Entries By nikki champion
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Emma Lyddan, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb July 30 - 2 August reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. RMI Guide Nikki Champion led the team reported cold and windy conditions with a good route. The team spent some time in the crater before starting their descent to Camp Muir. Once back at Camp they will take a short break before continuing the remaining 4,500' to Paradise.
Nice work today team!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Nikki Champion
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Mt. Rainier Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Nikki Champion stood on top of Mt. Rainier this morning! The teams reported clear skies and light winds on the summit. They are currently on their descent to Camp Muir, where they will pack-up and refuel. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Way to go, climbers!
Posted by: Daniel May, Nikki Champion, Will Nash
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Dan May watched the sunrise from Ingraham Flats today. Due to route conditions the team was unable to safely climb higher. They are on the descent from Camp Muir to Paradise.
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Jess Wedel, Josh Geiser, Sam Hoffman, Tom Skoog, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 13 - 17 led by RMI Guides Nikki Champion and Jess Wedel chose today as their summit day. The teams reached the crater rim this morning with clear skies but windy conditions. The teams will return to Camp Muir for a well deserved rest and enjoy another night on the mountain. They will descend tomorrow to Paradise and return to Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Aislinn and Ali,
Congratulations on your successful climb! Elation at Elevation 14,410”
We are so proud and happy for you❤️❤️❤️
I posted this earlier on the 4 day climb blog
Posted by: Mom/Shane and Dad/Stanford on 7/16/2023 at 5:37 pm
Way to go! Congratulations!
Posted by: Marguerite Riley on 7/16/2023 at 1:49 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Lauren Macklin, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Here's one more haiku,
The otters finally flew
We have made it back.
After a few long days sitting and waiting in our tents at Basecamp, K2 Aviation was able to make their way up glacier to come and grab our teams and sneak us back to Talkeetna last night.
We unpacked all the group gear, took our first shower in a long time, and got to enjoy a hot meal not prepared by an RMI guide.
After a long and challenging trip, we were all very thankful to make it back to land safe and sound.
Until next year!
Nikki
Congratulations on a safe return, Matt and team! Looking forward to hearing your stories and seeing your pictures, Matt!
Posted by: Kathleen George on 6/5/2023 at 9:15 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,200'
June 3, 2023 10:48 am PDT
We woke up to snow,
Was hoping to be in town,
More freeze dried it is.
June 2, 2023 10:01 pm PDT
The planes come and go,
but we are still here waiting,
tomorrow we fly?
RMI Guides Nikki, Leif, Lauren & Team
Jonathan! Another chapter written, capturing a timeless beauty of nature filled with adventure. Looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing your stories! Safe travels home, we love you! Mom & Christina
Posted by: Joy Deffenbaugh on 6/4/2023 at 4:50 pm
Matt, what a spectacular adventure! Peaks and valleys, something you have always been able to navigate. Love you!
Posted by: Kathleen George on 6/4/2023 at 5:51 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,200'
June 2, 2023, 11:39 am PDT
Yesterday we woke up to clear skies, but the clouds and snow quickly made their way in. A few planes snuck in, but we were unable to make our way back to Talkeetna. So we sit, and continue to wait for our weather window to get off the Kahiltna Glacier and return to Talkeetna, beds, and showers. Until then we keep eating our snacks and watching movies.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion and team
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,200'
Short and sweet dispatch for now. We didn't get the summit window weather we were hoping for, so we packed up and headed down to basecamp. Now we are sitting in the snow, seeing if we can fly.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - 10:55 pm PT
Yet another weather day, we woke up to snow covered tents and cold temperatures. We had our final bagel meal of the trip, paired with smoked salmon. As we sat in and out of the clouds, and snowfall we waited for the other RMI teams to descend from 17,000' Camp. Tomorrow morning marks a decision point. We need a three day weather window to open up before Thursday for us, otherwise we run out of food at 14,000' Camp, and then have to go retrieve our cache from 16,300' and then eat our summit food. Leaving us out of food if a summit window did open up later. Tomorrow morning we should have clarity if Wednesday, Thursday, Friday will be a viable option. The other tricky component is a very large system seems to be slated to hit the mountain Friday, bringing more snow and more wind. This storm could run it's course as late as next Tuesday or so. Leaving us completely out of food by the time weather improves. All that said, with an updated forecast tomorrow morning we may make the call to either go for it, or to grab the cache and get out so we don't get stuck for the entire storm. We will check in tomorrow with whatever we hear!
Proud of you Matt and team for all you have accomplished!
Posted by: Kathleen George on 6/1/2023 at 2:56 pm
Positive vibes headed your way for a good weather window! Keep it up Dawn, you got this!!
Posted by: Kendyl on 6/1/2023 at 4:47 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, May 29, 2023 - 11:12 pm PT
Another, you guessed it, weather day for us. As it snowed almost all night, we slept in and had a slow breakfast of blueberry pancakes. Snow continued to fall throughout the day, and we had very little visibility around camp. Folks did normal rest day activities, like walk around camp, meet other teams, rebuild our bathroom into a new palace and change out our socks. We are waiting for a three day weather window to make our way safely to 17,000', to the summit, and home. Until then we continue to check all the weather resources we have available, and try to stay sane.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
Hoping the weather cooperates and you are soon on your way to the top! Good luck Matt and team, thinking of you all!
Posted by: Kathleen George on 5/31/2023 at 5:36 am
Hi Leif and Team - thinking of you and wishing you a safe successful Summit climb as soon as weather permits-
Posted by: Erika Whittaker on 5/30/2023 at 5:50 pm
Way to go, Casey, Nikki, and team! Congrats!
Posted by: Lee Hoedl on 7/30/2023 at 10:37 am
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