Entries By seth waterfall

Elevation: 13,000'

Its a storm day for Team Elbrus. We actually had good weather this morning and got out to do some more practice with the ice axe and crampons. We then moved into self arrest practice. By the time we finished that it had started to snow and then that turned to rain for a minute. The wind really kicked up for a few hours after that and we had a real storm for a while We all hid from the weather and watched a movie this afternoon. Thanks to Brett for supplying the iPad. It's about 5:30PM now and there's not much wind and some sun at camp. The upper mountain is covered in a large cloud and it looks like there are more clouds moving our way. Because of that we have decided to stick to our original plan and go for the summit either tomorrow night or the next. I'll check in again tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

You guys are great!! Its so much fun to watch your progress…..Cant wait till I get the news that you’ve reached the summit and are on your way down! I wonder how long it takes to get down???Carol

Posted by: carol Latz on 6/29/2016 at 7:22 am

go john go

Posted by: Jill on 6/28/2016 at 12:41 pm

Mt. Elbrus: Waterfall & Team Move Into Garabashi Hut

June 27, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 12,500'

Privet! We are up on the mountain and everyone is doing great. The seven of us are bunked in an 8'x8'x20' container at 12,500' elevation. We started the morning with coffee at the hotel along with the Elbrus Ski Team who are on their way to St. Petersburg today. After breakfast we drove to the base of the big ski area here and loaded ask our duffels on three consecutive gondolas. Garabashi Hut is right at the top of the last gondola so we were able to drop duffels, grab lunch and head out for an acclimatization hike. Yuri, the local guide, and I decided to try and shoot for a climb up 15,000' to speed up our acclimatization schedule as the weather forecast isn't looking great after tomorrow. Everyone did really well and we made great time up and down from 15k. Tomorrow we are going to make a plan after checking the weather. We will ideally go over some ice axe safety techniques and go on another hike, but we will just have to see. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall and Team Elbrus

On The Map

Mt. Elbrus: Waterfall & Team Hike to 11,500’

June 26, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories:

Elevation: 7,500'

We are in Azau again for the night. Today we took an acclimatization hike up to about 11,500 ft. To gain that much elevation we hopped on a couple of chairlifts and hiked for just under two hours. The weather was perfect all day and we had amazing views of Mt Elbrus and the rest of the Caucasus. Tomorrow we are moving up on the mountain itself and we'll begin our summit preparations. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Mt. Elbrus: Waterfall & Team Arrive in Azau at the Base of Mt. Elbrus

June 25, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 7,500'

Hello from the tiny mountain village of Azau. Today was our transfer day so we've been up and on the move since before 5:30am. We rolled out of Moscow just as the hard core partiers were finishing up their night and it was funny to see people dressed up for going out mingling with other people starting their Saturday morning. The traffic was light, the check-in and security lines were smooth and the flight was just under two hours. The only major events of the day had to do with our spirited Russian driver and cows in the road. Tomorrow we'll get some hiking in and I think the whole team is looking forward to some exercise and fresh air. That's it for now, RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Mt. Elbrus: Seth Waterfall & Team Spend Their Day Touring Moscow

June 24, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Hello from Moscow! It's about seven o'clock in the evening here and we are all about to meet up for dinner. We have had a great day seeing the sights in the city. We met our city tour guide, Svetlana, this morning and she took us out to the Kremlin and Red Square. She indulged all of our questions about life and politics in Russia now versus back in the Communist period. It was all fascinating stuff. After the tour we had lunch in an authentic Georgian restaurant. Tomorrow we are shifting gears with an early morning flight. We'll fly about 900 miles south to the Caucasus Mountains. We will have Mt. Elbrus in sight and begin our acclimatization process. I'll check in again when we reach our destination. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

Hey, Slackers:
Looking good in Red Square!
Just want to urge you guys to keep your eyes on the prize, and not to worry about the post-Brexit market swoon. I saw Jill and Jennifer at Pinhan last night. They had managed to get Alison and Danielle on a conference Skype, and after their third round of G&Ts; the four of them opened a margin account on E-trade, and in honor of your Russian expedition they were buying random puts and calls on the MICEX and RTS exchanges. When I left the cafe after dark, they we’re making spirited plays on some investment app called “Catch a Falling Knife.”
So relax, and enjoy your ascent! We’ll keep the home fires burning till your return.
Salud!
Josh

Posted by: Josh Horwitz on 6/25/2016 at 7:18 am

Dear Team, as a life long friend and admirer of Gordy’s, I wanted to prepare you for the pronounced behavioral tendencies that would manifest themselves as the air thinned, thighs burned, packs grew heavier, and menu choices shrank. You see, there are quite a few elements to Gordy that are not easily communicated on an outward bound application. I am also assuming the files from his extended stay at Sunnyside Mental Wellness have not been provided following the leather party he had with the 7 nurses (mostly female). This may be a long note so I hope you are not charged for roaming data while in Russia. Gordy’s issues principally arise from his love of and respect for all mankind. Firstly, this may not be easily evident to you until that repelling safety rope is tied on as I suspect Gordy will then insist on showing off his extensive knowledge of ropes and knots. He may claim this is rooted in his time as a small stock boy out in Omaha department store warehouse. However, at Sunnyside it was diagnosed that this passion arose from his time as a stock boy and salesman at the Carlton Shops in Philadelphia. Secondly, his respect for mankind will surely be “presented” in the hotel tonight and tents thereafter as he goes NRA topless in order to show off his “guns and pecs”. Gordy is a complicated fellow so I beg of you to be caring and supportive and to bring him home safe as he is a gem that none of his friends would want any other way. Sincerely, Ron (also on behalf of Nadav, Scot, Schless, Dave and Will)

Posted by: Ron Bobman on 6/25/2016 at 4:06 am

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climb Teams Turn Back at Ingraham Flats

June 18, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Mike Uchal

Elevation: 11,200'

The Four Day Summit Climb June 15 - 18, 2016 was unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier today due to avalanche danger. RMI Guides Seth Waterfall and Mike Uchal led their teams to Ingraham Flats before making the decision to turn back. All climbers are back at Camp Muir where they will rest and repack before beginning their descent to Paradise later this morning.

Mt. Rainier: Teams Turned Around by New Snow and Cold Temps

June 10, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Nick Hunt

Elevation: 11,100'

The Four Day Summit Climb team led by RMI Guides Seth Waterfall and Nick Hunt were unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams turned back at Ingraham Flats this morning. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall called from Camp Muir shortly after 7 am, reporting 8-10” of fresh snow at the Ingraham Flats and very cold temps. Both Summit Climb teams have begun their descent from Camp Muir to Paradise.

Mt. Rainier: June 6th Summit!

June 6, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Nick Hunt

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Seth Waterfall and Nick Hut reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team reported clear skies and great climbing conditions. They were able to some time on top enjoying the views before starting their descent. Congratulations to today's teams!

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar Completes Their Training

May 20, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Walter Hailes

Elevation: 10,000'

The May 15 - 20 Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir teams finished up their training at Camp Muir this morning. With a successful summit climb on Wednesday the teams spent yesterday working on crevasse rescue training. Today they packed up and left Camp Muir shortly before 11 am headed for Paradise. We look forward to seeing them later today. Congratulations to the Seminar Teams!

Clay,
Good luck on the summit today. Make us proud.
- Josh

Posted by: Josh Wall on 5/21/2016 at 9:39 am

Dave and Shane? Are you with this group? Good luck and much stamina for today!

Posted by: George Head on 5/21/2016 at 9:27 am

Mt. Rainier: Muir Seminar Team Reaches Summit!

May 18, 2016

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Walter Hailes

Elevation: 14,410'

We made it to the summit! It was a long day involving a lot of new route finding and high winds. The team did great! We are resting and refueling at Camp Muir and will be finishing up the remaining training tomorrow and Friday! RMI Guides Seth Waterfall, Walter Hailes and Team!

Congratulations to all on your successful summit! Way to go!

Posted by: Janice Jones on 5/18/2016 at 3:22 pm

Congratulations on reaching the summit!

Posted by: judy mcCrary on 5/18/2016 at 3:16 pm