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Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
Although some of us were a bit worn out from the late-night flights, we rallied together for a whirlwind tour of Quito. Our first stop was the Equator, where we attempted (often unsuccessfully) to balance eggs and marveled at the Coriolis effect, which shifted just 10 feet from the equator.
Next, we ventured into the historic old city, filled with presidential mansions, grand city squares, ancient churches, and bustling crowds. It was a blast taking in the sights while chatting with our teammates. Exploring and challenging ourselves in the mountains is always a highlight, but the true magic of these trips lies in the people we meet and the friendships we forge along the way. We are off to a great start on that front.
After the tour, we headed back to the hotel for a quick gear check, followed by plenty of time to nap, explore the city further, and enjoy an early dinner. The goal was to rest up and catch up on sleep before the real challenges ahead.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Charlie Harrison, Joey Manship, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
At 7:44 am today, we received word from RMI Guide Ben Luedtke that the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons July 12 - 17 team had reached the summit of Mt. Raineir with 100% of their climbers. They will return to Camp Schurman and spend a second night there. Tomorrow they will descend to the trailhead and return to Rainier BaseCamp.
Yesterday, the Emmons Seminar moved up to Camp Schurman for the night! After waking up to a nice warm sun on their faces and enjoying some breakfast, they practiced some fixed line ascending. Then, donned heavy packs for the journey over the rock step to Camp Schurman. After a little rest, they practiced crevasse rescue before making an early dinner and laying down to get some sleep before their climb tonight.
Beautiful weather, light winds, enjoying every moment.
Congratulations team!
PC: Ben Luedtke from their ascent to Inter Glacier on the first day of their climb.
UPDATE: Summit Photos from the Emmons team. 7/16/2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
Posted by: Casey Grom, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
On The Map
Congratulations to Brian and the rest of you!
Posted by: Karen Easterday on 12/21/2013 at 5:30 pm
Congrats to everyone!
Posted by: Paul Judge on 12/20/2013 at 10:33 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Matt. Everyone is praying for your safety and successful expedition. We love you and look forward to seeing you soon. Mom & Dad.
Posted by: molly on 8/26/2012 at 1:06 pm
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Hannah Blum, Arianna Drechsler, Annie Chapman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The June 23 - 26 Four Day Climb is made of climbers associated with Black Diamond Equipment and led by RMI Guide Jess Wedel. This all women's team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today putting together their skills, training and equipment. Although the forecast was not stellar the team awoke to good conditions with clear skies above and moderate winds. The cloud deck below sits at around 9,000' but that was not of concern as the team ascended the upper mountain. Reaching the summit around 7:45 am the team enjoyed a bit of time in the summit crater before starting their descent. The team will return to Camp Muir for a short stop and then continue the final 4,500' down to Paradise. Their program will wrap up this afternoon with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to these Black Diamond Climbers!
Congratulations!! This is freaking awesome!! Enjoy the views and journey home.
Posted by: Brittani Smoot on 6/27/2025 at 5:40 am
Way to go!!! Congratulations on all the hard work
Posted by: Sally Bowlby on 6/26/2025 at 5:07 pm
Posted by: Leif Bergstrom, Erika Birkeland, Tom Skoog, Claire Pennell
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons July 7 - 12 team led by RMI Guides Leif Bergstrom, Erika Birkeland, Thomas Skoog and Claire Pennell, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6 am. The team will descend to Camp Schurman for their final night on the mountain. They have completed additional training during their days together including rope travel, cramponing, ice axe arrest, crevasse rescue, and expedition camping skills. Tomorrow they will return to the trailhead and make the drive back to Rainier BaseCamp in Ashford.
Nice work team!
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in.
The full moon on March 27 is the ‘FULL WORM’ moon. Hope it is a lucky moon for all nine of you, especially my Bill,Sue, Peter and Gerry. Happy Trails, Mom.
Posted by: Dee Brown on 3/26/2013 at 7:54 pm
L & P- Yea For making it to Pheriche!! Its interesting that Mark writes of the moon - iwe have seen the moon for the past 3 nights and tonight, also. When you look at the moon, know that we are too and are with you….Go!!! Grab it all! D’s quote this evening was, “those kids are so lucky! They are doing something that the rest of us just dream of…!!” Live the dream, Guys.
Love G & M
Posted by: Gretchen & Mike on 3/26/2013 at 7:03 pm
We are so proud of you, Doug. All your hard work and training has paid off. Can’t wait to hear all about your adventure! Mom and Dad Hicks
Posted by: Byron and Nancy on 9/5/2013 at 6:54 am
Way to go Jack and Beth!!! Sorry to hear you couldn’t make it all the way to the top, but way to get to 12,300’!!! Can’t wait to hear more about it next week!
James Rogers
Posted by: James Rogers on 9/4/2013 at 5:23 pm
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On The Map
Scott’s family - We have closely been following your climb. Praying all of you have a wonderful, successful, and safe climb and summit.
Posted by: Michelle Adaska on 7/11/2013 at 7:07 am
Tell macca (Sean) that we miss him, especially Archie. Go hard haradinko!
Posted by: Gem and Luke on 7/11/2013 at 5:05 am
Congrats Pieter! I enjoyed hearing about your trip on our airplane ride to Anchorage and am excited to see that your climb was a success!
Posted by: Mike Miller on 5/31/2019 at 10:09 pm
Huge congrats, Pieter, and to the rest of your team!!! We are in total awe and couldn’t be happier for you! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re back. Sending love and best wishes. xo, Marla, Mer & Kira
Posted by: MARLA on 5/31/2019 at 11:38 am
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