Entries By mitch valaitis
Posted by: Brent Okita, George Hedreen, Nicole De Petris, Mitch Valaitis, Margo Kerr, Fitz Elder, Mark Tucker, Imogen Von Mertens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 3 - 6 led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and George Hedreen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. The ropes teams were walking into the crater rim around 6:30 am PT. It's a beautiful day with clear skies. This marks summit #599 for RMI Guide Brent Okita. Wow!
After enjoying some time in the crater the teams will descend to Camp Muir and then Paradise later today.
Congratulations to all of today's climbers.
Posted by: Eric Frank, Joe Hoch, Dylan Anderson, Mitch Valaitis, Layne Peters, Arianna Drechsler, Jack Ritterson, Brooks Ordway-Smith, David Ruthbun
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Eric Frank and Joe Hoch led their Four Day Climb June 2 - 5 to the summit of Mt. Rainier today. They reached the summit shortly after 7 am and reported clear skies and light winds. The teams will enjoy some time in the crater before starting their descent back to Camp Muir. After a short stop, they will continue down to Paradise and return to Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
PC: Layne Peters & Joe Hoch
I’m so thankful to have met and climbed (to Muir) with this group of people. There was so much positivity and honesty amongst this group of strangers. It was inspiring to watch each person climb and battle their way to the summit and back. RMI’s guides are beyond impressive. The strength you all posses is incredible. To do what you do AND be personable AND lighthearted is truly a gift. I cant say enough about all the things you had to juggle to make this trip a success. Thank you to everyone for making this one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Posted by: Nate on 6/6/2025 at 9:53 am
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: 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
Posted by: Eric Frank, Mitch Valaitis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,500'
The team turned around just above the Cleaver yesterday due to difficult walking conditions and challenging weather, which proved too demanding for the group. Eric and his team departed Camp Muir this morning at 7:40 a.m. and are en route back to Paradise.
Everyone is safe, in good spirits, and coming away with valuable mountain experience.
Posted by: Casey Grom, Sam Hoffman, Ben Luedtke, Will Ambler, Rosie Hust, Mitch Valaitis, Layne Peters
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,200'
The Four Day Climb, led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Sam Hoffman, reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver early this morning. After a strong alpine start and steady progress through the night, the team made excellent time ascending from Camp Muir.
As they approached the upper slopes of Mt. Rainier, the team encountered increasingly strong winds with gusts above 60 mph. Despite the group’s strength and determination, the guides made the prudent decision to turn the climb at the top of the Cleaver.
Reaching Disappointment Cleaver is a significant accomplishment, especially in challenging weather. The team demonstrated strong climbing skills, sound judgment, and excellent teamwork throughout the expedition.
Congratulations to all the climbers for their effort and perseverance. Well done!
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Sam Hoffman, Tom Skoog, Mitch Valaitis, Hannah Blum, Robert Whyte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The September 1 - 5 Five Day Climb reached the summit of Mt. Rainier led by RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli and Sam Hoffman. Climbers reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 5 am and were able to enjoy some time in the summit crater. The skies are clear and it's a bluebird day. The teams left the crater rim at 6:10am and are currently on their descent to Camp Muir. Once back at camp they will get to rest and enjoy the views and will spend tonight on the mountain. Tomorrow they have another 4.5 miles to descent in order to reach Paradise. There program will conclude tomorrow with a celebration of their adventure.
Nice work team!
Very thankful to Sam and all the guides who helped me summit Rainier
So glad I did it!!
It was hard but so worth it.
Thanks to professional and experienced guides - it was a challenge worth trying
Posted by: Alex Fedorchuk on 9/10/2024 at 12:10 pm
So grateful for this opportunity to climb and summit!
Our guides Sam and his team were absolutely amazing!
They gave very precise instructions, paid attention to all of our needs and encouraged us to believe in ourselves. Very well trained and knowledgeable in mountaineering. Very professional and polite.
We felt like family.
P.S. Sam, I was able to complete my marathon three days later in 3:45 :)
Posted by: Vera Fedorchuk on 9/10/2024 at 12:08 pm
Posted by: Sam Hoffman, Mitch Valaitis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,127'
Led by Sam Hoffman and Mitch Valatis, the RMI team summited mid-day Thursday. With the anticipation of poor weather, the climbers adapted and climbed a day-early. The push paid off and we enjoyed sunshine on the top!
Congrats team.
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Raymond Holt, Mitch Valaitis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier reached the summit of Mt. Rainer early this morning. The team climbed above the heavy marine layer, and Dustin reported clear skies and calm winds. It took the team 6 hours and 35 minutes to reach the summit from Camp Muir, and they are now on the descent.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Jackson Breen, Mitch Valaitis, Celeste Wilson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The six day Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise August 1 - 6 led by RMI Guide Jackson Breen has enjoyed beautiful weather for their week of training, climbing and camping on Mt. Rainier. Yesterday, after several days of practicing anchors, crevasse rescue, glacier travel and snow camping the team packed up gear and ascended to Camp Muir. Today the teams left Camp Muir with an early alpine start and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 5:30 am. They enjoyed an hour in the crater before starting their descent back to Camp Muir. The team will continue down to Paradise later today and conclude their adventure with a celebration of their accomplisments.
Nice work team! We hope you enjoyed your time on the mountain.
Brent is awesome!!! xox
Posted by: Jill Caven on 6/6/2025 at 10:02 am
Amazing!! Congrats !!
Posted by: Hélène Coulombe on 6/6/2025 at 8:47 am
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