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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Posted by: Abby Westling, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climbing team with RMI Guides Abby Westling and Ben Luedtke climbed last night and reached the summit as the sun was setting. The team spent their first day on the mountain with an acclimatization climb to Ingraham Flats. On day two they took advantage of a full night’s rest and chose to do a sunset climb, a rare and special treat for the climbers to see the stunning alpenglow on Mt. Rainier.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Peter Whittaker, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
We ARE SO PROUD and HAPPY that you reached The Summit John! Can’t wait to see that photo!! Safe return during the descent!!! See you soon! Love, AM and Biscuit
Posted by: Mary Ann and Carter Boicourt on 7/16/2014 at 6:02 am
Way to go Jimmie D.
This Rainier summit business is getting to be old hat to you.
Well done.
Art
Posted by: Art Muir on 7/15/2014 at 8:42 pm
RMI Guide Mike Walter checks in from the summit of Cotopaxi!
Way to go team ecuador! Shout out to Brian and Ian. Did Ian have to carry Brian’s pack again for him?
Posted by: dan on 6/30/2011 at 7:39 pm
Spencer, I take it by your grin your having a blast!! Stay safe Warrior. Respect the mountain. Enjoying the blogs.
Posted by: Wesley Smithee on 6/30/2011 at 4:06 pm
What a wonderfully happy group. I am so excited for all of you. Praying for your safety, great weather and kindness from the mountain. Always in my heart Wayne, love Dinah
Posted by: Dinah Rogers on 6/29/2011 at 2:12 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Sunday, May 23, 2021 - 6:01 pm PT
The weather has not gotten the message yet that we’re trying to move up to the 14,00' Camp. Winds calmed yesterday afternoon, but picked up again early this morning. We were poised to break camp when they ramped up to the strongest we’ve seen this trip, strong enough to break guy lines on our cook tent. Texting via satellite with friends at 14k, we knew conditions were even harsher up there.
Instead of moving up today we built some snow walls to protect our camp here at 11k. The weather is improving this evening, and again we’re hopeful that we can push camp up higher tomorrow.
We’ll let you know...
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Might be fun to build an igloo in your spare time. Hope you get moving soon.
Posted by: Anne Cook on 5/25/2021 at 12:26 pm
As it turns out, there is actually a patron saint of good weather, Saint Medardus! I never heard of him before. He’ll be hearing from me until you’re home!
Posted by: Althea on 5/25/2021 at 10:39 am
Posted by: Jake Beren, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
On The Map
Great to have the opportunity to virtually follow your tour. To Christel: Aunt ever I am so proud you are doing this, one day we might tackle the Matterhorn together ;)
Posted by: Wenke Stalling on 6/10/2012 at 2:07 am
Bob~Kristi made it to Rwanda, after 27 hours!! Now you have to make it to the top!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Spinks on 6/9/2012 at 1:37 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Jess Matthews
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
In the midst of a great trip with a wonderful group, one of the hardest parts of a guides job is to make the decision to turn a group around and head back to the hut, knowing some climbers will continue up and likely summit.
Last night we woke to a thin cloud and light snow at 15,874’. The group got ready and was optimistic due to the warm air and fresh snow that would make walking the first 1.5 hours on rocky trail easier. However, we had a similar experience on Cayambe that resulted in an electrical storm.
With over 70 people setting out from the hut to climb we got out mid pack and made our way to the toe of the glacier to put crampons on. During this first stretch the moon was bright, reflecting moonlight off the white snow so headlamps didn’t have to be turned on.
As we ascended the glacier, the new snow accumulation had increased from 3” at the hut to 1 foot + at 17,800’. As we pulled into our second break the guides had begun chatting about snow stability and while at the break dug 2 snow pits to better assess what we were traveling on top of. The results were a foot of new snow overnight on top of a 2 inch consolidated snow layer that moved with enough energy early on in the test to reconsider climbing higher. There had been a meter of new snow in the last week without much sun or heat to help consolidate the snowpack.
The terrain above us consisted of larger crevasses and steeper slopes, when combined with new snow avalanche conditions this made for hazards that we could not safely manage. We showed the group a second test and explained our concerns. The guides and climbers are naturally disappointed to have missed another summit and safety has to take precedent. In talking with the Ecuadorean guides, this month has been wetter with more unstable weather patterns then historically seen in December.
We are currently heading back to Quito for showers, packing and flights later tonight. We’ll wrap up a fun trip in that new friends were made, we saw lots of beautiful scenery and spent time in the mountains. We’ll also look forward to the unfinished summits of Cayambe and Cotopaxi on another trip. Thanks for following along.
This is Mike checking in for the Ecuador Team. Apologies for missing yesterday, we just had to much fun getting to know each other and walking around Quito. We went to the equator and watched a bunch of parlor tricks relating to the Middle of the Earth. We also learned about the art of Amazonian head shrinking. We concluded the day walking through the beautiful streets and plazas of Old Town which was built in the mid 1500’s.
This morning we met up with one of our Ecuadorean guide,Pablo, for an acclimatization hike on Rucu Pichincha. We rallied up in taxis to the teleferico (gondola) which takes you to 13,500’. The views of the greater Quito valley were spectacular. From there we hiked to 15,700’ and got some views but we were mostly in the clouds with cool temperatures. The goal today was to stretch the legs and lungs a bit and just get out to see the beautiful Ecuadorean countryside. The trail wandered through grassy slopes and a lot of flowering shrubs.
Everyone is back at the hotel for some rest and packing. We will head out tomorrow for another day hike and travel towards Cayambe for our first climb of the trip. Thanks for following along
On The Map
Wow
Posted by: Bernie lanigan on 12/5/2019 at 4:09 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Today our Aconcagua Team is taking a rest day at Camp 2, 18,000'. We had a cold night with light winds that blew the weather pattern of the last five days out of the area. Dark clouds and high winds plague the summit. We'll focus on eating, rest and hydration. Our plan will be to move up to High Camp up the 12th, and make our summit attempt on the 13th. We are hoping the snow firms up and we get clear weather.
Hi Team: I’m with you in spirit if not in body. My very best for your summit attempt. I’m willing those winds to lay down and the snow to sublimate away. I’m toasting you and the mountain which I can see from the vineyards here in The Valle de Lujà n de Cuyo, raising glasses of Torontés, Malbec and Cabernet Franc to you all and your climb. Salud!
Posted by: Lisa Fernandez on 1/11/2023 at 7:53 am
Hey Mike! Wishing you and your team all the best on your summit!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/11/2023 at 5:03 am
Congrats on a spectacular summit!
-Nick
Posted by: Nick R on 7/11/2023 at 8:45 pm
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