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Posted by: Joe Hoch, Leif Bergstrom, Jackson Breen, Mitch Valaitis, Tom Skoog, Evan Redman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Leif Bergstrom were turned on their summit attempt of Mt. Rainier due to route conditions and high winds. The team is back at Camp Muir and will descend later this morning.
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
As our first real warmup, the team hiked Rucu Pichincha today. Of all my times on this peak, today was by far the clearest. We were able to identify numerous big mountains once we got off the Teleferico (gondola): Cayambe, Antisana, Sincholagua, Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui, Chimborazo, Iliniza Sur and Iliniza Norte. Being such a clear day also meant we did not get rained on to end the hike nor have to slip around on the muddy trails following a rain event.
We have been happy to be in Quito, adjusting to life in Ecuador, but are now ready to venture into the countryside. Tomorrow, we head for our second acclimatization hike on Fuya Fuya and will stay the night at La Casa Sol, just outside of Otavalo.
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
Friday June 17, 2022 1:47 am PT
Hello everybody!
Sorry for the late post, here’s what happened yesterday! The short story, we moved to 17 camp and it was exhausting. Oh wait, huh? You want the long story. Alright fine….
So we pre-packed as best we could the night before because we were looking to get a early start. Nothing is more annoying than be stuck behind folks on the fixed lines. Lucky for us our plan worked out. We were the first ones out of 14 camp… actually we were one of only two teams moving that day. The weather forecast has been rather wishy washy so I think spooked some teams from moving. Thankfully we had the inside connection to several forecasts and forecasters so we were optimistic that this was the right move. Anyhoo the team styled the fixed lines again, though this time was a little less joyous due to heavy packs crunching down on our hips. At the top of lines we began to climb some of the best terrain of the trip, the West Ridge! It was an exciting mix of snow, rocks, big exposure, beautiful views, running belays and a little more ascending. The weather was perfect and the team had a blast. When we arrived at 17 camp the real work began, building camp! At 17,000 feet you gotta work slow otherwise you’ll exhaust yourself. The team put in a Herculean effort erecting tents, snow block walls and a bathroom. Then it was freeze dried food for dinner and time to get some well deserved sleep. Depending on the “nowcast” if we wake up to good weather we’ll make our summit push tomorrow!
Wish us luck and send sunshine and low winds our way!
RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the Team
Sending good vibes and hoping for a successful summit. Stay safe.
Posted by: Lorraine Sewick on 6/17/2022 at 11:54 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Henry Coppolillo, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Friday, May 27, 2022 6:55pm PT
We attempted to reach 17,000’camp today but were thwarted by high winds just above the top of the fixed lines. After several days waiting for favorable weather, we were all antsy to get moving, but the risk of frostbite made descending an easy call. We are currently back at 14,000’ camp and are going to assess our options for the coming days.
RMI Guide Henry Coppolillo and Team
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Posted by: Jami L on 5/28/2022 at 8:53 pm
We are so proud of you Michael! Keep on keepin’ on!! We are all rooting for you! Love you lots!
Posted by: Anne P on 5/28/2022 at 6:47 pm
Way to go Ian and Jack and the entire team. Such a wonderful accomplishment. mom
Posted by: pat white on 7/7/2013 at 5:04 pm
Congratulations Matt & Scott & the entire team! What an awesome achievement!
Posted by: Anne Kinate on 7/7/2013 at 10:45 am
Posted by: Jake Beren, Casey Grom, JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: Summit
So proud of you Monica & Trevor.
It was so much fun being on the mountain to see you train, watch you head up & greet you when you came down.
Posted by: Mom on 8/17/2012 at 4:53 pm
Congratulations, Monica and Trevor. We are so proud of you and your climbing team. Can’t wait to hear all about the trip and see some pictures. Carol and Don
Posted by: Carol Roblan on 8/17/2012 at 3:19 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 358'
On The Map
Good luck guys (and gal)! I hope the sooner you get on the glacier, the sooner you get off. :) Stay warm and stay safe.
Stephenie
(Kyle H’s girlfriend)
Posted by: Stephenie on 5/11/2012 at 9:26 am
Fingers crossed the weather cooperates today and you get on the glacier. Here’s to good flying conditions and getting this show on the road! Good luck to the team. XO
Christina D
Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/11/2012 at 9:01 am
Linden calls in from Island Peak Base Camp.
On The Map
Very impressive. I’ve been telling everyone at Princeton about your progress, and they all think that you are so cool. Elise and I were hanging out last, and we decided that we must have the toughest, most adventurous moms in the world. Good luck with the summit tonight.
Ireland was great. We trained with coaches from the professional team in Galway, and everyone improved as players. We went 1-1 in our games. We won against a team of men who were about your age. Their fly half was, in his prime, the fly half for the Irish national team. But he was no match for the young Americans. The young Irish, on the other hand, did just fine against us. It was a close match, but their skills were much better than ours.
It was fun to go back to some of the same sights that we went to eight years ago now. We went to the Cliffs of Moher, and the burren. I built up enough courage to sit on the edge of the cliffs with my legs hanging over. It’s nothing compared to the heights that you’re reaching, but it was my own little Everest experience in Ireland. And I read my Lenten Confessional every day.
I love you, Mom. I’m proud of you. I wish I could be there.
Posted by: Philip on 3/30/2012 at 10:35 am
a little bit chilly? I bet it is FREEZING.
Good luck team
Posted by: john on 3/30/2012 at 5:02 am
Posted by: Drew O’Brien, Erika Birkeland, Hannah Blum, Robert Whyte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,500'
Good Morning,
Last night after the move to Camp Schurman the team elected to split into a group focused on advanced climbing/crevasse rescue skills and a summit team.
The summit team woke around 10pm for their summit push. After dealing with warm nighttime temps, isothermal snow, and punching through multiple snow bridges the team decided to turn around at about 10,500.
All team members are now back in camp beginning a day of ice climbing, glacial navigation and crevasse rescue training.
RMI Guide Drew O'Brien
PC: Drew O'Brien
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jack Delaney, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Wednesday June 21, 2023
Today the team woke up to Groundhog Day!
It has continued to snow but was relatively mild as far as temps and wind go. We masterfully killed a chunk of time in the morning by making a long brunch. After retiring to our tents for the afternoon, we regrouped and planned our potential launch to 17k camp for the next day over some golden, brown, and delicious burritos.
RMI Guide Joey Manship and Team
Fingers and toes crossed for your summit window. Stay safe and Godspeed.
Posted by: Nancy Forsyth on 6/22/2023 at 5:43 pm
I’m hoping and praying for the news to be from 17,000 when the weather breaks. Ya’ll stay safe.
I can’t wait to see pictures! What a quest!
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on 6/22/2023 at 3:57 pm
Awesome!! All the Best to you Dustin and Team!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/27/2023 at 4:49 am
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