Entries By will ambler

The Five Day Climb led by Will Ambler and Avery Stolte reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning and enjoyed a bit of time in the summit crater.  They started their descent from the crater rim shortly after 7 am. The teams will have a short break at Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise later this afternoon.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

RMI Guide Avery Stolte and the Four Day Climb August 15 - 18 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. It is a beauitful day with clear skies and the team enjoyed some time in the summit crater before starting their descent to Camp Muir. Once back at Camp Muir the team will get a quick break before descending the final 4,500' to Paradise. 

Congratulations to today's climbers!

The Five-Day climbs led by Jackson Breen and Will Ambler summitted Mt. Rainier around 7:10 am this morning. They reported clear skies above with clouds building around them, so they opted for a touch and go on top to keep the team moving. They'll return to Camp Muir and stay one more night before returning to Ashford. 

Way to go team!

The RMI team led by guides Will Ambler, Miles Watson, and Oliver Sperin had a sunset ascent of Mt Baker via the Easton Glacier. The team went 100% to the top! They are currently on their descent back to the trailhead. 

Great work everyone!

The Six Day Expedition Skills Seminar – Paradise led by RMI Guide Will Ambler reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today after several days of training, learning, and putting their mountaineering skills to the test on the mountain.

The team made the most of their time on the mountain, building experience and confidence as they prepared for their summit attempt. After reaching the top today, they will make a complete descent from the mountain and return to RMI’s BaseCamp later this afternoon, concluding their program.

Congratulations to the team on a successful climb and a great week of learning and adventure on Mt. Rainier!

The Four-Day climb enjoyed summit success this morning, with 100% of the teams making it to the top! RMI guides Will Ambler and Jack Ritterson led them to the summit around 7am. They are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir and will return to Ashford this afternoon. 

Great work everyone!

RMI's four-day climb led by guide Will Ambler made it to the summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 6:30am! They reported high winds but blue skies. They left the crater around 7:15am and are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir. They will return to Ashford this afternoon. 

Great work team!

Looking back on Denali

The glacial environment presents a curious juxtaposition. At times, we witness a frozen, static world where quietude and stillness exist - perhaps much like they are found in the dark of a cave or the bottom of a cold lake. Yet, here they present in such luminous expanses that it boggles the mind and shrivels the self. From the disturbed skyline, pierced by menhirs and minarets, to the inland sea of ice filling the valley floors - and all the intermediate seracs layered and bunted on the surrounding megaliths - the scenery feels utterly immobile and still. Until, quite suddenly, the illusion is shattered in a violent display of force. In an instant there is motion, seen before it’s heard, a blur of ice and rock come free and already flaunting its veil of pulverized and sublimated snow, trundling in booming din. The delicate chandeliers of ice along the ridgelines and faces show themselves for what they happen to be: some of the most powerful natural forces of erosion which exist in, and as the result of, a near constant state of motion, plucking and mashing in a ceaseless flow of primeval destruction. 

A Denali expedition can experience the same contradictions from day to day. We spend multiple days where our only minute movement may be in transit to the bathroom or simply rolling over in bed for fear of pressure ulcers. On these days the mountain itself may feel more alive with weather and with that, even moody or spiteful. We spend many days where we only yield a brutal locomotion to consume or sleep, spending the daylight hours (and there are many) in a constant toil. On these days it may seem that the mountain has drifted back down to a state of rest and wouldn’t note our proceedings, until that serac falls in the distance. Throughout, if you happen to take notice, both the ultimate stillness and the constant motion are in abundance. In this place and in leaving we are so grateful for the opportunity to experience such an atypical environment with a group of people so willing and capable.

Despite not reaching our goal of the summit, I am quite pleased with how much I’ve learned on this trip and how much I enjoyed the company. I am pleased with our safe descent and return home to family and friends. I am hopeful for another attempt at Denali’s summit in the future.

RMI Guide Will Ambler & Team

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 9:16 am PT

Still at 14,000. We were hoping for slightly more encouraging weather up high this morning but there was a ragged cloud cap on the upper mountain through midday. A move up high didn’t look to be impossible, but it certainly would have been tougher in the weather. We opted for plan B, a rest and recuperation day at 14K. Eventually the sun came out and life was easy. We sorted gear and tried to cut down on the pounds that we’ll carry up to high camp. Everybody caught up on hydration and reading. Tomorrow is our day for moving up.

RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Monday, June 29, 2026 - 10:39 pm

A big step forward today! We made our carry up on to the West Buttress at 16,200ft. The morning at 14K was calm, we were in and out of the clouds and snow, but it was clear above so we went for it. We started up just as the sun came around the South Peak, moderating the cold temps. The first hills were familiar, of course, but this time we could actually see where we were, so that helped. It was exciting to finally get on the fixed rope section and do some steep climbing. The team did quite well and we topped out about 3.5 hrs after leaving camp. There was a little breeze on the ridge, but it was delightfully calm where we stopped to cache our supplies. The descent was in clouds and falling snow again, but we were pointed in the correct direction for such conditions. Back in camp we rested and prepared to move to high camp.

RMI Guide Dave Hahn