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On The Map
Billy, Nick and Robby, Thanks for making our summit possible. Getting there was my most amazing physical accomplishment and I owe it to your outstanding guidance. I was happy with my strength and endurance, but not my balance and I wasn’t a big fan of the crevices. At first I thought this would be it and it took me a few days to be able to walk easily again, but now I am getting juiced about another challenge. I did write up about a six page summary and am putting together a picture book as wel. Billy, I especially owe my summit to you and really appreciate all you did to keep pushing me and keeping me in one piece. Heart surgery is sure easier than mountaineering. Good luck and thanks. Blue Bob
Posted by: Blue Bob Robison on 9/29/2012 at 6:38 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 1:27 pm PT
Climbing mountains is hard. Ya that’s obvious, but I’m not only talking about the effort while on the mountain. Whether or not you make it to the summit there’s countless hours spent training, researching, anxiously thinking about what might be. Time spent away from friends and family because “ I’m going to go climb a mountain” and of course the countless question that follow from there. It’s hard to explain though, to those that don’t come out to these wild places to suffer so beautifully. To be trying to do perhaps the hardest thing we’ve ever done in the most remote and beautiful places in the world. It’s so uniquely vulnerable. We do it because we have to, or else we’d be spending those hours and days daydreaming of what could be. We have to find out for ourselves what it’s like and experience a grounding that nothing else can give you.
We summitted Denali, the highest peak in North America, at around 6:20 PM June 24. It was a beautiful day with light, but bitter, winds and clouds all around us but never above us. It was amazing. It was everything we had been working and hoping for over the past 13 days on the darn thing. We rest up tonight, an easier task than most days, and start our long descent back to where it all started 14 days ago, Basecamp.
Thanks to all the friends and family that might not quite understand why, but instead understand that we have to. None of this is possible without that support.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 9, 2024
Chris (CT one) - many congratulations On your summit and enjoy the beers back in Talkeetna!! Look forward to hearing about your adventures when you get back - well done !!
Huw
Posted by: Huw on 6/26/2024 at 6:01 am
Amazing—what an accomplishment! Can’t wait to hear all about it in-person. A big thanks to all the RMI guides for leading this expedition and being the experts they are!
Posted by: Joshua Rouse on 6/26/2024 at 6:00 am
RMI Guide JJ Justman calls in from the Garabashi Hut.
On The Map
Is that outhouse a 2-holer!?
Posted by: Rick de Dallas on 7/6/2013 at 9:34 am
Keep on swingin’!
Posted by: Julie Marx on 7/6/2013 at 7:21 am
On The Map
Great work Justin aka Jason. can’t wait to see your pictures. Clubbie
Posted by: Kathy on 6/11/2013 at 9:29 am
Nice going! And congratulations, Justin—I think the Kensington Fire Department lightweights have nothing on you now.
Posted by: Peter on 6/11/2013 at 8:31 am
On The Map
So glad to hear the weather has improved and the sky is being kind to you guys!Hope the spirits stay high and every one stays safe. Love you Robin.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa on 6/7/2013 at 9:10 pm
Thinking of you, Lori. Thankful for these e-mails, I look forward to them each day. Met Wendy by chance at Culvers, special. Keep having good weather, and good luck to you all. Mom
Posted by: Fern Hansen on 6/7/2013 at 7:22 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,500'
Justman and Team check in after Carry to Camp 2
I enjoy the posts and am glad everyone is doing well.
Wish I was there. Next one?
I will keep Ballard in check for you Mike, until you get back!
Climb on buddy,
Mike
Posted by: Mike on 12/13/2012 at 2:59 pm
Billy talks about their summit day.
Nice job everyone. I was on Billy’s team last year standing atop Aconcagua, and have been following your progress. Congratulations! Now get outta there safely!
If he isn’t doing his Chicago Superfan routine on your hike out, you are totally missing out.
Posted by: Dan on 2/15/2011 at 12:03 pm
Great job guys! I’m happy for y’all! Lots of Malbec waiting for you in the city. Maybe even Basecamp, if you’re as lucky as Team Gabby was.
Posted by: Keith P on 2/15/2011 at 10:44 am
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jess Wedel, Abby Westling, Josh Geiser, Bailey Servais, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Four Day Climb August 7 - 10 led by RMI Guides Andy Bond & Jess Wedel did not reach the summit today due to gusty winds. The teams left Camp Muir on their alpine start but turned around at Ingraham Flats due to wind. The teams returned to Camp Muir and climbed Muir peak to enjoy the sunrise. Photos above are from RMI Guide Calvin Jiricko.
The teams plan to descend from Camp Muir after 9 am today. We expect them to return to Rainier BaseCamp in the early afternoon.
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 18,491'
With bellies full of cheese from last night’s dinner, we powered our way through a midnight wakeup. The first few hours of the route take us through “The Labyrinth”, which would be an easy place to take a wrong turn. Fortunately, we have Allen (our local guide) with us to help us efficiently navigate. Through the Labyrinth and at the base of the glacier we donned crampons and make our way up the ever-steepening slopes of the Jamapa Glacier until finally topping out on the third highest peak in North America!
Congrats to all the climbers who summitted La Malinche, Iztaccíhuatl and Pico de Orizaba! We now just spend the night at Dr. Reyes’ soap factory museum before most of us head home tomorrow.
WOOOO congrats Anne and crew!! 3/3 summits, that’s amazing!
Posted by: Corey on 2/20/2023 at 3:55 am
Congratulations Dustin, Lindsay, Steve and Team! That is So Cool!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/20/2023 at 3:26 am
Congratulations Amazing Climbers! You must have reached the sky at 19400feet. Awesome!
Posted by: Jill on 2/16/2013 at 11:21 am
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