Most Popular Entries
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
RMI Guides Walter Hailes & Nicole DePetris checked in from the summit of Cotopaxi this morning. It was a cold day with not many views but the route was good and the entire team reached the summit.
Nice work everyone!
RMI Guide Walt Hailes calls from the summit of Cotopaxi.
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Friday, February 7, 2025 - 6:57 pm PT
After getting a peak at Cayambe on our hike yesterday, we were eager to make our way to the mountains. We packed our bags and set off from Quito to Laguna Cuicocha, a beautiful crater lake surrounded by jungles and peaks near to our next hotel in Otavalo. Clouds sat high up in the sky for most of the day, sunlight peaking through for the first half of our circumnavigation of the lake. Just as we hit the parking lot after our 7.5 mile hike, the light sprinkle turned into rain and we hopped in the bus to Itinyaya Residencias, our stay for the night. We chatted by the fire in the main lodge after settling into our rooms and capped off the night with a team dinner of more local meals.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 9:40 pm PT
We woke up hoping to cache below 14,000 Camp, the mountain had other plans so we spent the day eating, reading, relaxing, and building a snow fort. Hopefully tomorrow the weather complies and we can move supplies up the mountain.
RMI Guide Kiira Antenucci
Posted by: Brent Okita, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
It was a beautiful morning down in the Barranco Valley, but we were excited to get out of there and get on the Great Barranco Wall.
We began walking at 8:00 am in the cool shadow of the wall. The weather pattern of the past few days continued, it was clear up high and cloudy down below and where we were, there was no wind. And thankfully, there were not too many other people trying to get up the wall when we were. This made it a little less stressful to figure out the handholds and footholds when the going got steep. Our team cruised through the tough parts with some fine coaching and spotting from Naiman, Philibit, Freddy and Thomas. We took a short break when we hit the easier going in the sunny midsection of the “wall” and then pressed on. At about 14,000 ft we pulled over one last edge and found ourselves atop the Great Wall. And even better, we found that our camp waiters had beaten us to the top with tea and snacks. We lounged in the sun, took photos and enjoyed the unreal views of Kibo’s imposing south face.
We then cruised through a couple of shallow -- but pretty -- valleys as we moved east. The final challenge of the day was to get down one steep side of the Karanga Valley and up the other steep side to Karanga Camp. The team had no difficulty though and we came into our new camp at 13,200 ft at about 12:30 pm.
We had an excellent lunch -- Tosha’s specialty pork schnitzel -- and some welcome hours of rest. Clouds formed up in the afternoon and we were actually thankful to get a little relief from the high altitude sun cooking the tent walls. We finished with dinner and storytelling and stars (as the clouds dissipated). There is s lot of excitement among our climbers at the prospect of getting to high camp tomorrow.
Best Regards,
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,400'
Tuesday, May 17, 2023 - 4:07 PM PT
Our team is still hunkered down at 9,400' in a blizzard. At least 2 feet of snow has fallen,with lots of drifting. Visibility is near zero. We're safe and trying to remain positive from the confines of our tents. The weather forecast hints at a break in the storm tomorrow. Our fingers are crossed that things ease up and we'll be able to make some upward progress soon.
We'll keep you posted!
The sun came out today- so I am hoping you were able to climb! Keep going! Thinking of all of you! Sending some serious good vibes toward the mountain! Be well! Susan
Posted by: Susan on 5/17/2023 at 7:07 pm
All the Rotarians from Lee’s Summit Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club are cheering the entire Walter team including fellow Rotarian, Scott Crist. Conquer the mountain….stay the course….get home safely.
Posted by: Elaine Metcalf on 5/17/2023 at 10:38 am
Namaste everyone,
The team is hanging tough here in Khumbu. Today we departed Namche and hiked for about 6 hours today up and down, dropping all the way down to a river, which is a stunning turquoise, then climbed slowing up the hill before the famous Tengboche Monastery. Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favor, normally we get to see might Everest off in the distance as well as many other Himalayan giants, but not today.
I’m grateful the team didn’t seem to mind, and everyone chatted happily, except on those uphill sections.
Traditionally we have gotten a blessing from a famous lama in Pangboche, but sadly that lama has moved on to a higher calling. So today we were able to request a private Puja with another lama at Tengboche and each receive a blessing. The Puja is a Buddhist ceremony where the lama chants a Buddhist prayer and gives us a blessing to protect us from harm and grant us health and a long life.
We've settled in to a nice and warm tea house called Rivendale that's incredibly clean and nice. I shouldn’t mention the heated blankets everyone is enjoying, since we want you all to think we’re roughing it!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and The Warm and Newly Blessed Crew.
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Monday, June 21, 2021 - 6:23 pm PT
This time the weather forecasts were off, but in our favor. They predicted snow and showers overnight and we didn’t get them. We were up at 1 AM and although there was a good bit of cloud around, it wasn’t low on the glacier and it wasn’t trapping the heat. The snow at camp was still mushy, but we had high hopes that things would freeze to make for easier and safer travel conditions. It takes a bit of work to knock down tents and get packed and moving that first time. With a little breakfast on board, we were out of camp and walking by 3:40. Our climb began with a downhill stretch. We just got used to having snowshoes on and heavy sleds teathered to our packs as we trudged down the SE Fork to the main Kahiltna Glacier. By then the first sunshine had found Mt Foraker’s northeastern hanging glaciers making for some fabulous color. Once on the main glacier, the gentle uphill began -although very little of it felt gentle with our heavy loads. The freeze had taken place, right on schedule, and the walking was as easy as it could be. We moved around and across a few ugly crevasse bridges in our first hours, taking rest breaks every hour or so. It was nice to be able to bump fists with JT Schmitt’s successful RMI team as we passed on the glacier. There were great views of Denali and the West Buttress for most of our journey but then the clouds started to roll in for real. We pulled into our intended camp by about 9 AM and set to building tents, a kitchen/dining area and a latrine. In other words -we did some digging in the snow. The first snowflakes fell just as we were putting finishing touches on our new digs. The real showers didn’t begin until we were well into nap time. By the time we came out for dinner, the snow had quit but clouds were still obscuring our views. We sat in our dining tent for a bit, but then turned in early, anticipating another alpine start for tomorrow.
Best Regards,
Prayers & All the best to your team for a fun, safe trip w/ good weather & clear skies !!! & please give our love to Sanjeev Nagrath —-from Niki, Rohan, Courtney , Nora & Anjalika Nagrath
Posted by: Anjalika Nagrath on 6/24/2021 at 9:58 pm
You got this, praying for better weather and safety for all of you! Please give my love to Aaron Telford from his family.
Posted by: Joyce Telford on 6/24/2021 at 4:59 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Mike Uchal
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Elevation: 8,300'
These updates have been great!
Good to see that the Cunninghams are doing well. Take care all, and prayers for a safe return.
Posted by: Deb Thummel on 8/13/2017 at 6:18 pm
Congratulations on a great Summit and teamwork in basecamp! Enjoy the rest of your journey and celebrate a great climb.
All good at home but look forward to Lee’s return home!! Love Ya!
Posted by: Diann on 8/12/2017 at 8:14 pm
Inspired by your courage and praying for all Sherpas and climbers - from Maryland, USA.
Posted by: Carol Clancey on 4/18/2015 at 11:53 am
Peter we miss you and love you and hope you are doing well! I love the email updates and look forward to them! Wishing you and the rest of the team the best of luck on the ice fall. Love you!
Posted by: Chelsea Hall on 4/13/2015 at 2:16 pm
Great photos, great smiles! Enjoy the adventure, Cindee (I’ve been looking forward to reading new installment every morning
Posted by: Olga Rotell on 8/25/2023 at 3:22 pm
So exciting to read and view the progress of the climb! Awesome to see what you are all are accomplishing every day! Shout out to Cindee and Amanda!
Posted by: Kasey Oldham on 8/25/2023 at 2:48 pm
View All Comments