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We got an early start from Puebla after a fun and relaxing rest day. The drive to Tlachichuca takes us through agricultural communities and around a massive Audi/VW manufacturing plant that appears to have just sprung up in the middle of nowhere.
We will pack our bags for the Orizaba climb before enjoying a light lunch at Sr. Reyes' 100+ year old soap factory turned climber’s hostel. From there we load up in some 4x4 trucks that crawl their way through sprawling corn fields and dense pine forests until we get to Piedra Grande Hut where we will spend the night. Aside from the packing, the only other objective today is to go for a hike into the lower portion of Orizaba’s labyrinth section to stretch the legs and lungs a bit. This gives the Team a chance to see what the first 3+ hours of the climb will be like. Hopefully we are checking in next from the summit of Orizaba tomorrow morning. Thanks for following along.
Posted by: Lindsay Mann, Josh Maggard, Ben Liken, Katrina Bloemsma, JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Congratulations Cory, Hope you enjoyed every minute.
We Love You, Mom and Dad
Posted by: Robert and Lori on 6/14/2014 at 9:11 am
Way to go Rob! Can’t wait to see the pictures.
Posted by: Bob Haley on 6/14/2014 at 8:23 am
Dang!
Best of luck on your next attempt. You guys can do it! Go team Ecuador.
Posted by: Greg Hunt on 1/17/2014 at 10:07 am
On The Map
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'
If you were with us last night you would have slept out under the stars of the southern hemisphere, and when you woke after midnight you’d stay up a few minutes longer watching the Milky Way stretch from ridge to ridge. You might have dreamed of this trip for years or signed up only a month ago.You might be back for your second attempt, comparing this to your trek up Denali, or counting down for an Everest attempt. After all the prep and planning you’d be settling into the pace of the mountain and getting to know our guides. You’d hear about their careers in social work, Iowan ice climbing, and physics research and be grateful both for their expertise on Aconcagua and experience guiding together before. You’d want family back home to think you’re roughing it, and might not tell them about the malbec, bistec, and fresh vegetables prepared over an open fire for dinner - then, as the morning light grew in the Vacas valley you’d laugh again about mummy 10 movies and make your way to the tent for coffee. As you linger over a first-class breakfast Jess races from the kitchen to teach us the Spanish word for toothpick - palillo – with hip and hand motions to ensure correct enunciation for each syllable.
Then, we start to hike. Tim might teach you about the physiology of mammals in the Andes mountains, David would explain the nuances of altitude’s effect on the body, and Jack points to geological features and tells you how they came to be. At breaks we sample apple-flavored kettle corn and sandwiches with every sauce mixed together, cheer as a water bottle is rescued from the glacial river, catch our first sight of guanacos traveling together, and wonder how many birds we could name if put on the spot. Most exciting, and just before camp, we catch our first glimpse of the summit. It stood proudly with the snowfield in view and a wisp of cloud scarfed near the peak. Now, we stay out of the sun, read, and rest - thinking both about those we love back home and the big push that waits for us ahead.
Trusting our training, hoping for good weather, and gaining confidence from the group we passed who made the summit, we settle in for our last night before base camp.
RMI Climber Hudson Baird & Team
P.S. Jane, Shane says hi.
On The Map
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Keep up the good work Seth
Posted by: Bob johnson on 8/11/2012 at 7:48 pm
Tamara,
I am so proud of you!!!! You rocked Mt. Kilimanjaro! When you set out to do something,
you always do it well! Have a safe trip home and can’t wait to see you!
Posted by: Jenn Alvarado on 8/11/2012 at 7:21 pm
On The Map
Hope you are having a great time! We miss you! Caleb and Joshua say “HI” to Daddy and Pop!
Posted by: Teri on 7/28/2013 at 8:22 pm
Hello to Emily and Kalin!
Posted by: Carrie Rabasa on 7/28/2013 at 9:47 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Geoff Schellens, Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: Summit
Congrats, Ben!
Posted by: Chris on 8/17/2012 at 8:31 pm
It truly was an honor to summit with my team. Thanks RMI!
Posted by: Bryan Loe on 8/17/2012 at 9:06 am
Trust today’s climb went well. I see a lot of nasty weather around Mexico City.
Posted by: Roger Coffey on 11/16/2019 at 11:43 am
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