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On The Map
WOW, So happy to hear this morning -100%. I’m so happy for your summit victory!! you did it! My god my eyes are welling up, but that could be because I haven’t had a vacation in three years, LOL. Seriously, Jeff, did you think that old coot Rusty was gonna make it? lol, I did, he’s an amazing friend. He’s a friggin’ mountain goat.I will toast to you all tonight. Congratulations Jeff,Rusty,Sara and the rest of your team on an amazing journey and accomplishment. Jeff, a huge thank you for the posts, that kept us up to date and made your trip seem so close to us at home.I’ve really looked forward to them and will continue to follow you guys.
Gummi worm Man
Posted by: gummi worm man on 8/2/2011 at 1:13 pm
Congratulations, what a feat!!! Great respect for your accomplishments! We can’t wait to see the photos of you at the summit!
Posted by: L & Bailey on 8/2/2011 at 12:56 pm
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
Posted by: Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
We got picked up in Puerto Natales and enjoyed seeing rehas, guanacos & a fox during our scenic drive to the park. Our hike to Seron was 8.5 miles. The trail winds through beech trees with dry rolling grasslands along the Paine River. We had nice weather, wind to keep us cool & cloud cover for the UV. At camp, the team is enjoying some down time, charcuterie & dinner to conclude the day. All is good down in Patagonia. Camp Lago Dickson tomorrow.
Thanks,
RMI Guide Mike King
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
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: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
On The Map
Now we have to think of you for a whole another day already because of the stinking weather! NOT!!
You know of course that your Mom and I would be thinking of you even if you were not on a mountain such as Denali!
Hope it happens today for you all.. Be safe and I love you Mom.xoxoxo
Posted by: Ginny & Bob on 5/28/2012 at 10:33 am
I’m on pins and needles. Miss you, Rich. XO
Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/28/2012 at 9:31 am
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Erika Birkeland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
Today, we achieved what we sought after and more. Waking up to a pool of mist, we were happy to be carrying feather light packs, compared to the last 2 days. With a break in the clouds and the moon to help light the way, we set off. It was everything we could do to catch a view, but we finally caught a glimpse and climbed high above the clouds just past Glacier Gap. The morning brought views our eyes couldn't believe. Passing onto the Cool Glacier, we new we were close. We pushed on through the switchbacks and snow on the final ridge until 100% of our team stood on top. It was 5 for 5 volcanoes in WA for some, and a first for others. Huge congratulations to our team for pushing through! We are now back at camp resting before we load up our heavy packs again and descend back to White Pass for the evening.
RMI Guides Ben Luedtke, Erika Birkeland, and team.
Congratulations to you all! You did it Bubba! We miss you!
Posted by: Tanya Benavidez on 7/24/2024 at 11:07 am
Great Job Miranda!!
(And everyone else)
Posted by: Jim Chisholm on 7/23/2024 at 2:06 pm
Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Go Brandon!
Posted by: Sue Duncan on 2/10/2013 at 8:53 pm
Good job Branden Grooms. Enjoy Enjoy I’ll take a kilo of carne asada (sp) and some fried cheese.
Posted by: Herb Duncan on 2/10/2013 at 8:47 pm
Dawn and Len: Hope you are having lots of fun. Good luck tomorrow on your climb. We are enjoying the postings.
Mom, dad, and Allan
Posted by: Mom, dad, and Allan on 1/13/2013 at 8:36 pm
Dawn and Len, we’re thinking of you, hope you are having fun, good luck with your climbs !!
Emily, Simone and John
Posted by: John Higa on 1/12/2013 at 12:56 pm
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