Entries By hannah blum
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Sunday, May 10 11:19 AM PT
As we woke at 3:30am for our summit day, excited with our mostly sunny forecast, a wet cloud settled into camp and over the Squak glacier. Crowds of skiers passed us up into the white-out, but we decided to have another cup of coffee in our tents. The weather will do what it wants on Mt Baker it seems.
And lucky for us, an hour later it decided to grant us a little clearing, and by an hour into our tour uphill, not a cloud in the sky. This added a lucky euphoria to the already stunning views of the North Cascades all the way to Mt Rainier.
It was a solid refreeze overnight, and as we cramponned up a solidly frozen Roman Wall, the question of skiing this steep frozen mogul field weighed on everyone. But we had a wild card up our sleeves.
After our triumphant photo session on Mt Baker’s summit, we clicked into skis and skied directly into the Barbeque Run, straight off the summit into the smoking crater of the volcano. It has a little more east exposure and a little volcanic activity, and was perfect soft carving!
A short skin took us to the top of the Squak Glacier, and as we carved perfect shiny corn snow for the next 4000 vertical feet, the only reason to stop was to give the legs a little break. It doesn’t get much better than 20 minutes of perfect carving snow to camp.
We packed up camp and were treated with a fun session of snow to forest floor to snow patch skiing which had everyone giggling like kids. Doesn’t get much better on Mt Baker!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch & Team
Posted by: Sam Marjerison, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Saturday, May 2, 2026 - 9:41 pm PT
We awoke to a wonderful sunrise and some unsettled weather that brought some rain and clouds in the morning. After quick breakfast, we donned skins and packed our bags for a summit attempt of Mount Baker. As we skinned up the glacier, the winds began to die and the clouds parted at approximately 10am. By the time we summited the snow was soft, the skies were clear and the winds were minimal. We enjoyed 5,000’ of perfect skiing straight back to camp. Tomorrow we plan to descend and celebrate a great program back in Sedro.
RMI Guide Sam Marjerison
Friday, May 1, 2026
Today started bright and early at 7am in Sedro-Woolley, where we met the team, double checked our kits and made a few last minute stops for food before driving up to the trailhead. After an hour of walking through the woods, we reached the snowline and began skinning up to the Easton Glacier. Breaks along the way gave us views of Mount Shuksan, Glacier Peak and the Picket Range. After setting up camp we enjoyed a great sunset and dinner. Tomorrow, we plan to ski from the summit of Mount Baker before descending back to camp.
Posted by: Casey Grom, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum, Jack Ritterson, Brendan Oates, Kayanna Hopkins, Kat Porter, Oliver Shapiro
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Casey Grom & Leif Bergstrom led their Five Day Climb teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Leif reported great conditions, not too hot and not too windy. The teams will return to Camp Muir to rest and relax this afternoon. They will spend their second night on the mountain tonight, and descend the remaining 4,500' to Paradise tomorrow.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Sam Hoffman, Hannah Blum, Brooks Ordway Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
6:30 pm August 18th
Around 12:30 today, our entire team stood on top of Mt. Shuksan. Today the weather was mostly cloudy, but we were rewarded with a break in the clouds on our descent. Tomorrow morning we will pack up camp and head into town to celebrate. Congrats to the team!
RMI guide Sam Hoffman, Hannah Blum, and Brooks Ordway-Smith
Posted by: Brent Okita, Jackson Breen, Hannah Blum, Raymond Holt, Miles Watson, Fitz Elder, Oliver Shapiro, Ben Porter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climbs August 10 - 13 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Jackson Breen. It's a beautiful day with clear skies and great views. The teams enjoyed some time on top before starting their descent from the crater rim around 6:40 am. Once they reach Camp Muir they will take a short break and then continue the final 4,500' to Paradise.
Nice work team!
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Joe Crawford, Hannah Blum, Hannah Billings, David Rathbun, Matt Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 2 - 5, 2025 led by RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli and Joe Crawford reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reported a beautiful day on the mountain with a little wind a little precipatation while they were on the summit. They enjoyed a bit of time in the crater before starting their descent. The teams are heading back to Camp Muir, and after a quick break will continue the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise to complete their climb. Once back at BaseCamp they will enjoy a bit of celebration to conclude their adventure.
Nice work today team!
PC: Dominic Cifelli
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'
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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!
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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: Dustin Wittmier, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Monday, July 21, 2025 4:37pm PDT
100% summits on the Coleman-Deming route. We summitted just after 9am and got back to camp before the rain!
It's been a chill afternoon waiting out rain showers in the tent and intermittently napping.
We plan to descend in the morning.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
Posted by: Joe Crawford, Hannah Blum, Julian Kral, Kat Porter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Led by RMI Guides Joe Crawford, Hannah Blum, Julian Kral, and Kat Porter, the Five Day Climb reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team reported beautiful windy weather from the Mt. Rainier summit crater. The team has descended to Camp Muir where they will spend one more night on the mountain. They'll finish their descent back to Paradise tomorrow.
Way to go climbers!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jackson Breen, Hannah Blum, Layne Peters, Miles Watson, Margo Kerr, Erika Barrett, CJ Rogers
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 5 - 9 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom & Jackson Breen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The teams enjoyed clear skies, nice walking and a bit of wind. They began their descent from the crater rim just after 7 am. Forecasts for tonight show higher winds, so the team chose today for their summit attempt and it seems to have worked out nicely. They will return to Camp Muir for their second night and enjoy a full nights rest before descending the final 4,500' to Paradise tomorrow.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
PC: Layne Peters
Congratulations on a successful summit! What a great achievement!
Posted by: Alison Thornton on 7/8/2025 at 10:04 am
Inspiring experience (yes, a 1997 reboot, well sort of!), and lots of gratitude to be a part of this RMI team!
A great big thank you to all the guides - you shine!
Posted by: Catherine Nelson on 8/21/2025 at 5:50 pm
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