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The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise July 28 - 2 August led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo, Joey Manship and Will Ambler reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today.  The team met last Friday for their first day of training, equipment checks and orientation.  With full packs they ascended to their first camp on Saturday. They have spent the last four nights on the mountain, moving camps expedition style and practicing glacier travel, ice axes arrest, cramponing, crevasse rescue techniques while gradually ascending.  Yesterday they jumped up to Camp Muir and launched their summit attempt with an alpine start today.  After reaching the summit, the team descended to Camp Muir.  Once at Camp they will repack gear and continue down to Paradise.

Congratulations to today's Paradise Seminar crew!

Monday, June 12, 2023 - 10:06 pm PT

Day ???

As a kid I remember snow days being a little more fun than this. The team emerged from hibernation and were greeted by less wind, but a lot more snow - both key ingredients to our second straight rest day. We spent most of the morning uncovering and digging our tents out while Chef Joey cooked up some delicious breakfast burritos - a fair trade if you ask me. The team passed the time lounging in the posh, playing games, and learning that some are much worse at spelling than others. The weather finally cleared (kinda) in the afternoon, and we crawled out of our cocooned tents to soak in the sun. Days like this are what the Bond Girls prepared for. 

Hoping the sunshine continues to hold so we can venture out of our little camp tomorrow and push toward 14k.

- RMI Guide Andy Bond aka Sled Dog

Today we had a welcomed slower day. We took a motorboat out to Grey’s Glacier and put on helmets and crampons for a couple of hours of glacier hiking. The glacier is part of Patagonia’s ice field, the third largest in the world. We saw bright blue ice caves, deep pools, a glacial waterfall, and streams of clear water. 

Midway through our hike the guides served hot tea of ginger, cinnamon, and honey, plus chocolate bars. What a treat-to hold a cup of steaming tea and gaze out at the magnificent view of water, ice, and mountain.

Particularly satisfying was to look up at the John Gardner pass that we traversed yesterday. When we saw one of the three bridges we crossed, one member of our group commented, “Wow, it didn’t seem that high when I was on it.” It’s astounding to see yesterday’s hike from a completely different viewpoint and to stand in the midst of yesterday’s.

RMI Climber Melissa Earley

Saturday, May 29, 2021 - 2:54pm PT

Strong winds and lots of blowing snow have us tent bound today. The fortresses of snow walls we built yesterday are paying huge dividends, protecting the thin pieces of nylon between us and the elements. We can hear the winds roaring over the West Buttress above us, a sound that evokes images of violent ocean waves crashing onshore.

Fortunately life in our tents is relatively serene and warm.

We’re hoping for better weather in the wake of this storm; we’ll figure out our next move then. When will ‘then’ be ‘now’? Soon.

RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team

On The Map