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Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Zeb Blais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Posted by: Mike Bennett, Sam Marjerison, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Our Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier Climb August 30 - 1 September led by RMI Guides Mike Bennett, Sam Marjerison and Bailey Servais reached the summit yesterday in beautiful conditions. The team returned to camp an enjoyed some rest after their alpine start. Today the team descended to the trailhead and completed their program.
Nice work team!
PC: Mike Bennett
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Saturday, July 3, 2021 - 9:15 pm PT
There was still a big cloud cap on Denali this morning, but at 6AM the winds didn’t seem too bad. There were clouds in every other direction as well, but we were mostly looking up at the West Buttress as we ate breakfast and pondered a carry. It seemed worth a shot. We pulled the trigger and left camp just after 8 AM. It was colder this morning than it had been… not extremely cold, but colder than we’ve yet experienced on the trip. Our tracks -and anyone else’s- from yesterday were gone, so we had the added challenge of trail breaking in a few inches of new snow. Even so, we made steady progress upward. But the cloud cap made steady progress downward, so we were bound to come together. We were in murk and light but cold winds by the base of the fixed ropes. Which all made for a cold intro to climbing the steep, icy rope section. Thankfully, the winds were blowing from behind us and so we stepped into much needed calm at our destination, which was just perfectly in the lee and sheltered by the crest of the West Buttress. It was wonderful to hit our 16,200 ft target, but the clouds hid the grand views. We quickly cached supplies and geared up for a descent facing into the cool wind. A careful descent got us to 14,200 ft camp just as the sun came out there at 2:30 PM. The afternoon and evening were calm and easy with occasional snow showers. The storm is definitely easing, but of course they are predicting that another will follow. We’ll rest tomorrow in any case.
Happy Fourth of July, Hahn team!
Did you bring a few fireworks?
Marion & I hope your weather conditions cooperate.
Marion and Joe McEttrick
Posted by: Joseph P McEttrick on 7/4/2021 at 7:47 am
On The Map
Elsie,
betts has been in touch with Charlotte and getting the scoop on your adventure.
Safe travels, hope the weather is good and can’t wait to hear all about it!!,
love,
Mary and Betts
Posted by: Mary Talbot on 3/25/2013 at 7:11 pm
Love seeing the photos…what an incredible experience! Everyone sends their love..Lissie, pick a nice rock for your collection! Love you, Nano
Mom, hope you are having a wonderful time on your Himalayan adventure!
-char, Jeb, Will, Eli
Posted by: Nancy Cole on 3/25/2013 at 2:35 pm
RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from the Cotopaxi Express Expedition.
On The Map
Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
On The Map
Give er hell Greg, safe trip, take thousands of pictures!
Posted by: Kim on 1/6/2013 at 2:40 pm
Happy Hiking Uncle Greg. - K
Hi(gh) - T
safe hiking bro - cb
Posted by: Tianna and Kiera on 1/6/2013 at 11:18 am
On The Map
It’s great to see the photos and videos!!! No comment re any potential clumsiness on Charlotte’s part—- but her aplomb, given the water drop, while on camera is remarkable!!! Way to go, Team Bemiss!!!
Posted by: Dana Marie Buchanan on 7/26/2012 at 8:13 am
Hey John! Watching your progress, and wishing I was there. Best of luck, Brother!
Posted by: Paul Stanford on 7/25/2012 at 8:41 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Well, a summit of Chimborazo was not in the cards this time. In Ecuador, we lack the same resources that are available to us in the United States for weather and avalanche forecasting. The team headed to the mountain physically and mentally prepared, but upon arrival it became apparent that we would not be climbing. Teams from the previous two nights reported deep snow above 5800 meters and the high camp staff gave us their snow report from the past several days. The guides ventured out to look at the structure of the snowpack and we determined that it did not even make sense to go to 5800 meters on a mountain known for avalanching. The team, being prepared for this possibility, was happy to sleep at a new sleeping altitude record for almost everyone and then practice avalanche rescue in the morning.
The morning was a touch lethargic, it's tough waking up at 17,400'. After a few pressure breaths, a handful of Ibuprofen and some pizza and eggs we were all feeling a touch better. Henry led the team in avalanche transceiver searches while we were also treated to views of the upper mountain. It was tough to look at the false summit on such a calm, sunny day and not be able to climb, but our decisions were confirmed when we looked up and saw some evidence of avalanche activity on the route this morning.
Despite our lack of a summit on Chimborazo, the team is happy, keeping in mind that we did summit two big mountains on this trip already (Cayambe and Antisana). It has been a great two weeks of hiking, climbing and learning expedition-related skills. We will have a celebration dinner tonight in Riobamba and be headed back to Quito tomorrow. If you have a loved one or friend on this trip, everyone has been challenged to learn ten more words in Spanish, so make sure to give them a pop quiz when you pick them up from the airport! This is as much a climbing trip as it is a cultural experience.
Thanks for following along.
Hey Dustin, Bummer you and your team couldn’t go any higher but like all you guides say, “It’s not the summit, that is a bonus, it’s the experience and getting back home that is the most important”
Great Job!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/23/2023 at 7:32 am
Happy NY guys !!! I am enjoying reading your accomplishments to this point. Be safe
Posted by: Dean Bowen on 1/1/2013 at 9:10 am
Happy New Year!!! Hope the weather holds and you all summit soon.
Posted by: Ron Davis on 12/31/2012 at 2:21 pm
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