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Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,000'
Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
On The Map
Congratulations on your summit, Mike. It’s been fun following you on the RMI blog! Love, Uncle Eddie
Posted by: Ed Schroeder on 1/17/2013 at 12:36 pm
11:17am. Weather looks great, go team go! Be safe.
Posted by: James Salter on 1/17/2013 at 10:55 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Henry Coppolillo, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 9:28 pm PT
After a another day of waiting, false starts on packing and taking down our tents, and some general finger twiddling, we suddenly got the very positive news that K2 had launched all four of their otters to come get us yesterday evening. The trusty planes hit the runway in quick succession, not unlike a military drill and we were loading duffels, packs, and sleds with excitement. We went on the slide down the runway one more time and we were off, airborne for Talkeetna. The flight out was a bit bumpy and we dodged clouds through the Alaska range to get home. It was quite evident how hard the pilots had worked to come get us.
We landed in Talkeetna and disembarked to the fragrant smell of plants, technicolor hues of leaves and grass, and gratefully removed our boots and traded for flip flops. And just like that, we had reached the end of the expedition and achieved our ultimate goal - to come home whole. We gathered at the Denali Brew Pub for a celebratory dinner and poked our head in the historic Fairview Inn for a touch more celebrating.
This morning we dried our gear, repacked bags for flights home, and got ready to head our separate ways. There is a strong bond that develops sharing tents and some trials over 23 days on a glacier. It's bittersweet to move on, but we do so knowing that this team came together in a way that made everyone stronger, they stretched to meet all of the many challenges we faced, and we came back successful. From Henry, Tatum, and myself, we would like to thank all of our team sincerely for being so strong, fun, and patient, and many thanks to everyone's families for the support and for following along. This is a long strange trip that none of us will soon forget. Flight plan closed.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
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On The Map
Welcome home and thanks are given for your safe journey!
Posted by: Meredith on 6/7/2013 at 8:10 pm
Congratulations to you all for your wonderful accomplishment!Erich, I can’t wait to talk to you, maybe tonight for the first time in awhile! In the meantime, enjoy a good meal and some brews. LOVE YOU! Happy safe travels the rest of the way!
Posted by: Amberly on 6/7/2013 at 12:43 pm
WHAT’S YOUR PROGRESS? FAMILY IS WATCHING. SAFE TRAVELS DOWN. GODSPEED AND LOTS OF LOVE.
Posted by: FRED CHANEY on 6/28/2012 at 2:36 pm
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Felicidades!! Me alegro que lo hayan disfrutado!!
Posted by: Marisol Ferández on 1/17/2012 at 9:33 am
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Joe Crawford, Bailey Servais, Hannah Blum, Ben Porter, Ben Luedtke, Hannah Billings, Simon Kearns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
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Today, the Four-Day Climb, led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Joe Crawford, successfully reached the summit of Mt. Rainier!
In a fun twist of trail magic, both groups were guided by not one, but two Joes, two Hannahs, and two Bens — in addition to Bailey and Simon, who helped keep things from getting too confusing! With this strong and experienced team at the helm, the climbers were in great hands every step of the way.
The teams pushed through some smokey conditions on their ascent and were rewarded with beautiful clear skies upon reaching the crater. After soaking in the views from the top, the climbers began their descent to Camp Muir, where they’ll pack up before continuing the remaining 4,500’ down to Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations to today’s climbers on an incredible accomplishment!
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Reading this update with tears of joy in my eyes!! I am just SO so happy for you all but especially my awesome husband, Christoph!! I am so very proud of you, you made this dream, 13 years in the making, come true! Ich liebe dich überalles! Du bist meine Liebe meines Lebens
Posted by: Anna Graf on 8/1/2025 at 11:24 am
Posted by: Ben Ammon, Sam Hoffman, Hannah Blum, George Hedreen, Arianna Drechsler, Avery Stolte, Brooks Ordway Smith, Fitz Elder
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by Ben Ammon and Sam Hoffman reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 9:45 AM today. Despite some challenging walking on the route, the team made strong progress and arrived at the crater rim in just six hours. After a brief celebration on the summit, they began their descent.
Congratulations to today’s team on a successful climb!
Congratulations!!! So happy you made it to the top! I hope you have a safe descent.
Posted by: Anna Carlson on 5/17/2025 at 10:02 am
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
TREK TO BASE CAMP
Our first start before sunrise,
The wake-up call came at five.
Soon the climbers were busy,
Our camp was a beehive.
Quickly our duffles were packed,
And our tents were taken down.
Our daypacks readied for travel,
We were soon Base Camp bound.
Our first task of the day,
Was a frigid river to cross.
The pain upon entering hit shockingly fast,
But once forded no toes had been lost.
Up Relenchos Valley we trekked,
Steep canyon walls on each side.
We passed mesmerizing formations,
That Jack our geologist would describe.
We stopped once and marveled,
At guanacos high on the hill.
Their grace and their splendor,
We carry with us still.
We trekked all day on a trail of dust,
And rocks, and then more rocks.
Some big rocks to step over,
Some small ones in your socks.
Finally Base Camp came in sight,
We slightly quickened our pace.
3500’ gain, 7.9 miles in 6 hours,
This was truly no race.
We were warmly greeted at camp,
With cold drinks and snacks to eat.
The afternoon feast was ended,
With a delicious chocolate treat.
We have all settled into camp life,
Playing cards or just laying low.
As we think of the mountain,
And those we love down below.
By: RMI Climber Tim Cavanagh
Greetings Pops!
Im finally getting on here. We are all doing well here at home. Including your pups. Sounds like you’re having a great start to your expedition. Love your poem. We love you and miss you !
Love, Noel and kids
Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/25/2023 at 8:02 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Sunday, May 30, 2021 - 4:34 pm PT
The storm finally blew itself out last night at 14k, and we woke to a light breeze and partly cloudy skies. Winds persisted up high and, after an early breakfast, we decided to pump the breaks on moving camp today. The next few days look good in terms of wind, so we’re gunning to move to High Camp tomorrow and hopefully having a shot at the summit.
Over 100 climbers moved or carried up the fixed lines today, making for a heinous traffic jam that we wanted no part of; this is the first big push of the season, as many teams have stacked up waiting for a weather window. If the weather cooperates we plan to get an early (and cold) start tomorrow, with hopes of getting to 17,200’, building camp, and having enough time to recover for a potential summit bid the next day. The weather and the mountain are in control here, though, and we’ll adjust to whatever is thrown our way. We’ll be in touch tomorrow.
We are all hoping for the window to open for you guys. Up-up to the top!! Good Climbing Y’all. Vt. Is thinking of you. N. & P.
Posted by: Sandy on 6/1/2021 at 4:54 am
Fantastic news to hear that the weather has cleared! We’re hoping for continued good spirits, clear skies and a smooth route to the top. Good luck from Vermont! Stay safe y’all.
Posted by: Tracy Wilhelm on 5/31/2021 at 4:31 pm
congrats Leon and team!
Posted by: dawn on 2/6/2013 at 11:44 am
Rick can’t wait to hear your voice and hear all about your adventure. XOXOX Carol
Posted by: Carol Crye Popp on 2/5/2013 at 9:10 pm
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