Entries By sam hoffman
Posted by: Sam Hoffman, Nina Bridges
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,800'
The Private Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Sam Hoffman and Nina Bridges made the cautious decision to turn at 12,800' due to high winds and poor weather conditions. After taking a quick rest at Camp Muir, they continued their descent to Paradise and arrived safely at our Ashford Basecamp late this morning.
Posted by: Sam Hoffman, Hannah Billings, Annie Chapman, George Hedreen, Stella Johnson, David Rathbun
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Four Day Climb May 13 - 17 reached Camp Muir yesterday afternoon weathering the difficult conditions with smiles on their faces dispite the snow flakes whipping through the air.
Once the team reached Camp Muir, they were treated to clear skies above and a cloud deck below 9,900'. The team was unable to make a summit attempt due to the weather including several feet of new snow causing unsafe conditions. They are descending from Camp Muir and will return to Rainier BaseCamp in the early afternoon.
Posted by: Mike King, Sam Hoffman, Ben Thorneycroft, Margo Kerr, Layne Peters, Mac Nolde, Julian Kral
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir May 2 - 7 led by RMI Guides Mike King and Sam Hoffman met for a day of training and gear checks at Rainier BaseCamp and then headed onto the mountain. The team ascended to Camp Muir on Sunday and has enjoyed sunshine and blue skies during their training. Climbers practiced ice arrest, crevasse rescue and glacier travel before making their summit attempt. Today the team launched from Camp Muir with an alpine start, reaching the summit of Mt. Rainier at sunrise via the Ingraham Direct route. RMI Guide Sam Hoffman reported sunshine and moderate winds during their summit climb. The team has returned to Camp Muir where they will spend their final night on the mountain. Tomorrow they will descend to Paradise and return to BaseCamp to conclude their program.
Nice work team!
PC: Sam Hoffman and Layne Peters
UPDATE: Friday, October, 31, 2025
Cumbre!
We all went to bed with a degree of anxiety about the weather. For days prior, and even the day we went to Cotopaxi Refugio, there were intense periods of rain. However, luck was on our side and our guide Sam woke us up around 11pm with the best news ever - it was a clear starry night. We finalized our packs, put on our crampons, and set out for the summit.
The climb began on rocky terrain, a steady but manageable approach. We soon got to the soft snow level and the intensity started to pick up. It was a constant uphill ascent without any switchbacks. For many of us, this was the steepest continuous climb we’ve ever done and also the highest altitude ever achieved. This led to some challenges, but we pushed through with our resilience and amazing support from our guides. Before we knew it, the summit was in sight. The entire group showed their grit and determination and we all made it! What an incredible sight that we were rewarded with at the top of Cotopaxi. After taking it all in, we began the descent. We weren’t able to appreciate the beauty of the mountain on the ascent as it was mostly dark, but the descent revealed Cotopaxi’s splendor from various angles. We enjoyed a light breakfast at the Refugio and then descended to the parking lot where a bus took us to our cozy hacienda. It wasn’t long before we arrived at the hacienda that the rain and hail storms began. It’s still a mystery on how we had such a perfect weather window for our climb, but we are grateful! And all excited about our accomplishment!
RMI Climber, Madhur Nayan
Friday, October 31, 2025 - 11:00 am PT
RMI Guide Mike Bennett sent a quick update to let us know that 100% of the team reached the summit of Cotopaxi today! They will return to the climbers hut, repack and meet their drivers and vehicles for the short transfer to Chilcabamba Lodge where they will spend the night. Tomorrow the team will return to Quito for their final night in Ecuador.
Congratulations team!
New Post Alerts:
Cotopaxi Express October 25, 2025
Posted by: Mike Bennett, Sam Hoffman, Felipe Guarderas
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 16,300'
Cotopaxi Express Daily Blog
The team woke up this morning in a packed climbers hut at the ripe hour of 4am to climb Illiniza. Snow and sleet covered the ground and word came from the top to go back to bed. After a brief breakfast The team set off at 7 am towards Illiniza Norte with a windy snow still coming down but daylight on our side. Teams split into smaller groups to tackle the snowy scramble up the knife edge ridge of the mountain. Conditions remained poor, and we turned around 16,300’ to head down to the familiarity of the climbers hut. Repacked and trekking down to the bus, snow turned to rain and the bus was a warm bumpy welcome down the cobblestone roads. Lunch at a VERY FAMOUS pizza dive. Now the team is relaxing in front of wood stove fires, gazing over pastures towards the cloudy abyss—looking to catch a glimpse of the pinnacle objective hidden in the mist.
RMI Climbers, Dan and Joe Hayden
New Post Alerts:
Cotopaxi Express October 25, 2025
Today the team left the comfort of Quito to begin our journey south to Illiniza Norte (because Illiniza Sur is apparently hard so we’re going to skip it). Unfortunately, we had to make an early morning start to get from our rooms to the hotel lobby by 9am.
With everyone safely on the bus we began the drive south to a famous gas station to buy critical snacks, meet our local guides Gustavo, Felipe (one of RMI’s finest) and Jaime, and sign paperwork. After saying goodbye to the gas station (and the last real toilet) we continued our drive to the trail head where we met horses and mules to carry our gear to the refuge.
We are now furiously chomping down popcorn and hoping for a good climb tomorrow.
- RMI Climber, Joe Maguire & Team
New Post Alerts:
Cotopaxi Express October 25, 2025
Good Luck on the climb everyone!! You have some of the best guides ever in Mike, Jaime, and the others! Got to climb with them in Ecuador and they are great! And I think I may know of that famous gas station! Have fun and safe climbing!!
Posted by: William Eldridge on 10/28/2025 at 5:10 pm
Elevation - 15,413 feet
Team Summits Ruca Pinchinca!
This morning we started early for our first acclimatization hike of the trip. We opted to skip the Teleferico (Gondola) ride in order to get ahead of some afternoon thunderstorms. Thanks to Hector for driving us up to 12,800’ feet!
It took us 5 hours to reach the summit and return. The hike gradually picks up with grade and we were feeling it towards the top. Today was hard work and the team did great. We got a glimpse of our main goal - Cotopaxi - which built excitement for the days to come.
We will rest for the afternoon and enjoy a team dinner in Quito before moving to Illiniza Norte tomorrow! Wish us luck.
RMI Guide,
Sam Hoffman & Team
New Post Alerts:
Cotopaxi Express October 25, 2025
Sunday, October 26, 2026 - 6:05 pm PT
Welcome to Ecuador!
The team made their arrival and assembled this morning for their first time as an expedition. After morning introductions, the team talked through trip details before heading out to explore the lovely city of Quito. The team explored the city and visited the equator, getting our first taste of the beautiful South American culture that is Ecuador.
The afternoon lead into a team gear check before heading off to dinner and resting for the evening. Tomorrow's day will be an early start for our first acclimatization hike, Rucu Pichincha.
RMI Guide,
Mike Bennett
New Post Alerts:
Cotopaxi Express October 25, 2025
Posted by: Seth Burns, Joe Hoch, Sam Hoffman, Kayanna Hopkins, Oliver Shapiro, Daniel May, Margo Kerr, Brooks Ordway Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
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The Four Day Climbs led by RMI Guides Seth Burns and Joe Hoch walked into the summit crater of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:45 am. The teams enjoyed calm and warm weather on the summit. They are currently on their descent and will return to Ashford later this afternoon.
Congratulations climbers!
Posted by: Sam Hoffman, Hannah Blum, Brooks Ordway Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
6:30 pm August 18th
Around 12:30 today, our entire team stood on top of Mt. Shuksan. Today the weather was mostly cloudy, but we were rewarded with a break in the clouds on our descent. Tomorrow morning we will pack up camp and head into town to celebrate. Congrats to the team!
RMI guide Sam Hoffman, Hannah Blum, and Brooks Ordway-Smith
Congratulations all, well done! The view was spectacular, thanks for the pics. Blessings to all.
Posted by: Dadeo on 10/31/2025 at 12:04 pm
Wishing everyone a safe and fun, but not too comfortable, trip. Bonus points for hunting your own food.
Posted by: Kyle Warfield on 10/30/2025 at 6:25 am
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