Entries By jake beren

Hello, this is Jake and team on the top of Pico de Orizaba under an absolutely beautiful sky today. It's a little stormy around us, but it's blue above us. And we had just about perfect conditions today on the way. So we are super happy, everyone did very well and we're at the halfway mark. So we'll give you a shout when we get down, and let you know how everything went. For right now, I'm super proud of the team. Everyone did well and the halfway mark has been reached. So take care everybody. Talk to you later. RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

Buenas noches from our camp on Pico de Orizaba! Today we traveled from Puebla well rested and ready for our next adventure. Arriving in Tlachichuca we rigged for the mountain in the familia Reyes compound, our base of operations. It is always a treat to come here and enjoy the hospitality (and lunch!) of old friends. What a way to start off the climb! Now we are tucked away in our sleeping bags and off to the night land for a while before launching upward under the moonlight! Wish us suerte! RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

We awoke yesterday from our odd "hut" at the base of Ixtaccihuatl (a hut for sure, but surrounded by a peculiar number of antennae) to clear skies and a perfect view of our lady and her fuming lover, Popo. These two volcanoes picked up a dusting of new snow with the weather of the last few days and could not look more beautiful in their fresh duds. With a possible closing of this weather window the team launched towards high camp on Ixta, accompanied by grumbles from Popo as huge plumes of ash and steam spewed from the angry mountain. Ixta remained calm and welcoming to her respectful visitors. We made our camp and turned in for our first night up high on our host and awoke to perfect climbing conditions. As we climbed this anthropomorphic mountain, up and down the anatomy of a passionate princess of the past, we eventually found ourselves on the unsupported summit at sunrise. We can only assume that Popo admired our approach as he belched approval on our descent. It was quite a day and as we returned to the land of mortals in beautiful Puebla, a fresh blanket of clouds covered our hostess. We are grateful for the hospitality and look forward to resting in the lowlands of Puebla for a day. Perhaps Pico de Orizaba will shun the blanket for us mountain lovers from the North in a few days time. Put in a word for us will you? RMI Guide Jake Beren

Hello, This is Jake calling in from the summit of Ixta. The entire team is sitting on top watching the sunrise on a beautiful morning. We have light winds and temps are pretty pleasant. We did a great job today, and everybody climbed super strong [call lost]. RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

Buenos tardes from High Camp on Ixta. The team is doing great, and we are about to shut down for the night so that we can get up super early and go for the climb. But the team is strong, spirits are high, and everybody did a great job getting to camp today. We'll give you a shout from as high as we get tomorrow and look forward to checking in then. Buenos noches. RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

Yesterday our exodus from the beating heart of Mexico City brought us to the cloudy base of La Malinche, an extinct Volcano and site of our first foray to altitude. The clouds stayed saturated with moisture, but didn't really unleash on us for the bulk of the hike. We were able to make it to around 12,500 feet before the wet cloud was accompanied by some wind and it became clear that we weren't going to get much benefit by soaking ourselves for a few hundred feet more of elevation. Keeping things civilized, we returned to our cabin in the hills for a little R&R, some gear sorting and a nice fire after dinner. The team is doing great and we are now enjoying a fantastic breakfast next to a waterfall before getting rustic on Ixta. The weather looks to clearing up a little and just in time! Keep those fingers crossed for some good weather for our team and we will check in from high camp on Ixta! RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

Last night our crew assembled for the first time in the lobby of our hotel to start the process of building a team. There is quite a lot of experience spread throughout our squad and I look forward to seeing everyone get to know a few of Mexico's big mountains. Today we will leave this bustling metropolis and head for La Malinche, our first acclimatization hike. We ought to be on the trail this afternoon for our first taste of some thin air. Tonight we will stay at the old Olympic training facility to sleep around 10,000 feet above the sea. We've hit the ground running (or efficiently jogging) and look forward to getting started. Off to a good start! RMI Guide Jake Beren

The Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Jake Beren and Mike King turned around at Camp Comfort on Mt. Rainier this morning. While climbing, the teams encountered moderate winds and knee to thigh deep snow. We look forward to greeting the climbers in Ashford this afternoon.

The Mount Rainier Summit Climbs, led by RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos and Jake Beren, called in at 7:38 a.m. The first teams began their descent from the crater rim at that time and the second teams followed at 7:53 a.m. The guides report a little wind from the WSW but all-in-all, good weather. Congratulations to today's summit climbers!

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Jake Beren and Lindsay Mann reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Jake reported cloudy, smoky skies, light to moderate winds, and mild temperatures. The teams left the summit just before 8 am to start their descent to Camp Muir. We look forward to seeing them in Ashford this afternoon. Congratulations Climbers!