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Posted by: JT Schmitt, Matias Francis, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Monday, May 23, 2022 - 6:10 pm PT
Today we awoke to a world of synchronized visual perception, everything was the same milky white, the sky, the ground and the thin cover of frost draped over all the man made intrusions on this arctic alpine environment. Quite a stark contrast from the last few days of around the clock blue skies.
Despite the lack of visibility we still prepared to carry our gear as if the weather wasn’t part of the equation, hoping the eternal Alaskan summer sun would penetrate the trillions of suspended water molecules, and provide us with the conditions so desired to continue the task of climbing this mountain.
Unfortunately that didn’t happen soon enough, so we decided to use our time in the next most productive way, resting. The team enjoyed letting our bodies recuperate and help red blood cell counts climb after four days of work.
Tomorrow we will see what the mountain sends our way and keep you all posted!
RMI Guides JT, Matias, Jackson and the RMI team
Posted by: Eric Frank, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Eric Frank and Hannah Smith led a team of climbers with the Inspiration4 Team to the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The teams enjoyed nice conditions on the mountain and a direct route via the Ingraham Direct.
Congratulations to the Inspriation4 Team!
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Elias, Adam, Nick, Leah;
Thanks again for all your hard work on this trip - you all handled things very professionally, and I for one learned quite a bit. Both the seminar and the summit bid exceeded my expectations.
-Eric
Posted by: Eric on 3/19/2014 at 9:57 am
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
I'm continually amazed with the Ngorongoro Crater each time I visit. The variety and sheer number of animals we see blows my mind. Today might have surpassed what I've seen in prior trips.
It started with a bang as one of the first critters we encountered was a hyena feeding on a carcass with a jackal and vulture looking on. A Nat Geo moment if there ever was. It got better from there on. The animal we all wanted to really see, simba, popped into view not terribly long after the hyena. A big male showed itself for us looking as regal and mighty as only a big cat can look. Later, we got closer looks at a pride of four or five lions, including a young male, resting by a river, content to relax before they go hunting again. Perhaps the coolest thing was just being in the middle of hundreds, if not thousands, of animals like wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, warthog, Cape Buffalo, and more. All just milling around, some just inches from the vehicle and more as far as the eye could see. Things were so active we were delayed in reaching the designated picnic area for lunch because we had to stop and gawk so much.
Finally, we made it to our lunch site and were treated to a great meal centered around chicken shishkabobs. On our way out we stopped by a Masai bomba, or village, where we were invited to learn about their culture and how they live. Sure, we pay for the privilege, but I think it money well spent as it helps support these people who are caught between keeping to their traditional ways while existing in a world so unlike theirs.
The day ended with another gourmet dinner, the likes of which none of us commonly partake. A nice South African Cabernet seemed an appropriate pairing to the wonderful meal. The great company only made the evening perfect.
Tomorrow: Tarangire National Park!
Cheers,
RMI Guide Brent Okita & Team
Posted by: Brent Okita, Ben Ammon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
You are all rockstars!
Posted by: Lois on 9/1/2019 at 11:25 am
Congratulations Jonathan!!!! I am so proud of you!!! <3
Posted by: Joanne on 9/1/2019 at 9:09 am
Posted by: Win Whittaker, Mike Uchal
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,500'
Great work but unfortunate for today’s conditions. Everyone did a great job this year training!
Posted by: Jason Lathrop on 6/23/2016 at 11:21 am
Great job guys- impressed you made it that far! Sasha says “I love you daddy- see you soon!”
Posted by: Diane and Sasha on 6/23/2016 at 10:58 am
RMI Guide Billy Nugent checks in from the summit of Aconcagua, 22,841 ft.
On The Map
Hi Uncle Kenny! Hope you’re having a great time in Argentina! I’m having a fantastic semester so far, I got hired as an RA for next year! I’m so excited, and all my classes are great too. Can’t wait to see all the amazing pictures I’m sure you took, have a safe trip back to the US! Love you!
-Natasha
Posted by: Natasha Young on 2/17/2013 at 12:15 pm
Congratulations to you all!!
I hope there was some summit wine.
Rolf
Posted by: Rolf on 2/17/2013 at 6:44 am
Happy Thanksgiving to all! We are hoping you have great weather. Keep warm.
Regards,
F/W Group in St Louis
Posted by: F/W Group on 11/23/2011 at 10:38 am
I just turned up the thermostat another 5 degrees after reading this post.
Mark - hope you’re carrying your little stuffed moo-cow with you. I find it galling that its been to more summits than me.
Posted by: Madhu Rao on 11/23/2011 at 7:43 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Howdy all,
One of the most important traits to have in expedition style climbing is patience. Patience to wait for a window that will give you the best odds to reach your goal: to safely summit the mountain. We are currently testing our patience waiting for the best opportunity for the team to move to 17,000' Camp and go for the summit. Rest days or waiting days can get long and can be quite boring but they are necessary. The down time can be hard and your mind can drift to family and friends and your life back home, but its important to keep your head here and in the game. Lots of tent time, snacking, reading, and Netflix occupy our time. We did get to greet a RMI team who came down from 17,000' Camp after a successful summit. It was fun seeing friendly faces and hearing about the route. It makes us that more excited to get up there. In due time it will be our turn. Till then we wait.
Till tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Wishing a great and fair weathered summit bid to the entire team! Happy birthday at my bad a$$ little sister who just turned 20 at 17k!!!
Posted by: Paulina Johansson on 6/22/2021 at 9:22 pm
BJ - thinking of you and continuing to wish you and your group the very best. You’re almost there! I am proud of you and I love you.
Posted by: Anna Geigle on 6/22/2021 at 5:36 pm
Good luck with the weather tomorrow. We are rooting for you all!
Posted by: Marina on 5/20/2011 at 6:43 pm
Taos and Albuquerque LeBlancs wishing Dave and team the best!
Posted by: LeBlanc Familia on 5/20/2011 at 4:05 pm
Enjoy the rest little gomie :) Back to work tomorrow!
Posted by: Pat Breen on 5/24/2022 at 2:38 pm
Enjoy the rest day!!
Posted by: Nestor Davidson on 5/24/2022 at 9:15 am
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