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Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Today we carried food, fuel & a few personal items to Camp 2 at 18,000'. Pardon the typo of elevation yesterday (we had it 17,000'). We had a clear morning to begin the day. Heavy snow began to fall with a light breeze while we were putting together our cache. The team got back to camp and is waiting for a break in the snow. This weather pattern is forecasted until the 9th when strong winds are expected for the 10th & 11th. We rest tomorrow and hope the storm abates.
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Thursday, June 3, 2021 - 9:59 pm PT
We got up and packed up camp this morning with blue skies and little to no wind. Having just put in a cache at 13,500’ the terrain would not be new. A warmer day than yesterday had us stuck at times behind slower moving parties. We got to 14,200’ camp located in Genet Basin having done a lot of hard work but the Team built camp and we are getting ready for a late dinner. We got a chance to see 2 of 3 RMI teams as they descended from high camp this evening. Tomorrow we will sleep in, pick up our cache and continue to improve camp. No need to go up high until we get a few nights here and some well earned rest. Thanks for following along.
This is Awesome news!! Enjoy every moment , every beautiful view! Climb Strong Tom!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/5/2021 at 2:47 am
Great to see blue skies and improved weather. Get needed rest and move ahead. Thank you for in insight and photography. Tell Rob hello, Tio
Posted by: Kleberg Tio on 6/4/2021 at 12:56 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Friday, May 28, 2021 - 8:05pm PT
Today started out clear but cold and breezy. I’d say we picked up about a meter of snow in the past couple of days, with lots of wind transportation and deeper drifts. The winds abated and it was quite pleasant in camp today, which was nice as it afforded us time to reinforce our snow walls ahead of the storm that is forecasted to move in tonight. We’re anticipating more snow and strong winds tonight and tomorrow. Winds of seventy miles per hour are likely at high camp (17,000'). We’re at 14,000', so we expect lower wind speeds here. We’re dug in and ready for it.
The hope is that we’ll have a few days of good weather in its wake in which we can move to high camp and make a summit bid. We’ll keep you posted as this storm materializes.
RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team
Danielle I bet you don’t miss him as much as we do! The kids keep saying daddy needs to come home soon :) Love you Daddy!
Posted by: Jen Jezak on 5/29/2021 at 3:18 pm
Praying for warmer weather, NO wind and NO snow, strength, mental toughness and above all SAFETY for everyone! We are having a big party when you get back. All y’all are invited! Come visit us in Scottsdale, AZ.
Posted by: Julie Morris on 5/29/2021 at 12:57 pm
100% on top in 100% humidity!
The team got up at 11pm as I mentioned yesterday and were all ready by 11:30 for the ascent. We then had a quick midnight breakfast of porridge, tea and coffee before hitting the trail.
It was pretty cloudy when we left camp and soon enough there was light snow falling which continued with us all the way to the summit. The snow keep the breaks to a minimum and the pace steady. The team did an amazing job staying dry and positive despite the less than ideal climbing conditions and I’m very proud of them.
We did get just a slight reprieve from the snow at the summit, just enough to allow summit photos and a few phone calls to loved ones back home.
The team safely descended back to high camp, where we had a quick lunch, repacked and then continued further down the mountain to our final camp in the thick warm air at 10,000ft, where we just finished another fine meal prepared by our gracious staff. Now it’s off to bed for some well deserved sleep.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy Kilimanjaro summit crew
On The Map
On The Map
MOM! (Lucy)
Congrats on summiting yet again! Phil and I were talking last night about how cool our mom’s are and how proud we are of you!
love you and miss you so much!
- Elise -
Posted by: Elise on 4/1/2012 at 7:29 am
REI - keep up your good health, and climb high. Stay strong, focused, and keep climbing!
Posted by: Todd Collard on 3/31/2012 at 5:34 pm
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Joey Manship, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
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!
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,300'
We made good time to Camp 1 at 16,300'. There were some clouds that kept the temps comfortable. Heavy snowfall began as we setup camp. The team got their cached items and ducked into the tents for a little rest before dinner. Tomorrow we will continue our ascent of Aconcagua with a carry of food & fuel to Camp 2 at 17,000'.
Fingers crossed that the snow stops tonight and winds do not get too high. We'll check in tomorrow after our carry.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
The “carry” operation. And the tents: do the hikers set them up on arriving at camp? Are tents up there for the snowy summer season? How are they warmed?
What was served for dinner?
At 17,000 altitude when do the first rays of sun reach the tents? Do other peaks block the rays? Nobody gets ‘sunburnt in their beds’ as counselors warn campers in the Rockies (ask Lisa about that adage)
Posted by: Renate Fernandez on 1/5/2023 at 6:50 pm
Climbing on up the big hill. Go team, stay warm!
Posted by: Dee on 1/5/2023 at 2:49 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Zeb Blais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Hopefully this is my son CJ group. Congrats to you all.
Posted by: Maureen Walsh on 8/20/2013 at 5:55 am
Posted by: Seth Waterfall, JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Elevation: 12m,300'
On The Map
Im so glad to hear the weather is clearing up for you guys. Keep it up!
Posted by: Rachel Kayatin on 8/31/2012 at 9:59 am
Yeah, yeah… big deal… now get your pick ax back to the office!!
Posted by: JP on 8/24/2012 at 4:11 pm
Whoot Whoot!! Phillip. Excellent job and congrats to the whole team.
Julie, Pat and the Girls!!
Posted by: Julie Ross on 8/24/2012 at 9:01 am
Weather prayer
Posted by: Waltero on 1/7/2023 at 3:50 am
I bet goggles are adjusted the moment you open that tent flat. Remember Enos Mills’ story “Snow Blind”.
Posted by: Renate Fernandez on 1/6/2023 at 3:36 pm
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