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On The Map
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Peter Whittaker gives team's update on the RMI team's rest day
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
On The Map
Exciting to watch and hear your progress!! Glad to hear everyone is moving strong and feeling good. Looking forward to seeing you at the top and celebrating your summit!! go, Go, GO!!! Lumley
Posted by: Jennifer Lumley on 6/25/2013 at 5:12 am
Been following and envious! Sorry to hear just 300ft short of Summit - better safe. We will hope for the best on the next climb. Be safe & enjoy!
Posted by: Dan C on 6/24/2013 at 10:17 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Hey Todd and Jim, Sounds like a fantastic adventure unfolding. love the pictures. Great times these are.
love mOm
Posted by: Jana McClure on 1/6/2013 at 3:31 pm
way to go guys !! good luck, good weather ,
God bless !!!
Miguel
Posted by: Miguel on 1/6/2013 at 10:43 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
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Friday, June 20, 2025 9:59pm PDT
Happy Solstice from 11,000 ft
Today was our longest climbing day of the trip so far. We were up just after 2 a.m., in the shadows of the Kahiltna Glacier. Climbing began at 4:20 a.m. on the now-familiar Ski Hill. It was a cool morning, and the walking was easier thanks to a hard overnight freeze.
The hill steepened as we gained elevation, offering a striking view of the pyramidal granite of the West Buttress towering ahead. The team remained in shadow—a welcome relief—when we paused near our 10,000 ft cache from yesterday.
Leaving the main glacier, we stepped into the sun as we entered the basin below 11 Camp. We made it into camp in just under six hours, then spent a couple more building a secure and comfortable site.
There are a few clouds drifting about, but we expect the sun to stay with us well into the Alaskan night.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
So beautiful and incredible! Keep climbing strong, we are all cheering for you!
Posted by: Lawrence Chan on 6/21/2025 at 1:02 pm
So proud of all of you
Posted by: Jonica Stingl on 6/21/2025 at 12:54 pm
On The Map
Looking fabulous - can’t wait to hear about the summit tomorrow - very soon!
Leslita
Posted by: Leslie on 2/16/2013 at 8:11 am
Barbara,
What a fabulous adventure! We can’t wait to hear all about it. Take in the sunrise for us. We will be thinking about you and the team.
Nancy & Tal
Posted by: Nancy on 2/16/2013 at 7:11 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 17,000'
It has been a rewarding and exhausting week and a half traveling around Ecuador and venturing into the high mountains. Yesterday, we concluded the trip with an attempt of Cotopaxi, followed by a celebration dinner in Quito. We did not summit Cotopaxi and yet, had a meaningful and memorable experience. There are some days that the mountain does not grant reasonably safe passage and that is just how it goes. Reflecting on my own experiences climbing in this country, some of the windless, sunny days where we reached big summits have begun to blend together. On the other hand, those nights with unrelenting wind, rain, snow, rime ice or lightning really stand out. Our attempt of Cotopaxi falls into that category.
As we left the hut, the feeling was that the steady 20-30mph wind would need to relent during the early morning hours as we went higher on the mountain. Adding to this, we were occassionaly spritzed by rain or very moist clouds. I know that may sound like the same thing, but there is a subtle difference. Either way, by the time we reached the glacier our clothing was thoroughly coated in rime ice and we found ourselves in even more need of improvements in the weather. We began the long, steep traverse from the entrance of the glacier to the Yanasacha Ridge and the weather never improved. At 17600' we made the decision for the team to turn around. That is a tough call to make, albeit the right one. Most people's reflection seemed to include some continued dialing of how much weather is too much weather. I often reflect using a thought process along the lines of: if I continue to the summit in these conditions 100 times, does something catastrophic occur? Of course, we can't know for sure the answer to that, but we can begin to imagine the variety of outcomes and I think we all know a 1 in 100 chance of catastrophe is not worth the reward. We can feel proud to have pushed ourselves in adverse conditions and have had a learning experience.
Today the team is parting ways. Most are headed home to family, while some are extending their vacations or climbing plans further into South America. Wherever it is, this team now carries with them some great memories and stories to be shared.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Volcanoes January 21, 2025
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Roland Scott, Lacie Smith, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After a full week of training on the lower slopes of Mt. Rainier the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli said the Kautz route was in awesome shape. They left the crater rim around 9:30 am and will return to their camp for a final night on the mountain. The skills acquired will help these climbers pursue more advanced climbs like Denali, Aconcagua, or Mt. Baker North Ridge.
Congratulations team!
Posted by:
Categories: 50 Years of Climbing
Sean and Jeff McCroskey with some of their teammates on Kilimanjaro.
At night we would bundle up, put our headlamps on, and sit around the dinner table and tell stories (some the funniest stories I've ever heard) and talk about life. I learned so much from a team of people from all different backgrounds.
When we reached the top, I took out my Xavier University flag I got just before my freshman year of college and displayed it from the summit with my Dad. The best surprise though was the satellite phone call Casey let us each take from the top – my Dad called my mom and I got to call my best buds back home.
Sean and Jeff McCroskey displaying their Xavier University flag on the summit of Kilimanjaro.
We had such a great experience; we came back the following summer and climbed Mt. Rainier with Ben Liken and got to see Casey!
Sean McCroskey
So glad to see the team smiling and dancing in Lukla. Did Missy bring her birthday presents and use them at the dance party? Retail sales in Namche were at an all time high with members of team waki there. Cannot wait to hear all the gory details.
Posted by: Kathryn LeBey on 4/6/2013 at 5:20 am
Looks like the party was a lot of fun. I’m glad you had a chance to unwind and let loose. All of you, have safe journeys home!
Posted by: Yuki Loritz on 4/5/2013 at 10:18 pm
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