Entries By lucas haaland

Thursday, May 24, 2018 - 8:55 PM PT Our Alaska Seminar Team packed and un-packed and re-packed all day waiting for the weather to clear. The bad news is we are still in Talkeetna but the good news is we've never been more ready to fly on. The team practiced knots, rigged their sleds and attached ropes to packs. We had time to sort meals and repackage food for our nine days out. Today gave us the opportunity to prepare well and practice skills we will use right out of the gates. We are first in line for flights tomorrow and the weather is looking good so with confidence, we will have a nice dinner and the last night in real beds. RMI Guide Christina Dale

After many drives, flights, and bag hauling, we made it to Talkeetna. The team brought about 950 pounds of gear that we promptly dropped in the K2 hanger in order to get some food and rest. Tomorrow we will attack the pile of gear and pack it into submission within our packs. In the afternoon we'll fly into the Kahiltna Glacier. Hoping for sunny skies. RMI Guide Christina Dale

Orizaba success! I'm happy to report that the whole team is back to camp following a successful climb or Orizaba, Mexico's highest point and North America's third highest point. The weather today was perfect for a climb and the team made the round trip from camp to summit and back in eight hours. Good job team! Now we'll pack up our things and head down for a celebratory dinner in Tlachichuca. It's a long bumpy journey back but I think I can speak for the team that it is well worth the trip. RMI Guide Chase Nelson

Hello everyone! It's been another nice couple of days here in Mexico since my last check in. Yesterday the team enjoyed their rest day in Puebla and spent some time roaming the city and eating good food. We reconvened for a great dinner just a short walk from the hotel which was a nice end to our one day in the city. At 7am this morning we jumped on the bus for a several hour journey to Tlachichuca where we finalized equipment for our climb up Orizaba. We had a late breakfast, were introduced to Dr. Reyes' facility at the Servimont headquarters, and and were soon back on the road to head to the south side of Orizaba. It was a long bumpy ride but nonetheless we arrived early in the afternoon with plenty of time to set up our tents and have a siesta. This evening we had a pasta dinner and are all prepped for our climb tomorrow. It's time for the grand finale tomorrow, wish us luck and we'll check in upon our return to Tlachichuca! And in only a few short days we'll ending the journey and heading back to our friends and loved ones back home. RMI Guide Chase Nelson

On The Map

Just wanted to take a moment to share that the team made it down from Ixta safe and sound and are now living the good life down in Puebla at the Hotel Colonial! We descended in from the summit as the clouds increased, offering a bit of reprieve from the sunshine of the ascent. All in all it was a perfect, albeit taxing, day in the mountains. It’s always so nice to pull up to the summit as a whole group, they really all climbed the mountain in style. But it’s been a long day and a long climb so everyone is eager for tomorrow’s rest day and a bit of relaxation before heading to Orizaba. I’ll continue to keep you all posted! Here’s a photo of the team at the summit and a view back towards Popo shortly after sunrise on the ascent. RMI Guide Chase Nelson

Hey, this is RMI Guide Chase Nelson calling in from the summit of Ixtaccihuatl. We've got the whole team up here. It is beautiful and calm, and we're just taking it all in and we'll be heading down shortly. We'll check in when we're down towards Puebla this evening alright. That's it for now. RMI Guide Chase Nelson

On The Map

Here we are at the Altzimoni hut, checking in after another good day in Mexico. We rose this morning and hit the road from La Malintzi to the town of Amecameca where we picked up some last minute fresh food items for our climb on Ixta. The bus then took us up to the Paso de Cortez, and continued up to the hut here at 13,000 feet. Upon arriving we grabbed our day packs and went up tomorrow’s trail, towards Ixta high camp, for another acclimatization hike. It’s been a bit cloudy here at the moment but otherwise it’s as beautiful as ever up here in the mountains. The whole team seems to be handling the altitude thus far exceedingly well and I think we’re looking really strong for our trip up to high camp tomorrow. We fueled up with a nice dinner of carne asada, rice, and fresh tortillas so now it’s time to get some sleep for a day of heavy packs and uphill travel! RMI Guide Chase Nelson

On The Map

Hola from Mexico! The team met yesterday evening following our flights to Mexico City, and had a nice dinner a short walk from Hotel Geneve. Little did I know that shortly after we sat a mariachi band complete with a singing luchador began to play... what a trip! This morning we boarded our bus and took the journey to La Malintzi at the foot of a dormant volcano, La Malinche, and spent the day hiking up to nearly 13,500 ft to acclimatize. Our goal today was less summit oriented and more for preparing our bodies for the climbs ahead so we opted out of going all the way to it’s 14,500 ft summit. That being said, the team was strong from start to finish and capped off the hike with a bit of earned relaxation before dinner. Tonight we’ll be sleeping in the cabañas here at La Malintzi at 10,000 feet to keep acclimatizing, all in prep for the next several days on Ixta! I’ll check in as our climb progresses, RMI Guide Chase Nelson

On The Map

RMI Guides Brent Okita, Bryan Mazaik and Lucas Haaland led their Four Day Summit Climb team to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team reached the crater rim shortly after 6:30 with 100% of their crew. The team enjoyed a beautiful day with clear skies and light wind. They will descend to Paradise and transfer back to Rainier BaseCamp where they will celebrate their adventure. Congratulations to today's climbers!

I just wanted to touch base with everyone that has followed our expedition. We flew off of the mountain yesterday, June 3rd, and we're working our way back to our normal lives. We reached the summit on June 1, the first guide service of the season to step on top of Denali! The weather could not have been better, and we took advantage of it by spending nearly an hour on top of the highest point in North America. We endured lots of weather during our trip, but we endured and got it done. It was a super rewarding summit with dedicated climbers. We're already planning our next trip! RMI Guide Mike Walter