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Posted by: JT Schmitt, Matias Francis, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Sunday, May 29, 2022 - 6:20 pm PT
The team enjoyed a beautiful day at 14,000' Camp today, resting from the days prior and preparing for the days ahead! We are planning to rest again tomorrow, after the last ten days the team deserves it!
RMI Guides JT, Jackson, Matias and the RMI team
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
Sunday, June 20, 2021 - 8:23 pm PT
This afternoon around 2pm the team stood on top of Denali! After weeks of hard work we got the sweet reward of the top.
We were the first team to summit in at least four days, which made for a true Alaskan climbing experience. We broke trail for 7.5 hours to get to the top. Most of the permanent protection was buried, so we placed our own and put in the track to the top!
Starting early made it so we had the peak to ourselves and really got a true experience of a summit day on Denali!
Now we just have to descend from 17K Camp to the upper airstrip over the next couple days. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide JT Schmitt and the RMI team
Congratulations to my my son, Alan Davis and to the rest of the team on your summit! Dad couldn’t be more proud of you! A wonderful Father’s Day gift to have given me! Love you and safe travels to you and the team on your descent!
Posted by: Patrick Davis on 6/21/2021 at 1:03 pm
Congratulations to Matt and the rest of the team, who summited Denali yesterday. Matt, you worked so hard training. In fact for this climb you started in 2020 only to have that trip canceled. Buddie, our sheltie, enjoyed his mountain climbing in Phoenix on your easy days of training. So glad your guides let you make a second attempt for the summit. And thank the guides for great up dates. Safe travel to the 6 of you down the mountain. Can’t wait to hear the stories.
Posted by: Mary and George Howell on 6/21/2021 at 12:07 pm
Posted by:
Categories: Everest
If you would like to make a donation to be used to help the families who lost loved ones in the avalanche and those who were injured, you can do so through the American Alpine Club - Sherpa Support Fund.
Thank you,
The RMI Expeditions Team
Nicole Lobiondo: Hope your trip is a once in a life-time event. The Kenny’s wish you a safe trip home and are praying for your safe return. I am sure you are taking lots of photo’s.Love Terry Kenny, Adriana and Gabby
Posted by: Terry Kenny on 4/23/2014 at 8:55 am
Nicole Lobiondo: Thinking of you all during this time. Stay safe and positive. Love, Nicole
Posted by: Nicole Howard on 4/23/2014 at 6:09 am
What a day! At 13,070' it was still rather chilly in the shade as we began our climb of the Barranco Wall. Looking ahead the route was already busy with climbers and porters negotiating the steep terrain. Behind us camp was finally lit up with the early morning sun, looking warm and inviting. But our attention was focused on the steady footwork that would take us safely up this cool wall.
Much of the climb we snaked through weaknesses in the rock that allowed us to walk upright on the well-trodden path. The fun came dealing with those places that demanded more precise footwork and the use of handholds on the rock. At a couple of places, we'd 'spot' these moves to maximize safety, but the team moved like the savvy climbers they are, or have become. After one and a half hours we were rewarded with a huge flat area at the top of the Wall where we refueled. The scenery here opened up dramatically to the steep cliffs and glaciers leading to the summit. Our route, thankfully, skirts these precipitous faces, traversing east to Karanga Camp, and eventually the route to the summit.
Getting to Karanga demanded we climb up and down through a couple of valleys, but the views and scenery were so nice that nobody complained of the need to reascend precious altitude gained earlier...
It was nice getting into camp by 1:00 to enjoy the warm, beautiful weather up here. Tosha had an incredible paella whipped up for lunch after we had the chance to settle into our tents and wash up after the dusty trail.
How spoiled we are!
Tomorrow: High Camp - Barafu.
George, I pray for your safety and that of the team. I envy the view you are rewarded with for your efforts of climbing!!!
Posted by: Michael Belt on 7/22/2022 at 7:55 pm
Glen and Thomas…We are mentally negotiating these paths with you and can feel the excitement building as you get closer to the goal. Now to rest up for Saturday’s trek to high camp. Amazing stuff! Thanks Brent for these updates
Posted by: Ginee Philippy on 7/22/2022 at 10:48 am
Posted by: Casey Grom, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Our July 12th - 15th Four Day Team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. RMI Guides Casey Grom and Dustin Wittmier checked in at 7:30 am as they were leaving the crater rim. Casey reported a clear day of climbing with steady winds of 30 mph. The team ascended and descended the Disappointment Route.
Congratulations team!
Awesome Dustin!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 7/16/2022 at 3:34 am
Buenos Dias Bloglandia,
I’m sure many of you out there have been gnawing on your steering wheels and passing up Instagram to check on today’s happenings of the Ecuador skills seminar. Well, wait no longer because the moment has arrived.
Beginning with last nights dinner (food and drink report) the team all gathered around a big table in a classic Ecuadorian restaurant, sharing stories and laughs eventually waiting for Dan’s guinea pig to arrive, his main course. After realizing it didn’t really taste like chicken, we all focused back into our potatoes and meat happy we didn’t follow the adventurous Dan’s lead.
Come morning we all returned to the table for breakfast while preparing for our bus ride to the giant volcano just out of the city where our first team climb would take place.
After 15 minutes of solid Quito traffic we arrived at the trailhead. Except here, as it should be on all mountains, the trailhead is actually the ticket office to the cable car waiting to zip us up the first 3,000 feet so our legs won’t get too tired. No one botched getting into the moving car so we were off to a good start.
With swirling clouds and occasional views of the city thousands of feet below, we all made quick and steady progress up to the 14,000 foot mark. Soon afterwards my GPS began to rock a lady Gaga song as we broke the 15,000 foot barrier, marking the altitude PR for half the team. Thirty minutes later we were all giving high 5’s on the summit of our first real mountain. Pichincha Rucu, 15,300 feet!
The descent was uneventful except for a hummingbird which almost flew full speed into my face but crisis averted due to my lightning reflexes. Maybe that’s exaggerated.
Anyhoo, the team did great and gets the green light from both Hannah and me to climb again tomorrow. I expect the same results barring anything loco!!
If Yellowstone wasn’t enough, give Ozark a try. It will get you through until tomorrow.
I remember the ride. I got sea sick. It sure saved on the legs.
Posted by: JOHN H NEWLAND on 2/11/2022 at 7:18 am
Hey Kim up there! What a terrific trip you’re on! Wish your dad & I could do all the not-climbing parts! : ) Have a great and safe climb and enjoy it to the max! xx Trish
Posted by: Trish on 5/26/2017 at 9:48 am
Way to go Kim & team!Must be amazing views!Take lots of photos.Love,Dad
Posted by: SHEL on 5/26/2017 at 9:40 am
SAYYY!! sry this is a late response to this but im soo glad i read this cause its nice to read and hear about the journey from your perspective!!! Your almost there keep up the good work! Couldnt be more proud we miss you back here CRAZYYYY AMOUNTS!!!! love & hugs, <3 kmy
Posted by: katherine on 5/16/2011 at 6:55 pm
Sara, great update especially describing how the glaciers move and change. What an adventure! Love it that you’re eating, sleeping and drinking as much as you can! I spent the last few days with Billy, Katie, and Morgan and we are all so rooting for you. Be safe - sending much love. P. S. We did go to YogurtLand.
Posted by: Grandma on 5/15/2011 at 11:38 am
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Nikki Champion
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The American Lung Association Climb for Clean Air team led by RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli and Nikki Champion reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team climbed the Disappointment Cleaver Route and had a beautiful day of climbing.
The climbers on these teams raise funds for the American Lung Association’s Climb for Clean Air Campaign. As of today the teams have raised $335,690.06!!
Congratulations Teams!
Congratulations Ana and Rathan!.
Posted by: Sowmya on 7/17/2022 at 7:17 am
Wishes
Posted by: Leo on 7/15/2022 at 5:36 pm
We woke up to low clouds over Rivertrees Inn… but that has been an everyday kind of thing, so it wasn’t much of a concern. We had our breakfast and did our last-minute packing and gear sorting and then boarded the team bus at 8 AM.
It took about two hours to get to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. We did a lot of people watching on the way, seeing how Tanzanians go about day-to-day life. And we watched the plants and vegetation change as the bus climbed up to the 6000 ft gate. As expected, there was a little time to kill at the park entrance as the permitting process was completed. We used the time to review efficient walking strategies and to discuss the terrain that lay ahead. Finally, at about 10:30, we got walking with our staff of local guides. Tom, Naiman, Phillibet, and John set the perfect pace, as usual. We had about four thousand vertical feet to climb in about six miles. Before long we were climbing in the clouds rather than under them. It was easy to understand why the thick forest had moss on every surface. The cool conditions made for the perfect walking temperature. The trail was a little muddy and slimy underfoot, but not to the point that you’d sink into the muck. We didn’t have much trouble with traction or with maintaining a steady pace. We took a few breaks for snacks and water, but by mid-afternoon the forest was changing to smaller trees, and it was clear that we were getting somewhere. We came out above the clouds and the trail dried out. The last hour or so into camp was in fine, blue sky and sunshine weather. We rolled in at 3:30. Such a pleasure then to see that our staff already had camp built and ready for us. We just had to move in and enjoy life at 10,000 ft. That got easier when the last clouds above fell away and Kibo (Kilimanjaro’s central peak) came out for sunset.
We spent the time before dinner staring at the giant rock walls and impossibly steep ice fields and glaciers. In our dining tent, we had a great feast and a little story time as John -our lead guide- explained his progression into becoming a full climbing guide, 255 Kili summits ago. The team checked out a few Southern Hemisphere stars before crawling into tents and calling it a day. A good day.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Von,
Well, you started off smiling, so that’s good. Be safe!
Jacqueline
Posted by: Hutchins, Jacqueline on 8/17/2022 at 12:58 pm
Sounds like an awesome day one! Enjoy getting high above 10,000ft!
Posted by: Missy on 8/17/2022 at 12:55 pm
Looks as though you’ve all built quite a lovely camp there at 14K - hard to imagine a better view! (Are those skis near that snow wall? Ambitious!)
Enjoy the rest and thank you for all the updates - they really mean a lot.
Posted by: Nestor Davidson on 5/29/2022 at 11:01 pm
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