Entries By jess wedel
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'
If you were with us last night you would have slept out under the stars of the southern hemisphere, and when you woke after midnight you’d stay up a few minutes longer watching the Milky Way stretch from ridge to ridge. You might have dreamed of this trip for years or signed up only a month ago.You might be back for your second attempt, comparing this to your trek up Denali, or counting down for an Everest attempt. After all the prep and planning you’d be settling into the pace of the mountain and getting to know our guides. You’d hear about their careers in social work, Iowan ice climbing, and physics research and be grateful both for their expertise on Aconcagua and experience guiding together before. You’d want family back home to think you’re roughing it, and might not tell them about the malbec, bistec, and fresh vegetables prepared over an open fire for dinner - then, as the morning light grew in the Vacas valley you’d laugh again about mummy 10 movies and make your way to the tent for coffee. As you linger over a first-class breakfast Jess races from the kitchen to teach us the Spanish word for toothpick - palillo – with hip and hand motions to ensure correct enunciation for each syllable.
Then, we start to hike. Tim might teach you about the physiology of mammals in the Andes mountains, David would explain the nuances of altitude’s effect on the body, and Jack points to geological features and tells you how they came to be. At breaks we sample apple-flavored kettle corn and sandwiches with every sauce mixed together, cheer as a water bottle is rescued from the glacial river, catch our first sight of guanacos traveling together, and wonder how many birds we could name if put on the spot. Most exciting, and just before camp, we catch our first glimpse of the summit. It stood proudly with the snowfield in view and a wisp of cloud scarfed near the peak. Now, we stay out of the sun, read, and rest - thinking both about those we love back home and the big push that waits for us ahead.
Trusting our training, hoping for good weather, and gaining confidence from the group we passed who made the summit, we settle in for our last night before base camp.
RMI Climber Hudson Baird & Team
P.S. Jane, Shane says hi.
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
The team arrived in Mendoza with all of their gear. The first hurdle of any expedition is the logistical hoops one must jump through in order to pack and prepare. It can feel like quite a challenge to ‘feel ready’ when you step on to the gravel at the trailhead, but the team has it dialed in and we’re truly ready for the expedition ahead of us. Uspallatta, a small town a little ways outside the mountain, was our humble abode last night. We took the time to enjoy the creature comforts of the hotel after packing our bags for the journey ahead. Laying in grass, reading our respective books, and taking naps is how we spent our time after the work was done. The night wasn’t complete until the team and other hotel guests were singing and dancing in a Congo line with live music to boot. Expedition life can be so tough sometimes. Today we leave the comforts of hotels and head out on the trail for our first mountain day. We will do one more pack in the town of Penitentes and prepare our gear for the rigorous journey up the Vacas Valley to Plaza Argentina. Wish for tailwinds, scattered clouds for shade, and cool temps for the trek into Basecamp!
Thanks for following along!
RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney and Jess Wedel
Posted by: Tatum Whatford, Jess Wedel, Jenna Burkey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After a week of Denali Prep Training on the Paradise Glacier RMI Guide Tatum Whatford and the Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise Team made their way to Camp Muir for their summit attempt of Mt. Rainier. The team climbed under clear skies and a light breeze to successfully reach the Summit of Mt. Rainer at 7:30 am Today! The team has started their descent and are looking forward to cold drinks and a celebration at the Basecamp Bar and Grill.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Pete Van Deventer, Jess Wedel, Joey Manship, Cal Seeley, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 23 - 27 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Pete Van Deventer and teams reached the summit around 6:30 am under calm winds and warm temperatures. The teams will return to Camp Muir where they spend the afternoon to relax and recover after their efforts today. The teams will descend the remaining 4,500' to Paradise tomorrow morning.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Courtney & Kyle,
Congratulations! Awesome work. What are going to do tomorrow?
Posted by: Cole Fricke on 7/28/2022 at 7:34 am
Woohoo!! Congrats to Amy, Celine and the rest of the team! Enjoy the rest of your adventure!
Posted by: Mary Petersen on 7/26/2022 at 10:44 am
Posted by: Mike King, Jess Wedel, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
RMI Guide Mike King reported clear, calm, and beautiful views from the summit of Mt. Baker this morning. Congrats to the team for their summit of a classic climb of the Cascades!
The team will spend tonight at camp basking in their success before descending back to the trailhead tomorrow.
Posted by: Mike King, Jess Wedel, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10, 781'
RMI Guide Mike King and the Mt. Baker Coleman - Deming July 16 - 18 reached the summit of Mt. Baker just before 9 am today. Mike reported cloudy skies below 8,000' but it was clear above as they made their way to the top. All the big peaks were visible as "islands" coming through the marine layer clouds. The team will return to camp for a final night on the mountain. Tomorrow they will break camp, descend to the trailhead and complete their program.
Nice work team!
Congratulations so glad all are safe.
Posted by: Donna C. Cameron on 7/17/2022 at 9:36 pm
Congratulations to the climbers and to the guides for reaching the top. Kuddos to you and your determination and perseverance.
Shout out to Ana and Rathan for taking up the challenge. Waiting to hear about the climb
Posted by: Shilpa on 7/17/2022 at 3:27 pm
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Christina Dale, Jess Wedel, Tyler Meyers, Jenna Burkey, Roland Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 27 - 30 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides JT Schmitt and Christina Dale. Christina reported great route conditions and clear skies. The teams were on their descent at Camp Comfort around 7:30 am making their way back to Camp Muir. The teams will continue their descent to Paradise and then be transferred to Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations everyone! You must be so proud of yourself! We can’t wait to have to full story of your adventure! ❤️
Posted by: My-Lien on 6/30/2022 at 12:58 pm
Congratulations, you did it!!!!
Posted by: Carole on 6/30/2022 at 9:08 am
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Henry Coppolillo, Seth Burns, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,000'
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RMI Guide Mike Haugen and the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz team have returned from the mountain. The team spent three nights on the mountain and were able to do a lot of great training. The reached 11,000' before deciding to turn around due to poor route conditions and high avalanche danger. The team descended to Paradise and is back at Rainier BaseCamp to celebrate their accomplishment and close down their program.
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jess Wedel, Nick Sinapius, Josh McDowell, Eric Frank, Brian Walters
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Four Day Climb June 5 - 8 was unable to make their summit attempt. Strong winds overnight at Camp Muir kept the climbers safely inside the hut. RMI Guides Mike Haugen and Josh McDowell reported sustained winds of 50 mph with gusts in the 60's. The winds have decreased enough to allow the climbers to ascend above Camp Muir to check things out. After their walk, they will return to Camp Muir and then make their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing the climbers at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Mike/Jess & Team-
Great climb, thanks so much for taking us! The views were amazing, I learned a ton, and you guys made it really fun, and safe! Good luck with the Kautz Route Seminar later this week!
-Bill
Posted by: Y on 6/8/2022 at 10:59 pm
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jack Delaney, Kiira Antenucci, Jess Wedel, Evan Sather
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
Hello world, it’s us the Camp Muir Seminar!
Yesterday, we awoke early, donned our technical gear and launched towards the Ingraham flats to train before the next storm system hit in the mid afternoon. Sadly the storm had other plans and hit Camp Muir around 9am. We retreated in a white out with winds averaging 58mph during our time on the Cowlitz glacier. The storm has been impressive in its power and consistency. It is not snowing so much as it is launching ice pellets at us with high velocity. Moral stayed high as we continued to practice various technical skills in the bunkhouse. The team took brief forays into the violent snow globe that was the outside world to shovel out the bathroom. We were highly motivated to maintain our access to the facilities.
We are excited to find a lull in the weather to head down hill, dry out and enjoy some pizza and beer at the Basecamp Bar and Grill.
All is well - The Muir Seminar Team
So proud of you Andrew and John!! Stay safe!! Enjoy!!!
Aunt Judy and Uncle Brian!!
Posted by: Judy Eisentrout on 8/19/2022 at 7:45 pm
Very proud of the old man on the team! Just sad I didn’t remind him to pack sunscreen. Great job KAK!!!
Posted by: Nina Kahloon on 8/16/2022 at 1:29 pm
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