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Posted by: Mike Walter, Tatum Whatford, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
RMI Guide Mike Walter checked in to say the Mt. Shuksan - Fisher Chimney August 6 - 8 team reached the summit and have completed their descent back to the trailhead.
Nice work team!
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: Dave Hahn, Ben Liken, Sean Collon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
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An amazing 21 days for the team and for those of us who climbed vicariously with you all the way up and back down! We do not regret missing the summit, since the climb is a great success in itself, proving who you all are, and allowing us “lowlanders” to share in your successes!
Dennis and Georgia
Posted by: Dennis and Georgia on 7/18/2014 at 10:30 am
Congrats on your safe return. It is always a good day when you live to climb another day. Now you can plan your next climb!! :o)
Safe travels.
Posted by: Mary on 7/18/2014 at 3:47 am
Posted by: JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
On The Map
LOL. That was supposed to be “KEEP ROCKIN’”
Posted by: Julie Marx on 7/5/2013 at 5:48 am
Keep rockin’! Looking forward to “watching” you summit.
Posted by: Julie Marx on 7/5/2013 at 5:47 am
On The Map
Looks like everything is going well. We are excited to track your trip. Climb on!
Posted by: Lance on 3/28/2013 at 9:29 am
We are thrilled to be able to track your progress. Great to learn that your journey has begun.
Posted by: Bob Bordignon on 3/27/2013 at 7:21 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
This is so incredible to hear of your climb! I know this blog helps out the families knowing y’all are safe! I look forward to your next entry! Take more pictures of the hikers!!
Posted by: Debra Shaughnessy on 1/27/2013 at 5:59 am
Thanks for the update and the call :) miss you…. Keep safe. XOXO
Posted by: Carol Crye Popp on 1/27/2013 at 5:44 am
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Josh Geiser
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
We did it! Everyone made it to the top (and safely back down) of Pico de Orizaba - what a day! We climbed for the third time this trip in perfectly calm, bright conditions and then got to watch a storm build from a single wisp of a cloud.
100% on top for all three very difficult mountains is not normal. I wish I could say it’s good guiding but the reality is it’s the character and determination of this crew.
It’s not been smooth sailing, have I see the biggest blister in my guiding career? Yes. Have we depleted the Imodium reserves? Also yes. Did we have not 1 but two pairs of boots break apart in seemingly unfixable ways? Why yes, yes we did. (shout out to duct tape and voile straps)
But it speaks to the resilience of every person on this team. I see in each of these team members an understanding of what it’s like to go to the depths of pain and suffering and move in it and through it with grace.
As we talked about at the beginning everyone on this trip has a connection to the American Lung Association - we climbed every step for the loved ones we’ve lost, for the hope of something and some cure someday. And in the midst of it all - pain and suffering - we found hope and a belief in ourselves that we could make it through - just one more step, just to the next break. Moment by moment we live in the mountains and in our lives - keeping hope alive for what’s to come no matter how we feel in the now.
Thank you to each of you at home that donated and supported these 8 team members to believe in something bigger than themselves (a world with clean air, a world where there is a cure for all lung diseases) and to have the chance to do something hard along the way.
And thank you to mis Chivos (I know you all are reading this!!) it’s been a trip of a lifetime getting to know each of you, your incredible stories, your compassion and care for each other (and every animal we came across), your willingness to let loose and laugh on playgrounds and your trust in Josh, Allan and I to push you and challenge you in all ways in the mountains.
With so much gratitude,
RMI Guide Jess Wedel
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes February 22, 2025
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today the team woke at 6:30 feeling well rested, had breakfast, then hit the trail one last time. It took a little over three hours to reach the Kilimanjaro park gate where the team had lunch then enjoyed a goodbye song and dance from our gracious crew of porters, cooks, and local guides. We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge.
Finally we are all safe and sound, and a little cleaner after an amazing seven day journey up and down Kilimanjaro.
The team is currently relaxing and looking forward to safari which starts tomorrow!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy Kilimanjaro crew
Congratulations Kaitlin and teammates! We are so proud of your accomplishments and glad you’re all off the mountain safely. Thanks to Casey for your expertise in guiding the crew. Enjoy the rest of your time in Africa and safe travels home.
Love to all,
Paul and Lori
Posted by: Lori R on 1/30/2023 at 4:44 pm
Congrats Randy and Shawn!! What an incredible accomplishment. Safe travels back to Michigan.
Best,
John and Michele Muir
Posted by: John and Michele Muir on 1/30/2023 at 2:54 pm
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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