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Walking back from dinner tonight, we were talking about the daily dispatch and I asked, “so… what should we include?”

Unanimously, everyone said: “the tornado hurricane lightning downpour.”

This was said as we stepped over fallen tree branches and ducked under hanging power lines. So yes today was eventful.

Was that the worst weather of the trip? We sincerely hope so. Ideally, we’re getting it all out of our system now while we’re still in Mendoza.

Picture this: it’s mid-afternoon. We’ve just wrapped our big orientation meeting (what to expect, how to pack, what’s the mountain actually like…) and finished gear checks. Everyone is scattered around town doing last-minute shopping, soaking up the city. I’d just gotten back to the hotel and noticed the sky turning that color. You know the one. As the wind started picking up, I crossed my fingers that everyone had already made it back. 

Spoiler alert: they had not.

Cardboard was flying through the air. Tiny birds were fighting for their lives. Water was pouring through elevators and doorways. Hail, graupel, and torrential rain come down all at once. Streets flooded. Ancient trees went down. One of us got stuck at a gear shop for over an hour and eventually just… swam home. Another tried to wait it out under the awning of a music store (with guitars in the window, for added drama), but eventually gave up and sprinted through the flash floods back to the hotel.

It was truly wild.

So while today was supposed to be a calm, uneventful Mendoza day, it turned into something a little more chaotic. But the skies eventually cleared, we walked past town clean up crews to a delicious dinner, and now we’re all back, dry(ish), and ready to hit the trail tomorrow.

Hopefully it will be a sunny bluebird day. 

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Aconcagua team 

P.S. Yes, of course we had more gelato. I think amongst the team we’ve tried at least 15 flavors since arriving. The great debate about the best one will continue until we’re back off the mountain for more. 

Hello from Namche Bazaar!

Today we made our way up from Phakding, following the Dudh Koshi River and crossing a series of suspension bridges — including the iconic Hillary Bridge. High, swaying, and for one teammate, an instant rollercoaster moment. Hands up and everything.

From there, the trail turned upward. The climb into Namche is steady and steep — the kind that reminds you to settle into your breath and just keep moving. We shared the trail with zopkio and mule trains along the way. Shared is a loose term. You learn quickly who has the right of way out here.

We stopped for lunch and swapped favorite moments from the trip so far — including last night’s newly invented card game (Sploot, a masterpiece) and the simple joy of these trails and bridges.

We pulled into Namche this afternoon, greeted by colorful buildings, rolling clouds, and the satisfying feeling of a solid day in the mountains. The team is strong and stoked, and we’re looking forward to a couple nights here acclimatizing.

— RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the team

P.S. Good luck to Ben on his hockey tournament! Forecheck, backcheck.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - 7:30 am PT

In the van, headed towards La Joya, we are entertained by Lacie's enduring tunes and John's incredible stories of dirty ice caves and saving lives on Denali and windy ski traverses of Greenland (before the days of heated socks) while our lungs and legs attempt recovery from yesterday's ascent of La Malinche:

Starting our walk 5 minutes after 5 de la mañana we wandered up through the persisting forest, cutting service road switchbacks along the direct, dusty and well-traveled camino. By headlamps and the light of a pale, crisp and nearly full moon we ambled upwards, through the woodsmoke soaked forest - owned and cherished by the Mexican public. Sunrise, when it came, was a pleasant affair, painting our objective with its precipitous walls a soft orange glow while pastel pink skies warmed behind us. Cold but amicable clear and calm weather allowed us a welcome summit caesura. Those of us who attempted the peak found éxito and those who returned to las cabañas at Malintzi have recovered from the GI disputes. From our climb we were able to lay eyes on the rest of our lofty plans and now, our feet freshly exfoliated from grinding the pervasive volcanic sand, we are ready for Iztaccíhuatl.

RMI Guide Will Ambler

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

Close encounters of an Elephant-kind

Our first day on safari brought us to Lake Manyara National Park. The team spent about four hours driving around the park on a “game drive” where we saw hundreds of baboons, Vervet monkeys, Blue monkeys and lots of exotic birds, Impalas, hippos and elephants so close we could have touched them. Nothing dangerous, but wow was it surreal to see these massive mammals up close.

Everyone had a great day and enjoyed just relaxing while taking in the views.

We are currently staying at the beautiful Plantation Lodge just outside Karatu.

The team just finished a wonderful meal and are off to bed as we are headed out early tomorrow hoping to see some big cats!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew!

After a relaxing morning and filling  breakfast at the Refugio, we packed our bags, bid farewell to our new four legged friends,  loaded ourselves in the bus, and moved one step closer to our first objective: Cayambe.  The day was a scheduled rest day, so naturally we did what all climbers do, we went shopping! We stopped at the outdoor market in Otavalo and shopped for gifts while soaking up some local culture. 

Eventually we made our way to the lower climbers hut.  What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be!  Many of us had mentally steeled ourselves for something more rustic… however we were treated to comfy beds with pillows, WiFi, and a warm stove!  “Glampineering” feels like an accurate description.  After spending a quiet afternoon relaxing and a delicious homemade dinner, we found ourselves huddled around our phones anxiously watching Alex Honnold scale Taipei 101.  Spoiler: he makes it to the top. 

After breakfast Sunday morning, we donned our gear and practiced our skills in preparation for Cayambe.  Once we were all feeling more confident, we packed our bags, climbed into trucks, and headed to the upper climbers hut.   While not as luxurious as the lower one, it again exceeded our expectations.  

 Now, we relax and prepare to begin our climb at midnight tonight, a shared sense of anxious excitement resonates through the team.  Each person is here for their own reasons, but collectively we are focused on one goal: Cayambe.

RMI Climber Erica Kim

Monday, February 2, 2026 - 5:15 pm PT

Today we walked 8 miles from Casa de Piedras to Plaza Argentina Base Camp. I’m happy to report: we all made it in good form - big win! 

Highlights included:

We got the best send-off this morning from Jimmy and Eze, who somehow made gourmet meals deep in the Andes. Truly unclear how they do it, but the food was incredible.

We’re generally feeling… better. After all the travel, trail starts, and adjusting to the high, dry climate, it feels like we’re finally settling into expedition life. Routines are forming. Bodies are cooperating. Spirits are up. A miracle.

We started the day by yelping and laughing through the coldest glacier water imaginable. As we crossed that first river, Denis said, “A core memory was just created.” And despite the numb feet, standing there as the morning light hit the rocks and exploded into colors around us, it really felt true.

We FINALLY saw Aconcagua. Yes — actually saw her. The clouds cleared and there she was: gorgeous, massive, slightly intimidating. We got to stare at her all day, which felt pretty special (and mildly existential).

We played “I Spy a Guanaco” for most of the hike. I don’t know who won because we’re not competitive, but there were many, many guanaco sightings. And we got to hear them relincho. A yipping sound they make and also what the valley we ascended was named after - Relinchos valley.

And… we made it to Base Camp! Our home for the next four days. Tents are up, duffels are everywhere, and everyone suddenly looks like they’ve been living outside for weeks (it’s only been days but don’t tell the team I said that).

By the end of the day, I realized Denis was right — not just about that river crossing, but about the whole day. It really feels like one of those memories we’ll carry for a long time.

Tomorrow is our first rest day and we are very much looking forward to it.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel

Why do we do this?

No showers, marginal nutrition, bitter cold, stifling heat. Don't forget the heavy packs tired legs, strong winds, and thin air. As our minds wander, step after step, I think it's the dichotomies of climbing that keep is coming back. Always yearning for the next far away peak. The calm within the chaos, the humbling yet empowering nature of the mountain, the isolation and the strongest connections a group of people can make. Mountaineering is the greatest team sport I have found in my short but varied 25 years on this earth. People from all walks of life coming together for a common goal. Summit or not it is a fast track to making friends for life. I would be mistaken if I didn't recognize the people along the way who made this journey possible. I am grateful for our team of climbers who were brave enough to try, my fellow guides , Ben and Batti, who supported the team every step of the way, the kind and organized staff of RMI and Grajales expeditions, Shane and Jonny, our friends and families back at home, and most importantly Aconcagua herself. I love this shit.
PLG

- RH (RMI Guide Ray Holt)
P.S. Happy Birthday Andrew!

Today we started our day at 6:30 refreshed after a much needed nights sleep, we had breakfast, then hit the trail one last time. It took just under 3 hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch and said our final goodbyes to our amazing crew that took such great care of us on the mountain. 

We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge. 

Finally we are all safe and sound, cleaner, and smelling fresh after an exciting 7 day journey up and down Kilimanjaro. 
Stayed tuned, Safari starts tomorrow!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Hello everyone,

Today we headed to Tarangire National Park know for its abundant animals and plentiful elephants, and it did not disappoint. Not sure how many elephants we saw, probably several hundred at the least. It wouldn’t seem like we could get tired of seeing elephants, but there were so many that eventually we had to keep driving so we could see other animals.

There were lots of giraffes, impalas, zebras, wildebeest and many others. 

One of the highlights was seeing a Cheetah in the distance relaxing in the shade.

We are spending our last night here in Africa at Nyikani Camp, which has beautiful tented rooms with screen windows to allow the sounds of the African night in. If you’ve ever heard of glamping, that’s what we are doing.

Everyone is doing great and hoping to see a few more big cats on our way out tomorrow. Then it will be back to our main lodge near Arusha for a quick shower before catching our evening flights home.

I’ve asked the team to come up with just word the best sums up their experience, and here are our answers.

Camaraderie 

Perseverance

Enrichment

Humbling

precision

Blessed

Enlightening

Wild

Spectacular

Inspiring

Come join us for an adventure sometime!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the safari crew