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Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Brian way to go I am so proud of you way to go cannot wait to see the pictures
Posted by: Wanda Manderson on 8/30/2012 at 7:11 pm
Way to go, Brian! Can’t wait to see the pix and hear all about it!!
Posted by: Aunt Denise on 8/30/2012 at 4:11 pm
On The Map
Sounds like the summit is in your grasp. Go team and stay safe. Glenna & Bob Scaife
Posted by: Glenna Scaife on 6/10/2011 at 6:40 pm
Sounds like you’re all getting more sunshine than we’ve been getting in Napa, CA! Glad to hear the weather isn’t nasty. I know you’re all enjoying an amazing experience. Here’s smokin’ to you Larry!
Posted by: Brenda Roberts on 6/10/2011 at 12:56 am
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Two Days After the Conquest of Mount Doom:
The morning after a thrilling evening at base camp, where Yev and Jim engaged in an epic battle of Farkle (which ended conclusively in a tie), we embarked on a new challenge. Our weary legs carried us on a 17-mile trek through the beautiful Relinchos Valley and Vacas Valley, winding our way to our next camp at Pampa de Las Leñas.
As we traversed through the two valleys, we crossed rivers by foot and marveled at the majestic peak of Aconcagua as it was slowly obscured from view. Then, quite unexpectedly, we stumbled upon the fabled Fountain of Youth! This natural spring bubbled with crystal-clear water, inviting us to partake in its rejuvenating properties. We solved a mystery that has plagued explorers and adventurers for thousands of years. The fountain of youth is precisely located at coordinates 32.6439307 South, 69.8435342 West.
As we settle into our camp at Pampa de Las Leñas, we can't help but feel grateful for this incredible journey. Yev has conquered his precious summit, we discovered the Fountain of Youth, and most importantly: Nick and Jim have gathered many rusty horseshoes for their collections. A good day.
RMI Climber James Loudin
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Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar
Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 10:21 pm PT
Today was full of highs and lows, ups and downs, success and failures, proud moments and embarrassing ones. It started with warm sunshine hitting our camp by 7am, and we soon after headed up towards 747 Pass. After some glacial navigation and steep climbs we crested the saddle. We quickly gained the west ridge of Mt. Dickey and began ascending upwards. After a couple hundred feet it became apparent that the snow pack had changed dramatically. After seeing some red flags and investigating further, it was concluded that we shouldn’t continue. Considering the terrain and remoteness of the climb meant we had little margin for error and the unstable conditions pushed us past our safety margin. The entire team was disappointed but only momentarily as we all decided the summit was not worth it and the view from up high was down right spectacular. We had a safe and enjoyable descent back to camp where we ate snacks, told stories and laughed a great deal. Tomorrow we shall start migrating back to the airstrip for our departure on Monday.
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Monday, June 28, 2021 - 9:59 pm PT
We were up by six this morning, braving the chilly shadows (the sun hits 11,000' Camp at 9:15) in order to get on the trail early. Although it was tough to tell just what the weather was going to do, it seemed there wasn’t much wind evident on the ridges we wanted to be around. After a deluxe breakfast in the dining tent, we geared up for climbing. So nice to be putting on crampons instead of snowshoes, so nice to have an ice axe in hand for the steeper terrain we were getting on. We were able to do our carry without hauling sleds, so -although the packs were heavy- it felt like a day of freedom in some respects. The first hour got us up Motorcycle and halfway up Squirrel Hill. After a long week down in the valleys it was wonderful to have the views from the ridges and rises we were topping. Just about the time when the sun might have hit us and warmed things up, the clouds began to gather, which kept us pleasantly cool. We took a second rest break in the Polo Field and by just after noon we were sitting at a windless Windy Corner. A shorter stretch took us up and around the corner and into our intended cache site. We spent a pleasant hour there at 13,500 ft, getting some good views of the South Peak of Denali and the West Buttress while we dug in and buried our supplies. We worked extra hard to make the cache raven-proof. It then took just ninety minutes to descend with lightened packs to 11,000' Camp -most of that was spent walking in thick cloud. We rested and ate dinner as it snowed lightly through the afternoon and evening. We’d love to move up to 14,000' tomorrow, but we shall see what the morning brings.
Best Regards
Hello Dave & Matt:
My email system has been down for a few days. So I have not contacted you.
You are making progress. Have you made it up to the 14,000 feet level?
I hope the weather co-operates,
Joe McEttrick
Posted by: Joseph P McEttrick on 6/30/2021 at 7:05 am
Enjoyed the feedback. Are you solo?
Posted by: Mary on 9/16/2014 at 3:58 am
Congrads to the whole team, your success if fueling my last 2 WMD of training! Any words of wisdom for this newbie to rainier?
Posted by: Edward muranti on 8/22/2012 at 8:34 pm
Daniel, Tonight hot drinks at high camp tomorrow the SUMMIT! everyday a celebration! laughing joyfully about your ice climbing adventure… Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Penn on 8/22/2012 at 4:45 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Buenas from Camp 1 family and friends!
We have began our ascend up Aconcagua with the first familiar, yet challenging, climb to our new temporary home on the mountain. The day began with quick and strategic balance between gear packing and tent breakdown to allow for some overnight frost to melt. We devoured one of our last five star breakfasts for the next week, provided by our basecamp support team Ezikiel, Nadine and Laura! Truly the unsung heroes of expeditions. See you laters and thank you’s exchanged shortly after, the uphill climb started. Familiar zig zags and moraines appeared, quick breaks to refuel followed and meaningful conversations made the hike up enjoyable! Basecamp team had one more surprise for us upon arrival - tents already set up. With gear secured and camp established, we are all enjoying a new viewpoint of the Rallenchos valley below and a pristine snowfield above. Alternating between naps, reading, or podcast listening we are all replenishing energy. As we get ready for dinner and a restful night in this new rugged environment to my teammates I say ‘ Po paten vqtur’ / may the wind be with you/ , and those at home Obicham te/ We love you.
Camp 1 over and out.
To Pops and team, Amazing work everyone! You had a group of 10 yr old boys all very impressed. Xander was telling his friends how his grandpa is climbing the tallest mountain outside of the Himalayas. One friend said he imagined his grandpa climbing a mountain and there NO WAY he could that. He said he’d like to meet you when you return from your expedition. I think you’re starting a fan base. Keep up the good work.
Love, Noel
Posted by: Noel on 1/29/2023 at 9:59 am
Really appreciate the updates!! -Be careful - don’t slip - take lots of pictures!
Love my John, Jack R’s mom
Posted by: Elizabeth Roelofs on 1/28/2023 at 9:59 pm
What a great adventure for all of us as well, who’ve been following you on the blog. So grateful everyone was able to summit and make it back to base camp safely. A huge group hug! Love you bunches Mike, Mom and Dad
Posted by: Maralee McHugh on 1/18/2013 at 1:14 pm
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