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Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
Hello from the Khumbu Valley!
We started our day here pretty early, meeting in the hotel lobby at 5:30am. After checking out of the hotel we had a short ride to the domestic airport were we weighed all of our duffels and backpacks before getting tickets and slipping through a very laid back security check. Normally there’s a little bit of waiting before heading out, but today things moved along pretty quickly.
We opted for helicopter flights to the Lukla airport and avoided the small planes that require land on an uphill runway. After we touched down, we connected with our local Sherpa guides hired a few porters that will be carrying our duffles throughout the trek. We made a brief stop at a local tea house to have breakfast and get situated before hitting the trail.
We hiked for about four hours today with few stops to rest and to take in the beautiful scenery. We arrived at our camp for the night in a village called Phakding just in time for a well earned lunch. The team got settled, had naps, or explored a little before walking a short way to one of the many Monastery’s here in the Valley. Luckily for us the Monks were having a prayer session and allowed us to sit in while they chanted and blew their horns. It was very surreal and a wonderful way to start this adventure.
All is well!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
A big thank you to our stellar RMI Guides for their hard work yesterday maintaining and improving the route. The climb marks the 250th time RMI Guide Casey Grom has reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. Congratulations Casey we are priviledged to work with such an accomplished and great guide. We hope your 250th summit was a memorable one!
Congrats Casey, keep chipping away at the ice and 300 will be here before you know it!
Posted by: Kurt Weisel on 8/5/2021 at 8:37 am
Casey! Wow, what a feat…congrats! Anyone lucky enough to have been up with you is lucky enough! Deborah & Kaki
Posted by: Deborah Rutter on 7/23/2021 at 5:12 am
On The Map
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
I don't know how the Ngorongoro Crater can be beat but Tarangire National Park may have done just that. What an incredible day!
Having gotten some much needed souvenir shopping done on the way to the park we arrived before lunch time and decided to put some miles in before stopping to eat. In the first 3 miles we saw so much game that we had to turn back to eat at the designated picnic stop by the entrance.
With our fill of zebra, wildebeest, impala, giraffes, elephants and more, all at less than a stone's throw away, we went on the search for a lion. Did we ever score, thanks to our safari guides/drivers. Lions hanging in the grass were nothing compared to seeing two hanging out on a tree limb. This was followed up by seeing a young male who was busy digesting his kill from the morning that we passed by earlier. Then, miraculously, we came upon a leopard lounging in a tree, surveilling her area hoping for dinner to walk by. This was a first for me, and we were all quite excited about it.
Then, it was a long 1 1/2 hr drive to our lodge in the park. When we finally got there, we were amazed at just how incredible this place was. Not only super posh, but as we sipped on drinks on the patio listening to the manager explain about life at his safari lodge in the park, we had elephants. Impala and several other species of game walking past the lodge in plain sight. Then, in our ''rooms' we found 5-star accommodations waiting for us. I think we're all in awe!
Now, later, I'll just say that dinner was perfect, and I didn't get jumped by a lion on the way back to my quarters
All for now,
RMI Guide Brent Okita & Team
Oh my goodness, it all sounds amazing!!!
Posted by: Andrea Murphy on 7/28/2022 at 1:26 pm
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,500'
Greetings from the bottom of Ski Hill. We’ve been keeping our trend of staying on east coast time (3am wake up Alaska time) in order to keep up with the stock market and take advantage of the cooler temps and firm snow. This morning we packed up all our excess supplies and gear and headed uphill to cache them. Conditions were ideal again as we were able to climb without the aid of crampons or snow shoes. Apparently, granola breakfast was the breakfast of champions because the team crushed it! They marched uphill without tiring and kept cheerful smiles while doing it. The sunrise was incredible and even saw what could be described as a non-traditional rainbow in the distant rains near Talkeetna! We soon climbed past the traditional cache spot around 9,500 and stopped just below the last hill to 11 camp. The only reason we didn’t go all the way was to save the experience of seeing what will be our new home for tomorrow.
The afternoon was spent back at ski hill, napping, relaxing, snacking and trading stories. Some of which seemed too good to be true.
The weather is beautiful and so is the team.
Yours Truly,
RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the Team
Hey Team!!! What a day! How great to be able to be a tiny part of this experience with you - thank you for sharing! Keep up the great work and positive attitudes! We are all behind you. Go Michael Go! Am with you in spirit bud- Love you!! Hugs all around team- Alicia xoxo
Posted by: Alicia Becker on 6/6/2022 at 7:46 pm
Thank you for allowing all of us on your incredible journey!!!
Sending the most amazingly brilliant positive vibes to you Michael & the whole team!!! Go team go!!! I am so proud of you!! Lots of love to all!!
Aunt Tulip
Posted by: Julee Valentine on 6/6/2022 at 6:58 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
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On The Map
Hey Jo (Gerald) awesome following the trip sounds like going well and weather treating you right stay strong bro. See you soon
Mike
Posted by: Mike weber on 6/2/2013 at 4:55 pm
Hey Betzalel and Ayla,
Gavi and I just wanted to tell you that we are so proud of you guys, and amazed by your adventurousness (if that’s even a word). We are def stalking your blog and can’t wait to see you summit! Also, we heard you guys got the go-pro - so sorry we didn’t get around to getting it for you, but don’t worry we’ll get you an even better wedding present! Anyway, hope you are doing well, missing you tons!!!!!
Posted by: Yael & Gavi on 5/30/2013 at 8:30 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
We enjoyed great weather and snow conditions yesterday as we moved our camp from 11,200' to Genet Basin at 14,200'. We have a well-deserved rest day on tap today as we fortify camp, eat, drink, and lounge.
This afternoon we will practice some fixed rope travel techniques in preparation for our next task, establishing a cache up high on the West Buttress proper. The weather forecast is looking good, and we may head up the fixed ropes tomorrow to get that cache established. Our team is doing well, taking the challenging work in stride, and adjusting to the lack of oxygen and colder temps up here at our new home. We will keep you updated with our status as we work to get into position for a summit bid. There is still a lot of work to do, a lot of acclimating, and a lot of variables, but so far, we're very pleased with the progress of our expedition and we're not complaining about the beautiful views of the Alaska Range.
We'll be in touch again tomorrow with the latest. Until then, know we are enjoying the rare mountain air.
RMI Guides Mike, Abby, Henry & Team
Keep up the great work! There are a lot of people cheering on your team. Really making headway on the elevation climb. Good luck to all of you.
Posted by: Deb Beaudway on 5/19/2022 at 6:24 pm
Take care all! Great job so far!
Posted by: Tina on 5/19/2022 at 11:47 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 348'
Saturday, June 14, 2025 - 11:25 pm PT
Nobody missed a flight and all the bags arrived just fine. They came from Norway and New Zealand and a few places in between. Our team -8 climbers and four guides- got together as planned in the Anchorage airport. We talked gear and logistics briefly before relocating to the curb for our van shuttle to Talkeetna. It was a day of blazing sun and wide open blue sky in Alaska.
We broke up the three hour drive with a stop for groceries in Wasilla and then pushed on to Talkeetna, rolling in at about 6:30 PM. Along the way we had been granted a few breathtaking views of the Alaska Range. Our first stop was the K2 Aviation hangar to drop off the big bags of gear. Next we checked in at the Swiss Alaska Inn. The team then strolled ten minutes through the birch forest and over the railroad tracks to beautiful downtown Talkeetna. The town was bustling with tourists and the odd climbing team. We ate our fill at the brewery and then walked the 100 meter length of town to the banks of the mighty Susitna River. McKinley, Hunter and Foraker shot up into the sky across the river… impossibly high. Or maybe just possible. We’ll see. Tomorrow we get started… packing and prepping in earnest.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
You’ve got this!! Wishing you good weather.
Posted by: Tom Leonard on 6/19/2025 at 10:07 am
Enjoy The Journey to THE TOP. Prayers and thoughts will be with the entire team. Here’s to SUCCESS!
Posted by: Scottie P on 6/18/2025 at 3:18 am
That mountain looks soooo big from my easy chair on the patio where I lounge thinking about all of you, up on top. I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment. You guys are amazing! Welcome back, and can’t wait to hear stories.
Posted by: maryann on 7/21/2013 at 8:17 pm
I am so excited that you all made it! Each of you has been constantly on my mind the last several days! I am envious, but so proud of what you all have accomplished! Welcome home when you get there! Your admirer, Mr. T
Posted by: Thom D. on 7/21/2013 at 4:03 pm
Step by step, up, up and away! Good luck all!
Posted by: John Buckett on 3/17/2023 at 5:50 am
We’re living vicariously through you. So fun to see the pix, and read the stories!
Barry and Nancy Otterholt
Posted by: Barry Otterholt on 3/16/2023 at 7:31 pm
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