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Mark Tucker checks in after Island Peak Climb.
On The Map
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 7:31 pm PT
The morning after our summit push saw a speedy descent from 17,000' Camp as winds increased along with our desire to reach warmer, thicker air. We left our home-away-from-home of 14,000' Camp early in the afternoon and were soon making our way around Windy Corner and down towards 11,000'. Every step brought us ever so slightly closer to the airstrip and the end of our expedition. We rolled into 11,000' Camp in time for one last tortellini dinner and a quick cat nap. By midnight the sun had dipped below the tundra and we knew it was time to “rip the band aid off” and get to the airstrip. Despite heavy packs and tired legs, an all-night stroll down the lower Kahiltna provided a beautiful and fitting end to what has been an unforgettable 21 days in one of the greatest ranges on Earth. By 8:30 am the whole team was assembled at Kahiltna International Airport and by 10 am we found ourselves back on the tarmac in Talkeetna. It’s been about 36 hours since I last slept so I need to wrap up this rambling summary and get some sleep, but suffice to say we are all happy to be back in the land of green plants, hot showers and cold beverages, and will be remembering the experiences of the past three weeks for years to come.
Many congratulations Team - well done Abby!! Can’t believe its been a year since our West Buttress climb - its been wonderful re-living the climb through your updates. All the best Huw
Posted by: Huw on 6/2/2022 at 3:04 am
WELL DONE! ALL Around!
Posted by: Donald Meagher on 6/1/2022 at 1:18 pm
Posted by: Alex Halliday, Ben Luedtke, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Alaska Seminar
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May 28 7:43pm PT
The wind died today which meant that with the sun it felt very hot on the glacier today. We moved our camp south, closer to base camp and closer to some areas that have terrain features that are good for training and climbing. We spent the afternoon hiding from the sun in our new camp, We just finished an early dinner and are going do some evening ice climbing now that the temperatures have quelled.
RMI Guide Alex Halliday and Team
RMI Guide Dave Hahn from the Vinson summit!
On The Map
Muchas felicidades padre mío, que bueno que ya lograste uno mas de tus objetivos te mandó un fuerte abrazo!!!
Juan, tu hijo preferido
Posted by: Juan on 12/9/2013 at 3:09 pm
Muchas felicidades padre mío, que bueno que ya lograste uno mas de tus objetivos te mandó un fuerte abrazo!!!
Posted by: Juan Glenn on 12/9/2013 at 2:57 pm
Posted by: James Bealer, Tatum Whatford, Leif Bergstrom, Calvin Jiricko, Layne Peters, Mac Nolde
Categories:
Elevation: 12,300'
June 3: The team started their descent from Camp Muir at 7:30 AM PT today. We expect them to arrive at Paradise around 10 am.
The Five Day Climb May 30 - 3 June led by RMI Guides James Bealer & Tatum Whatford reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver, 12,300', today before deteriorating weather forced them to descend. The team is enroute to Camp Muir. They will spend the night at Camp Muir tonight and descend tomorrow.
Great effort for the team in spite of the awful weather conditions this weekend. Don’t give up hope on a future summit attempt. Took me 3 times before summiting.
Posted by: Neil Schweitzer on 6/2/2024 at 12:11 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Following two nights of tent camping in the paramo, yesterday we climbed Antisana. Several members of the team reached the summit and everyone gave a serious effort. Congratulations to all for making it as far as we have.
Antisana is Ecuador's fourth highest mountain, but the complex glaciers that one encounters makes a summit bid quite difficult. Our camp sits at 14,800' in the final patch of grass before entering more serious alpine terrain. The first hour takes you through a glacial moraine before arriving at the base of the glacier. Once on the glacier, numerous huge crevasses are encountered as well as needing to navigate through serac-ridden terrain. Higher on the mountain, the team worked their way up some very steep snow pitches before walking the seemingly endless plateau to the true summit. Although this section is benign, the altitude of over 18,000' catches up with you. This is truly a difficult climb and for making the effort, you are rewarded with excellent views of other high mountains in Ecuador.
Honestly, Antisana might be my favorite volcano climb in Ecuador. The beauty of our campsite alone is worth a visit. We camped two nights in tents and there is also a dining tent where we were served delicious, hot meals every morning and evening. The staff at Antisana basecamp is lovely and as always, our local Ecuadorian guides are professional and just truly good people to hang with.
Today, a portion of the group heads home while the rest of us are headed to Chimborazo. We spent a final night as a team at Casa Ilayaku, a quaint hacienda on an old farm property near Quito. According to our smart watches, the sleep was near perfect. For those headed to Chimborazo, we are now on a four hour bus ride to the Chimborazo Lodge for one more relaxing night prior to another big summit push!
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
That is Awesome Dustin and Team!!
I speak from experience, a few years ago Dustin was the reason I made it to the Summit of Cotopoxi!!
You all have an Awesome guide!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 11/5/2023 at 3:57 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Seth Burns, Connor Mullady, Dan Windham, Stephen Inman, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After several days of high winds and unstable snow conditions, the RMI Teams were greeted with light winds, clear skies and good route conditions. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Dan Windham and their Four Day Climb teams reached the summit of Mt. Rainier shortly after 7 am today. The teams enjoyed some time in the crater getting all the photo ops before descending from the crater rim.
Congratulations to today's teams!
Go Lindsay Kibler and team congratulations!
Posted by: James Newman on 6/18/2021 at 8:29 am
Congrats! Say hi to Lindsay Boo Kibler
Posted by: Steve Kibler on 6/17/2021 at 1:35 pm
Congrats on the climb. D.H. you’re the energizer bunny of climbing. I can still see the poster of Everest you had in your dorm room and you saying it was a goal of yours. Few get to realize a dream, and that goes for the whole team. Somewhere out there you are inspiring someone. Don’t stop doing what you love.
Posted by: Norman Bradley on 8/4/2012 at 8:47 pm
Congrats Irina and team. Great job!
Posted by: Cheryl on 7/30/2012 at 5:28 am
On The Map
Hey Jane—love the top by the way!! I bet this is alot more fun than Avon!!??
Posted by: Bonnie Pringle on 3/18/2012 at 1:40 pm
Way to go Bowman!!!! I am so proud of you—still cannot believe you are doing this!!!!!
Posted by: Bonnie Pringle on 3/18/2012 at 1:33 pm
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
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