Most Popular Entries

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Walter & Team Visit the Otavalo Market

July 4, 2015

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,300'

After a relaxing evening at Casa Sol, this morning finds us in the indigenous center of Otavalo. We're spending a few hours strolling the streets and exploring the bustling Saturday market. Saturdays here are a sensory overload of sights, smells, and sounds, as the market is loaded with handmade crafts, jewelry, woven goods, art, and more. Delicious aromas from all of the restaurants and food vendors fill the air. After lunch we'll head up to the Cayambe Climbers' Hut, where we'll spend the next two nights. It will be our first stint at sleeping up high, above 15,000'. The plan is to go out to the toe of the glacier tomorrow to review climbing techniques, such as cramponing and self arrest with the ice axe. We'll retire early tomorrow night in preparation for our alpine start and summit attempt of Cayambe, Ecuador's third highest mountain at nearly 19,000'. Thanks for following our adventures. We'll touch base again tomorrow from up at the hut. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team

Aconcagua: JJ & Team on Approach to Plaza Argentina

December 7, 2012

Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 11,000'

Another great day! Sometimes I am hesitant at writing these blogs. I am lying here in my sleeping bag under the stars watching a meteor shower. And I know some of you are sitting at your desks staring out the window dreaming of adventure. So please live vicariously through us! The team had a great day. We woke up and had croissants, coffee and Argentinian scrambled eggs. You cannot trek for five hours on an empty stomach. The scenery on the second day gets more spectacular in the Vacas Valley. However, our journey in the Vacas is over at 11,000 feet. Tomorrow we turn left and trek up the Relinchos Valley towards Plaza Argentina, our Base Camp at 14,000 feet. The entire team is doing great and we are filled up on grilled chicken, which we had this evening. Tomorrow we will describe the community of Plaza Argentina which will be home for many days as we continue to properly acclimatize. RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar Update

May 31, 2012

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,060'

Greetings from Camp Muir. We've had an interesting 24 hours weather wise. Last night we planned on waking up at 1 AM and heading for the summit, but when the alarm went off it was raining hard. We checked every hour from 1 to 6 am but the weather never relented so we called off our summit attempt. We did make the best of the day though. In the morning we trained with our avalanche beacons practicing companion rescue. After lunch we set up a fixed ropes course with a rappel descent. The sun even poked out for a bit. We have one more night and we're still hoping for a shot at the summit but either way we'll be heading back home sometime tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

Leave a Comment For the Team

Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche Climb: Team Reaches Everest Base Camp, Soaking in All the Views

March 28, 2024

Posted by: Jess Wedel, Sam Marjerison

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche

Elevation: 17,575'

Namaste everyone!

We did it! Everyone successfully made it to Everest Base Camp on our most beautiful day yet! We started this morning once the sun hit the trail and walked for about three hours - taking in the incredible views, the warmth from the sun and stopping for photos every chance we could get. It’s no secret we haven’t had perfect weather this trip but it’s shifting and today it was extraordinary. Sunshine, no clouds, views for days as we looked up at Everest, Nuptse and Pumori. We weaved in and out on the edge of the Khumbu Glacier and eventually arrived at our incredible base camp.

We had a delicious lunch of warm soup followed by a huge plate of food. We settled into our tents after lunch. The tent platforms are chopped into the ice and rock. It’s a pretty amazing sight. We are SO close to the edge of the lower Khumbu icefall we can touch it. This afternoon, we took in the views, felt the intensity of the sun heat up our tents and just took a few hours to enjoy all the effort it took to get here. Our camp is surrounded by mountains and glaciers everywhere you look and it all feels like a dream. We are about to eat a hearty dinner and everyone is looking forward to some sound sleep before we get to spend tomorrow exploring the area around us a little more.

There’s no wifi or service here at base camp so don’t be worried if you don’t hear from loved ones until we make it back down the valley. Everyone is doing well.

RMI Guides Jess, Sam and the Everest Base Camp crew

New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 16, 2024

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Climb to Ingraham Flats

August 18, 2023

Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dominic Cifelli

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,200'

The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Dominic Cifelli reached Ingraham Flats today. The team had a good climb above Camp Muir to 11,200'. On going route conditions and a windy morning made that the high point for the team today. They enjoyed the sunrise over the Cascades and descended to Camp Muir. They will be back in Paradise in the early afternoon.

Strong work to all the climbers!

Leave a Comment For the Team

Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Touchdown on Union Glacier

November 29, 2013

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif

Elevation: 2,297'

Hey, this is Dave Hahn calling from Antarctica. We made our flight through the night. We left Punta Arenas around 11:40 p.m. and flew down through the dark, until reaching the daylight of Antarctica. We landed at about 4:15 this morning at Union Glacier. Beautiful landing and we are in Union Glacier Camp. We haven't gone out to Vinson, it's probably not gonna happen today. But we are keeping our fingers crossed for tomorrow. We've got our tents up and we are sleeping in to recover from the night of flying. But all is well, and we'll get you a regular dispatch when possible. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Dave Hahn calls in after landing on Union Glacier.

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: A Visit to Lake Manyara

February 5, 2013

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

We visited Lake Manyara National Park today. It sits about 75 east of Arusha and boarders the Great Rift escarpment. It is known for its tree climbing lions and it didn't disappoint either. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, gazelles, zebras, wort hogs, wildebeest, baboons, and plenty of other animals too. It was a great day of relaxing and everyone enjoyed the beautiful day. We even ran into the infamous Dave Hahn too. Enjoying the good life! RMI Guide Casey Grom

Leave a Comment For the Team

Everest Base Camp Trek: Tucker and Team Site Seeing in Kathmandu

March 21, 2012

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek

Elevation: 4,383'

Namaste! The team got a great night sleep and was up early for time in the gardens and the workout room. No joke, Kim felt the need for some exercise after 35 plus hours on planes over the last few days. After a nice leisurely breakfast we discussed logistics and did a gear check to ensure we would be ready for an early morning departure. It's exciting to think that after all of our training, planning and traveling, we're finally ready to hit the trail. With details all sorted out we headed out to visit some of the World Heritage sites that Kathmandu is home to. The adventure began as soon as we left the hotel. To describe the traffic in Kathmandu as thinly veiled bedlam would be charitable. It's amazing how many cars, truck, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians - all vying for the same small piece of road - can manage to avoid catastrophe. But they do. It's makes for an interesting ride as a passenger to say the least. Our first stop was Swayambhunath; also know as the "Monkey Temple" because of the mobs of monkeys that call it home. It occupies the highest ground in Kathmandu and the views of the valley from the top are fantastic - but they aren't free either. For the views and to walk around the stupa we first had to walk up 365 steps to the top. At last, all our training paid off and we made it up with no problem. Though Mark did make sure and remind us to use it as an opportunity to practice the rest step! Next we headed to Pashupatinath. It was quite a contrast to our first stop. Not only is it Nepal's most important Hindu temple, but the banks of the river are lined with open-air cremation ghats. While there were a number of cremations in site the team was sensitive to the occasion and moved through the area quickly and quietly. We wandered through the rest of the complex getting to see a large number of shrines and temples. We headed back into the the city and had lunch in a delightful rooftop restaurant overlooking the Stupa at Bodhnath. The view was awesome and it was nice to be able to relax as a team away from the crowds. Though after lunch we did dive into them and wander around the streets for a while before heading back to the hotel for any last minute preparations and a good night's sleep before our early morning wake up. A special shout out to Katie from Dad and Kim! A good day indeed. John G.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team

Torres del Paine: King & Team Complete O Circuit, Ready for Towers tomorrow

February 16, 2023

Posted by: Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine

We had a nice warm night in our Dome tent thanks to Jim who kept the fire stoked. The morning brought clearer weather and a nice dry day. Paine Grande and it's massive glacier came into view after yesterday's blizzard.

As the team closed the "O" circuit with 10.5 miles of rolling terrain we were fortunate to see 20+ condors flying in close proximity to the trail, often in groups of 5-6. The trail brings us back into the estancia sector to where we began hiking eight days ago. This was a nice way to wrap up what's been an overcast & at times windy and damp trip. Tomorrow we will get an early start to beat the day hiking crowd up to the Towers. Keeping our fingers crossed for clear skies and dry weather.

Thanks for following along,

RMI Guide Mike King

Denali Expedition: Schmitt & Team Make Summit Attempt, Return to High Camp

June 19, 2021

Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Friday, June 18, 2021 - 10:18 pm PT

The team tried to summit today, and as usual we performed like a well oiled machine. Unfortunately we weren’t able to make it to the top due to adverse and unexpected obstacles that again, the team handled exquisitely. We put in a track up to Denali pass and hope to make it up again in the coming days.

RMI Guide JT Schmitt

Check Availability

Most Popular Entries

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Walter & Team Visit the Otavalo Market

On The Map

Aconcagua: JJ & Team on Approach to Plaza Argentina

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar Update

Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche Climb: Team Reaches Everest Base Camp, Soaking in All the Views

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Climb to Ingraham Flats

Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Touchdown on Union Glacier

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: A Visit to Lake Manyara

Everest Base Camp Trek: Tucker and Team Site Seeing in Kathmandu

On The Map

Torres del Paine: King & Team Complete O Circuit, Ready for Towers tomorrow

Denali Expedition: Schmitt & Team Make Summit Attempt, Return to High Camp

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

Most Popular Entries

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 16, 2024

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 16, 2024

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches