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Today was our second acclimatization hike and a travel day as well. It was another perfectly clear day, about as nice as I have seen here. There is a bit of a haze in the valleys from eruptions and perhaps a bit of an inversion. Despite the haze, we were treated to views of Cayambe all day, from a variety of angles.

We are now relaxing at La Casa Sol and mentally relaxing, with our harder objectives lying ahead. Now we just hope this dry weather doesn’t run out for Cayambe and Antisana!

RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier

Today was our first real day of climbing and the first real test for the group. We carried loads from Basecamp up to Camp 1 at 16,400', an altitude record for some of the group. This day was used to help the group acclimatize and help split up the weight we carry up to our first camp. The weather was ideal, with beautiful clear skies and a light breeze. We made good time uphill and even more efficient on the downhill. We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon rehydrating and replenishing calories. 

Tomorrow is a rest day for the team and we are anticipating some unsettled weather over the next few days.

Thanks for following along.

RMI Guides Dom, Jack & Mike

After a week of technical alpine mountaineering training on the upper slopes of Mt. Rainier the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz team reached the Summit! The team climbed through the Kautz Ice Chute, a well-known, and classic route on the mountain.  The team spent time on the summit and are now descending on the Disappointment Cleaver route and will pass through Camp Muir on their way down.

Congratulations to the Kautz Team!

Thursday June, 12, 2025 9:21pm PDT

Our final rest day in the books. We let the sun warm our tents before we finally crawled out to share a meal of hashbrowns and eggs. After a relaxed and slow morning, we then spent the day basking in the sun like lizards, seeing what other climbers were offering up, and getting our gear ready for the summit push - which would be starting tomorrow.

We are all very excited and looking forward to moving to 17,000’ camp tomorrow.

RMI Guide Nikki Champion & Team

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 - 3:56 am PT

For sleeping at 15,700 ft last night, the team fared pretty well. All were present and conscious for breakfast… even smiling.  Some chose to actually rest on the rest day while others went for the more active program.  We set out after breakfast headed toward Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain.  We didn’t mean to climb it.  There is a great view of the mountain from Gokyo, we walked toward it to stretch our legs and to see a few other big mountains.  Our route took us near “fourth lake” and “fifth lake” a few more in the magical chain of turquoise lakes along the enormous Ngozumpa Glacier.  After nearly four miles, we reached an excellent place to sit while gazing at Mt Everest, Gyangchungkang, Cho Oyu and a hundred other stunning peaks.  The team was reunited back at the Fitzroy in Gokyo by 2 PM, just in time for a meal and a nap. 

Best Regards

RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Cho Oyu from Gokyo. PC: Dave Hahn

July 20, 2024 - 5:45 pm PT

Woke with the sun and some good Peruvian coffee. The winds were quite strong and kept us tent bound initially. We spent the day resting and working on knots, hitches, and rappelling at our campside crag. After dinner it was early to bed for another alpine start as we attempt the valley’s namesake, Ishinca, in the wee hours of the morning.

RMI Guide Alan Davis

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

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