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Monday, August 5, 2024 - 5:25 pm PT
It was an early start but not an early exit as we left La Paz this morning. A gasoline shortage in Bolivia left us scrambling to find a spot to fill up our van as we headed to Isla del Sol. After several hours of navigating La Paz and El Alto traffic we finally made it to the highlands with views of the Condoriri mountains and Huayna Potosi. A quick ferry and a failed short cut down a dirt road eventually led us back to the standard route through the town of Copacabana which sits right on Lake Titicaca. Yet another curve ball was thrown our way as a fiesta in the town for the Bolivian independence day shut down our route to the boat that was awaiting us to bring us to the island. After several detours and side roads we finally made it to our private boat that would bring us to the Island of the Sun.
Isle del Sol is a special island for the Andean people as it is the center of creation for them. On our walk from the boat to the Eco Lodge we passed by a pre-Incan Temple, and terraces built in the 1300's for farming. The island itself does not have cars and provides spectacular views of 6,000m peaks that we'll be heading to shortly. It is also a perfect place for us to acclimatize at 13,000' and enjoy the laid back island life compared to the hustle and bustle of La Paz. After an excellent dinner of fresh caught trout from the lake and local beef we are settling in for bed. As I write this we are being treated to views of a massive lightning storm over the mountains, feeling thankful to be here in our comfortable casitas and headed towards the high peaks in a few days when the weather is forecasted to improve.
RMI Guide Andy Bond
PC: Andy Bond
New Post Alerts:
Bolivia Expedition, August 3, 2024
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Dear Cathy,I’m happy to hear that everybody is doing well even thought the weather is not colaborating. Just be pacient and careful and not to worry because you guys will make it to the top. Do not forget the pictures!!!
Posted by: Carmen Allen on 7/9/2012 at 2:28 pm
Cathy,
I enjoy reading the blog every morning. I hope the conditions will get better soon and you can move on! Alan and I need you for a long overdue ER meeting back here in San Diego!
Good luck to you and the team,
Gerhard
Posted by: Gerhard on 7/9/2012 at 1:12 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Always tough to leave the Plantation Lodge in Karatu. It is only made possible because we then get to move on over to Tarangire, home of the Elephants! It is hotter and drier once we left the Ngorongoro highlands, but we had a thin cloud cover for much of the day, so the sun wasn’t oppressive. Within minutes of entering the park today we were looking at a pair of lions. A big male sitting regally beneath a shade tree and a female who seemed to have the hunting job for the day. A few minutes later we began seeing the elephants. Tarangire has a million big baobob trees, every one of which has been scraped by elephant tusks in search of moisture. We saw family groups everywhere, with plenty of youngsters staying close to their moms. As we got deeper into the park we saw giraffes and Cape buffalo (zebras and wildebeest barely rate a mention anymore, but we saw thousands of them) we saw antelopes of all shapes and sizes, from Dik Diks to Elands. We just barely saw a leopard (a tail hanging down and a couple of paws as the cat lay sprawled over a branch within a thick canopy). And we just barely saw a cheetah -or cheetahs if you believe those that think there was another speckled thing behind that bush.
It was a great day in a great big park. And we look forward to one more morning of Safari. But we are still in the park tonight, experiencing a “tent camp” out in the bush. There is no fence separating us from the wild animals tonight. If there is no dispatch tomorrow, you’ll know what happened.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
PC: Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari August 10, 2024
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jackson Breen, Josh Geiser, Will Ambler, Celeste Wilson, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb July 18 - 21 led by RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli and Jackson Breen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today around 5:30 am. The team is on their descent and once back at Camp Muir will repack and take a short break before contining the final 4,500' to Paradise. Reports from the mountain are warm temperatures and light winds.
Nice work team!
What an amazing experience! Dylan and I are so grateful for our fantastic guides - Jackon, Will and Claire - you guys were the best! That Crux section will be embedded in my memory for life!
Posted by: Brendan Curran on 7/22/2024 at 1:22 pm
We woke early with aspirations of moving to high camp this morning, but winds from the NW ramped up and persisted a little too long for my liking and we decided to stay put for another day.
The unknown nature of mountain weather and the prospect of setting up camp at 17,200' in frigid winds was enough to make me pump the brakes. We're in a good position and patience has always proved itself prudent on Denali. Meanwhile, we continue to acclimate and get stronger in the comfort of our camp in Genet Basin.
We plan to repeat the process tomorrow morning, rising early with the plan of moving up to high camp to be in position for a summit to push. We'll let you know how it plays out.
"You don't need a weatherman to tell you which way the wind blows..."
Congrats to the entire team on your progress to date! Sending best wishes for cooperative winds and upward progress!
Posted by: Patti Duckworth Read on 5/24/2022 at 4:54 pm
Wishing you calm winds and safe and successful summit.
Posted by: Tim Burkard on 5/24/2022 at 7:35 am
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Side salad and her meat platters. When is she sharing the wine!?!? Go guys, go!
Posted by: Shannon Henn on 6/30/2019 at 12:32 am
Rest while you can. Cool tent photo! Step safe
Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/29/2019 at 9:54 pm
On The Map
Stay safe…..and enjoy the majesty of the mountain…..God bless you all…..
Posted by: barbara perry on 6/7/2012 at 2:01 am
Thanks to Tyler for the reports. Exciting to follow your progress, the ascent and down again. Best thoughts to Nico and team. - Helene
Posted by: Helene L. Nolin on 6/6/2012 at 8:41 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Tatum Whatford, Seth Burns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Sunday, June 26, 2022 - 9:56 pm PT
A full night’s sleep was had by all. We got up for a leisurely breakfast at 8:30. Followed by a leisurely lunch at 1 PM. And there were naps. Our run of good luck with the weather has continued. It was partly cloudy today with some breezes blowing but it hasn’t been stormy at all and the forecast continues to be relatively stable. There are very few teams here at 11,000 now as new arrivals to the mountain taper off with the end of the climbing season in sight. We were happy to have Hannah Smith’s successful team pass through in the early morning hours as they made their way to the airstrip.
All in all it was an excellent rest day and the team is ready for the big move to 14,000 ft.
Best Regards
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Mike Uchal
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,320'
RMI Guide Mike Haugen calls from the Mount McKinley summit.
On The Map
Congratulations, Quinn, and the rest of the team!!! We’re so proud of you, what an amazing achievement! Have a happy and safe descent, you’re in our thoughts!
Posted by: Lauren & Adam on 6/30/2013 at 8:45 pm
Awesome job by everyone. Quinn, we knew you would summit no matter what it took. Have a safe 2nd half and look foreword to seeing you home soon. Love from Mom & Dad.
Posted by: George on 6/30/2013 at 12:34 pm
Hey to Mark and Chris. Way to go! Thinking of you. Tomas
Posted by: Tom on 12/24/2012 at 12:57 pm
Merry Christmas!!
Posted by: Vanessa Block on 12/24/2012 at 6:47 am
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