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Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in from Barranco Camp.
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
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: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 12:55 am PT
The team woke up to snow and wind distorting the shapes of the tents we call home for the last 21 days. We hit snooze and hoped for the best. While I wouldn’t say the best ever came the allure of Roestis, showers, and beds pulled us out of our sleeping bags and into the fray. From 11,000 ft to the base of Ski Hill was a near total whiteout. We persevered through the wind, moisture, and visibility to reach basecamp at about 6pm, but conditions didn’t allow planes to come and land. We’re hopeful that tomorrow we’ll be back in civilization.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
Yay! Mission almost accomplished! Such an amazing group you are
Posted by: Kim on 7/5/2023 at 8:53 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 7,000'
This morning we head towards Pico de Orizaba, one of our main climbing objectives of the trip, relaxed and rested after two nights and a full day in Puebla.
Rest day activities were varied, as usual. Some intrepid folks made their way to Cholula, where you can view and hike up ancient Aztec pyramids. Others explored art exhibits in Puebla and while others just fully relaxed. RMI Guide Lauren Macklin and I found our way to a brand-new bouldering gym before enjoying afternoon lattes at my favorite coffee roaster in town.
The evening was capped with a nice dinner at El Mural de los Poblanos where we sampled some local mezcals, ate delicious traditional foods and shared our rest day stories with the group.
Puebla feels to me like the world's biggest little city and is the place to stay when in this region. There is a ton of history, great outdoor activities and it’s more laidback than Mexico City. We could easily spend the duration of this trip having a spa day in Puebla and drinking fancy wines at rooftop bars. But alas, we have a mountain to climb. On to Pico de Orizaba!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier and team
All the Best on Orizaba Dustin and Team!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/17/2023 at 10:00 am
On The Map
Dave - really enjoy reading your daily updates, and as always love the photos when there are some posted. Wishing you and your team the best at the best, and a summit for the count. Billy Idol has a wonderful song for the climb—Sweet Sixteen.
Climb on :))
Posted by: Mary on 4/17/2015 at 5:51 am
Hi Larry, JJ, Dave and Team ... We are reading your blogs everyday. Keep your spirits up ... As we know you most certainly are! Fred K
Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on 4/16/2015 at 6:29 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 17,575'
RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in from Day 1 at Everest Base Camp.
the power of reptar (n royal pug june) compells u…
Posted by: Eric Pipkin on 4/7/2014 at 12:09 pm
Hi Kara!
Thinking about you every day. Started working on the story and will send you a link soon. Be safe and have an awesome time! Can’t wait to hear all about it! You are such a ROCK STAR!! Love, Mo
Posted by: Monica on 4/7/2014 at 10:05 am
Posted by: Peter Whittaker, Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
On The Map
“May the trail rise to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the snow fall soft after your decent.
And until we meet again may the mountain spirits hold you in the palm of their hand.”
-Slightly modified Irish Blessing
Carpe Diem Montañeros :)
Posted by: Saint Patrick on 1/14/2013 at 12:29 pm
Isn’t Morning a Great Thing?!! Have Fun!!!! Our spirits are with you All!
Posted by: Deb on 1/14/2013 at 9:02 am
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Great climb men, we too are proud of your trip to the summit…Hope you have a safe trip home.
Posted by: Hal and Mary Hayes on 8/11/2012 at 4:47 pm
Way to go to the Brothers Leonard! Eddie, the Pookas are proud of you.
Posted by: Jim Citrano on 8/9/2012 at 3:49 am
Looks like beautiful country Laura….sending lots of Oyster Dome Power your way…..YB Scott
Posted by: scott connor on 8/9/2012 at 8:52 pm
To: Steven Fox
Also dad I will tell you who won the Greenbay Packer preseason game.
Sincerly,
Connor Fox
Posted by: Connor Fox on 8/9/2012 at 4:12 pm
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