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Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 4:59 am PT
“Remember this beautiful moment, remember this beautiful time, it’s very special because it is once in a lifetime,” words from Carlos, our Peruvian guide at the top of Salkantay Pass at over 16,200 feet. After climbing for a couple hours this morning, we reached the pass. On one side, we were looking into a valley a thousand feet below us with a patchwork of colors and on the other we were looking toward Salkantay Peak and the glacial moraine we had just climbed.
Carlos and one of our mule wranglers lead us in a special Quechua ceremony. Offering three coca leaves rubbed with llama fat to Pachamama (Mother Earth) for safe passage. Since ancient times they have always connected their energy with the energy of nature. With rivers. With rocks. With trees. With mountains. Believing that Pachamama feels every single step, every breath and we are absorbing the mountains energy too as we climb. It’s not just to receive but to give back. Reciprocity. So we offered the three coca leaves which represents the Andean trilogy and llama fat to represent natural energy. And we all received a tiny piece of quartz in return. For the rest of the day every time we saw a bird or special animal or watched the water flow through the 600 year old Inca canal, we were being given a gift by Pachamama.
The views and the trekking are beyond what we could have imagined but the openness with which our guides are sharing their ancestors’ religion and beliefs is humbling us all.
RMI Guide Jess and the team
PC: Jess Wedel
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu August 15, 2024
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Mike King, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,500'
May 28 5:15pm PT
Checking in from Nuevos Hortizantes Refugio!
The entire team, 20 of us plus 5 local guides, are in place for a summit attempt on Iliniza Norte. This is an important part of our preparation for Cotopaxi. Today we climbed three hours and 2700 ft under cloudy skies to reach the hut. We'll set out at 6 AM to go toward the 16,818' summit. Hoping for clear skies and grand views. Perhaps we'll get some good exercise.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Henry Coppolillo, Seth Burns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
The Mt. Shuksan - Sulphide Glacier August 2 - 5 team reached the summit of Mt. Shuksan today led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith, Henry Coppolillo and Seth Burns.
Hannah reported that the team was having a great day on the mountain with very few climbers on the route and fairly clear skies. The team will return to camp for their final night on the mountain and walk out to the trailhead tomorrow to conclude their programs.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at around 8am this morning. RMI Guide Avery Parrinello repoted a beautiful day of climb, and the route through the Kautz Ice Chute was in great shape. The Team has started their descent and will spend another day training and practicing alpine expedition skills to prepare for future climbs like Denali or Aconcagua.
Congratulations to today's team!
On The Map
Congrats to Dom, Kalani, and entire team! Makes 14rs look easy I bet. Best, Paul and Sherri
Posted by: Sherri Wilson on 8/5/2013 at 6:30 pm
Hey JJ: Please give our best to Dom and Kelani. They are our heros! Can’t wait for their return to FL to share their adventure. Clare and Warren
Posted by: Clare Hudson on 8/5/2013 at 10:01 am
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
The last day with our turtle shells came and went. In our lucky nature, of course it was a gorgeous day completing the last bit of the full circle around Torres del Paine National park. We walked along beaches of crystal blue water, saw condors that got so close I questioned how bad I really smell, and gawked at the peaks like we always do.
Luckily we have one more hike left on the amazing journey on the circuit. The Towers or Torres. The namesake of the park and the dessert we've been waiting for for quite some time now. Breakfast will be at 5 to avoid the crowds that come to the park to day hike the route but we'll be looong ahead.
I would say wish us luck, but we're all full.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
New Post Alerts:
Torres del Paine Trek February 1, 2025
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 18,300'
Good evening all,
Today we made our attempt at the summit of Lobuche Peak. While we didn't stand on the summit we did get to 18,300'. The conditions were rather wintery with cold temps, lots of snow, and a bitter wind. The snow sure did make for pretty pictures but it also made for some tough climbing. We gave it all that we had but ultimately decided the conditions were not in our favor and it was best for us to turn around. It has been an amazing trip but the team is looking forward to warmth, hot showers, and lattes. We made good distance this afternoon getting all the way to Pangboche. Tomorrow we set our eyes on Namche where we can fill our bellies and find our souvenirs and gifts for loved ones. It's been a long day starting at 3 am so it's early to bed for us.
Good night all,
RMI Guides Hannah, Abby, and Team
Glad you guys are safe!
Posted by: Eva on 4/3/2023 at 10:00 am
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed your reports and so admired what you all have experienced and accomplished. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Marcia Fankhauser on 4/3/2023 at 8:52 am
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
Woot!!! Amazing everyone!!! Just incredible! Good job Josh! And Sam, I’m proud of how far you got and your thoughtfulness on the decision to come back early. Well done too all!!!!
Posted by: Heather hobbs on 6/22/2021 at 5:39 pm
So happy and excited for you Josh & Sam!!!! Congratulations to you guys and your team!!
Posted by: Ana Zekants on 6/22/2021 at 3:06 pm
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