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Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,600'
May 12, 2022 - 10:08 am PT
We had great weather yesterday and were able to fly in to Kahiltna Base Camp. We hit the ground running and took advantage of the weather to move to the base of Ski Hill. Light cloud cover kept temperatures perfect for climbing, and the Kahiltna Glacier was in remarkably good condition, which made for a pleasant day in the mountains. Our packs and sleds were heavy, but our team did great getting to camp and establishing camp. This morning the good weather is continuing, and we're getting ready to head off on a carry, establishing a cache up above Ski Hill. We'll be in touch and let you know how it goes.
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Alan Davis reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 7 am today. Alan reported light winds, clear skies. It took the team just under 6 hours to top out via the current route up Disappointment Cleaver. The team is en route back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to today's team!
Any summit of Rainier is extremely memorable and spectacular in beauty! Clear weather surely makes it nice. Congrats to all!
Posted by: Bill Bussey on 7/23/2021 at 8:40 am
Awesome! Attempting the same next week. Hope it goes as well!!!
Posted by: Patrick Barrett on 7/22/2021 at 9:48 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 - 3:10 pm PT
The forecast ended up being accurate for a change. We got light snow and wind beginning around midnight that has intensified over the morning. Between the wind, snow and lack of visibility we are staying at 11,200’ today in hopes of making a carry to 13,500’ when the weather allows. Until then we are enjoying the heavier meals and lot of good stories in the kitchen tent. While not the most exciting part of the trip, days like this let the legs rest and the heart/lungs acclimate which will only help us up higher on Denali.
I hope you are acclimating well; taking deep breath’s and enjoying such amazing views. Praying for good weather and a safe climb. Cheeseburgers will be waiting for you!
Posted by: claudette Crockett on 6/4/2021 at 5:01 am
Stay warm Rob and team!
Posted by: Connie on 6/3/2021 at 7:41 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,127'
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
It was worth another predawn start to get into Ngorongoro Crater first thing in the morning. The animals are a bit more active in the cool morning than on a hot afternoon. We wanted action. The drive to the gate from Plantation Lodge was brief, but then the drive on rough roads up to the crater rim and along that rim was a good deal longer. It was slightly surreal as well because we did it in thick fog. We got under that cloud layer though as soon as we began our descent into the “crater” (which is really a caldera). At first there was some enthusiastic pointing at individual zebra and wildebeest… until our team realized there were thousands of zebra and wildebeest… not to mention gazelles and cape buffalo.
Our guide Jacob made the sighting of the day, pointing out four lionesses. We watched them move and rest… but they were clearly hungry and making their moves with breakfast in mind. We were all watching when one of them charged a Grant’s Gazelle. The Gazelle was moving fast but the lioness had cut off his exit possibilities and took him down before our wide open eyes. The other three big cats made their leisurely way over to enjoy a snack as we watched. It was a cool day in the crater, the clouds never really did go away. But that seemed to be fine conditions for viewing wildlife. We saw everything from hyenas to hippos… lots of hippos. But we weren’t seeing rhinos. They exist in Ngorongoro but they are notoriously shy. Finally, we spotted a pair of black rhinos from the crater rim on our exit. Emmanuel, our guide found the pair with binoculars and we each ticked them of… making four of the “big five” down… elephants, lions, cape buffalo and rhinos. Just missing leopards.
On the crater rim we visited a Maasai village and saw some fine dancing and chanting, watched the men make fire and throw spears and then entered their small huts to try to understand what it really is like to hold on to traditional ways and means in a modern world.
We were back at Plantation in plenty of time to enjoy the sunset, some excellent cocktails and a perfectly prepared and presented dinner.
Best Regards
RMI Guides Dave Hahn & Team
Wow! How cool was that to see!! What a great description we felt like we were right there with you witnessing it all go down! Wish my aunt would have done that with me instead of take me cruising downtown and make us hide in the back of her VW bug! #geauxcindeeandamanda
Posted by: Allie Frankie and Tillie on 9/2/2023 at 3:04 pm
Wow, what an awesome day! Love that you saw all those animals; what an experience! Love Dave’s descriptions; they make it easy to imagine being there! What a memorable trip for Cindee and Amanda to share!
Posted by: Kasey Oldham on 8/30/2023 at 2:53 pm
Namaste everyone,
We are still bopping along here in the Khumbu. The team left Pheriche at 8am in beautifully clear skies and made our way back down valley to the lovely, humid and what felt like warm Namche bazaar.
It was a lot of downhill, uphill, downhill, uphill and even a little side hilling to get here. But the team was rewarded with hot showers and dinner at the best restaurant in town, called Eat Smart!
Full bellies and tired legs have us all headed to bed early.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
We got a nice wake up call from the park helicopter flying in cool and calm air. Sun hits the tents around 7:30. Our team was anxiously awaiting coffee & breakfast, which is a good sign that they are acclimating well, good appetites are what the guides want to see.
Some took naps, showers and did crosswords. The Grajales team here at Plaza Argentina has been incredibly helpful and supportive. The blue skies with scattered clouds continue to dominate the horizon, new snow from earlier in the week is melting and the warm tents make for some excellent downtime.
We will head out for a walk towards the base of Ibanez in the broad and flat drainage that once held a massive glacier. Tomorrow we’ll move to Camp 1 and begin our 8-10 days up high. Fingers crossed for clear skie when we want to move and snow when we have rest days. High camp has been dry so the possibility of carrying water to 19,600’ for 13 people weighs heavy on the guides….especially their lumbago, pun intended.
Thanks for following along.
So excited to have this blog to follow your journey Alex! Uncle and I read it every morning. Lifting you all up in prayer. Can’t wait to hear all about your adventure in February! Much Love!
Posted by: Kim Peltier on 1/5/2023 at 9:13 am
It sounds amazing and it must be incredibly beautiful. Take it all in for the rest of us….
Thanks again for updates….
Posted by: Dee on 1/4/2023 at 3:39 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,400'
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
We’re excited to hear about your upcoming weather pattern and what that will mean with your schedule. Weather here is off, all we have is ice right now, can’t walk, snowshoe, or ski.
Good thing you’re remote right now, Alison, everyone is dropping like flies here. Matt caught some crud. A few days later Caleb came down with it (they overnighted with Dad at Grampie’s camp), and now Willa has it.
Pups are holding down your office like champs.
Grandad is being awarded on March 4th at the annual Welsh Society in Philadelphia for all of his work on their history and for the association, over the years!
Stay safe and well! Love, Momma & Dad XOXOXO
Posted by: Momma & Dad on 1/4/2023 at 5:49 am
anticipating next camp: How do llamas and their cousins ford glacial streams? Or do mules do it for you?
As ro “downhill”, explain please. Up and down each one of you, more than once?
Posted by: Renate Lellep Fernandez on 1/3/2023 at 8:30 pm
Best of luck to the entire team! I play Pickleball in southern Florida with John Corona. I just returned from Seattle with beautiful views of the mountainous area in Washington. Can’t imagine your strength and courage to climb! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers that the weather continues good and you have a magnificient climb! Peace to all! Mary
Posted by: Mary Cormier on 5/15/2022 at 6:01 am
Hey !!!! Best of luck on the climb Mike! This grey-bearded old man is headed to Rainier this week and will be ready for you to lead me to 20,310’ in May ‘23! Be safe. Godspeed & Good Weather. If you have any questions about the weather, ask your rock.
Posted by: Tim Morris on 5/12/2022 at 3:50 pm
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