Entries By miles watson
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jackson Breen, Hannah Blum, Layne Peters, Miles Watson, Margo Kerr, Erika Barrett, CJ Rogers
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 5 - 9 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom & Jackson Breen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The teams enjoyed clear skies, nice walking and a bit of wind. They began their descent from the crater rim just after 7 am. Forecasts for tonight show higher winds, so the team chose today for their summit attempt and it seems to have worked out nicely. They will return to Camp Muir for their second night and enjoy a full nights rest before descending the final 4,500' to Paradise tomorrow.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
PC: Layne Peters
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: Tatum Whatford, Felipe Guarderas, Mitch Valaitis, Ben Thorneycroft, Miles Watson, Avery Stolte, Matt Kelly, Ben Porter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Tatum Whatford and Felipe Guarderas led their Five Day Climb teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The guides reported an amazing day with light winds and clear skies. The route is busy with climbers so the teams reached the crater rim and have started their descent to Camp Muir. Once back at camp the climbers will enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the mountain and celebrate their accomplishment. The team will spend tonight at 10,080' and continue the remaining 4.5 miles/4,500' down to Paradise tomorrow.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Such a wonderful trip! Still reeling. Looking forward to the next one ;)
Posted by: Alex Trimpe on 7/1/2025 at 11:12 am
Wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations.
Posted by: Joyce Metcalf on 6/29/2025 at 8:17 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, George Hedreen, Tom Skoog, Stella Johnson, Miles Watson, Simon Kearns, CJ Rogers, Julian Kral
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Yesterday the Four Day Climb teams June 22 - 25 led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and George Hedreen enjoyed a breezy and cool snowfield, good snacks and good company. Today they made an alpine start from Camp Muir and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier just before 7 am. Breezy and cold temps made for a short stop in the crater and they began their descent from the crater rim around 7:30 am. Once back at Camp Muir, the teams will repack and take a short rest before continuing the final 4,500' down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers.
PC: Tom Skoog
Posted by: Eric Frank, Tom Skoog, Stella Johnson, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Day 1: We left Ashford at 7:30 this morning and enjoyed good views and generally cool weather on our approach to the kautz. We’ve made an excellent camp on the lower castle and are batoning down the hatches for rough weather tonight—an essential expedition skill. - RMI Guide Eric frank
Day 2: Today we practiced a variety of skills including fixed line travel, crevasse rescue and avalanche beacon searches. We even took a little time for yoga before our summit talk! - RMI Guide Tom Skoog
Day 5: SUMMIT! The Kautz Seminar team left camp and ascended the Kautz Ice Chute and reached the top of Wapowety Cleaver before gaining Point Success and then contining across to Columbia Crest. The team enjoyed some time in the crater before starting their descent. The team climbed strong with 100% of the group reaching the summit. They will return to camp and enjoy some rest and a final tent night. Tomorrow they will continue their descent to Paradise and conclude their program.
Nice work team!
Photos: Tom Skoog
Congrats! I hear this was a tough route and you did it!
Posted by: Connie on 6/19/2025 at 6:39 pm
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: Henry Coppolillo, Bailey Servais, Bryan Mazaika, Tom Skoog, Stella Johnson, Sam Hoffman, Miles Watson, CJ Rogers
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Good morning!
The Four Day Climb of Mt. Rainier led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Bailey Servais reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 5:20 am PT this morning. Both teams went 100% to the summit--an incredible achievement! The guides reported beautiful weather and a great climbing route! The teams are currently descending and will be back in Ashford at Rainier Base Camp later this afternoon.
Congratuations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Dave Hahn, James Bealer, Mitch Valaitis, Nicole De Petris, Rosie Hust, Miles Watson, Stella Johnson, Nina Bridges
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Four-Day Climb from May 26–29, led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and James Bealer, was unable to make a summit attempt this morning due to sustained high winds and stronger gusts. The teams remained safely sheltered at Camp Muir and will begin their descent to Paradise later this morning.
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Joe Hoch, Celeste Wilson, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais, Tom Skoog, Fitz Elder, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by Dave Hahn and Joe Hoch reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 7:30 AM today!
It’s a beautiful, sunny day with light winds, allowing the team to spend about an hour on the summit soaking in the views and celebrating their accomplishment.
Congratulations to all!
WOOHOO!!!!!
Posted by: T Northrup on 5/24/2025 at 4:08 pm
Awesome job Zach!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 5/24/2025 at 1:31 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Joe Hoch, Mitch Valaitis, Joey Manship, Miles Watson, Hannah Billings, Celeste Wilson, Nina Bridges
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
May 16–19 Four-Day Climb Update:
The climbing teams, led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Joe Hoch, departed Camp Muir at 3:00 a.m. for their summit attempt. They reached Ingraham Flats; however, deteriorating weather conditions forced them to turn back. The teams have returned safely to Camp Muir and plan to begin their descent around 10:00 a.m., when a break in the weather is expected.
PC: Nina Bridges, Joey Manship, Joe Hoch
Congratulations on a successful summit! What a great achievement!
Posted by: Alison Thornton on 7/8/2025 at 10:04 am
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