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Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
On The Map
Posted by: JJ Justman, Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Matt. Everyone is praying for your safety and successful expedition. We love you and look forward to seeing you soon. Mom & Dad.
Posted by: molly on 8/26/2012 at 1:06 pm
Rolf, Grandpa John celebrated his 92nd birthday this week by buying a new bike. Says he wished he had taken a trip like this and would have joined you if he were only younger.
Posted by: Martha Snyder on 6/7/2012 at 8:17 pm
Go Rolf Go!! We are thinking about you and following these blog updates with excitement. Up, up and away! Best of luck!
Posted by: Erin Buckley on 6/5/2012 at 9:15 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 11,300'
We woke in Pangboche to a crisp morning. The team strolled in one by one looking for some hot coffee to start their day. It's been a cold few days so the team is a bit sensitive to the cold. We sat for breakfast and waited for our food. Everyone ordered big knowing it would be a big day. Namche sits 1,600' below Pangboche but you wouldn't think that with all the feet we had to gain to descend into Namche. They pushed through all the ups and downs and weaved through the yak trains. A chest cold has seemed to plague half the team but even when feeling crummy they all persevered. There was a lot of incentive to push through the pain and discomfort: pizza, lattes, massages, shopping, wine... After indulging in all that Namche has to offer, we all have made it to our beds for a much deserved sleep. Tomorrow is our last trekking day into Lukla. The team is ready to fly back to Kathmandu where it all started.
Almost done,
RMI Guide Hannah, Abby, and Team
Hey Hannah!
Its been Awesome following along!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 4/4/2023 at 4:13 am
What an awesome experience you have all had! So many memories to share when you return home. We have really enjoyed all the blogs. Have a wonderful last couple days before you return to “regular” life!
Posted by: Rick and Bobbie on 4/3/2023 at 9:39 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,300'
A leisurely morning at La Casa Sol was in order following yesterday. Particularly for Andrew, who in the bus to taxi switch before hiking Fuya Fuya, forgot to grab hiking shoes. He sent Fuya Fuya, in sandals, and with minimal issue. Jaime and I also got ourselves into a dizzying misadventure in our attempt to hike a lesser known mountain near Otavalo. It turned into us driving windy roads through the Ecuadorian countryside and running out of time to summit before dinner. We did however get some great views of Cayambe and a huge mushroom cloud over the erupting Volcán Reventador.
After copious cups of coffee and tea, we headed for the Otavalo Market. On Saturdays, the market is bustling and extends beyond the normal square where it is held. Sensory overload is real there: colorful textiles, yelling merchants, loud music, food cooking over coals and so on. I typically choose to sneak into an alley and enjoy my favorite coffee I have found in Ecuador at a little shop called Tayta Wasi. After a couple hours, we hopped back in the bus and headed for the town of Cayambe. Once there, we enjoyed a quick lunch with complimentary bizcochos, which are basically the driest butter biscuit you can imagine. Their popularity as a staple food in this region continues to baffle me.
Finally, we made our way towards the volcano and are now settled in at the refuge. Book reading, organizing, gear adjustments and heavy breathing were the afternoon’s activities. Tomorrow we will brush up on basic glacier travel skills before our first big objective of the trip, Volcán Cayambe.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
This is for Nancy:
“The secret of the mountains is that the mountains simply exist…The mountains have no “meaning,” they *are* meaning; the mountains *are.” ... I ring with life, and the mountains ring, and when I can hear it, there is a ringing that we share. I understand all this, not in my mind but in my heart, knowing how meaningless it is to try to capture what cannot be expressed, knowing that mere words will remain when I read it all again, another day.” - Peter Matthiessen, “The Snow Leopard”.
Thanks for the inspiration Nancy, disfruta este periplo.
Posted by: Lisa Fernandez on 1/29/2023 at 7:48 am
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
On The Map
To Kerry:
Still raining in Oklahoma!
Posted by: Patrick Admire on 6/26/2019 at 2:28 pm
Hey, Meghan… you’re finally doing it and with the best outfit with which to climb. Wishing you all the best and will follow the daily dispatches. If you come back through Seattle and time allows and, let me know and I will buy you a celebratory drink!
Posted by: Everett Moran on 6/26/2019 at 12:16 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Billy Nugent, JJ Justman, Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 17,575'
RMI Guide and Base Camp Manager Mark Tucker checks in with an update on the Mt. Everest Expedition.
On The Map
Sending nothing but good vibes your way Spenny boy!
Posted by: Danny on 4/15/2014 at 12:37 pm
Nicole Lobiondo: Tracking you every day and thrilled to hear the team and you are going great. Stay warm and enjoy every minute. Love, Nicole H
Posted by: Nicole Howard on 4/14/2014 at 6:36 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Seth Waterfall, Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 17,575'
Looking forward to hearing about your summit. Blessings your way for a safe ascent.
ABQ Uptown #985 NM/AZ/CO
Posted by: Rachael C. Lujan on 5/16/2013 at 7:15 am
Hey Dan we are watching you. Enjoy your stay in NEPAL.
Bib and Chevy
Posted by: Kevin Campbell on 5/15/2013 at 7:10 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
May 28, 2023 12:01 PM PT
We hoped for a repeat of yesterday's weather, but instead we got light snow and wind. Definitely not a summit day.
So we're resting inside our tents inside a ping pong ball. Spirits are high despite today's weather wrinkle. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to climb.
We stocked our camp with plenty of food and fuel, so we're able to wait it out a few days. Until next time, we'll be counting the ripstop nylon squares in our tents, dreaming of a sunny and calm day for climbing.
Mike
Well done! Very impressive! Safe journey back to Talkeetna- where the beer is cold and the pizza is hot!!! Yeah! You did it!!! Susan
Posted by: Susan on 5/30/2023 at 10:38 pm
Congratulations! What an accomplishment :-) safe travels on the way down. You should be very proud of yourselves.
Elysia hey
Posted by: Elysia Morrison on 5/30/2023 at 9:42 am
Glad you all are safe at Basecamp. Now it is time to tango in Mendoza! Pay the mules to cross the river. Love to you all.
Posted by: elsie Bemiss on 12/18/2012 at 5:00 am
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