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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
THE CLIMB BEGINS
Today we awoke for an 8am breakfast, the last luxurious basecamp breakfast for a week and a half. Hell has it really only been a week in this dust?! From meeting in peruivian airports to tent mates, how have we only known each other 9 days and in tents for 7?
We quickly ate our food and stashed away our future mountain lunch. Before long we were making our way up the mountain again. This time we kissed goodbye to the sweet creature comforts of basecamp… have no fear the speaker made it on the pack list! Up the winding switch backs, through the penetentes, over the glacier streams, and up the final scramble to our new home, campo uno. We set up camp, acquainted ourselves with our new bathroom situation, and started treating our water.
Tonight we feast on quesadillas and Indian style tasty bites… good thing we have our blue bags at the ready (RMI please take the hint). Tomorrow we have another big day, a carry to 18,000' feet. On this trip we’ve learned many things. We’ve learned why the moon waxes and wanes differently in the southern hemisphere. We’ve mastered the game of euchre. We’ve etched our guides pet peeves into our brains so as not to do those things..purposefully at least. But what we have yet to learn is our future on this mountain, we can only continue to set ourselves up for success, having each others back, and controlling what’s in our power to control. Summit or not, one thing we will walk away from this mountain without a doubt is what we’ve learned about ourselves, our proven strength, our attitude, and our camaraderie as a team of strangers turned friends.
I’d like to make a call out to our two biggest fans Eddie and my mom Michelle, and our other fans the polish team and the burrows. We have yet to decide on a team name, please send your suggestions in the comments, no guarantees we will use it, but we would love your thoughts!
And lastly. Happy early birthday to my ride or die Ambre, I love the hell out of you and I hope you have the best birthday. Lord knows I was thinking of you crossing that river!
Climber Mikayla Demers
New Post Alerts:
Aconcagua Expedition January 12, 2024
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Sunday, December 1, 2024 - 11:45 am PT
Yesterday we had the most beautiful day, mostly calm, clear skies, warm enough. The strange thing was that it was forecasted that we would have high winds and blowing snow. It wasn’t that the forecast was wrong necessarily, it just got the timing wrong. At around midnight the winds showed up, transporting about half a foot of snow around our tents and in every nook and cranny it could find. Bitter cold, shaking our tents, and making it clear today was no summit day. So instead we woke, winds still howling, and got to work. Building higher walls, clearing the nooks of our gear of snow, and making a high camp breakfast of bacon, eggs, and hash browns. We’ll take another day to recoup, rehydrate, and eat eat eat. Crossing our fingers that tomorrow is our day! Whoever didn’t wish us luck back at home, we blame you entirely.
Till tomorrow!
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
New Post Alerts:
Vinson Expedition November 22, 2024
Liebes Vinson-Team,
Für euren Aufstieg wünsche ich euch eine lange Atempause des Windes, einen Geist, so klar wie die kalte Luft, ein wärmendes Licht und ein liebendes Herz für die Schönheit der Natur um euch.
Ich wünsche euch einen gesunden Gipfelauf- und Abstieg.
Herzliche Grüße zu euch allen und im besonderen für dich, liebe Anja. Von Herzen, Romy
Posted by: Romy Rittweg on 12/3/2024 at 3:54 am
Hey Team,
I don’t know any of you but have done some climbing with RMI. I’m following you all on this Incredible climb and wish you all the Best! Hopefully Mother Nature gives you all the gift of Strength and Endurance and Perfect weather to Stand on Top!!! Climb Strong!!!
Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/2/2024 at 3:49 am
This morning, we left the comforts of the city for our tents at Orizaba. After a long day of travel, preparation, and a little bit of acclimatization, we will sleep at 14,000 feet. Tomorrow will be another early start, in the dark for our climb. The team feels good after a much needed rest day in Puebla! No one said the climbing will be easy, but we are hopeful for a good climb with the challenge of the mountain tomorrow ahead of us.
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories:
Hello from Tanzania!
Everyone and all bags have arrived in Tanzania and the team is doing well and in good spirits after some very long flights. Nearly 20+ hours for many of us.
It was a short and quiet ride to our Lodge that is nestled in between Arusha and Moshi and not so far from the base of Kilimanjaro. The team had a quick dinner and headed for bed as the time change had us all feeling just a little off and pretty tired after all the traveling.
Luckily we had an extra day here because of flight options. I say luckily, because the time change is pretty tough being about 12hrs difference for us. The extra day will certainly help us adjust.
Today we had a leisurely morning and then rolled into our group meeting after breakfast, where we did a round of introductions and then discussed the upcoming program for the days ahead. The team spent the remainder of the day getting our gear packed up, exploring the grounds of our peaceful Lodge and dodging the gaggle of monkeys patrolling the grounds.
We wrapped up the evening with a delicious meal and plenty of friendly conversations.
Everyone is doing well, excited to be here and looking forward to stretching our legs tomorrow as we head to the mountain.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the 2023 Kili crew!
Kaitlin! I’m so excited for you and to hear all about this amazing adventure ❤️
Posted by: Megan Rennie on 1/29/2023 at 3:21 am
Kaitlin, Enjoy each and every moment! You are amazing and an inspiration!! Praying for all to have a fantastic time and safe trip. ❤️
Posted by: Lynn Bullock on 1/26/2023 at 8:14 pm
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar
Elevation: 4,500'
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 - 9:00 pm PT
Greetings from the Ruth Gorge!
This morning we woke to beautiful weather and knew our time had come to fly into the Alaska range. After we landed on the glacier at the Sheldon mountain house we packed, roped up and headed down into the Ruth gorge. We walked down the valley glacier towards camp with endless granite walls on either side. We set our base camp for the trip and enjoyed splendid views with dinner. Getting some well earned rest tonight!
Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
On The Map
Go, Bill, Go. Amazing. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Posted by: Sylvia Stanley on 1/4/2014 at 7:30 pm
Go for it Bill. Good luck
Posted by: steve on 1/4/2014 at 7:19 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Zeb Blais, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 358'
On The Map
To Max and my Dad: Wanted to let you know that although the wifi here is limited, I’m still able to check up on the blog at least once a day. Thinking of you and wishing you the best! Have a safe climb!
Posted by: Ellie on 6/27/2013 at 12:26 pm
Dave Hahn and Team -
Sounds like that warm weather is still hanging around up there. I’ve followed some of the previous RMI teams and they were all hit with hot weather at some point during their climbs.
I bet the lower Kahiltna has opened up quite a bit and you will have a severe zig-zag path through that area.
Have a safe climb!
-Larry Seaton
Posted by: Larry Seaton on 6/27/2013 at 8:07 am
Posted by: Billy Nugent, Kel Rossiter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Billy Nugent calls in from 11,000 feet Camp.
On The Map
Pryor, just found this website. Glad you made it. Must have been awesome. Looking forward to a cal when you get down. Love you.
Posted by: Finley and Karen Nunn on 6/1/2013 at 11:05 am
So proud of you Pryor! Great job!
Posted by: Kristen on 5/31/2013 at 1:20 pm
I’ve been bragging about my bad-ass best friend to anybody who listens… so honored to receive a mountain-side birthday wish!
You have been, and always will be, the shining image of perseverance. I know in my heart that little J will see you as one of his hero’s <3
Also, make sure you share the chocolate!
Posted by: Ambre Judd on 1/22/2024 at 1:22 pm
Thanks for the shout out! I’m following the team all the way. I love hearing about your days, food, and team work. I love the photos as well.
Team names: I kind of feel like it should include doctor (since there are so many) and burros maybe. Mostly because I like burros and I’ve got ornery, little, Cinderellie the mule. That is if your looking for something fun. The origin of the name Aconcagua appears to be in dispute. I found several meanings to include “Snow-capped mountain” - “Stone Sentinel” - and “White Sentinel”. Maybe something with Sentinel? Just some random thoughts.
Looking forward to the next post!
P.S. Love you Mikayla, Captain, Badass, baby girl!
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on 1/22/2024 at 8:40 am
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