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Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Matias Francis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,816'
At noon yesterday the West Ridge - Forbidden Peak team reached the summit. We started early to beat the heat (and other parties) and were rewarded with shade for much of the ascent. The climb went smoothly, the team was strong and all optional crux pitches were sent!
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Monday, June 7, 2021 - 2:31 pm PT
We got some more snow last night and woke again to calm and clear weather. After yesterday’s trip up the fixed lines we figured another night at Denali's 14K Camp would help people acclimate and sleep better before moving to high camp at 17,200’. We are expecting a low pressure weather system to roll in this evening. If it does then we will likely be at 14 for a few more days. If it doesn’t appear then we will likely move up to high camp tomorrow. Time and weather will tell. Until then, warm tents and some card games will keep us occupied. The team is healthy and happy but looking forward to moving up. Thanks for following along.
Its only been a week and two days and I can’t even explain how long it seems! I miss you sooo bad! I cannot wait to hear more about it! Congratulations on making it to your highest point! I hope u can carry your sunblock! I love u mawah! What an experience! The pictures are unreal!!!!!!! It’s sooo massive! You are punkswole!so this thing and come home to your three babies with a lot of pics!
Posted by: Wiyanna on 1/14/2012 at 9:27 pm
Bryan, Dude wear that mountain out like we wore my Jeep Cherokee out!!! You got this brother! I’m proud of you! Love Adam Stroupe
Posted by: Adam Stroupe on 1/13/2012 at 6:38 pm
Dave and team, you can do it! Climb strong but be SAFE!
Posted by: Andrew Propst on 5/19/2011 at 11:30 pm
Climb strong, Linden, and good luck!!! Can’t wait to hear about it all!
Xo-Dana Marie and John
Posted by: Dana Marie Buchanan on 5/18/2011 at 6:54 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: 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
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
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Last night we celebrated our return to Basecamp with an incredible meal of salad, eggplant, meat with chimichurri sauce and of course, wine. Most of us connected to Wifi and let family and friends know we were well and they were missed. The mood was celebratory and the conversations light and airy. We chatted, laughed and played Farckle late into the night knowing our task was not complete. We woke early and hiked for a total of 17.5 miles, spending the day processing the experience we are completing and what lessons it has taught us. But, how do you incorporate the lessons of the mountains to make yourself a better person? A better partner? A better parent? A better friend? Can you remember to enjoy the simple and minute moments in your day? Can you filter out the sounds of the wind, the background noise, and focus on what matters? Can you remember to take a break, take care of yourself and take care of your “team”? By the time we rolled into Leñas we were reminded that we have only a short walk out to civilization and all the pressures of the real world will be back but tonight we feasted again and laughed again and enjoyed the moment. Whether that was petting a mule, watching the light fade on the mountain tops, feeling the cool breeze sweep through the valley or catch the stars brighten in the sky. Maybe that is the lesson of the mountain, being present and immersed in the moment, maybe that’s what keeps bringing us back to the mountains.
PS: I love you Mama, Teddy and Everett. Can’t wait to give you big hugs and kisses soon.
Climber David Scordino
Hey Team,
I do not know any of you, but I attempted Aconcagua a few years ago but did not summit. I was quietly cheering you all on and have really enjoyed all the blogs. Congratulations to all of you!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/7/2023 at 10:13 am
Posted by: Jake Beren, Tyler Reid
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Scottie, I’ve been following you since the middle of the night all the way back here in Atlanta… SO EXCITED THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM MADE THE SUMMIT!! A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you!! Can’t wait to hear all about it… :)))))))—Cobe
Posted by: Coby Sillers on 9/2/2012 at 12:42 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!! Way to go! Love you Johnny :)
Posted by: Kristie Roof on 9/2/2012 at 10:00 am
FREAKIN’ SWEET!
David Jordan, you’re my hero!
Posted by: Kyle McHugh on 5/28/2011 at 9:19 am
I heard a rumor you were on the Mountain Kenny. Congratulations, well done! Safe travels home.
Posted by: Sandra Hebert on 5/27/2011 at 7:54 pm
Sounds like a great vacation to me at 14k! Thanks for the updates Mike. Good luck and good weather ahead to all!
Posted by: Darcy Murnaghan on 6/8/2021 at 2:06 pm
Not exactly my idea of R&R conditions, but it sounds like from Mike that the weather is primo for your climb. Getting excited about the summit! Best to Rob and team.
Tita and Artie
Posted by: Martha Sabom on 6/8/2021 at 12:41 pm
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