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Entries By walter hailes


Orizaba Express: Hailes & Team Will Train Today, Climb Tonight

Update: January 30th at 1:30 pm PT

Hello friends and family,

We spent a few hours today climbing higher on Orizaba in partial sunshine and protected from the wind by the mountain. During the trip we refreshed our ice axe and crampon skills and may have done a little scheming about new business ideas. We are sticking to the plan of an early dinner and bed and really early rise to attempt the summit. No matter what the weather does we will be safe and have fun.

January 30th at 6:30 am PT

We made the correct decision to abandon the tents and sleep in the hut at Piedra Grande. The wind gusts gradually got stronger till early morning. Another team did attempt the summit but turned around before the summit because of the wind.

The wind is still strong but we are going to get out and do a little training/acclimation hike and enjoy the day. We'll keep looking up and see what the weather gives us for tonight.

RMI Guide Walter Hailes

On The Map

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Orizaba Express: Hailes & Team arrive at a Windy Piedra Grande

Our day started calm and orderly, but did not finish that way. We had another great meal at La Malinche before we started driving to Tlachachula. Then we loaded the van and hit the road. After sorting gear and eating lunch in town we loaded up the 4x4 and drove the bumpy road 2 hours to camp. Camp was a little windy when as we set up our tents. We choose to sleep in tents instead of the hut so that we could have a nice quiet night. However, just as we finished the last tent big wind gusts started hitting us. When we almost lost one tent 3 times we decided to change plans, drop the tents and retreat to the hut. The team made quick work of relocating and we settled into the hut nicely. We'll sleep sound tonight and see what the wind is like in the morning.

RMI Guide Walt Hailes & Team

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Orizaba Express: Hailes and Team Enjoy Time at La Malinche

Good morning. We had a great day yesterday driving to La Malinche. We left Mexico City and grabbed some lunch and snacks food for our climb today. Once we arrive at the resort we settled into the cabana and Brett, Jeff and John went for a hike before dinner. Alden, Merrick and I spent time at the cabana prepping for our climb today. Dinner was delicious with queso and guacamole for all.

This morning we grabbed breakfast and hit the trail for our first acclimation hike. The forecast called for sunny and warm. We had a near perfect day today on our acclimation hike. Sunny skies, light breeze, and a great team. We moved well uphill even in the loose rock and scree of the mountain and got to relax on to for well over an hour, breathing the thin air as getting ready for the next challenge. We are all looking forward to another great dinner and a warm fire in our cabana tonight.

 

RMI Guide Walt Hailes

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Orizaba Express: Hailes & Team Meet up in Mexico City

We had a great kick off meeting last night and everyone is excited to be together and starting a fun week long mountain adventure to Pico de Orizaba.  After quick introductions for Merrick and me (Alden, Brett, Jeff and John have climbed together in the past) we enjoyed a beautiful view from a roof top lounge looking over Mexico City. We then moved to Historico Azul a unique open air restaurant beneath a perfectly manicured canopy of trees for dinner. In each trees hung hundreds of small oil lamps giving the room a warm glow, and the food was delicious. Today we are driving to La Malinche, a small mountain resort, to begin our acclimation process with a promising weather forecast. 

Thanks again,

RMI Guide Walt Hailes

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Mt. Rainier: Hailes & Four Day Climb Team Turned Back Due to High Winds

The July 20 - 23 Four Day Climb Team was turned around by high winds today. RMI Guide Walter Hailes and team reached approximately 13,400' before making the decision to abort their summit attempt and return to Camp Muir. The teams will continue their descent to Paradise later this morning.
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Mt. Rainier: A Late Start Leads to a Summit for the Four Day Climbs

The Four Day Climbs led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Josh McDowell got a late start out of Camp Muir this morning as the teams waited out some poor weather. The late start coupled with some patience paid off for the teams as they reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning! Walter and Josh reported sunny skies and breezy conditions on the upper mountain. The teams are on their descent and will return to Ashford later today. Congratulations climbers!
Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats, Autumn, to you and your team!  Best wishes on your next adventure (whatever it may be).

Posted by: Mike Rathbun on 7/12/2019 at 7:32 am

Great job everyone!
Congrats AE from all the Turner Girls!

Posted by: JillT on 7/11/2019 at 8:20 pm


Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climbs Reach the Summit

RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Chris Ebeling and the Four Day Climbs reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 7:30 AM. The teams climbed through the clouds before the sun broke through shortly before the summit. Walter reported 15 mph winds and cold temps. The teams will spend some time on the summit celebrating before beginning their descent to Camp Muir. We look forward to seeing them back at BaseCamp in Ashford this afternoon. Congratulations Climbers!
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Nice job! Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Posted by: Hilary Gehman & Matt Smith on 7/1/2019 at 6:50 pm

Congratulations!  We’re happy you have this experience and we’re looking forward to your stories.

Posted by: Wayne and Louise Gehman on 7/1/2019 at 5:28 am


Mt. Rainier: Five Day Climb on Top!

The Five Day Climb June 22 - 26 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Josh McDowell. The teams made a short stop on the crater due to cold temperatures and a cloud cap. The teams will return to Camp Muir and continue their descent to Paradise. Congratulations to today's climbers!
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Congratulations Shep and Jared!

Posted by: Phil Gore on 6/26/2019 at 6:52 pm

Way to go Jared and Shep!

Posted by: Robin on 6/26/2019 at 6:18 pm


Mt. Rainier: June 18th Summit!

The Five Day Summit climb led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Josh McDowell took advantage of the weather and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 9:30 am today. Josh reported warm temperature with winds of about 35 mph. The team will descend to Camp Muir where they will spend another day on the mountain and descend to Paradise tomorrow. Congratulations to today's team!
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Congratulations Tony B on your 1st climb and reaching the summit!  So proud of you and happy for you!

Posted by: Dianne Davis on 6/19/2019 at 8:16 am

Lewis… Congratulations on an awesome accomplishment!  I hope you enjoyed the Dr. Pepper!  Looking forward to hearing all about it

Posted by: Dan on 6/18/2019 at 5:43 pm


Mt. Rainier: June 14th Summit!

The Four Day Climb Led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Josh McDowell reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported clear skies above the heavy marine layer sitting at 7000'. and very calm winds. Congratulations to today's team!
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Congratulations, Dave and Friends!  Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear all about your adventure!

Posted by: Brenda Zamzow on 6/14/2019 at 7:09 pm

Congratulations and hello to Greg & Medina Bill’s, if they were on this team!!!

Posted by: Sylvia Pedley on 6/14/2019 at 11:07 am

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