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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 11,000'
Received June 15, 2025 - 12:04 pm PT
June 14, 2025
Today is day 6 since we first met at Anchorage airport.
After waking it at 2 AM and taking all my strength to get out of my sleeping bag in the cold night (the worst part of the day for me!), we climbed from camp 1 to camp 2 and made our biggest elevation gain yet, 1000m, with moderately heavy bags and sleds. It was quite the workout! | arrived with a small headache, hopefully not related to altitude because it's what scares me the most. When you arrive at camp, you do not just install your tent and call it a day, you have to shovel the hell out of that place to build your toilets and dining tent. We try to help the guides but they are doing a tremendous job.
Once again, I was impressed by the power of the elements, the sun is so strong at this latitude in summer and it reflects on the snow everywhere so you're literally cooking. That's why we have walked at "night" up until now (it's never really dark). We haven't experience the other hazards of nature yet, such as bad weather, extreme cold or high altitude. The mountain imposes respect. Despite that the harder is yet to come, I think the group has a good start!
Considérant le contexte géopolitique actuel, je suis également soulagé de bien m'intégrer en étant le seul Canadien dans un groupe 100% American (although one was born in Ireland and is very comedic). I don't feel that they want to invade my country, they are rather very friendly. Ceci dit, personne n'a encore osé mentionner celui-dont-on-ne-doit-pas-prononcer-le-nom lo!! Salutations à Samu, maman, papa et mes amis, hâte de vous revoir! On se croise les doigts que tout se passe bien!
RMI Climber Etienne
P.s. Joyeux anniversaire et bonne fête des pères papa!
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition June 9, 2025
Posted by: Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 11,300'
Thursday, March 20, 2025 - 5:10 pm PT
The daily life is rewarding out here and part of that is how simple it is. We woke up in Phakding this morning and had a delicious breakfast. The dining room was cozy and heated by a stove in the middle of the room. Soon, we said our goodbyes to Nawang (the owner of the teahouse who smiles with his whole face) and started the hike to Namche.
We meandered along the side of the Dudh Koshi river, so vibrant with its blue rushing water.
We crossed many suspension bridges, one time we even made it half way across one before a big mule train faced us down from the other side - we backtracked! You never challenge a mule on a hanging bridge.
Soon we found ourselves at the base of the Namche hill - we slowed our pace and moved together one step at a time. Halfway up, we saw a glimpse of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) and that was the boost we needed to keep going.
Being close to nature, having a great community with this team and having a goal each day to enjoy the moment we are in - this is the simple life but it feels like pure happiness.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Lobuche team
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 15, 2025
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 6:37 pm PT
Coming in live from 14,000' Camp! The vibes and morale are high and acting as fuel to carry us for the past few days and the upcoming days to come.
A few days ago we made the push from 11,000' Camp, which was a hard yet rewarding day. Up until that point we had continuous snowfall. But as we made our way to 14,000' Camp the sun and surrounding peaks decided to say hello. It’s unbelievably beautiful out here. Snowcapped mountains as far as the eye can see. The tough journey so far has made the surroundings pronounced with that much more awe.
Today we woke up and the weather healed so we carried supplies and food near 17,000' Camp and safely made it back down to 14,000'. Now it’s a waiting game. And honestly in the hands of the mountain at this point to get a good weather window for the summit. But honestly, We are all happy and content with the effort and the expierence we’ve put in so far. Dustin, Lacy and Will are all legends and we are lucky to be out here with them.
Big love to all those supporting us and we can't wait to tell you more once we are closer to sea level ;)
RMI Climber Connor Michalek
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 29, 2025
Caroline, the photos show an amazing worldly place. I’m so excited for you and your team. Looking at every photo, you and the team are in a place where few people get to experienced the beauty of planet Earth. Proud of the work each of you did to experience your dream. Love you, Caroline remember the butterfly on your back is watching….btw its 103 here lol.
Posted by: Page Evans on 6/12/2025 at 12:57 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to climbers Ben Thuss!! Birthday wishes also coming from LeighAnne and family in Wales and Sharon and family in Stroud (Cotswolds) and Ash and Vic! Other wishes on your inReach. Wishing you all the best weather, good climb and safe trip back! So proud of everyone and a special shout out to your guides. Great job Dustin, Will and Lacie !! If anyone can get to the top your team can!
Posted by: Chip, Jill and Paul Thuss on 6/12/2025 at 12:29 pm
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Nice work!!! What an amazing photo!
Posted by: Amy Sherman on 9/15/2017 at 9:13 am
Hi Glo,
I wish the team would acknowledge all the hard working guides.
Love you,
Mom
Posted by: Michelle W on 9/14/2017 at 9:31 pm
Congrats!!! Hey Brent, how many Rainier Summits now? You have to be close to the record!
Dave Kestel
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 8/2/2016 at 4:07 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 12:10 am PT
After a big day yesterday and sleeping at 17,000' still, we slept in to get what recovery we could. It was a cold morning, but we eventually roused, downed some breakfast, and got all of our things in packs and headed down. It’s been a funny day of environments. Weather at 17,000 was frigid and clear this morning. Passing through 14,000' Camp felt like we were at the beach, and we said Hi, Good luck, and See ya to our friends with RMI Guide Seth Burns and team.
Moving below 14,000' across the Polo Field, everything was white, muffled, and there was ~24” of new snow on the ground and it was snowing hard. We are now at 11,000' Camp, pausing to sleep and enjoy the warm and oxygen rich climes. It’s not at all how they felt on the ascent! Tomorrow, we’ll pack things one more time, and walk out the Kahiltna Glacier to base camp. We’re excited and ready.
RMI Guides Pete, Nick, Ben, and team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition May 8, 2025
Hola from Ecuador!
The team arrived late last night after some long and late arriving flights. Today we started our day with a team meeting where we did our usual round of introductions to get to know each other and then discussed the game plan for our upcoming 11 day adventure here in Ecuador.
After the meeting we headed out on the town to explore this beautiful historical city with our local and very knowledgeable tour guide Gloria and trusty drive Angel. We first headed to the southern part of Quito to a big hill called La Panacia that over looks this beautiful city. Then made our way on foot to the oldest parts of Quito, to take in the sights, admire the colonial Spanish architecture, and visit one of the many old churches found here Quito.
We finished our tour with of course a visit to the Equator from which Ecuador derivesits name, stopping by a museum that had a pretty interesting collection as well as some unique test that attempt to prove it’s the actual middle of the world.
We wrapped up the day with a quick gear check to make sure everyone has all the gear needed for our climbs. Then it was off to dinner at a nice restaurant where we were enjoyed getting to know each other better.
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Jackson Breen and the the Quito Crew!
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Volcanoes November 4 - 14, 2025
Congratulations team! Thanks for the update, safe travels down the mountain!
Posted by: Liz McFarland on 7/18/2016 at 10:42 am
Fantastic! Congratulations to my AWESOME daughter, Schuyler, and to the entire team!!
Woohoo!!
Love,
Mom
Posted by: Betty Gilmore on 7/18/2016 at 9:33 am
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Your amazing Billy
Congratulations
I was thinking of you the whole time just waiting for your call or text to say your down safe
Congrats to the team ⛏
Posted by: Nancy Moses on 6/29/2016 at 6:09 pm
Tait & Sophia - the DSPE team is rooting you on! Stay strong, stay warm, and keep your focus. We can’t wait to hear about your adventure when you get back!
Lita, Nicole, Megan, Becky, Elizabeth, Sarah, Eli, Elle and Farrukh
Posted by: Lita M on 6/16/2025 at 6:01 am
Tait & Sophia - the DSPE team is rooting you on! Stay strong, stay warm, and keep your focus. We can’t wait to hear about your adventure when you get back!
Lita, Nicole, Megan, Becky, Elizabeth, Sarah, Eli, Elle & Farrukh
Posted by: Lita M on 6/16/2025 at 6:01 am
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