinche and our first climb!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
May the ground and trek be kind to your feet and knees- happy trekking- Bec’s Dad
Posted by: Richard on 1/18/2026 at 4:43 pm
Good Luck Everyone….looks like a great group!
Rhonda (Zane’s mom)
Posted by: Rhonda Andrews on 1/18/2026 at 4:12 pm
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Sometimes, climbing is about a new experience. Sometimes, climbing is about the people. Sometimes, climbing is about the experience you get to enjoy with the people you are with while doing something epic, unexpected, and downright enjoyable. That is what we had. We may not have achieved the objectives we signed up for, but we got to experience something we never have before; an incredible four days with an incredible team on objectives that very few people ever get to be a part of. After an incredibly incredible yet long day that we'd rather not discuss, we then still got to go ice climbing (in August) on the lower Coleman Glacier of Mount Baker. Outside of that, we'll keep the jokes we shared, the sandals we made, and the amount of caffeine we consume amongst ourselves. Thanks to all our loved ones for supporting us on these crazy left field objectives. We are back where it all started at Chair 9 with limited service and celebrating.
RMI Guides Ben Luedtke, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais, and team
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Summit Success!
Our entire team reached the top of South Twin Sister with big smiles and perfect weather. It was a stunning day of climbing, and everyone crushed it! We made it back late last night, safe and sound, and spirits are high.
Now we’re gearing up for our next adventure: ice climbing on the lower Coleman Deming Glacier. Conditions look promising, and we’re excited to get back out there.
— RMI Guide Ben Luedtke & Team
Oh ... man. Ice climbing on the lower Coleman Deming Glacier! Can’t go wrong there!
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 8/28/2025 at 9:01 pm
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Bailey Servais, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: South Twin Sister
Today, we sauntered into the wilderness of Washington for our first objective: South Twin Sister.
“What are we doing?” you might ask. “Where the heck is that?” you may wonder. Spoiler alert: it’s a hidden gem of a climb just south of Mt. Baker.
After crossing a downed tree over a raging creek and bushwhacking through a sea of berries, we arrived at camp nestled in a field of boulders. The question kept coming: “Have y’all done this climb before?” Sure have.
We spent the afternoon refreshing our skills in preparation for what’s to come. Hiding from the sun and heat, we’re hoping to get some sleep tonight.
Tomorrow, we climb.
— RMI Guide Ben & Team
Posted by: Bailey Servais, CJ Rogers
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
On August 19th the Mt. Baker Climb team led by RMI Guide Bailey Servais summited via the Easton Glacier route. After a successful summit the team spent one more night at Sandy Camp before descending the rest of the way back to the trailhead yesterday for the conclusion of their trip.
Way to go climbers!
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
After two days of heavy rain kept the Five Day Team hunkered down in the hut at Camp Muir, conditions finally began to improve around 7:00 AM this morning. Although the team was unable to make their summit attempt, they made the most of the break in the weather by venturing out onto the Cowlitz Glacier for a scenic walk and additional mountaineering training.
Led by guides Henry Coppolillo and Bailey Servais, the team is now departing Camp Muir and heading back to Paradise. They’re expected to arrive in the early afternoon, wrapping up their adventure with resilience and camaraderie despite the challenging conditions.
Posted by: Will Ambler, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
RMI Guides Will Ambler and Bailey Servais led their team to the summit of Mt. Shuksan via the Fisher Chimneys route. The team enjoyed clear skies and a bit of sunshine as they climbed above the clouds. On the descent, a rainstorm moved in, making for a soggy finish. The team picked up the pace — even running at times — and made it safely back to the trailhead this afternoon.
Congratulations to the team!
Zane - Remember what to do if it gets too hard!
Posted by: Kevin Andrews on 1/22/2026 at 1:34 pm
Good work team.
Bec stayed off the heavy food stuff and hope the acclimatization kicked in.
Thomas Tank- catch cry- i know i can, i know i can
Best wishes to all
Posted by: Richard on 1/20/2026 at 5:54 pm
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