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Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 - 4:45 pm PT
We "slept in" to a normal hour today; being up at 11,200' we no longer have to be on an alpine start schedule, traveling at night when the glaciers are frozen. The sky was clear above us as I fired the stoves at 6am, and clouds filled the glacial valleys below. After coffee and a Pop Tart, we headed back downhill to retrieve the cache of supplies we buried a couple of days ago. A quick jaunt downhill and forty minutes of climbing back up hill, and we were back at camp with all of ours supplies. We enjoyed a big leisurely brunch of eggs, hash browns, bacon, and, of course, more coffee. Meanwhile the clouds that had been below us earlier had risen up to our level and it began to lightly snow. That was fine by us, as the rest of the day we lounged in our tents, resting, napping, and reading.
If the weather cooperates, we plan to put in a cache up above Windy Corner tomorrow, somewhere above ~13,600'.
We'll be in touch tomorrow and let you you know how it goes.
Posted by: Ben Liken, Brent Okita, Leon Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
That was the strongest experience of my life. I was overflown by emotions of so many kinds. Special and the hugest THANK YOU go to Brent, Ben, and Pepper - our guides who kept planting confidence and motivation in the team along all of these 4 days. It’s inspiring and uplifting to work with so passionate and professional people, I took quite a few learnings from you guys back to my normal life. Another thank you goes to the whole team – it’s amazing to experience how completely strangers become a tag team and overcome difficulties with the right leadership.
Posted by: Alik Levin on 8/17/2014 at 9:38 am
Just a note to express a heartfelt “THANK YOU!” to our awesome guides: Ben, Brent and Pepper. What an amazing climb! Ben, Brent, Pepper, you were so dedicated, patient and professional throughout our experience, I have no words to express how much I learned and how much I admire you.
Thank you so much!
Christian.
Posted by: Christian Molnar on 8/16/2014 at 9:40 pm
Posted by: JJ Justman, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Great job guys! I have enjoyed seeing the pictures on facebook. Anxious to hear the stories. Congratulations!
Posted by: Jeff Lindmark on 7/20/2013 at 3:36 pm
You guys rock! I never thought I’d see my mom in shorts while in the snow..must have been working hard. Congratulations on summit!
Posted by: Erica on 7/20/2013 at 12:05 pm
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Walter Hailes
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
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Lis and Pete,
We are very proud of your endurance and stamina.
Wishing you and the team sunny skies for the remaining part of the trip.
Nicole
Posted by: Nicole areson on 5/20/2013 at 10:32 am
So glad the weather has cleared! The photo is awesome, I can’t wait to see the final pics of this spectacular region. Godspeed and I hope that the weather cooperates the rest of the week. JIm Vaughan
Posted by: jim vaughan on 5/19/2013 at 7:26 pm
On The Map
Kim,
Thanks for the link to your trip. I remember your mention of wanting to do the Everest base camp trip. Kudos to you for making it reality! I am envious. Take lots of pictures so that those of back home can live vicariously through your experiences. Oh, one more thing, keep a journal. :-)
Michael
Posted by: Michael Brewer on 3/23/2012 at 9:30 pm
Kim Cavanaugh,
Good luck, take care, and I am proud of you!!
Paul
Posted by: paul mann on 3/23/2012 at 11:32 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador




Today was our second acclimatization hike and a travel day as well. It was another perfectly clear day, about as nice as I have seen here. There is a bit of a haze in the valleys from eruptions and perhaps a bit of an inversion. Despite the haze, we were treated to views of Cayambe all day, from a variety of angles.
We are now relaxing at La Casa Sol and mentally relaxing, with our harder objectives lying ahead. Now we just hope this dry weather doesn’t run out for Cayambe and Antisana!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
Love the updates and pictures!!! All the Best Dustin and Team!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/29/2023 at 3:36 am
Posted by: Tyler Jones, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

Best of luck Dave J and the rest of the team! I’m so happy that you guys are on the way up! So excited for you all!
Posted by: Patti Templeton on 6/20/2014 at 6:23 am
So very excited for you Jen. Proud of your patience and courage. Hang tough until the end. Love you.
Posted by: Aunt Marie on 6/20/2014 at 3:57 am
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On The Map
Robin and Team
Hope all is well up there in the thin air! Congrats to you all for passing the half way mark and I hope you get some well deserved rest and recharge for what lies ahead. You guys are nothing short of amazing! Best wishes and lots of prayers for you all for your continued safe ascent and good weather. Stay warm and stay safe.
Love you Robin
DAD
Posted by: Matt Prosser on 6/8/2013 at 9:54 am

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz team led by RMI Guide Andy Bond reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 10:45 am today via the classic and challenging Kautz Route. The team climbed above the clouds through knee and waste deep snow and navigated four ice pitches in the Kautz Ice Chute to reach the summit. They will spend the remainder of their time on the mountain honing their expedition skills, and plan to descend Friday.
Congratulations to Today's Team!
I am following to see progress, my good friend Rob Millman is part of this adventure.
Posted by: Anthony Walker on 6/24/2021 at 7:13 am
Whoop whoop!
Posted by: Emilee on 6/23/2021 at 8:55 pm
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