Entries By jess wedel
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Mike Bennett, Lael Butler, Matt Kelly, Oliver Shapiro, George Hedreen, Nina Bridges, Brendan Oates
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climbs enjoyed clear skies and a light breeze on the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Led by RMI Guides Jess Wedel and Mike Bennett, the teams were able to enjoy the views from the summit before beginning their descent around 7:30 am. The teams will be back in Ashford this afternoon to celebrate.
Way to climb!
RMI Guide Jess Wedel and custom climbing team reached the summit of Glacier Peak yesterday evening just in time to watch the sunset from the top.
With the forecast for the next couple of days looking rather grim, the team took advantage of the good weather and made their summit bid on the second night of their trip, after a successful climb the team returned to camp in the early morning for some much needed sleep. They will spend today at Glacier Gap camp and descend to the trailhead for the conclusion of their trip tomorrow morning.
Nice work team!
Jess, Thanks for putting up with all my complaining, and keeping me from throwing in the towel with 1000 feet to the summit. What an amazing sunset summit. Truely breathtaking. Best wishes on your next adventures!
Posted by: Brian Dury on 7/23/2025 at 10:08 am
Thanks for an amazing trip Jess!! I’ll never forget that sunset summit!
Posted by: jason tonn on 7/22/2025 at 7:26 pm
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Rosie Hust, Stella Johnson, Margo Kerr
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Any Mountain Five Day Climb led by RMI Guides Jess Wedel, Rosie Hust, Stella Johnson, and Margo Kerr reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team spent about an hour on the summit enjoying the breezy weather before beginning their descent to Camp Muir. The team will spend one more night at Camp Muir before making their descent to Paradise tomorrow.
Congratulations climbers!
PC: Jess Wedel
Posted by: Jess Wedel, George Hedreen, Stella Johnson, Celeste Wilson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,300'
The ALA Climb for Clean Air Team made an incredible push up Mt. Rainier, reaching the top of Disappointment Cleaver before high winds and a summit cloud cap made it unsafe to continue.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel reports the team is doing well and is now en route back to Camp Muir to regroup before descending to Paradise.
We’re proud of their strength, determination, and commitment to clean air for all.
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Jess Wedel, Miles Watson, Tate Hughes, Simon Kearns, Mitch Valaitis, Annie Chapman, Fitz Elder
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Happy Fourth of July!
Led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Jess Wedel, the Mt. Rainier Four Day Climbs reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 5:35 am. The teams were approaching the top of Disappointment Cleaver on their descent, when they checked in around 7:30 am. They will continue their descent back to Camp Muir where they will pack up before descending the Muir Snowfield to Paradise. We look forward to welcoming them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Congratulations climbers!
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Hannah Blum, Arianna Drechsler, Annie Chapman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The June 23 - 26 Four Day Climb is made of climbers associated with Black Diamond Equipment and led by RMI Guide Jess Wedel. This all women's team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today putting together their skills, training and equipment. Although the forecast was not stellar the team awoke to good conditions with clear skies above and moderate winds. The cloud deck below sits at around 9,000' but that was not of concern as the team ascended the upper mountain. Reaching the summit around 7:45 am the team enjoyed a bit of time in the summit crater before starting their descent. The team will return to Camp Muir for a short stop and then continue the final 4,500' down to Paradise. Their program will wrap up this afternoon with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to these Black Diamond Climbers!
Congratulations!! This is freaking awesome!! Enjoy the views and journey home.
Posted by: Brittani Smoot on 6/27/2025 at 5:40 am
Way to go!!! Congratulations on all the hard work
Posted by: Sally Bowlby on 6/26/2025 at 5:07 pm
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,200'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Jess Wedel made a push toward the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning, the group reached 13,200 feet before Mother Nature made her presence known.
As the team ascended through the early morning hours, increasing winds and steady snowfall began to challenge their progress. With safety as the top priority, the guides made the decision to turn the team around just below the summit.
Now back at Camp Muir, where light snow continues to fall, the team is regrouping and preparing for their descent to Paradise.
Posted by: Brent Okita, Jess Wedel, Raymond Holt, Brooks Ordway Smith, Josh Geiser, David Rathbun, Miles Watson, Tate Hughes
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Yes, it's official—Brent Okita has reached his 600th summit of Mt. Rainier, setting a world record for the most successful ascents of the iconic 14,410-foot peak! This incredible milestone was achieved during a Four-Day Climb led by Okita and fellow guide Jess Wedel. The team reached the summit early this morning, and they’re expected to return to basecamp this afternoon for a well-deserved celebration.
To put this into perspective, 600 summits equates to approximately 5.4 million feet of elevation gain—and that’s only counting successful climbs. It doesn’t include the countless additional feet from training, attempted climbs, or even biking from Ashford to Paradise. Brent’s dedication, endurance, and passion for mountaineering are truly legendary.
Congratulations also to the RMI Clients that were able to climb and share the rope with Brent and Jess today. It was very important to Brent that he accomplish this record while guiding RMI Clients to the top.
That is Incredible Brent!! Congrats!!! I was lucky to have climbed with you a few years ago.
You Rock!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/14/2025 at 3:29 am
Holy smokes. That is a lot of Rainier summits. Congrats to Brent! (I probably will have to drink a Rainier beer on his behalf.)
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 6/13/2025 at 2:04 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14, 410'
The Four Day Climb with Dave Hahn and Jess Wedel has reached the summit of Mt. Rainier!
The team enjoyed clear skies above a thick marine layer, with just a few clouds lingering to the east—a beautiful day to stand on top of the Pacific Northwest. They have begun their descent and are en route to Camp Muir, where they’ll take a break, reorganize their packs, and then continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to the team on a successful summit!
Incredible news!! So glad it was a successful summit and an amazing journey!
Posted by: Kathy Walls on 6/9/2025 at 5:10 am
Congratulations! Awesome accomplishment!
Posted by: Sandeep Pradhan on 6/4/2025 at 11:41 am
Posted by: Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
We made it back to Kathmandu!
After descending to Lukla yesterday, we had a final team dinner with our Sherpa guide team and all the porters that helped make our trip possible.
We ended the night with a boom box and dancing — each song switching between USA pop songs and Nepali music. There was so much laughter and it was such a lovely evening celebrating a wonderful trip.
This morning we woke up early and made it on helicopters back to a hazy Kathmandu. People spent the afternoon resting and shopping on the bustling streets of Thamel.
One final team dinner tonight where we reminisced on an amazing experience - full of challenges, growth and pushing ourselves. One thing we all agree on is the smiles and open hearts of the Nepali people is something we’ll keep with us for a long time.
Until next time,
Jess and the Lobuche team
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 15, 2025
Nice work team!
Posted by: Melissa on 4/14/2025 at 11:12 am
I’m still riding the high of our summit two days ago!
Mike B. - I know you were taking some pictures/video on your cell phone as we neared the top and the sunrise was happening. Can you share them with us here like we see posted on some of the other summits?
Thanks again to you all for such an incredible experience!
Posted by: Brian Hargraves on 8/4/2025 at 9:45 am
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