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Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 14,000
On The Map
I was just browsing here and there and got to read this post. I must say that I am in the hand of luck today otherwise getting such a wonderful writing to read wouldn’t have been possible for me, at least. Truly thankful your content.
Posted by: sms on 4/15/2011 at 1:50 pm
Posted by: Alan Davis, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Holà from Huaraz!
We arrived back in the bustling mountain city last night after an adventurous egress on the ever winding remote backroads and unexpected road construction. Nevertheless, our bus driver Levian got us back safely despite having to build a few modest bridges over fresh concrete in the process...Always a good time!
Our week in the Ishinca Valley was surely not one to disappoint. Below are just a few captured moments of our last six days spent learning skills and climbing in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca. Tonight we celebrate our hard work and a great team effort on our last night in the mountains before we head back to Sea Level tomorrow as we begin the long journey to Lima.
Salud!
RMI Guides Alan Davis & Tatum Whatford
PC: Alan Davis
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Base Camp : Rest Day Before Moving to Camp 1
We spent the first true “rest day” since leaving the trailhead 5 days ago. Yesterday’s carry to Camp 1 was challenging. This was and will be the most elevation gain in a single day aside from Summit Day. Combine the gain with the continued challenges that come with acclimatization and it was tough. The downtime on the legs and lungs has been greatly appreciated by all.
Whether it was reading, visiting with new friends, playing Kings in the Corner and Farkle, hiking, or just taking some time for self care, we each found something to enjoy and make the most of our time together on this Mountain.
Climbing forces one to be in the “now”. Focusing on each step to sure our footing. Employing the rest step to sustain and finish a long, steep ascent. The kind that has you praying for a “long” traverse. Pressure breathing to best utilize the oxygen available to you. You focus on what you can control. Not what happened yesterday, or possibly what greater challenges await tomorrow. You tend to the now. Conversely, you “let go” of what you can’t control and you practice trusting others to handle those things. As such, each day the bond of the team grows stronger.
Tomorrow we move to Camp 1 and “really” begin to climb this mountain. We will Largely be out of touch except for text messages from a satellite device. We will have minimal creature comforts like the ones we enjoyed on the trek in and at Base Camp. We embrace the challenge however.
We will do this one step at a time … together!
PS . Molly - Give Hadley Bear a huge hug and kiss from Daddy!!
Climber Cameron Presley
Go go go! Rest, you are strong!. You got this! I am so proud of you. You are the best!! Move forward with confidence you have done the work to be ready!
Hugging you from afar!
Teri
Posted by: Teri Derr on 1/30/2023 at 4:14 pm
Tim, I am amazed and inspired by your incredible drive to win! Love you! Teri
Posted by: Teri Derr on 1/28/2023 at 7:55 am
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
We made our carry to high camp at 19,600' today. The mornings continue to be clear, calm and provide spectacular views of the Central Andes. The afternoon blizzards with scorching heat and thunder snow continue as if set by a Swiss watchmaker.
We will rest tomorrow and see what the winds do. The consensus of longtime local guides is this amount of snow, lack of wind and heat is unique when compared to the last 15-20 years.
RMI Guide Mike King and Team
Get some rest tomorrow. Hope the weather cooperates. Chloe says “Tell Daddy I love him”.
Posted by: Emily on 1/9/2023 at 1:38 pm
That is the strangest combination of weather that we’ve ever heard! Thunder snow?! Praying this isn’t met with lightening as well.
You picked the best time to be gone, weather is dreary (of course everything is dreary compared with what you are reporting!) and not enough snow to do much. Having to resort to trail walks and indoor track for exercise.
Alison, you’ll be happy to know we took the Christmas tree down yesterday. Never as exciting as decorating, but Dad was a champ on the first round of tree needles throughout the living room - he even got one jammed under a fingernail!
Continue to have a great trip! Sending our love! Momma & Dad XOXOXO
Posted by: Momma & Dad on 1/9/2023 at 11:47 am
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls in from Machame Camp.
On The Map
Mark Tucker checks in from Machame Camp.
On The Map
Hey mom! Looks like you’re having a smooth start and that’s awesome. We are all keeping updated on the blog. We really liked the look of the jungle! Lots of love.
-Evan, Connor, Grandma, Grandpa
Posted by: Evan Aseltine on 8/8/2012 at 3:24 pm
Dick, Brad and Tyler - Looks like you are enjoying your trip so far. Sending this blog to all our friends. Hugs, Gayle
Posted by: Gayle on 8/8/2012 at 1:01 pm
RMI Guide Billy Nugent talks about the planned summit attempt for tomorrow.
Great news on the change in your weather - may you have a beautiful summit! Best of luck to the team!
Paula & Bill
Posted by: Bill & Paula VanDeventer on 2/13/2011 at 6:34 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 11,000'
Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 10:31 pm PT
Another successful day! We slept in a little bit, and had a filling breakfast of smoked salmon, cream cheese and bagels and then rigged our empty sleds and duffles to make our way downhill to our cache. After about 30 minutes of walking downhill in light snowfall, we made it upon our cache site. We made quick work of digging up all of our group and personal food, restocked our sleds and packs and turned around to make our way back uphill. After about two hours of hard work, we made our way back into camp. The rest of the afternoon was spent swapping anchors, and prepping to carry to 13,500' tomorrow. The day was wrapped up with another crowd favorite, burritos and beats by Hannah. Hoping for good weather for our long carry day tomorrow!
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 27, 2025
Wishing Nikki a very Happy Birthday on the 7th and a very successful climb!!
Posted by: MAUREEN ANDREWS on 6/6/2025 at 1:35 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Matias Francis, Chase Halbert
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
May 26, 2021 - 11:54 pm PT
We are happily reunited with all of our things at 14,000' Camp. We had a leisurely brunch before grabbing empty packs to drop back down and retrieve our cache at 13,500'. Laden back down with food, fuel, and snacks, we popped back up to camp in an easy hour. After a short siesta to discover what we'd hidden in that hole and go on a snacking binge, we threw our backs into building walls to protect our camp from what sounds like a bit of incoming weather. We're planning to take a rest day tomorrow, which lines up well with the weather and see what happens after that!
RMI Guides Pete, Matias, Chase, and team
Great work everyone!! Stay warm and stay safe! Jason and Doug, everyone here at work is rooting for you!
Posted by: Breanna Watkins on 5/28/2021 at 5:26 am
Good looking group. Special “thumbs up” to you, Greg the barber. Drink lots of water, kiddo, if you want to overtake my 18500 ellie! Good luck to all.
Posted by: Mrs Martin! on 1/9/2013 at 4:39 pm
Hey Mike (and team), have fun with your volleyball and your day of rest. Scenery is great and it sounds like the food is awesome. Uncle Mel
Posted by: Mel Schroeder on 1/9/2013 at 10:43 am
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