Entries By bailey servais
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
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!
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Joe Crawford, Bailey Servais, Hannah Blum, Ben Porter, Ben Luedtke, Hannah Billings, Simon Kearns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
.jpg)
.jpg)
Today, the Four-Day Climb, led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Joe Crawford, successfully reached the summit of Mt. Rainier!
In a fun twist of trail magic, both groups were guided by not one, but two Joes, two Hannahs, and two Bens — in addition to Bailey and Simon, who helped keep things from getting too confusing! With this strong and experienced team at the helm, the climbers were in great hands every step of the way.
The teams pushed through some smokey conditions on their ascent and were rewarded with beautiful clear skies upon reaching the crater. After soaking in the views from the top, the climbers began their descent to Camp Muir, where they’ll pack up before continuing the remaining 4,500’ down to Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations to today’s climbers on an incredible accomplishment!
.jpg)
Reading this update with tears of joy in my eyes!! I am just SO so happy for you all but especially my awesome husband, Christoph!! I am so very proud of you, you made this dream, 13 years in the making, come true! Ich liebe dich überalles! Du bist meine Liebe meines Lebens
Posted by: Anna Graf on 8/1/2025 at 11:24 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Early this morning, under the guidance of RMI Expeditions’ guides Brent Okita and Bailey Servais, a determined team of climbers reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. Their journey began in the dark hours of the morning, ascending through a dense marine layer that blanketed the lower elevations. As they climbed higher, the clouds gave way to clear skies and sweeping views.
Despite some wind at the summit, the team enjoyed, taking in the panoramic vistas from Washington’s highest peak.
The climbers are now making their descent back to Camp Muir, where they’ll regroup and rest before continuing down to Paradise. From there, they’ll return to Ashford, WA, where celebrations await.
Congratulations to all the climbers and guides on this unforgettable achievement!
PC: Layne Peters
Posted by: Jackson Breen, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Today, the Five-Day Emmons Climb team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier via the Emmons Glacier Route! Led by RMI Guides Jackson Breen and Bailey Servais, the team camped on the Inter Glacier before making their final push from Camp Schurman.
They’ll descend tomorrow and celebrate their incredible achievement at Ashford Basecamp.
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Friday, July 4, 2025 - 1:33 AM PT
After we got in the tents at 11k last night, there was a violent thunderstorm passing over with inches of hailstones. We awoke at 2:00 AM to fire the stoves, choke down some oatmeal and get ready for a big day. It was party cloudy but mostly clear, which led to easy walking conditions. We were walking by 4:00 AM and and fairly soon, we’d reached the upper regions of Ski Hill and then our old camp at 8k. It only took us a further three hours to reach base camp. For late season, conditions were amazing. We never had to cross an open crevasse. We stayed busy at base camp sorting our own gear and helping others to load planes. Our flights came in around 1:00 PM and then we were headed to Talkeetna. Our team had donated pizzas in their mouths within 5 minutes of landing in Talkeetna. K2 Aviation did an excellent job bringing us home. In checking out with the National Park Service, we learned that we had been the absolute last team on the mountain and that the success rate for the season had only been 36%.
We sorted gear for the afternoon and then celebrated with a dinner at the brew pub. We celebrated a safe and enjoyable climb that didn’t reach the summit. That seemed appropriate given how much we enjoyed the effort of simply trying to get up the mountain.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team
PC: Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
Well done! Did the best you could with the conditions…looking forward to the stories and your safe return to the states. Karl and Diane
Posted by: Karl Ring on 7/8/2025 at 4:34 pm
God reise hjem etter det som må ha vært en fantastisk opplevelse selv om toppen ikke ble nådd.
Posted by: Erik Blaauw Evensen on 7/4/2025 at 12:45 pm
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
View All Comments