Most Popular Entries

Mt. Rainier: July 24th - Teams on the Summit!

July 24, 2013

Posted by: Melissa Arnot, Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Mike Walter and the Four Day – All Women’s Climb led by Melissa Arnot reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Today’s climb marked Melissa’s 100th summit of Mt. Rainier! The teams began their descent from the crater rim just before 7 am. Clear skies and beautiful sunshine. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break and then continue to Paradise this afternoon. Congratulations to today's summit climbers!

Everest Base Camp Trek: Tucker and Team Return to Namche

April 9, 2012

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek

Elevation: 11,300'

Hello, We are back in the big city of Namche Bazaar. What a great shower! The feet are a bit tired but here in Namche life is sweet. In fact we just finished our lunch at the bakery topped off with some apple strudel. What a whirl wind it has been since we left Everest Base Camp. Seems to me that once you get above 15,000' time goes by a bit quicker. We had a grand time at Base Camp. So fun to show the team my office for the weeks to come. We had great training at the base of the Khumbu Ice Fall, such a historic setting and perfect location for technical ice climbing training and team dynamics for the Island Peak climb. Our travel from one amazing valley to another went without a hitch, once in the Imja Khola Valley with views of Island Peak, the excitement level rose. The storm we had to deal with at Island Peak Base camp was felt throughout the region. Although the conditions on the route were less than perfect, the night we went for the summit was pretty nice. The moon was so bright I didn't need my headlight till we were higher up into the tight rocky area. It is such a unique experience to climb at heights like these in the middle of the night surrounded by bitter cold, working hard and breathing hard with every step. Why do I call this fun? Tough to express what a special time we had looking out at the high Himalaya watching the sunrise at over 19,000'. With so much earth below but amazed at how much still loomed above was hard to take in. It's been a long march in the last three days to get here. We were just ahead of the big seasonal traveler push up to Everest on the way in, but now it is peak time for large groups. It's been fun to see lots of old friends going up to Everest Base Camp. After all these miles with no feet problems, my toes go out to Jeremy Foust and the crew at Whittaker Mountaineering for the fantastic job they did fitting me with a great pair of Asolo trekking boots and LaSpotiva climbing boots. Thanks so much. It's not over yet. We are off to Lukla tomorrow and flights for John and Kim the day after. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

Mark Tucker checks in after Island Peak Climb.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Mark,
It was fun to read your blog and to see the photos you took on your way to summit Island Peak. The photo of the tent almost buried in snow at Island Peak base camp was amazing.
Looking forward to your Mt. Everest blog and photos.
Best wishes,
Your neighbor, Vicki

Posted by: Vicki on 4/9/2012 at 3:43 pm

Hello! Did you climb to the top of Island Peak? What is the mountain behind you in the picture from today? Glad you are doing well!! We miss you! -Mrs. Hartman’s class

Posted by: Mrs. Hartman's class on 4/9/2012 at 9:48 am

View All Comments

Mt. Rainier: Grom, Wedel and Team Summit!

July 9, 2023

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!

Aconcagua Expedition: Scott & Team Move to Camp 1

January 16, 2022

Posted by: Nick Scott, James Bealer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,500'

Sunday, January 16, 2021 - 11:18 AM PST

The team moved up to Camp 1 at Plaza Canada today, situated at 16,500 feet. Our packs were noticeably lighter after carrying most of our gear up to camp a few days ago. We quickly got settled in and shored our tents against the upcoming wind. Everyone is happy to be above basecamp and starting our push towards the summit.

RMI Guide Nick Scott & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Be safe! It’s so much fun to see your progress!

Posted by: Kendall Snow on 1/17/2022 at 5:53 pm

Hope those high winds settle for you! Stay safe!

Posted by: Jill Snow on 1/17/2022 at 2:39 pm

View All Comments

Mt. Elbrus Ski: Reid & Team Summit Mt. Elbrus and Ski from the top

June 23, 2019

Posted by: Tyler Reid

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Ski

Elevation: 18,510'

This morning we awoke to stars above, starting our climb in beautiful weather. On the long traverse to the saddle between the mountain’s east and west summits we had a spectacular sunrise, and views deep into the Caucasus. This evolved quickly though into whiteness, as we climbed into a chilly cloud cap. Despite the weather we were able to ski right off the top and while visibility was marginal, the snow was excellent by high altitude ski mountaineering standards. In my experience, any 6000’ spring descent usually starts a little scratchy up high, has a magic perfectly sun softened middle section, and finishes a little too soft. That’s exactly how today was, but the magic middle section also included the magic of bursting through the clouds to a world of color, light and contrast beneath. Worth the price of admission as someone said in the moment. Now our team is back in the lowlands safe and sound, soaking up oxygen as thunderstorms roll through the valley. Life is good here in Russia. RMI Guide Tyler Reid

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: July 19th Summits!

July 19, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Brent Okita, Eric Frank

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier North Cascades

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climbs for July 16 - 19 reached the summit today. RMI Guides Brent Okita and Gabriel Barral reported clear skies and moderate winds on the summit this morning. RMI Guide Billy Nugent led the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz to the summit also. The team will descend back to their high camp for a final night on the mountain. In the North Cascades, RMI Guide Eric Frank and team reached the summit of Forbidden Peak yesterday. The team is making their final descending today and returning to the trail head. Near by, RMI Guide Jake Beren and team reached the summit of Mt. Shuksan via the SE Ridge. Congratulations to today's summit teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats to the Davis quad! Any way you can just slide back down - enjoy!

Posted by: Deborah on 7/19/2012 at 8:00 pm

Congratulations Erik, Bob, and Chadd! Which mountain is next?!

Posted by: Lolo and Lola on 7/19/2012 at 3:27 pm

View All Comments

Ecuador Volcanoes: King & Team Arrive At Cotopaxi Hut and Prepare for Summit Attempt

December 11, 2019

Posted by: Mike King, Jess Matthews

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 16,000'

Everyone was sad to say goodbye to the Chilcabamba Eco Lodge this morning as we had really enjoyed our stay and were getting used to the comforts of hacienda life, not to mention the friendly, cute puppy that accompanied us nearly everywhere we went. However, Cotopaxi was on display again for us this morning against a clear blue sky to the south, so we packed our things and drove through Cotopaxi National Park to the trailhead as clouds began to build and encircle the mountain. It was a quick 45 minutes of hiking with full packs through thick clouds, but we stayed dry! The hut is luxurious for accommodations at almost 16,000’. It’s decorated with climbing memorabilia, photos of Cotopaxi and other peaks around the world, and they even recently installed a small bouldering wall. After a light lunch, we’re now tucked into our sleeping bags for an afternoon siesta before dinner and listening to waves of hail and sleet outside. It won’t be long before we get up later tonight to make our summit attempt of Cotopaxi. Our hope is to wake to clear skies above, as has been the trend in recent mornings, and work our way to 19,347’ on this beautiful volcano. Everyone is feeling good and fired up to get to some thinner air! We’ll check in tomorrow with an update. Thanks for following along!

RMI Guides Mike King, Jess Matthews and Team

On The Map

RMI Guides Kel Rossiter & Geoff Schellens Discuss the AMGA Rock Guide Exam

April 12, 2011

Posted by:

Categories: Mount Rainier

“UNLEASH THE BEAST!” That was the battle cry for RMI guide Geoff Schellens and I (Kel Rossiter) as we explored Red Rocks Canyon (Nevada) in preparation for the AMGA Rock Guide Exam in April. It seems that a few years back a friend of Geoff’s was climbing way above his last piece of rock protection and his belayer called up to him “Place a piece!” The fellow climbing heard the command as “Unleash the beast!” let out a yell, placed a piece, and successfully powered for the top. Throughout the course of our two weeks of training and the six-day exam in Red Rocks, Nevada, Geoff and I both placed lots of rock protection pieces and certainly unleashed the beast! Familiarity with terrain is a useful advantage when guiding, so Geoff & I met up in late March to get oriented to the amazing range of climbing options and areas that Red Rocks offers and to hone our rock guiding skills in that terrain. It was a lot of hard work and it was a great experience. We’d done the same thing last year, prepping for the Rock Guide Course (the second level of the AMGA Rock program) and that was a great opportunity for me to work with another talented RMI guide toward a shared climbing objective. This year was similar, but different—we definitely enjoyed the climbing and good times together, but we were also definitely focused on the rigorous exam ahead. Often, when people are a bit anxious about something they get a “tunnel vision” that causes them to overlook the big picture; fortunately, throughout the course of the prep and exam process the beauty of Red Rocks provided Geoff and I with many moments that prompted us to keep perspective and remember the big picture. On our first day of climbing, we headed out toward the Oak Creek area. Along the way we came across a boulder upon which someone had placed the majestic skull of a sun-bleached, full-curl desert bighorn sheep. Nothing like majesty and mortality to remind one to enjoy each moment! A few days later in White Rock Springs we encountered an entire herd of full-curl bighorns; their agility on the rock seemed to mock our efforts. On the exam, with a winter weather front coming in on high winds, I was topping out on the final pitch of a climb up the “Mescalito” and found a butterfly gently moving its wings in the shelter of the wide crack I was climbing. On another day, descending from the summit of Rainbow Mountain we entered into an astounding sinewy canyon of perfect sandstone baths and gigantic ponderosa trees rooted in the moist vein of desert soil. Moving through the anxieties and unknowns of the exam process, these moments helped to frame things in perspective indeed. By the time the exam arrived, Geoff and I felt ready. In six short days the exam was over. It’ll be a week or so until we get the final marks from the exam, but regardless of outcome each of us feel positive about the entire event. It was a pleasure to connect with a fellow RMI guide and to work together toward this shared climbing goal. We’re thankful for the learning the course offered, the good times we had together climbing, the wonderful nature of Red Rocks that we enjoyed, and the support of the RMI/Eddie Bauer guide grant in a making all of possible for us—and we look forward to sharing the skills we honed there with RMI clients on many a future cliff and summit, “unleashing the beast!” RMI Guide Kel Rossiter

Denali Expedition: Champion & Team Remain at 14,000ft Waiting out weather

May 30, 2023

Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Lauren Macklin

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Monday, May 29, 2023 - 11:12 pm PT

Another, you guessed it, weather day for us. As it snowed almost all night, we slept in and had a slow breakfast of blueberry pancakes. Snow continued to fall throughout the day, and we had very little visibility around camp. Folks did normal rest day activities, like walk around camp, meet other teams, rebuild our bathroom into a new palace and change out our socks. We are waiting for a three day weather window to make our way safely to 17,000', to the summit, and home. Until then we continue to check all the weather resources we have available, and try to stay sane.

RMI Guide Nikki Champion

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hoping the weather cooperates and you are soon on your way to the top! Good luck Matt and team, thinking of you all!

Posted by: Kathleen George on 5/31/2023 at 5:36 am

Hi Leif and Team - thinking of you and wishing you a safe successful Summit climb as soon as weather permits-

Posted by: Erika Whittaker on 5/30/2023 at 5:50 pm

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Schmitt & Team Carry Gear to 13,500ft

May 25, 2022

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

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

Check Availability

Most Popular Entries

Mt. Rainier: July 24th - Teams on the Summit!

Everest Base Camp Trek: Tucker and Team Return to Namche

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Grom, Wedel and Team Summit!

Aconcagua Expedition: Scott & Team Move to Camp 1

Mt. Elbrus Ski: Reid & Team Summit Mt. Elbrus and Ski from the top

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: July 19th Summits!

Ecuador Volcanoes: King & Team Arrive At Cotopaxi Hut and Prepare for Summit Attempt

On The Map

RMI Guides Kel Rossiter & Geoff Schellens Discuss the AMGA Rock Guide Exam

Denali Expedition: Champion & Team Remain at 14,000ft Waiting out weather

Denali Expedition: Schmitt & Team Carry Gear to 13,500ft

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

Most Popular Entries

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches