Entries By casey grom
Late Thursday afternoon we made final preparations to our climbing kit and sat inside the Tambopaxi dining room watching a light rain fall across the plains surrounding Cotopaxi. We had an early dinner and retired to our bunk rooms at dusk for a few hours of rest before the evening summit departure.
At 10:00 pm we woke and ate a light breakfast in the dark dining room before loading our gear into Victor's bus and taking it up the rocky road to the base of the Refugio. We hiked in relative silence through a misty cloud to the glacier, put on our crampons and roped up. A little new snow had fallen but the climbing route was still visible and we began our climb at 16,300'.
Hour after hour we climbed the unrelenting steep slopes, pausing for breaks where we could find a relatively flat place. At 8:00 am we surpassed the final steeps and stood atop the 19,348' volcano. It was a taxing climb for the team with many altitude records achieved and much to be proud of.
Tonight we enjoyed each others company over dinner and drinks at La Cienega and in the morning we will sleep in and explore this beautiful and historic Hosteria before returning to Quito for the anniversary fiesta of its founding. Good night from a very tired and happy Ecuador team.
RMI Guides Leon Davis & Casey Grom
On The Map
Posted by: Casey Grom, Leon Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Thursday, December 4, 2014 3:25 pm PST
Buenos tardes (good evening) everyone!
Today the team spent the day resting in preparation for tonight's climb. The day was mostly filled with reading, waiting on the wifi, exploring the grounds near the hacienda, and a world championship of cribbage, where Leon and Topo were crowned. We also took a ride to visit a ancient pre-Incan ruin, and a beautiful hidden spring.
We spent the afternoon discussing our plan for tonight's climb and have everything squared away. The team is very excited and looking forward to tomorrow, or perhaps I should say tonight, as we'll be getting up very early.
On another note, we had a trivia challenge today and the winner will receive a free one minute satellite phone call from the summit if all goes well. So for those of you out there following our blog, keep your phones handy tomorrow morning!
Wish us luck!
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Leon Davis, and crew
Was up a 2am sending good thoughts toward Cotopaxi. Hope you all summit and that Richard won the trivia contest!
Posted by: Stacey Cost on 12/5/2014 at 4:02 am
Topo and Leon? This team has the BEST guides! Good luck team!
Posted by: Meredith on 12/4/2014 at 10:07 pm
Today we inched our way closer to the base of Cotopaxi with a short drive to Tambopaxi and then up the primitive roads to the lower flanks of the mountain. Our mission today was to get onto the lower glacier for some basic skills review and a little more acclimatization. Under some very atypical clear skies we hiked the scree fields to the new Refugio at 16,000' and then a little further to the glacier. We were joined by our Ecuadorian guides Topo and Joaquin for a brief climbing school and a glimpse of the lower route. By early afternoon we were relaxing in the Tambopaxi Lodge for some Cribbage and another great team dinner. Things are going very well for us here and the team is enjoying every minute in a most spectacular mountain arena. Looking forward to every day here on the Equator!
RMI Guide Leon Davis
Good luck with your ascent in a few hours Brian. Glad you’ve enjoyed the experience so far. Can’t wait to hear about it and see pics!
Posted by: Craig Mohr on 12/4/2014 at 6:08 pm
KIRK MAN, HANG TEN BRO! CH
Posted by: CHARLES HOLLIMAN on 12/4/2014 at 4:47 pm
December 2, 2014 - 6:08 pm
Today the team said goodbye to the hustle and bustle of Quito and headed south early in the morning. Once outside the city we made our way through the rural countryside and headed for our next acclimatizing hike on the Illiniza's. They are the remnants of an old volcano that erupted long ago and left two nearly twin peaks. Our goal was not to climb them, but reach the saddle that separates the two beautiful mountains. The team made good time up to the saddle where we took a short break in the climbers hut and had some well deserved hot tea. After our short break we made our way back down the mountain to our waiting bus and quickly headed to the wonderful Chilcabamba hacienda. The team made good use of the hot showers and enjoyed sporting around in the ponchos provided by the hacienda. We wrapped up the evening with a wonderful meal, plenty of good stories, and one amazing view of Cotopaxi.
Everyone is doing great and enjoying the Ecuadorean hospitality.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
On The Map
The team here in Ecuador got their first taste of altitude today, on the hills that surround Quito. This morning we rode the teleferico to 13,000 feet and began our trek up Pichincha on the rutted trails that wind up to its rocky 15,000 ft summit. It was a day to pressure our bodies into absorbing the thin atmosphere and although the typical afternoon clouds obscured our view from the top, we were able to stretch our legs and lungs in the mountains.
This evening our team met with our Ecuadorian guide, Jaime, and he took us to a new Ecuadorian restaurant where we enjoyed a fantastic dinner of local cuisine. Tonight is our last night in Quito as we depart for the Illinizas early in the morning.
RMI Guide Leon Davis
On The Map
Go Team Leonard!!!! We are thinking about all of you and Good Luck taking on the Summit! Love to all, Donna & Girls
Posted by: Donna Leonard on 12/3/2014 at 4:24 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Leon Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Everyone has safely arrived here in Ecuador and are excited for our adventure. We started our day with a team meeting where we did a round of introductions and discuss our upcoming program. Shortly after our meeting we headed out to explore this beautiful old city with our tour guide Juan. He took us to visit the Basilica and the old part of town dating back to the 1600's. We made a stop atop a hill that overlooks the city called La Panacea, and took in the view of this long and narrow city of over two million.
We then made our way north to visit the equator which gives Ecuador it's name. There's a small museum there with a few interactive displays that amused us. But most importantly we stood on the equator itself!
After our brief visit we made our way back to our hotel in downtown Quito where we took a break before heading to dinner. The team opted for a place called the Magic Bean that's know for its tasty food and fresh juices.
Everyone is doing well and looking forward to getting a little exercise tomorrow.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Just letting Tom, Bob, and Eddie know that I’m thinking of you guys and hope you had a great climb…get home safe…David
Posted by: David on 12/5/2014 at 6:40 am
We are so excited for you Brian. Enjoy the view from the summit and take some good pictures ! You and your team stay safe. Love you ,mom
Posted by: Karen on 12/4/2014 at 6:18 pm
The Four Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guide Casey Grom reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The team was able to spend about an hour enjoying the views from the crater of Mt. Rainier. They began their descent around 8:30 am. The teams will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climbers!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb Teams for September 19 - 22 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Geoff Schellens reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning just before 7 am PT. Casey reported a change in the weather with increasing winds as the teams approached the crater rim. Both teams will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb teams!
AWESOME! So proud Patrick, John and Joseph!
Posted by: Darlene Halloran on 9/22/2014 at 12:46 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expeditions Skills Seminar - Muir has spent the week training at Camp Muir and this morning were able to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier. Due to high winds throughout the night, they delayed their departure from Camp Muir. The conditions were firm and the conditions cold but with clear skies and decreasing winds the team was able to spend some time on the summit. All of the team members participating in this week's program reached the summit along with RMI Guides Casey Grom, Elias de Andres Martos, Andy Hildebrand, Andrew Kiefer and Mike King. The team will return to Camp Muir to spend their final night on the mountain. Tomorrow they may do a bit of training before starting their descent to Paradise.
Congratulations to the Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir team members!
Congrats to the team! Especially for my husband , Mark!
Very excited for you all!
Posted by: Mary Ann Miller on 9/11/2014 at 3:19 pm
Today's Mount Rainier summit climb teams, led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Lindsay Fixmer, are currently on the top! Temperatures were on the colder side and winds were brisk but no clouds from 9,500' to the summit. The teams are starting their descent soon and will be back to Paradise this afternoon.
congratulations, kenny. you did it!!
Posted by: anne lawler on 9/5/2014 at 6:32 am
Anna—we are so proud of your accomplishment! Great job!
Posted by: Brooke and Susan on 9/3/2014 at 9:37 pm
So happy you achieved your goal Richard and team. Can’t wait to see you!
Posted by: Stacey Cost on 12/6/2014 at 10:00 am
Richard and team, Congratulations on your spectacular achievement! Jenny
Posted by: jenny cooper on 12/6/2014 at 7:35 am
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