Entries By walter hailes
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Friday, February 7, 2025 - 6:57 pm PT
After getting a peak at Cayambe on our hike yesterday, we were eager to make our way to the mountains. We packed our bags and set off from Quito to Laguna Cuicocha, a beautiful crater lake surrounded by jungles and peaks near to our next hotel in Otavalo. Clouds sat high up in the sky for most of the day, sunlight peaking through for the first half of our circumnavigation of the lake. Just as we hit the parking lot after our 7.5 mile hike, the light sprinkle turned into rain and we hopped in the bus to Itinyaya Residencias, our stay for the night. We chatted by the fire in the main lodge after settling into our rooms and capped off the night with a team dinner of more local meals.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,000'
We set out early, eager to hike up Ruca Pichincha, ready for an adventure that would take us to 15,000 feet. The ascent was fun, despite a few headaches and light-headedness that came with the altitude—nothing unusual for our first high-altitude climb. Unfortunately, the clouds were thick for most of the hike, hiding the breathtaking views we had hoped to enjoy.
Afterward, we enjoyed some delicious traditional Ecuadorian food to fuel up, savoring the flavors while sharing stories and laughter.
RMI Guide Walt Hailes & Team
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
Although some of us were a bit worn out from the late-night flights, we rallied together for a whirlwind tour of Quito. Our first stop was the Equator, where we attempted (often unsuccessfully) to balance eggs and marveled at the Coriolis effect, which shifted just 10 feet from the equator.
Next, we ventured into the historic old city, filled with presidential mansions, grand city squares, ancient churches, and bustling crowds. It was a blast taking in the sights while chatting with our teammates. Exploring and challenging ourselves in the mountains is always a highlight, but the true magic of these trips lies in the people we meet and the friendships we forge along the way. We are off to a great start on that front.
After the tour, we headed back to the hotel for a quick gear check, followed by plenty of time to nap, explore the city further, and enjoy an early dinner. The goal was to rest up and catch up on sleep before the real challenges ahead.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
Posted by: Steve Gately, Walter Hailes, Lacie Smith, Layne Peters, Daniel May, Nicole De Petris, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Lacie Smith and Walt Hailes reached Ingraham Flats today. The team was unable to move further up on the mountain due to route conditions. The team was able to do some additional training as well as enjoy a beautiful sunrise from 11,200' on Mt. Rainier.
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Robert Whyte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier Team with Walt Hailes reached 10,781' summit via the Easton Glacier. The team had perfect weather and route conditions for the climb.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais, Mitch Valaitis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After several days of training and climbing, the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz July 14 - 19 team, led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais and Mitch Valaitis, put it all together and made their climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier. Walter reported a beautiful day with light winds and good climbing conditions. The team started their descent from the crater rim around 7:30 am. They will return to their High Camp for their final night on the mountain. Tomorrow they will finish up any training, descend to the trailhead and return to Rainier BaseCamp to conclude their adventure.
Congratulations to the team!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Bailey Servais, Hannah Billings, Walter Hailes, Josh Geiser, Jack Ritterson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 6 - 10 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom & Walter Hailes reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Skies are clear and temperatures are warm with a light breeze. The teams are making their way back to Camp Muir. Once back at camp they will pack up and continue their descent to Paradise. We look forward to see thing back at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Five Day Climb teams!
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Jackson Breen, Evan Redman, Walter Hailes, Avery Stolte, Celeste Wilson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four-Day teams led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Jackson Breen summited this morning in good weather. They reached the top at 6:00 am taking 6 1/2 hours due to many climbers on the route. The team spend time on the summit before starting their descent, they return to Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations Team!
Wow! You did it OLIVIA!!!
Posted by: wendy sobol on 6/29/2024 at 6:43 pm
Congratulations to all! Great job Olivia!! Another check off your list.
Posted by: Grandma Seaver on 6/29/2024 at 2:03 pm
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Henry Coppolillo, Ben Thorneycroft, Robert Whyte, Hannah Billings, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb June 22 - 26 led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Henry Coppolillo took advantage of the clear and calm weather and made their summit attempt today. The entire team reached the crater rim of Mt. Rainier at 7 am on a beautiful day. The teams will return to Camp Muir and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. Tomorrow they will descending the remaining 4,500' to Paradise and conclude their program.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congrats Siri and team!! Amazing!! Can’t wait to see the pictures!!
Posted by: Rahul C on 6/25/2024 at 12:15 pm
Congrats everyone!!!! Amazing accomplishment!!
Posted by: Jon Kingsley on 6/25/2024 at 8:44 am
Posted by: Casey Grom, Mike Bennett, Walter Hailes, George Hedreen, Tom Skoog, Margo Kerr
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 9 - 12 led by RMI Guides Mike Bennett and Walter Hailes reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The weather was fairly calm and winds were decreasing. The climbers enjoyed some time in the summit crater before starting their descent from the crater rim around 8:40 am. They are now heading back to Camp Muir. Once packed up they will continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbing teams!
I was searching for one mental and physical challenge in the mountains and this climb with RMI sure did the trick! I can not thank Casey, Bailey and Hannah enough for their teaching and support/motivation in getting this 64 year old butt from Canada up that beautiful mountain. We were blessed with excellent weather and mountain conditions. I have never been so exhausted, thrilled, worried and all at the same time. The school was a wonderful start and just processing the whole experience is taking some time. You have something special and thanks for letting me parachute into your world for 5 days!
Posted by: Barry Milne on 7/12/2024 at 3:03 pm
This was my first glaciated climb ever and it was nerve wracking, thrilling, exhausting, and wonderful all at once. Thank you to all 6 guides who flexed with us as our rope teams shifted, but especially to my original 3 guides Casey, Bailey and Hannah… the goal is not to reach the summit, but to return to the trailhead safely and we all did because of all of you. What an awesome experience!
Posted by: Scott Redfern on 7/12/2024 at 4:18 am
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