Entries By mac nolde

Saturday, October 24, 2026 - 7:24 am PT

Cumbre! 

After departing Chilcabamba (Ecuadorian Hacienda), the team met up with the local Ecuadorian guide team and made their way in the national park. We loaded up our backpacks and made the short, sandy climb up to the Cotopaxi Rufugio at nearly 16,000 ft, the highest most members of the team have ever slept. We had an early dinner, summit talk, and then off to bed to grab a few hours of reprieve and rest before the alpine start. 

The team woke at 11pm, with an hour and a half on the shot clock to get packed, eat breakfast, and get squared away before heading out the door. The morning presented calm and cool conditions with virtually no wind and firm and stable walking conditions. It was a beautiful night to climb. 

Hour by hour the team chugged their way up the ice flanks of Cotopaxi, breaking to refuel and restock the mental stoke for the next stage of the climb. By first light, the team found themselves creeping onto the crater rim, meandering through an icy labyrinth of penitentes to the true summit of Cotopaxi at 19,347'. For most of the team, this was the highest elevation they have ever been, a massive step in their climbing careers. With great effort and determination, the entirety of the team was fortunate enough to stand on the summit, a great moment for the group and a proud triumph for the guiding team. 

Now off the mountain and recovering in the beautiful grass lands on the flank of Cotopaxi, laughter and storytelling occupy the conversation as the team reflects on the accomplishment that just transpired. Soon we will be off to Quito and back to our lives, taking our memories, and perhaps a bit of sunburn with us. 

RMI Guide Mike Bennett 

October 23, 2027 9:57am PDT

Just got off the mountain. We went 100% on Cotopaxi. I’ll send a blog later tonight.

RMI Guide Mike Bennett & Team

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 - 4:29 pm PT

Greetings!! 

Today the team woke up early and dawned crampons and ropes for the first time this trip before summiting Illiniza Norte (16,800ft) at 8 am this morning. The weather was beautiful and the summit was another high point for a lot of our climbers. We had an amazing lunch in Machachi where some of our climbers got a taste of magic chocolate, which is hot chocolate with marshmallows and cheese. It was indeed a magical experience. We made our way to Chilcabamba where the team gets to enjoy showers, another delicious meal, and separate rooms. Tomorrow we will make our way to the Jose Ribas Refugio on Cotopaxi.  For now, the team bonds over Monopoly Deal and complimentary ponchos. 

Cheers! 

RMI Guide Mac Nolde 

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Move on up! 

Today the team packed up all their gear, loaded Victor's magic school bus, and departed from the comfort of Quito, making our way to the base of Illiniza Norte. A speedy ascent put us at the Illiniza hut early in the afternoon, giving the team time to rest and relax before indulging in a local dinner and playing some cards.

After the evening briefing on tomorrow's objective, the team hit an early bedtime in preparation for the alpine start. Hopefully tomorrow brings good weather and fair climbing conditions! Regardless, we will see you on the other side. 

RMI Guide Mike Bennett 

¡Buenas! 

Today the team met up with our local guide Jaime, who has summited Cotopaxi over 400 times, and had our first acclimatization hike to the summit of Rucu Pichincha, (15,696 ft or 4696m).  The weather was great with some clouds lingering but no precipitation which is amazing for this time of year in Ecuador. Today’s summit was the highest elevation a few of our climbers have ever been to, but the whole team did an amazing job. Luke even made a friend on the summit with a Carunculated Caracara, a falcon found high on the grassy slopes of Ecuador. 

The team has been taking advantage of the spa and cold plunge back at the hotel with Eric taking his first cold plunge yesterday and loved it so much he tried to go again at 5am this morning! (The spa was closed). 

Tonight the team continues to settle into life at high elevation, enjoying dinner in Quito, and packing for our move to the Illiniza Refugio (15,100’ or 4600m) tomorrow.  

¡Adios! 

RMI Guide Mac Nolde

Sunday, October 18, 2026

The fall Cotopaxi team has arrived in Ecuador and is settling in and acclimatizing in the city. We spent the morning getting to meet one another, covering some basics on travel and culture in Ecuador, and then venturing into Quito to explore.

A local tour guide provided the team with great insight and education on various cultural and religious point of Quito. Additionally, the team visited the Equator and spent some time learning through interactive exhibits and displays. The late afternoon was occupied by a team gear check before being cut free to rest and indulge in local cuisine before resting for the evening.

All is well and the team is doing well and looking forward to the big days to come. 

RMI Guide Mike Bennett

The August 28 - 1 September Glacier Peak climb led by RMI Guide Avery Stolte reached the summit this morning around 9 am.  The entire team stood on top today.  Nice work team! The group will descend to camp and spend another night on the mountain. Tomorrow they will return to the trailhead and conclude their program.

The Four Day Climb August 23 - 26 led by RMI Guides Dan May and Mac Nolde were turned back by high winds at Ingraham Flats (11,200') this morning.  They returned to Camp Muir around 3 am.  The teams will start their descent from Camp Muir around 9am.

Hello friends and family, 

Today we summited Shuksan! The team absolutely crushed it - it was the first time rock climbing for a few in the group, but we climbed the SE ridge smoothly and efficiently. On our way down we spent time checking out a crevasse and doing a bit of ice climbing. 

We are back at camp now with plans to walk out in the morning. 

RMI Guide Sam Hoffman 

The Five Day Private Climb led by RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli reached the summit of Mt. Raineir today with 100% of their team.  It's a beauiful day on the mountain with clear skies and cool temperatures.  The team will return to Camp Muir and spend another night on the mountain. They may do a little training or just enjoy the views.  Tomorrow they will descend to Paradise and conclude their program.

Nice work team!