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100% Summit!!
I was thinking the other day about just how motivated people have to be to come climb big mountains. It just takes so much effort, from paying for it, training for it, and actually doing it. Real go getters, doers. At the same time, I thought it was quite funny that those same type A, don’t sit around type of people. Have to sit in tents, bide their time, and do nothing for days on end in order to climb these mountains. They take time, patience, preparedness, and luck of course.
Today was our lucky day. We finally had the night we’ve been wanting. Still, cool, clear. And in the “morning” (the sun only hides for 2 hours behind Vinson) it was all systems go. We throttled the stoves and ate our breakfasts. We got our harnesses on and donned our gloves. We started to climb, and… continued to climb.
Vinson summit day involves gentle rolling slopes with bouts of steep seemingly unrelenting hills. It climbs Southeast through the Vinson Massif in the Jacobsen Valley situated at the base of Vinson. Behind, breathtaking views North to Tyree and Shinn from angles we hadn’t yet encountered. The Grand Finale? The summit ridge. A long traverse over the top of Vinson with steep drop offs to both sides, sprawling views, and bitter wind. 100% of the team stood on top this afternoon at 3:34PM.
We did all that today and more. We accomplished a goal that didn’t know we could achieve, we summitted the tallest peak in Antarctica on the best day we could have asked for. We’ll sleep well tonight after we scarf our dinners and run to our tents. Tomorrow, we start the descent.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli & Team
New Post Alerts:
Vinson Expedition November 22, 2024
Well done to everyone in the group especially to James’ Grandad Myles. We are all very proud of you and what you have accomplished. Wishing you all a safe trip down and home afterward.
Corcaigh abú
Posted by: Rory and James on 12/4/2024 at 2:51 pm
Hallo Anja,
Your Dream became true ! Congratulions, also to the whole team.
Liebe Grüße von Mama Monika
Posted by: Monika on 12/4/2024 at 8:56 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Josh McDowell, Calvin Jiricko, Roland Scott, Stella Johnson, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 24 - 27 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Josh McDowell. The team enjoyed clear skies above Camp Muir during their climb while the lower elevations were covered with low clouds and precipitation. The climbers reached the crater rim around 7 am today and enjoyed some time on top before starting their descent. The climbers have returned to Camp Muir where they will pack gear and continue another 4.5 miles back to Paradise later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Amazing!!! Jealous!
Posted by: Renae Grady on 6/27/2024 at 3:17 pm
Amazing team!!!
Posted by: Katie Hernandez on 6/27/2024 at 2:44 pm
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Tim,
Been following the team’s progress—sounds like yet another awesome adventure! As promised—important news down here: Colorado continues to burn, Obama-“care” passed, and basically Repub’s and Dem’s still hate each other’s F’ing guts. Oh, almost forgot the most important news dominating the papers/internet: Tom Cruise and his wife are getting a divorce. Just goes to show you—we are still a bunch of collective idiots to care about that crap down here. So, PLEASE, march on! Live the dream for the rest of us shmucks! Be safe and know you’ve got your fans rooting for you—and, your entire team’s good fortunes. And, remember, Warrior II photo on top! And, take it easy on your team-mates up there—you CAN control that gas of yours—stop using the altitude as an excuse! Little Bro.
Posted by: Dan McLaughlin--aka, Little Bro on 7/1/2012 at 4:43 pm
Hey,
Oz is on his way to Georgia with the Barteks! I’m trying to stay out of the Raleigh heat—high today of 104! Boone sounds way better with a predicted high of 92.. Doing some work around the house and checking your weather and for updates..
Hope to hear from you soon!
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie on 7/1/2012 at 10:12 am
Linden Mallory checks in from Island Peak High Camp.
On The Map
Linden…at it again?!! Good luck…R
Posted by: Richard Parker on 4/2/2012 at 10:56 am
Hey Laura Wright. I am so inspired by you and all of the ladies with you. It is such a thrill to follow your travels on this blog and see how you are living large. Come home soon for some badminton at the river. ha ha I can’t wait to hear all of your stories and pray for a safe return for you all. Love, Ann
Posted by: Ann Parsons on 3/31/2012 at 7:31 am
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Great job! Knew u could do it even with the old geezer Bob. Just kidding. We are proud of both you.
Posted by: M and K on 2/16/2012 at 3:10 pm
Hi Hegmans!!! We are so proud of you!!! Glad to see ODU representing in the picture:) Good luck and make it to the top so you can bore us with stories about it for years to come!! We love you! Jodi, Jackson, and Max
Posted by: Jodi, Jackson, and Max on 2/16/2012 at 6:53 am
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Leah Fisher
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 8,500'
Climb High Laurel!
Looking forward to hearing about your adventure.
Love you!
Posted by: susan Turnquist on 8/2/2013 at 11:39 am
Hey Laurel!!!
Meg and I are thinking about you up there on the icy mountain. Great group picture! Enjoy the climbing.
We will be praying for a safe ascent tomorrow.
Love you girl!
Posted by: Susan Turnquist on 8/1/2013 at 12:21 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Seth Waterfall, Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Guide News Everest
Elevation: 17,575'
On The Map
Happy and safe trekking. Blessings.
ABQ Uptown #985 NM/AZ/CO
Posted by: Rachael C. Lujan on 4/17/2013 at 8:28 am
Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
On The Map
Happy Valentine’s Day, Dan and friends!! Love the updates, following y’all daily! Wishes for good weather, good health and happy hiking!
Posted by: Patsy on 2/14/2013 at 5:12 pm
Yes, Happy Valentines day to Dan and friends! Following you daily, love the updates! Wishing good weather and successful hiking!
Posted by: Patsy on 2/14/2013 at 5:08 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
As we arose from our tents again at 14,000’ camp, fresh snow covered everything as if a frozen Baja Blast machine broke in the middle of the night and began spewing as far as the eye could see.
Today marked a choice, go for it, and continue up beautiful Denali, or stay here at14,000’ Camp for another night, and wait for a better window. Upon first view of the surroundings, the choice was clear, spend one more day resting. This journey has been largely about patience, especially these last few days, but we are on the home stretch now, also just days away now from returning to civilization…
All the fish tacos, burritos and fajitas, Doritos, and Fritos, and Cheetos, pizza, burgers and glizzies and frozen margaritas All these and more, await at Talkeetna
Climber Joey Myers & Team
Congrats Kelly, Brian, (and possibly Jen)! :)
(Btw, the category of this blog should be changed to Mt. Rainier)
Posted by: -shae- on 6/30/2012 at 3:33 pm
Boo-Yah! Happy Birthday, LB! Hope everyone on the team made it and the trip back is gravy! Congrats to everybody!
Posted by: tyre on 6/30/2012 at 2:55 pm
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