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Kilimanjaro: Team Ascends to Karanga Camp

September 21, 2012

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 14,500'

Hello again from Africa. All is well here as we continue to have fantastic weather for our climb. Once again the team impressed me with their performance on the 1,500' high Barranco wall in just over a hour. We were one of the first groups out of camp and had most of the trail to ourselves with only a few porters passing along the way. Those that did impressed us with how they scaled the near vertical wall with 50 lbs balanced on their heads. We then traversed over to the Karanga Valley and descended a few hundred feet and then climbed back up and are now resting comfortably at camp. Its a beautiful camp with the summit of Kilimanjaro above us and the Karanga Valley below and we can see the forest that surrounds the mountain and the savannah beyond that. Quite a sight to say the least! The entire team is doing great and I believe everyone is in awe over the fact that we leave camp each morning still standing and yet we always arrive with the new camp set up and waiting on our arrival. Enjoying the good life and looking forward to moving to high camp tomorrow. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest at 14 Camp

June 24, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

We're having a relaxing day, lounging around in our tents, resting, eating, and sleeping after a tasty breakfast of smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwiches. The weather today started off cloudy and snowing lightly, but currently the clouds have dropped below us and we're enjoying some sunshine up here at 14,000'. We're currently in a holding pattern, waiting for a good weather window to move to high camp and make a summit bid. Based on the current forecast, it looks like we may take another rest day tomorrow to let this unsettled weather pass. That's OK with us, as we are welcoming the rest and time to acclimate further. The weather forecast looks good in a few days, so we'll hope that verifies. Until then, we're in chill mode. We'll keep you posted with any news from our end. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lee,

Enjoy every moment. Would be awesome to take in that much of creation’s beauty…so untouched by humans. Can’t to see your photos. We are praying for your safety. love the Ortmeiers:)

Posted by: maren ortmeier on 7/2/2012 at 5:23 am

Great to hear some news! I will certainly be praying for you, Lee, and all your compatriots. You’re as high now as I’ve ever gotten . . . keep going! I can only imagine what it actually looks like seeing it with one’s own eyes. And I suppose the Creator must be bigger than this, since He made it! :-}

Posted by: Fr Paul Duchschere on 6/28/2012 at 8:45 am

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Denali Expedition: Walter and Team Carry to 17,200’

May 25, 2023

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

We had a long, but productive, day yesterday. We established our high cache at 17,200'. Wind and snow moved in while we were up on the ridge, making for a challenging day at altitude, and a long, arduous descent on technical terrain. All told, it was a 12 hour day, with a late dinner and late bedtime.

Today we are resting, eating, and rehydrating. We slept in and enjoyed a hearty breakfast burrito brunch that lasted until noon. We will be resting again tomorrow, as there is currently a high wind warning for the upper mountain. Hopefully, things mellow out soon and we can move to high camp for our summit attempt. Until then we are enjoying the relative comfort of 14,000’ camp. We will check in again tomorrow to update you on our status.

RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team

Aconcagua: King & Team Wait Out the Weather at Camp 2

January 11, 2023

Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Our Camp 2 staycation continues with a weather day. The winds are blowing above with lots of snow transport. We went for a walk and are enjoying warm tents with some Pink Floyd playing in the background. The appetites are still strong and team is getting restless. The 14th looks like the best summit day when considering wind speed and trail breaking.

Thanks for following along.

RMI Guide Mike King

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

We’re sorry to hear about the summit delay, but are very happy you are with guides that care so much about safety!

Hoping you packed in enough food so that you aren’t sizing up your teammates for BBQ options, haha!

Bitter cold here this am, folks had -4. We’re expecting 10 inches of snow, followed by rain, so I guess the weather people don’t know.

You’ll love this: ALL of the US airlines were shut down for hours this morning because the centralized air traffic control program went haywire!

Yesterday I saw two owls! They were huge, one on the way home from work and the other at the peak of our lone Maple tree on the road in front of our yard.

Sending you all hugs. Keep your spirits up, this is a once in a lifetime climb! XOXOXO Momma & Dad

Posted by: Momma & Dad on 1/11/2023 at 11:56 am

I can only imagine how hard it is to wait. Sending all of our positive vibes and love.

Posted by: Emily on 1/11/2023 at 11:09 am

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Mexico Volcanoes: Waterfall & Team at Altzimoni Hut on Ixta

January 14, 2013

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Elevation: 12,000'

We're on Ixta! Well we're actually at the Altzimoni Hut but we did get up to 14,600' on Ixta today. That means we set new altitude records for the whole team. That's always cool. The day started with an 8 am pick up from La Malinche. Our fantastic driver, Rogelio, took us to the best breakfast in Mexico at the Hotel Mission Tlaxcala. Very nice. Then we hit the market in the town of Amecameca for some last minute food and water before driving to the Altzimoni Hut. After dropping our gear we set out for a hike. We took the same route that we will follow tomorrow and I dropped some water at our high point. We'll pick that up on the way through on our way to high camp and I'll check in again from there. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

Aconcagua: Beren & Team Reach Pampa de Llenas

December 21, 2012

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

Buenos tardes from Pampa de Llenas, Our first camp on the way to Basecamp. After a somewhat leisurely morning at the hotel, we registered with the Federales and hit the trail. The walk was pleasant, warm but manageable with just enough of a breeze to keep the team from bursting into a fuego. Now at camp we have reviewed tent building, a super important step for the rest of the trip, and are tending to a little relaxed maintenance. Resting in the tent we can hear only the wind and occasional braying of mules, the sounds of "civilization" soon to be no more than a memory. No more wheeled contraptions for us, just our feet and the hooves of our new friends. Our adventure has truly begun. RMI Guide Jake Beren & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

hey bro,,,gud going,,TC

Posted by: jp n reenu on 12/22/2012 at 8:06 pm

Wishing you all an amazing and safe adventure. Dawn, we are checking in regularly and watching you in awe. Be safe and have fun!

Posted by: Ann Swank on 12/21/2012 at 7:10 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Arrive in Tanzania

August 6, 2012

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

So, our team is now assembled at the Dik Dik Hotel in Tanzania, getting ready for our climb of Kilimanjaro. It is a long way from the US and sometimes mother nature makes getting where we want to go (out of Chicago in a windstorm) a bit more difficult. Nonetheless, we are all here and with most of our luggage......two of the team are missing bags. Our local staff has worked hard to assist us by making additional transfers to the airport to pick up our gear. We have it pretty good in the ol' USA, just some of the places we wish to visit are not at the same level of infrastructure and support we are used to. I look at it that we are a guest in their country and appreciate any help I can get. Bottom line two more equipment checks tonight and some late night packing. Then we will be good to go in the morning. We celebrated two birthdays tonight with cake, candles, singing and presents. Not a bad place to celebrate! This is adventure travel at its best and tomorrow we start on the mountain. It doesn't stand a chance against this team! RMI Guide Mark Tucker

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Have fun Steve!

Posted by: Kim Anglemyer on 8/7/2012 at 5:31 pm

Eddie, Bob and Tom - great job!!! We can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back . Have a great time and keep climbing !!!!!!

Posted by: Sheila on 8/7/2012 at 4:36 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team on Descent

June 22, 2012

Posted by: Jake Beren, Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Hello everybody this is Jake and crew at the start of the Kahiltna Glacier at 11,000’. Today we descended from 17,000’ down to 11,000’ where we are making a camp for a few hours before trying to walk on the lower Kahiltna while it’s still frozen in the early morning. With any luck we will be at the runway in time to catch a flight back to Talkeetna. We hope everyone is doing very well there and trust that we are doing well here. With what may be our last night on the mountain. Hopefully, I didn’t jinx us and that we will be heading home soon. So see you all then. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from 11,000 ft on their descent.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Ross, I spoke with Dave and Loretta - they say congratulations on the summit. Next stop Nepal?

Posted by: Carla Bustos on 6/22/2012 at 12:55 pm

Fingers still crossed…
Crispi, alles Liebe auf den letzten Metern, Küsschen, Tropf

Posted by: Susann on 6/22/2012 at 12:44 pm

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Mexico: Team Finishes with a Job Well Done

March 11, 2011

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

After a safe descent from the top of Pico de Orizaba, it was apparent how lucky we were about the weather. All around us in the valleys below storms raged, but it was relatively warm and calm on our climb. We had the whole mountain to ourselves and with a skiff of new snow on the glacier, a clean canvas for a great day of climbing. Everyone climbed well, and we needed to because Orizaba makes you earn it. After a cup of tea and a quesadilla, we loaded up the trucks and headed back to town. It was beautiful out and the mountain was covered in alpenglow by the time we arrived back in the courtyard of Dr. Reyes. After a celebratory meal, we had a solid night's rest after a big and great day. Congratulations team on a job well done! Now it's time to say adios. Thank you everyone for sharing in an awesome trip and safe travels back home. RMI Guide Jake Beren P.S. Upon getting off the mountain we learned of the earthquake in Japan. Our thoughts and hopes go out to everyone in harm's way. Suerte

Mt. McKinley Expedition: Hailes & Team Descending

June 8, 2011

Posted by: Walter Hailes

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,500'

We have been busy on the mountain. With our summit attempt thwarted because of weather and the next projected weather window this Sunday the team has decided to head home to our families. Last night we slept at 14,000 feet and after a leisurely start to the day we have descended to about 9,500 ft. We will sleep here for a few hours tonight, awake around 4 a.m. so that we can take advantage of the frozen snow bridges, and push on to the Kahiltna air strip. Unless we get stuck on the glacier because of bad weather this will be our last message from the mountain. We will talk to you all very soon. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hope the weather on the glacier holds for all of you. Can’t wait to see you Pete!

Posted by: Katie on 6/9/2011 at 12:26 pm

That sucks. travel safely. you guys did great.

Posted by: Colin Talbot on 6/9/2011 at 7:38 am

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