Entries By mike king
Posted by: Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
This is Mike checking in from the Torres del Paine trek. Our team is finally assembled in Puerto Natales. We arrived over the last few days and finally got all of the group together for a dinner. There was some delayed bags and subsequent logistics that needed to be figured out. The winds were very strong leaving Punta Arenas, our Magellanic penguin tour was cancelled due to high winds and tide issues, which resulted in a windy van ride that made the cancellation all the more understandable as white caps and ships listed in the harbors.
We are in Puerto Natales, briefed and packed for our trek. Everyone is eager to leave the amenities of the hotels and begin the "O" portion of our trek tomorrow. We will be heading for Seron camp and fingers crossed that we get a nice view of the Torres and Cuernos as we head into the park. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
New Post Alerts:
Torres del Paine Trek, February 3, 2024
The team stood on top of Pico de Orizaba at 7:30 this morning. We had calm air and partly clear skies to begin our hike up the steep moraine trail. Once in the labyrinth the trail was covered in firm snow & ice, which was unexpected based on how dry the surrounding area was. The team was moving up the glacier around 5 am. Once on the summit the pyramid shadow cast by the rising sun greeted everyone and was a highlight of the trip. The descent is always hard on toes and knees but we got back to Piedra Grande hut and packed up for the bumpy ride down in the trucks.
We are back in Sr. Reyes’ hostel and packed for flights tomorrow afternoon. This has been a great trip with a stellar group of climbers, especially since we had summits on Ixta via a forgotten route and a classic Orizaba summit day. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
Photo credit: Mike Greene
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024
Hey Mike!
That is Awesome!! Brings back Great memories!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/22/2024 at 7:15 am
Our son Matt was in your group enjoyed the update and pictures. Thanks for the great job as a guide and keeping everyone safe
Posted by: Barb Coble on 1/20/2024 at 5:22 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Joe Hoch
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
We had a nice relaxed day off in Puebla yesterday. The team struck out in some smaller groups to walk around Puebla. Seems like good food, drink and site seeing was had. Today we head to Tlachichuca for a quick stop at Servimont’s historic soap factory turned climbers hostel to repack for our last summit attempt, Pico de Orizaba 18,491’. The remainder of the day will be spent taking trucks up a long and windy road to the Piedra Grande hut. Once there we will go for a short hike uphill to see the rocky and circuitous trail we will begin our climb on. We’ll check in hopefully from the summit tomorrow morning with a more detailed report once back down to the hostel. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024
We had some new information about the steep snow slope on the “knees” route upon arrival at La Joya. The slope had not got any new snow and was a firm ice sheet. Having been there last fall I decided that we should come up with a new plan to acclimate our group in preparation for Orizaba. Our local guide Alan had mentioned that climbers had been descending the Ayoloco route. For context the Ayoloco glacier was declared “dead” in 2018. Our guides had used this route to climb Ixta until 2011ish. We decided that if the Ayoloco was descendable then it must be ascendable.
We set off yesterday into a dry and tall grassland filled with large sporadic pine trees, small lizards currying underfoot at 13000’. We picked our way up a “trail” not frequently used. Our high camp was 1000’ lower than the Refugio on the “knees” route but more pristine. We had a running water source nearby which doesn’t exist higher up.
Our team wound its way across Ixta’s middle slopes at midnight with the night lights of Mexico City showing the way. After a circuitous climb of the area formally known as the Ayoloco, we were on the summit at 5 am. Taking in the dawn colors before dropping into the once bountiful Ayoloco valley the team rallied like they have all trip.
The descent to La Joya aggrieved knees and toes but there’s no motivation like a hot shower, cold drink and rest day. We are in Puebla for a rest day and will repack for our Pico de Orizaba attempt on Saturday. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024
January 17, 2024 - 5:50 am PT
Our team reached the summit of Ixta via Ayoloco route. We are descending to high camp and will post a full update once in Puebla.
RMI Guide Mike King
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024
We called an audible this morning after hearing updated route conditions. The last remaining snow on our summit day has not got a refresh and is firm ice. This traverse would likely shut our summit day down. Instead we decided to go attempt the old Ayoloco route since teams have been using it as a descent route. The team is doing well. We will check in hopefully from the summit tomorrow morning. Until then, rest, hydration and dinner will occupy our afternoon.
RMI Guide Mike King
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024
Yesterday the Mexico Volcanos team left our luxury accommodation at Hotel Geneve in Zona Rosa, Mexico City and headed to Volcan La Malinche to stretch the legs and get used to higher elevations.
We made great time through pine forests and cool air from 10,000ft to roughly 13,800ft before we were turned by the Policia de Montaña. Largely to protect the many locals in jeans and street shoes, their 2pm turn around was strict and they were not impressed by our fancy technical outerwear and backpacks.
Our conciliation price was an amazing view of our next goal, 17,103’ Volcan Iztaccíhuatl (Ixta), and later a muy grande BBQ feast at our cabañas. Off to Ixta!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024
Posted by: Mike King, Pete Van Deventer, Leif Bergstrom, Nick Sinapius, Hannah Blum, Will Nash
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four-Day climb led by RMI guides, Mike King and Leif Bergstrom, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams were standing on top at around 5:40am after a quick ascent.
They will descend to Rainier Basecamp this afternoon to bask in their success and enjoy a bit of rest after their hard work.
Great job team!
Posted by: Mike King, Mike Haugen, George Hedreen, Charlie Harrison, Cal Seeley, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI guides Mike King and Mike Haugen called from the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They reported some chilly temperatures, moderate winds and beautiful weather for climbing this morning. Despite the cold temperatures, the team enjoyed a great climbing route. Congratulations climbers!
Posted by: Eric Frank, Mike King, George Hedreen, Mike Bennett, Bailey Servais, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Eric Frank and Mike King led their Four Day Climb June 5 - 8 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Mike reported good climb and a good route but they climbed in a cloud cap with limited visability. The teams reached the crater rim around 6:30 am and were starting their descent shortly before 7:30 am. They will return to Camp Muir for a quick stop before continuing down to Paradise. We look forward to seeing the groups at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Hell yeah y’all are crushing it!! Keep it up and enjoy!! Sending big love and encouragement to my Dad, Peter Williams as well as you and the entire gang!
John
Posted by: John Williams on 2/9/2024 at 1:00 pm
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