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Ruth Glacier Seminar: Delaney & Team Arrive in Talkeetna

May 3, 2023

Posted by: Jack Delaney, Mike Bennett

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 348'

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Hello friends, family and avid fans of the RMI blog,

It's the Ruth Glacier Seminar and we've just landed in Alaska. After surviving the most dangerous part of the trip, the drive to Talkeetna, the team has gotten settled into town. The team bonding began immediately over a delicious meal at Denali Brewing Company. We finished up the evening with a lovely stroll to the river and early bedtime after a long travel day.

Goodnight from the land of the midnight sun,

RMI Guides Jack Delaney, Mike Bennett and the team

Aconcagua: Cifelli and Team Carry toward Camp 1 on Windy Day

January 27, 2023

Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

January 26, 2023

The wind is a feral creature, lamenting into the void. Our nearly constant companion, shifting mercurial between head and tailwind the moment we accept whatever circumstances fate most recently dealt us.

We sojourned beyond the impossible luxuries of basecamp, making our way up serpentine paths through scree and scramble, to deposit material ever higher in preparation for climbs to come.

While the sun shown splendid, the wind conspired with the very rock to threaten barrages of stones upon our heads. Luckily, our benevolent overlords: Don Dom, Toothpick, and Gator, ensured protective gear emplacement, forestalling calamity and facilitating a timely return to basecamp, amid jubilation for our first successful climb of the trip and empanadas without equal, from our generous Grajales hosts.

Climber Jack R

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Move Up to 17K Camp

July 13, 2013

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Zeb Blais, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Hey, this is Dave Hahn calling from 17,200 feet on Mount McKinley. We made it to High Camp. Huge day, beautiful day, great weather. One of the nice things that started off the day for us was we got to talk to Mike King. He and Will and Shawn had made it to Basecamp by this morning and they were looking to get picked up within a half an hour of our conversation. They reported good conditions down there and they had a smooth exit from the mountain. We were very happy to hear that. And a big happy birthday to Mike King and a thank you for all that hard work. We set in with our hard work right after that. It did take a long time to get up here to 17,200' because we had so much snow on the Headwall. If tomorrow is a decent day, we're going try for the summit. And that's it for tonight. Talk to you soon. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in from 17,200 ft on McKinley.

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lots of energy and positive thoughts from the other side of the world. Thinking of you guys today. Be safe and crush it!

Posted by: Kelsey on 7/13/2013 at 11:02 pm

Rock on! Hoping for good weather and safe climbing! ‘Welcome to the City Bra’

Posted by: Joe Cole on 7/13/2013 at 9:37 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Move to Camp 2

February 13, 2013

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Billy here, checking in from Camp 2 at over 18,000' on Aconcagua! The rumored winds did indeed materialize today but they also came with perfectly clear skies and were thus not enough of a hindrance to keep us stuck at Camp 1. Our team looked awesome on our move today with everybody moving well and climbing strong despite the elevation, big loads, and the gusting breeze. We've set up shop here at Chopper Camp (although nobody seems to call it that since they cleaned up all the wreckage that used to be strewn about camp) and are enjoying a sunny afternoon. Today's move only took 2 hours and 45 minutes, which speaks for this team's strength and bodes well for summit day. More as it develops... Wulpseeya! RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Your Dad and I wanted to say how proud we are of you. Everyone we brag to are in awe of you accomplishments.
Kisses and Hugs on Valentine’s Day (hee hee). Love and God’s Blessings to your group, Mom and Dad

Posted by: Kathleen on 2/14/2013 at 11:54 am

Just a walk in the park. Billy is making yall sound like a bunch of climbing badasses, no doubt it’s true. Congrats on making it to Camp 2.

Posted by: Nathaniel on 2/13/2013 at 4:58 pm

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Expedition Skills Seminar: Ecuador - Team Hikes Pinchincha Rucu

January 3, 2013

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,500'

Greetings from expedition skills seminar, Ecuador! Day two: Not all of our mountaineering challenges down here should be considered overly stressful. Granted we aren't exactly roughing it here in hotel Mercure Alemeda, we figured starting the team off gently would ease us into the trip's first acclimating hike. Quito is flanked on its western edge by the frequently active Pinchincha Rucu volcano who's 15,500 foot summit makes for a perfect first excursion to altitude. Oh ya, back to a gentle start. After another delicious breakfast the team loaded into a sporty looking minivan with a sporty looking driver to match and headed ten minutes up the road to the loading dock of Quito's famous Pinchincha gondola. I don't know much, but I do know riding from 10,000 feet to 13,800 feet is better than walking. Who knew? From the top of the tram, views of Quito 's expansive size and beautiful setting blessed us before our trail was soon overtaken by the rising cloud bank. Despite the apparent fitness of our team, much hard breathing was done welcoming in the lower oxygen levels. Soon we found our rhythm and pushed steadily upward further into the cold clouds until the sign on the summit said we were there. By that time we were all in gloves, hats and warm jackets. We then descended quickly before the rain hit. The rest of the afternoon will be spent relaxing and exploring the neighborhood around the hotel. We are all psyched to be leaving the city and heading north. More to come, RMI Guides Adam Knoff, Casey Grom and Team

Everest Base Camp & Lobuche: Wedel & Team Descend to Namche Bazaar

April 2, 2025

Posted by: Jess Wedel

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche

Elevation: 11,300'

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 5:59 pm PT

We woke up in Pangboche and headed back on the trail. Descending hills, crossing bridges, ascending hills and descending more until we made it to Namche Bazaar.

We passed our final yak trains (only mules and zopke below Namche) and many teams looking fresh as they headed in the valley.

We got an early start so we had the afternoon in Namche to shop for final gifts - yak bells, yak wool scarves, customized hoodies and more.

Tomorrow we have one final big day of trekking until we reach Lukla.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the team

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Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 15, 2025

Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Hanging Out at 11,200’

June 30, 2021

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - 10:12 pm PT

The morning weather looked promising enough for early rising. We launched into breakfast and made the decision to take one last acclimatization day before moving up to 14 thousand feet. That meant that breakfast turned into brunch and that we would spend the day aggressively resting so as to be ready for a move tomorrow. It was generally fine weather down on our part of the mountain and we got in good naps and meals and snacking sessions. By afternoon and evening, clouds were stacking up on the mountains around us but things remained calm at 11,000 ft.

Best Regards,

RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Aconcagua: Beren and Team Rest day at Camp 2

December 31, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,000'

Siesta time! This morning we slept in a little and worked a bit on our tents. It has become a little windy here and actually presents a good training for time up high. We must be able to push through a little wind in these exposed camps if we want a shot at the top. Earlier today the team went for an acclimatization hike and I must say put forth a solid performance. Climbing up loose scree with great technique really inspires confidence for our move tomorrow. Now if the weather will cooperate, we will be one step closer to the top! Speaking of the top, it was a real treat to see JJ and Leah's team descending after a safe trip. Congrats! RMI Guide Jake Beren & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wahooo - Congratulations Bill & Team and Happy New Year Everyone! We can’t wait to hear about your adventure! Hugs, Leeza and Ken

Posted by: Leeza & Ken on 1/4/2014 at 11:28 am

Hola Team Jake,
New Year’s Eve in Mendoza was fun. Great food and wine at Ciebo. Make Wikipedia lists the tomato as a fruit. Ryan I could only find 200 uses for cucumbers, husk kidding. I head to home today. Miss all of you and respect what you are doing. Last words for now, for “sure does.” Fletch

Posted by: Fletch on 1/1/2014 at 3:37 am

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Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar Update

May 30, 2012

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,060'

This is Seth again checking in from Camp Muir. After a blustery and cold day yesterday we have been enjoying the warm and calm conditions today. We began our day with breakfast at 7 and by 8:30 we were heading out onto the Cowlitz Glacier. We then found an awesome set of crevasses for practicing crevasse rescue. Everyone was able to alternately practice arresting a fallen climber, setting up a pulley system and descending into a crevasse. We also had a backup rope set up where we could practice belaying techniques. After the rescue practice everyone was still feeling good so we lowered folks back into the crevasse and had them ice-climb back out. It was a great day of training and with any luck tomorrow we'll do the real thing and climb the mountain. We'll check in again in the morning.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

We are rooting for you Carlos! Hope you guys are having a blast. See you soon.

Posted by: Fungai and Brandy Tongoona on 5/31/2012 at 8:49 pm

I AM SURE EVERYONE WILL CELEBRATE A SUCCESSFUL CLIMB TOMORROW. HAVE SOMETHING EXTRA FOR ANDREW AS 6/1 IS HIS BIRTHDAY. WHAT A GREAT way to CELEBRATE!

Posted by: REEVES SMITH on 5/31/2012 at 7:30 pm

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Relaxing in Azau

August 12, 2010

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside

Elevation: 7,500'

The thunder rolled and the rain came down in sheets all night again, but the morning broke clear once more. Enjoying our extra day here in Azau, we had a leisurely breakfast and a slow start to the morning. Taking advantage of the good weather we walked back down the valley to the village of Cheget, taking a meandering trail through the woods alongside the river. Swollen by the warm mornings and the afternoon rains of the past week, the river was a raging torrent, brown with the glacial sediment it carries. Underneath its surface the current could be heard moving large rocks, creating faint echoes of thunder which would cause us to glance up at the clear blue skies in surprise before remembering the noise came from the water and not from above. It was a welcome change to walk through the pine forests with all of the smells and sounds that a forest brings, very different from the glacial slopes we have been traveling on above. Upon reaching Cheget we clambered aboard the brightly colored chairlift that leaves from the edge of town and rode up to the midway station of the ski area. There we found a nice table at a cafe with views looking across the valley at Elbrus, it's twin summits shrouded by clouds. With the sun shining on us we, just kicked back, playing a very tight game of Scrabble and relaxing after the climb. Bill emerged the victor by only the slimmest of margins. Back in Cheget we had a last meal of shashlik (kabobs) and then made our way back to Azau where we've spent the remainder of the afternoon unpacking our packs and repacking our bags for our trip to Moscow tomorrow. We have an early departure from Azau in the morning in order to catch our midday flight from Mineralnye Vody. We should arrive in Moscow by late afternoon with enough time to stroll through Red Square before evening. We will check in tomorrow with our final dispatch.

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Most Popular Entries

Ruth Glacier Seminar: Delaney & Team Arrive in Talkeetna

Aconcagua: Cifelli and Team Carry toward Camp 1 on Windy Day

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Move Up to 17K Camp

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Move to Camp 2

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Expedition Skills Seminar: Ecuador - Team Hikes Pinchincha Rucu

Everest Base Camp & Lobuche: Wedel & Team Descend to Namche Bazaar

Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Hanging Out at 11,200’

Aconcagua: Beren and Team Rest day at Camp 2

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar Update

Relaxing in Azau

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