Entries By ben liken
June 21, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Jess Matthews, Ben Ammon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,800'
RMI Guide Ben Liken and the Four Day Summit Climb team June 17 - 21, 2017 made their summit attempt of Mt. Rainier this morning but were forced to turn around at 13,800’ due to high winds and icy conditions. The team is making their way back to Camp Muir where they will take a short break and re-pack their gear before continuing their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
June 12, 2017
Posted by: Casey Grom, Ben Liken, Nick Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI’s Four Day Summit Climb Team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. RMI Guide Casey Grom reported a beautiful day with light winds and cold temperatures.
The team will return to Camp Muir for a quick break and then continue to Paradise.
Congratulations to today’s Summit Climb team!
June 5, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb June 2-5, 2017 led by RMI Guides Ben Liken & Mike King reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team enjoyed pleasant temperatures and great views from the summit for over an hour. They began their descent from the crater rim around 7:40 am en route to Camp Muir. They will descend to Paradise this afternoon and we look forward to seeing them back at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today’s Summit Climb Teams!
May 27, 2017
Posted by: Kel Rossiter, Ben Liken
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb Led by RMI Guides Kel Rossiter and Ben Liken reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The teams reported a beautiful day for climbing with clear skies and light winds. They have started their descent and are en route to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to today’s teams!
May 13, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Paul Rachele
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,350'
The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb, led by RMI Guides Ben Liken and Paul Rachele, turned just above Ingraham Flats this morning. A storm during the night dropped one to two feet of snow at Ingraham Flats, which also caused a high avalanche danger on the upper mountain.
The teams are safely off the mountain and enjoying some time here at Rainier Basecamp with their teammates.
All good things must end and this Aconcagua Expedition is no different. The team went on our final walk out of the Vacas Valley together yesterday, and within five hours we were back in civilization. After watching the dirt and trip dust wash off us in the shower, we all went to a fancy celebration dinner. Even though the team enjoyed peppers cooking, it was agreed the restaurant was a bit better. Everyone is now excited to head home and reflect on an excellent adventure.
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{/exp:mailinglist:form}checks are in the mail to Ben and Pepper, they are sent to RMI c/o Ben and Pepper at the Ashland washinton address.
hope this note finds you well, it was a great experience!! My urine has gone back to its normal yellow as opposed to the dark rusty red color it was at high camp. Nothing but cheery memories from here on out!!
dave folsom
Posted by: dave folsom on 2/25/2017 at 2:41 pm
Pepper,
I need an address so I can send your tip. This was an amazing adventure for me, and you and Ben were great guides. I will be reliving the adventure again and again, probably getting a little closer to the top each time. After a year or two who knows I may have summited. Get me your address so I can send some $$, you guys deserve it.
P.S. you will always have a warm bed and good food if passing through Medford.
dave folsom
Posted by: dave folsom on 2/21/2017 at 9:40 am
Hi all! Due to technical difficulties we were unable to get a blog off last night, but suffice it to say that everyone made it back to Base Camp yesterday in fine form. We supped on champagne and lasagna to celebrate a safe descent from the upper mountain, and awoke this morning to a last minute gear shuffle before the long walk downhill. Our plan is to hike down the Relinchos Valley, and take a right when we hit the Vacas River. Camp tonight will be at Las Lenas, which was our very first stop on this long and eventful journey.
“Today was a good day!”
RMI Guides Ben Liken & Pepper Dee
On The Map
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{/exp:mailinglist:form}February 13, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
Update 3:44 pm ART time, 10:44 am Pacific time
The team woke up this morning at 4:30 am to clear skies and no wind, so it was time to head to the upper mountain. The weather remained on our side all the way up and down, giving us excellent views from the top. Also fresh snow from the night before meant we were breaking trail through shin-deep powder up high. As soon as we got back to camp, a thunder storm had us hiding in the tent. We will stay here at high camp one more night before we descend back to Base Camp.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
RMI Guide Ben Liken called with great news this morning. His team reached the Aconcagua summit this morning at 11:45 a.m. local time! They climbed strong and were one of the first teams on top. They really lucked out as the winds were starting to increase. The plan is to head down to Base Camp shortly.
Congratulations!
On The Map
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{/exp:mailinglist:form}Congratulations to Ben Liken, Pepper Dee and Team! Major accomplishment!
Posted by: David Clemmons on 2/14/2017 at 7:30 am
February 12, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Hola Blogerinos!
Here we are at long last, poised to make our summit bid from Camp Cholera at 19,600 feet on Aconcagua. The team moved up here today in good style, whipped together a camp, and spent the afternoon recharging in anticipation of a big day tomorrow. It’s snowing lightly outside right now, but all team members are tucked away trying their best to get a little rest. Keep us in your thoughts tomorrow as we try for the top!
On The Map
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{/exp:mailinglist:form}February 11, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
What a great day here on Aconcagua, sunshine and no winds had our rest day in perfect condition. We woke up as the sun hit our tent and sipped hot drinks until nearly 11 am. Then the team went on a short hike up hill to acclimatize and look at tomorrow’s route. Everyone is ready for the move to our final camp at 19,600’ tomorrow, and excited to look up at our final move, the summit. Let’s hope for clear calm conditions in the coming days.
RMI Guides Ben Liken & Pepper Dee
On The Map
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{/exp:mailinglist:form}Hey ya Guy! Hope you’re having fun climbing mountains all the days! Stay safe and take pics for Bub!!
Posted by: Sharon Waters on 2/12/2017 at 9:09 am
Congratulations Casey, we saw in paradise on Saturday when they returned from their mountain school!
Posted by: Luis Carrasco on 6/12/2017 at 10:13 am
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