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Today was the day! The day we would move from Basecamp straight to Camp 2, or Nido de Condores as it is officially called here. Unfortunately, the wind still did not want to cooperate and the mountain was still going to make us work for every foot of elevation gain. We walked up hill through snow, sleet, grapple, and wind gusts that made us wobble. When the wind came, we put our heads down and persevered making great time to our gear cache at Camp 1. After adding some “training weight” to our packs we turned towards Camp 2, walking into more and more wind and snow. Aconcagua really didn’t want this trip to be an easy one, not that any of them are ever easy. After 5 1/2 hours and 4000 feet of elevation gain we strolled into camp feeling accomplished, but tired and of course very hungry. By the time we put up our tents the wind was giving us a break, but the snow how now doubled its efforts and dropping 6-7 inches of fluffy powder on us in a couple hours. We were all happy to be warm and cozy in our tents watching the snow fall and waiting for dinner to help warm our bellies. Once again, everyone on this team absolutely styled an incredibly difficult day. Arriving in camp smiling and feeling well despite the thin air here at 18,500 feet. Tomorrow is a rest day and hopefully a sunny one at that!
We will check in tomorrow from the comfort of Base Camp Plaza Argentina.
Thanks to everybody out there for following our progress on the mountain and for sending all those kind messages.
Cheers,
Gabi and the RMI Aconcagua Expedition.
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jess Wedel, Charlie Harrison, Joey Manship, Roland Scott, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Casey Grom and Jess Wedel called from the crater rim this morning after their successful climb of Mt. Rainier. The teams enjoyed some light winds and a bit of precipitation as they bagan their descent back to Camp Muir.
The teams will be back in Ashford this afternoon to celebrate their accomplishments! Nice work team!
Our team took a well-deserved rest day in Puebla, sleeping in, enjoying the warm weather and soaking in the colorful city.
Folks explored, some finding fresh fruit stands, massages and local shops for souvenirs. Others relaxed and connected with loved ones back home, letting them know about the adventures so far. Tonight we filled up on traditional mole, discussed other climbing trips and swapped many stories.
Tomorrow we head off for our final objective. Orizaba!
RMI Guide Abby Westling
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Mike King, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,696'
Our team made it down to Ecuador yesterday and this morning. By midday we were together in Quito and ready to stretch out after travel. We need exercise and altitude to get prepared for our climb of Cotopaxi in a few days. We took a bus ride through the bustling and vibrant city to the tram onto the slopes of Rucu Pichincha. The teleferico got us way up to 13,500 ft in a hurry. It was cloudy, so we only had glimpses of the bases of the great volcanoes, but conditions were just fine for strolling along the trails. We enjoyed seeing Caracaras (colorful hawks) and went close to 14,000 ft in altitude. By then the hour was getting late and we decided to call it good for a big first day in Ecuador. We had an easy walk down, a few coffees and donuts for the tram ride, and then a trip back to the hotel. We finished with a fine dinner and a plan for setting out for further altitude training in the morning.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Matias Francis, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 7:42 pm PT
What a day it was today! We were able to cache at 13,500 ft. The winds were calm all day, and the clouds were only below us, which created a sense of floating through the sky as we carried out gear up the mountain.
Now we are back at 11,000' Camp, all safe and sound!!
RMI Guide JT Schmitt and the RMI team
Great to hear!! Sam you’re crushing it!!
Posted by: Ramsay Bader on 5/25/2022 at 8:30 pm
Great job everybody! Thinking of you every day and hoping you’re having a great climb. Love you Clare and Sam!
Posted by: Kathy Huntington on 5/25/2022 at 3:08 pm
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 11,300'
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Sunday, June 23, 2025 - 8:15 pm PT
Another rest day. Right now we are in waiting mode, as the winds have picked up at the summit and we await a break in the weather for our summit push. Luckily, there are few waiting rooms more majestic than 14 camp.
Breakfast is a leisurely affair of breakfast burritos - democratically voted as the best breakfast yet. Then, it’s time for a Hot Girl Walk up and down 14’s Main Street. The fashion is a bit different though - in lieu of Alo yoga matched sets are brightly colored sun hoodies, face shields, and triple boots - but never just down booties. We have standards.
Post fashion walk, it’s time for stretching, hydrating, and a carnival classic: knocking over the cook pot with a snowball. It becomes readily apparent we won’t be forming a Denali softball league anytime soon.
Next up on the agenda is home improvement. Tents must be moved and foundations leveled with caddy-like precision. Hot tip for the golfers out there - get yourself a Denali climber - we are happy to carry heavy bags over hilly terrain, can read the slope on any surface, and are likely broke from funding this hobby.
Since the NPS won’t share the wi-fi password, the rest of the day is a mix of hydrating, reading, card playing, napping, snacking, and reapplying sunscreen. At 7pm the NPS weather report and daily trivia will crackle over the radio - unintelligibly, despite our direct line of sight to their tents.
Post dinner, it’s time for another stroll up and down Main Street, though it’s giving more Fart Walk than Hot Girl Walk at this point. I’ve heard Fart Walks are the new summer wellness fad, so at least we’re trending.
To everyone at home reading this blog, leaving comments, sending messages to our Garmins - you have no idea how much your love and support means everything to us. Thank you.
- Sophia Bishop
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition June 9, 2025
Awesome job team! Love the updates!
Posted by: Melissa Hoberg on 6/24/2025 at 12:54 pm
J’aime bien vous lire Je réalise à quel point tout ça demande du lâcher prise Avec dame nature ,il faut lui obéir Je suis tout simplement impressionnée par vois tous
Bonne continuité
À bientôt
Posted by: Groleau on 6/24/2025 at 8:05 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Tyler Reid
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: Summit
Sally…congratulations on an incredible achievement! We love you! (Still waiting for the Skype call from the summit…next time, right? Haha!)
Posted by: The Schroeders on 6/24/2012 at 7:50 am
Sally, you made it! God has blessed you so much, He had to bless you this time too. You and your team are an inspiration to us all. Love, your Brother Dan
Posted by: Dan on 6/23/2012 at 12:32 pm
Hi Jon, Following your journey and as nervous as your mother. Have fun but most important be safe
JoAnn
Posted by: JoAnn Ingram on 6/21/2012 at 4:51 pm
Hi Jon! Yes ... it’s your Mama. I hope you are having an AMAZING journey. Please be safe and smart, as I know you will. I miss you so much and will breathe when you are back in Knoxville! Love you so much!
Posted by: Paige Conley-Smith on 6/21/2012 at 9:16 am
Congratulations on making the summit dad!! The weather looked so amazing over there, can’t wait to see you when you get home!!
Love, Bart
Posted by: Bart Eland on 1/23/2011 at 4:50 pm
congratulations Sid ! We have all been tracking your progress and are excited for you that you all reached the summit ! Quite an impressive mountain I’m sure ! Great job ! The Fitzy cheering squad !
Posted by: Carol Eland on 1/23/2011 at 4:41 pm
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