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We have broken free from the city and made our way into the highlands. Today we drove north through the rain to hike around Lake Cuicocha. Fortunately, the last drops of rain fell with our first few steps on the trail, and by the end of the hike we were rewarded with clear, sunny skies. Hopefully, that good weather luck follows us to the big peaks ahead.

We’re becoming fast friends—laughing almost constantly as we trade stories on the trail and around the dinner table.

RMI Guide Walter Hailes

In my brief mountaineering experience over the last 3 years, the quality of these journeys have largely been influenced by the quality of the guides and the people you are climbing with. We have been fortunate to hit home runs on both. 

On day 10 of our adventure as we attempt to summit Aconcagua. Today was a rest day at camp 2. We stretched our legs with a short hike up to 18,500’ where we had a crampon tutorial with guides Ray and Bhati. Ray even let me try his crampons on. We returned to camp 2 to rest, and prepare our gear for the push to camp 3 a.k.a. “high camp“. 

I’ve often compared climbing a mountain to a football season and how fitting that analogy is for this time of year. The trek to base camp is like the regular season. In terms of distance it’s the longest part of the journey just as there are more games in the regular season than in the playoffs. For those fortunate enough, the regular season/trek to base camp is only the preamble for why we do this. We didn’t come here just to get to basecamp and we don’t play football to put the pads away when the playoffs start. 

We do this to push ourselves, to see what’s inside our competitive souls. To join forces with other like minded individuals to work together so we can all stand on the mountain top or hoist the championship trophy. And for some of us, it’s to see if maybe we can shine the sun on our physical accomplishments once more before Father Time starts the slow sunset of our bodies. We are not looking for an easy path, we are looking for a challenge that requires our individual & collective best.

As the playoffs/push up the upper mountain began. Each climb to the next camp or round of the playoffs gets tougher. When climbing every step we take will be greeted with less oxygen, less sleep, more wear and tear on our joints and muscles. Unlike a football game the action is slow and monotonous. It is tedious work. We have to overcome the mental hurdle of knowing that each and every step will be harder. To the point of pure exhaustion, and yet we push on. Why, many will ask. Why would you put yourself through that? The reality is those who ask such questions will never quite understand the answer. In simplest terms I would sum it up like this; if you want to have “Fun” go to Disney World or the beach. If you want an incredible sense of accomplishment, one that few people on this earth will ever know, grab a pack, a pair of boots, a few friends or meet some new ones, hire some experienced guides and hit the trail!

As we stand here at camp 2 looking up at the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, 22,842’ in sky stands the summit of Aconcagua. The next round of our playoff push is the carry and move to camp 3. Survive and advance is the motto we use during a playoff run and that certainly applies to climbing Aconcagua. Regardless of how our bodies feel and our mind telling us to tap out and return to a hot shower and good night’s sleep in Mendoza, we WILL press on. The “Mountain Don’t Give A F*<£” (MDGAF) and we are determined to “Find A Way!”

It is a battle of ultimate respect between the mountain and the climber. I don’t know if I/we will be turned around or if I/we will dance on the summit in the next few days. I do know that regardless of the outcome, the thousands of hours training we have put in and years of preparation are worth it. Life is about your process and your approach day after day, month after month and year after year. The score/outcome will take care of itself.

I want to thank everyone who has supported my teammates and myself on our respective journeys to this point. The collective commitment of time and resources is substantial. To Shelley, Avery, TJ and Luke I love you all! To the CGG it’s been an amazing 30+ yrs doing life together…it truly is a great day to be alive!

RMI Climber Tim Schafer

Shadows and light in pairs that cling, 10 climbers made it to the top of Iztaccíhuatl- Mexico's third highest peak at 17,160'. We spent a chilly night in warm tents at 14,500' before continuing the chilly night with a 1:40 wakeup. Taking the low (and now dry) route to gain the main ridge we wandered over bouldery moraines, dusty ridges, freshly ground pumice, striated and marred rock all under the looming, dark, dozing distaff walls of the ancient overlapping cones. After much plodding we gained the summit ridge just in time for a much welcomed, warming sunrise. Scratching our way to the summit we took in views of a deep but diminishing hanging glacier in the mountain's highest crater. Surrounded by glacial erosion, to see one of the old ones hanging on begs the question how long until there's no ice left at all? Popocatépetl, Itza's neighbor (and mythical lover) has recently shed his in an extended period of eruption. Thankfully, these peaks have enjoyed a chilly start to the winter. That said, we had excellent climbing conditions which enhanced an already wonderful day in the high above, as well as a clean return. But our legs feel inconsequential in the current state they're in. Now it is time to look for leisure and recovery in Puebla before heading to Orizaba. 

RMI Guide Will Ambler

We had a hearty breakfast at Malinzi Resort and loaded up small day packs to head up to the summit of La Malinche today. Everyone seemed to be feeling well. We had absolutely perfect weather for our hike. 

If you like the Disappointment Cleaver then you will love La Malinche. We had alot of loose scree and rock until the final scramble. 

Everyone made it to the gorgeous summit, our camp dog "Lizzy" included! We spent some time at the summit gathering 360 views and memories to share! 

We had an easy decent and made it back in time to relax and shower before dinner. 

Tomorrow on to the next mountain!

RMI Climber Maria McCoy

Hello there!

Sunshine all day long today. We needed that.

We started the morning walking through a valley of female yaks (called naks) and their babies. The cutest little things.

We took it nice and slow, making our way to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and crossing over into Thukla for a tea break.

The highlight came after the climb up to Thukla Pass: the climbers’ memorial, draped in prayer flags and tributes to those lost in the mountains. We took our time there. It’s a special place and the weather and views were nearly perfect.

On the way up the hill I heard “Lookin’ good, Pancake!” and then “Feelin’ good, Cajun!” I’ll let you all guess which team members have acquired those trail names. The point is — the camaraderie is high. Whether it’s trolling each other by putting rocks in (or on) backpacks, taking ridiculous selfies on phones left unattended, or hollering words of encouragement as we waltz along the trail — we’re having the best time and laughing nonstop, even if it means spending the next 30 seconds after catching our breath.

Lobuche — the mountain — made her first real impression last night, framed perfectly in our teahouse window. After the climber’s memorial, we could even see the steep rocky route to high camp. A little intimidating but we’re stoked.

Everyone arrived to Lobuche, the village (confusing, we know), in good form. We were greeted with french fries, RaRa soup, and a long afternoon of rest.

Tonight we sleep at 16,200 feet. And by sleep I mean toss, turn, wake up for some deep breaths — but honestly? Good enough counts up here.

All is well.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the team

Day two on the trek to base camp here in the Vacas Valley.

After a night of team building around the table playing some Farkle, “BIG C” and “Half Calf” claimed the first two victories of the trip. We were treated to an incredible night sleeping under the stars, with a bright half-moon and even a coyote running through the campsites.

After a wonderful breakfast, we applied another layer of sunscreen and “Chub Rub” and hit the trail a little after 8 AM. As we hiked through the Vacas Valley, the scenery was breathtaking, and we were treated to a ton of Guanaco sightings. Some in our group—who shall remain nameless (Johnny)—even tried to stalk one down.

With Scooby at the helm and his very capable sidekick, Ray, we trekked the 10 miles to our second stop, Casa de Piedras. Before finishing the second leg of our journey, we were able to lay eyes on Aconcagua, a.k.a. The Sentinel of Stone. It is a stunning, daunting, and beautiful sight to behold. Full of respect and nervous excitement, we are one stage closer to seeing if we are worthy to pass.

RMI Climber Tim Schafer

Jambo from Kilimanjaro,

Today the team did a fantastic job climbing the intimidating looking Barranco Wall. It is the technical hurdle of this expedition and everyone did great and everyone enjoyed the challenge, of course the porters made it look easy as they climbed the wall with their loads carefully balanced on their heads.

Once above the wall we took a well deserved break to enjoy the views of the valleys below. The team climbed slow and steady as we made our way up and down a few ridges before finally arriving in the Karanga Valley where we will camp for the night.

Everyone is in good spirits and are looking forward to heading to our high camp tomorrow where we will start our summit bid from.

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kilimanjaro crew

Hello from Ecuador!

We had a beautiful first day on our Ecuador adventure. After introductions and a quick team meeting we set off on a tour of Quito.

Our first stop was at the equator, where it’s hard to walk in a straight line, easy (for some people) to balance an egg on the head of a nail, and water swirls this way and that. Our tour guide explained the physics being all these things correctly enough to meet the approval of Paul, our Astrophysicist. Most of us were just happy to see the water swirl in different directions.

We finished our sight seeing with a walking tour of the historic district and a panoramic view of the city from the base of the Virgin off the Panecillo.

Overall a really strong start with a great group of people.

RMI Guide Walter Hailes

Thursday, June 4th @ 8:20PM PST

“No jump tonight! The channel coast is socked in with rain and fog.” Just like the airborne drop just prior to the Normandy invasion in WW2 was postponed in Band of Brothers, our move up to the 14,000 foot camp was also postponed. One of our teammates woke up under the weather so the team, led by Jackson’s sound thought process, decided to stay here at 11,000 feet. As much as we wanted to hear Jackson mimicking Mr. Miagi in the Karate Kid when he says “packs on, packs off,” to signal the start and end of our rest breaks while in the trail, we are all grateful that individual wellness is valued and prioritized. Today, for all 13 readers of the blog, (we went up in readership or at least that’s what I’m telling myself) you will get a glimpse in what we do on a rest day. 

Each member of the team has been giving it their all, their daily 100% for the team. Earlier in the week we all carried team gear and personal items to higher in the mountain for our teams success. Today’s 100% was spent resting so our teammates can stay strong on the upper mountain. We had some folks engaging in “light” reading of quantum mechanics and discussions about the concepts, many cinephiles, some naps, and language study. So many snacks were eaten, shared, and personal snack preferences turned into lively and spirited debates about which Oreo is the best (it’s double stuff by the way). Some tent teams place all their snacks in the middle of the tent, like a small family of squirrels in their burrow, while they read, watch movies, and listen to audio books.

Others played backgammon and trivia while counting the number of times Peter walked in front of the tent to get his step count in. We’ve decided that we all make an incredible and formidable bar trivia team.

Our team has also developed some enjoyable routines. Each morning we talk about the dreams we had while we all huddle over our hot drinks in the kitchen tent. Each evening we have intriguing and often intellectually challenging conversations. One of those was how do you connect John Travolta to Tom Cruise, similar to the game degrees of Kevin Bacon. We’ve also argued over our favorite conspiracy theories. We are really a cohesive group. If someone could leave a comment to help us explain who Kevin Bacon is we’d greatly appreciate it.

RMI Climber Matt
 

Hola amigos y familiares de Mendoza, Argentina y feliz año nuevo!!

We have all officially arrived here in the land of carne asado, vino tinto, and guanacos. The excitement cannot contain us. Over the last 2 days, we have found the lag to our jet, enjoyed some fine Argentinian cuisine, and triple checked our gear. The highest peak outside the Himalaya, the Stone Centinel, awaits our arrival. Tomorrow is that day. The day we start our long trek to stand atop South America. Stay tuned as we utilize our Chubb Rub along our endeavor not only to climb, but circumvent Aconcagua. 

Hablamos pronto.

RMI Guides Ben Luedtke, Ray Holt, & Team