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Mt. Elbrus: Mallory & Team Settle in at 12,000’

July 11, 2012

Posted by: Linden Mallory

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside

Elevation: 12,000'

The thick rain clouds that have been covering the region for the last several days began to dissipate overnight. Leaving our hotel this morning, the sky above was a patchy mix of clouds and blue sky. We loaded our mountain gear into our van and made the ten minute drive up the valley to the tiny village of Azau. In Azau we hauled our gear from the van and through the base terminal of the tram station. A few minutes later the red cabin dropped down from the station above and we piled our team and gear into the tram. We made two tram rides, going from the green valley floor to the top station, sitting on a rocky morraine along the edges of Elbrus' glaciers. To get our gear the final 700' we took turns loading our duffels, packs, and climbers onto a little single seater chairlift. Despite the slow moving chairs it was still a tricky transfer to put on and pull off the bags from the chairs as they swung by. Nevertheless, it was a smooth process and by midday we were settled into out bunks in the Garabashi Huts, a series of old diesel tanks that have been converted into bunk rooms. Despite the long cylindrical shape, they are quite comfortable inside, especially when the hail and rain starts up outside. After a great lunch of borsch, meats, cheeses, and French toast we set off on an acclimatization hike. The clouds once again settled onto the mountain, although with no moisture in them. We climbed for a couple of hours, ascending the glacier right above the hut and getting used to hiking in climbing boots and traveling on snow. After reaching just over 13,000' we turned around and descended back to the hut. We are resting in the huts now before dinner. Everyone climbed well today, making the transition from low elevation trails to the high altitude snows well. After close to a week of traveling to reach this mountain, we are happy to be here and comfortable in the huts. Tomorrow we are planning on making our final acclimatization hike up to Pastuhkova Rocks at 15,000' before resting on Friday. We will check-in when we return from the hike. RMI Guide Linden Mallory

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Kilimanjaro: Team at High Camp!

September 17, 2011

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 15,000

We're at high camp! We pulled into Barafu Camp (approx. 15,000') today right at noon. When we awoke this morning a weather system had moved in overnight. We were sandwiched between a low layer if clouds an an upper layer of clouds. As we began our hike the clouds enveloped us and it began to rain. After an hour the rain turned to snow which is much better for us. All in all it was a fun day of hiking. We are about to have lunch after that it will be relaxing time until dinner an a few hours after that we'll begin our summit push! Wish us luck. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Dear Craig and Team -
thinking about you on the final push to the summit! watching the “snows of kilimanjaro” got a peak of the summit - more snow in 1952! Hope the weather clears and you have a great end to the climb. glenn and friends

Posted by: glenn on 9/17/2011 at 10:07 am

Peter and all, just read Seth’s report at 15,000…good luck with the weather and the final leg of the climb..we’ll be watching!!! mother & dad

Posted by: jerry maloney on 9/17/2011 at 8:50 am

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Mt. McKinley: Jones and Team Acclimating in the Arctic

June 10, 2014

Posted by: Tyler Jones

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 - 4:10 PT The first real weather day for us this trip. The overnight temps dropped to -7F not including the wind chill. Our early morning plans to move a few items for caching up to our high camp were foiled by the high winds -- 35mph winds at 17,200' and negative temps! Not to mention the squalls of crystalline snow flakes flying in all directions. The sun peered out from the flanks of the west rib shedding enough solar rays to warm the tents. With the brim of a ball cap we scraped the tent walls free of the frost of our night's breathing. Lighting the stoves in our kitchen tent soon brought the smells of coffee, bacon, and cream cheese with bagels. This motivated our spirits to make our camp a fortress. We spent two hours building large block walls and remodeling the bathroom -- which, I might add, could be the best one currently on the mountain featuring a snow free enclosed taj ma-stall! Not to mention the fact that RMI Guide Bryan Hendrick took on a project to expand and improve an igloo just outside camp...soon we'll have a monstrous underground lair for additional resting and wind protection. Sick! We are now taking a rest, drying out and warming up after a great session. The wall building serves as great acclimatization through light exercise, team building, and making camp even better for this time we're spending in this harsh Arctic environment. We will keep our hopes high for lighter winds, less snow, and a bit of warmth. RMI Guides Tyler Jones, Garrett Stevens, Bryan Hendrick, and the crew!

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Daveed, You guys are all crazy (amy) however Bud wants to be there, he thinks it is hot here. Hope you are having fun. I can’t send you too much warm weather or I will freeze (amy). See you soon.

Posted by: BUD/AMY on 6/12/2014 at 6:11 pm

Dave, We’re waiting for summer to start, but our chilly 62 degrees must sound balmy to you. Think summer thoughts. Stay safe…

Patty

Posted by: Patty on 6/12/2014 at 5:37 am

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Everest Base Camp Trek: Casey Grom & Team Land in Lukla

March 24, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek

Elevation: 9,350'

Today the team left the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and flew on a nearly perfect day into the Khumbu Valley. We landed at the famous and sometimes a little scary Lukla airstrip without any issues. It was a beautiful 45-minute flight into the Himalayas with amazing views of the mountains and even a glimpse of Mt. Everest itself. We hiked for a few hours along the only trail that leads up to BC (Basecamp). There are no roads here, just a winding footpath that is busy with trekkers, climbers, porters, and yaks carrying loads for the Everest expeditions. The team is currently relaxing at one of the many tea houses situated here in the lower Khumbu Valley. It's an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place to be, and I'm quite certain everyone is excited to be here. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Reach Camp 2

January 14, 2013

Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,200'

First, my condolences to both Green Bay and Seattle. For more uplifting news, the team moved to Camp Two at 18200 feet. As usual, everyone is feeling great. The sun is shining now, however, the clouds are moving in. I wouldn't doubt we get some more snow. Yesterday the mountain had a fresh blanket of snow, which made for beautiful climbing today. For now, we are all getting settled into our new home for the next couple of days. Stay tuned because we are literally a hop, skip and a jump from the summit. If we get the weather we will move to high camp in a few days! RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Todd and Jim, I am really thrilled to be able to follow your progress and adventure. I join Sally in prayer for great weather and success in the summiting.
love, mOm

Posted by: Jana on 1/15/2013 at 11:33 am

Looks like our good weather window thoughts,from Duluth MN, are working. Get good rest today for your move to C3 tomorrow. We love you and miss you Jeffrey.

Posted by: Paula Hall on 1/15/2013 at 7:30 am

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Ecuador: Nugent & Team Waiting out Weather on Cotopaxi.

June 27, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 16,000'

6/26/2012 4:00 pm Hey Everybody it’s Billy calling to check in from the Jose Ribas Refugio here on Cotopaxi (16,000’ ft). We elected to head up the hut early so we could give ourselves a full night and a little bit better of a chance of getting to the top because the weather has been so poor. So we are going to get up in the middle of the night tonight and hopefully these winds will die down a bit and the lenticular clouds will clear. If the weather is not very good we will attempt a day climb. So we will check in again tomorrow and let you know how things played out. 6/27/2012 7:00 am Hey Gang, it's Billy again. I'm calling to let you know that we got up in the middle of the night last night and it was blowing pretty hard so we decided to wait until the morning to see if we could attempt a day climb. We got up around 6 and we had a big lenticular cloud and pretty steady wind of 40 mph here at the hut. It is blowing a pretty consistent 50 mph just above where we are at right now. We are back into a holding pattern. So tonight will be our last chance to go climbing. We will head out into it unless it is just absolutely insanely awful. So wish us luck. Hopefully the winds will have died down and we will have chance to get out and do some climbing. We will check in again to let you know how things went.

RMI Guide Billy Nugent checking in from Jose Ribas Refugio on Cotopaxi.

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Mt. Baker: Easton Glacier - Summit!

July 28, 2023

Posted by: Daniel May, Charlie Harrison, Calvin Jiricko

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 10,781'

The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier Team led by RMI Guide Dan May reached the summit at 9:30 am. The entire team stood on top! The team is back at camp where they will celebrate, re-fuel, and have a full night sleep before descending to the trailhead tomorrow.

Congratulations Team!

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather Day at 14K

July 2, 2021

Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Friday, July 2, 2021 - 1:16 pm PT

Just as forecasted, a storm has settled in on Denali. At 14K Camp it is snowing with some moderate gusts of wind and very little visibility. Up above us on the mountain we can hear the winds crashing over the West Buttress like waves in the ocean.

We're protected and safe, though, with a well-built camp. After a hash brown, egg, and cheese scramble for breakfast, we're just relaxing in our tents or in the cook tent, reading, napping, and sharing conversations, a thin piece of nylon the difference between comfort and suffering.

This storm is forecasted to last into tomorrow, and we're in no hurry to stick our noses in it. Hopefully we'll get some nicer weather in its wake.

RMI Guide Mike Walter

Aconcagua: Beren and Team Rest Day at Guanacos (Camp 2)

January 2, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Holá from 18,000 ft above the sea! We spent a windy evening up here last night, but so far camp is holding tight. With any luck this weather pattern will relax by tomorrow and we will be in solid shape to move higher! Today we are going to review some crampon and ice axe techniques before lunch and then take a little stroll post meal. Then more resting to be prepared for a few big days coming up. The team is doing great, and now we just need a few good weather days to make our move to Camp 3 and then shoot for the top. For now we wait for the wind to relax and head up when the mountain lets us. RMI Guide Jake Beren & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Just got 15 inches of snow over night. Temps in the low teens. Probably much better where you are.

Scenery looks beautiful up top there. Hope the weather cooperates for a good summit attempt.

Hike well and be safe.

Posted by: Bill Gately on 1/3/2014 at 10:10 am

George,

Glad to hear that all is well. We head to Asheville tomorrow to eat dinner with Barry and the family. After dinner, we are off to a Charlotte hotel to get a little sleep before an early flight to Pasadena. With a little luck, we will have a double celebration on Monday—Your triumphal summit and a BCS trophy with Auburn’s name on it. War Eagle!

Posted by: Carolyn Crandell on 1/2/2014 at 11:26 pm

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Everest Base Camp Trek: Team Checks in From Namche Bazaar

November 2, 2013

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek

Elevation: 11,300'

Hello from Namche. This is the Everest Base Camp Trek and we are calling after the second day on the trip. Everything is well. We will try to send more detailed updates tomorrow, even with some pictures as we were having some internet connection problems today. All is well and we will try to update you more tomorrow. RMI Guide Elías de Andrés-Martos

RMI Guide Elías de Andrés-Martos calls in from Namche Bazaar.

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Most Popular Entries

Mt. Elbrus: Mallory & Team Settle in at 12,000’

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Team at High Camp!

Mt. McKinley: Jones and Team Acclimating in the Arctic

Everest Base Camp Trek: Casey Grom & Team Land in Lukla

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Reach Camp 2

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Ecuador: Nugent & Team Waiting out Weather on Cotopaxi.

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Mt. Baker: Easton Glacier - Summit!

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather Day at 14K

Aconcagua: Beren and Team Rest Day at Guanacos (Camp 2)

Everest Base Camp Trek: Team Checks in From Namche Bazaar

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