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Sun 6/7/2026 - 10:58 PM PST

Today’s haiku:

Heat panic in tent
White out on the back carry
Rest day tomorrow

- RMI Climbing Team

We had just arrived at Incachiriaska pass — over 16,000 ft. Everyone was sitting on the rocky ridge, breathing deeply after a big climb to get there. The guides were constantly reminding people to be careful and thoughtful with movement since both sides of the pass opened up into expansive views (and big falls lines.)

Edgar was just beginning to tell us about how the Andean people believe the mountains are holy. We had all picked up a rock on the way up. The bigger the rock for the bigger the sinner, Edgar joked. (Some of us even carried multiple rocks. Are we overachievers or perhaps have much to atone for? Who’s to say.)

But just as Edgar started to speak, a soaring condor flew, I kid you not, 20 feet above us through the pass. As if he was looking right at us, as if he was saying some important message to each of us that we needed to hear.

You could tell it was special because Edgar, who has lived his whole life in these mountains and been guiding for more than 20 years, stood in awe. His eyes wide as he whispered, “stay quiet.”

We watched as the massive bird sailed through the air, we watched as he in both an instant and an eternity soared away.

The feeling of awe is ever-present here but in that moment it was felt deeply. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. We just stood there, sixteen thousand feet up, watching.

We stayed a little longer at the pass, creating a stack of all our carried rocks as an offering to Pachamama. The condor continued to circle back a time or two but never as close as the first time.

Soon, we packed our bags, lengthened our trekking poles for the steep scree below and started our long descent to camp. We moved down and down nearly 4,000 vertical feet, back into soft grasses and birds chirping and the water rushing next to us. After many miles and hours, we arrived at our camp at 12,000ft.

The air is thicker, the temps are warmer and with full bellies from another delicious dinner, we tucked into our tents for the night. But not without the seared memory in our minds of the condor so close it felt like we were friends.

What a world.

- RMI Guide Jess and the Machu Picchu team

July 22, 2026 11:00 am, From the Emmons Emmons team:

We submitted the emmons yesterday in and eventually above the first wildfire smoke of the Washington summer. After resting in the afternoon we scrambled up steamboat prow to take in the views and then called it an early night. We'll leave Sherman early this morning to head back to ashford in search of showers and ice cream.  

RMI Guide Nick Sinapius

July 21, 2026 9:00am

The ESS–Emmons team, led by Nick Sinipius, also reached the summit via the Emmons Glacier and reported clear, calm conditions on the mountain, with smoke moving in and out around 12,500 feet. The team will spend one more night at Camp Schurman before descending to the trailhead near White River Campground tomorrow.

Congratultions Team! 

Saturday, May 31st, 11PM PST

Burns Team Makes it to 4327 meters
We woke early to a very cold morning and started packing our things. Today was the day we would move to camp 4. After a breakfast of granola, and powdered milk for the brave, we packed our backpacks until it seemed they would bust. The sun broke the rim of the mountain as we prepared to set out. We underdressed as we expected to warm up as we climbed, it would be the theme for the day as the hot sun battled the cold wind. After we climbed each steep hill we were rewarded by another steep hill to climb. On our brakes we pondered if we would rather be a strawberry with humans thoughts or a human with strawberry thoughts. As I climbed I thought it would be nice to be a strawberry, no mountains to climb or life to worry about, just sit on the vine and enjoy the sun. I tried to have strawberry thoughts as I climbed, no fatigue or suffering, just enjoy the sun on my face turning it a nice ripe red. Finally camp 4 appeared on the horizon like Shangrala, we had made it.

- RMI Climber James

The Four Day Climb teams for August 10 - 13 led by RMI Guides Mike Bennet and Henry Coppolillo were unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier today due to route conditions.  The teams returned to Camp Muir and will start their descent to Paradise around 9 am.  Their programs will conclude this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp.

We had a nice sunny hot day for our approach to camp, and were able to get in a full snow school, even getting a walk in on the Easton Glacier. But as happens on Mt Baker sometimes, the forecasted few hours of rain turned into 18 hours in the tents. Still, the group was in high spirits and thankful for the beautiful views and training.

- RMI Guide Joe Hoch

We’re back at camp having successfully climbed the north ridge. We currently have our feet out in the sun and we’re listening to the namesake of the cascades: the sound of cool, running water.

- RMI Guide Tom Skoog

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 led by RMI Guides Mac Nolde and Seth Burns reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning under calm and pleasant skies. The team was starting their descent from the crater rim just after 7 am. They will return to Camp Muir for a quick stop and then continue down to Paradise later this afternoon.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

PC: Seth Burns

RMI Guides Nick Sinapius and Hannah Blum checked in from camp on Mt. Shuksan with an update from an impressive Alpine Seminar week.

Over the course of the seminar, climbers developed essential skills in glacier travel, alpine rock, steep snow and ice, and multi-pitch systems. The team summited Mt. Baker via the Coleman Deming in stormy conditions, then climbed above the smoke on Mt. Shuksan, ascending the Fisher Chimneys to the Southeast Ridge and on to the summit.

With one more day remaining, the group will wrap up a memorable week of learning, challenge, and growth in the mountains. Congratulations to the climbers and guides on a fantastic seminar.