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At breakfast, there was overwhelming consensus that a whole night at 10,000 ft was better than half a night at 15,000 ft. We were rested and we had appetites again and we were talking about showers. But we still needed to get down the final 4000 ft of trail to the Mweka Gate. Our staff pulled out all the stops for a good sendoff breakfast and then we got walking down through the forest. At first the trail was dry and pleasant, but around 9000 ft that changed. It got slick and muddy and treacherous. The forest was beautiful, of course, but we couldn’t look around much because every step required care and concentration to avoid slipping. Cheerful porters balancing great awkward loads came running down the slippery track but we had to tiptoe. That technique worked well though, by 11:00 we were on drier and easier ground coming to the Mweka Gate at 6000 ft. We signed out with the National Park and then rode a short distance to a local shop that hosted our team lunch and farewell ceremony with our staff. It was a cheerful session of dancing and singing. We tipped each and every one of the 44 Barking Zebra staff and tried to express our gratitude for their efforts. After goodbyes and a little souvenir shopping the team boarded the bus for the two hour ride back to Rivertrees Inn in Usa River. Showers at last! After all of that we got together for a celebration dinner out in the garden. The trip isn’t over, by any means, but we are entering a far more comfortable phase as we head toward Safari.
Best regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Wow! What a wonderful experience and incredible journey! Loving your adventure Cindee & Amanda! Can’t wait to see more!
Posted by: Allie Frankie & Tillie on 9/2/2023 at 2:53 pm
Congratulations on this awesome achievement! Can’t wait to see the safari! Woo-hoo!
Posted by: Kasey Oldham on 8/29/2023 at 2:44 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Monday, June 21, 2021 - 6:11 pm PT
We made the move to 11 camp!
After waking up to some light snow and rain in the middle of the night, we thought we might get stuck at the base of Ski Hill for another day. Hoping for the best, we went back to sleep for an extra hour and woke to the clouds dropping and clear skies above us. We blasted the stoves, had a quick breakfast of cold cereal and coffee, tore down camp, and began our first stretch of the day. By the time we moved, weather was close to perfect and the snow made for easy walking without snow shoes. Making our way up Ski Hill, past our cache from yesterday, we pulled into 11,000' Camp a bit before noon. With warm temps, and sunny skies, we set up our camp for the next few days and crawled into our tents and out of the sun.
Thanks to our hard work yesterday - belated happy Father's Day to all the dads out there - tomorrow should be an easy day, with a quick back carry in the morning before some well deserved rest in the afternoon. We will let you know how it goes!
Awesome! Nice work guys!
Posted by: Emilee on 6/22/2021 at 6:59 pm
Posted by: Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
So proud of you Andy…want to hear all about your experience!!!!Love Aunt Sally
Posted by: Sally hodges on 8/18/2013 at 9:56 am
Congrats to Peter, Mike, Dan, and Dave on your achievement!
Posted by: Margaret on 8/17/2013 at 6:22 am
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Love to hear Clark is covered in Llama poop! Hope you’re all having a great time.
Posted by: Charlie W-G on 1/11/2013 at 12:13 pm
Love the updates!! Glad you all had a needed day of rest!
Posted by: vicky vogt on 1/11/2013 at 8:51 am
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Howdy howdy,
We woke up for the last time on the mountain.
We opened our eyes to a frosty dome tent as we packed up our sleeping bags and got ready for breakfast. Today, we headed down the valley towards the park entrance. 8hrs and 17miles later, we arrived at Lenas, our first camp we stayed at 16 days ago.
We started our expedition with a carne asada dinner and ended it the same way. Bellies full of steak, potatoes, veggies, red wine. Our bellies no longer rumble and are now instead very full. The team earned this glorious meal cooked by a spectacular chef. With a light breeze we are headed to our sleeping arrangements, some in tents, others sleeping under the stars.
It's a surreal moment looking back at being at 19,600' just yesterday and now sleeping on the valley floor. Tomorrow, we finish our trek out to the gate entrance, concluding our 17-day trip up and down Aconcagua. Everyone is ready and excited for the hotel amenities - top on the list is a shower, a reliable toilet, clean clothes, and a comfy bed.
For now, we are content laying in the dirt after a long day hiking.
Buenos noches,
Godspeed to the climber in the red beret!
Posted by: Jenny French on 1/26/2023 at 6:58 am
Congrats Hannah to You and your Team! You all Rock!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/26/2023 at 3:22 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Good evening all,
Today we said goodbye to Aconcagua High Camp and hello to basecamp. We woke to a breezy, chilly morning as we broke down camp. Cold fingers and toes couldn't slow down our packing with so much incentive to go down, one being more oxygen. We made our way back to our previous camps to pickup gear left behind. With each stop our packs got bigger and heavier. Descending almost 6,000' puts some hurt on the body, especially the toes. But the team moved well and before you knew it we were back at the comforts of basecamp in our camp shoes drinking beer and juice and munching down delicious wraps. After enjoying our drinks and food, we sorted gear for tomorrow and patiently waited for dinner. Everyone's tummies are bottomless pits right now. Instead of setting up tents most of the team has opted for a slumber party in the dome tent where we eat our meals. It's one less chore in the morning before hitting the trail to the Park entrance. Tomorrow is a big day walking down to Lenas but it does conclude with a Carne asada celebration dinner. That is it for tonight. Now it's time to enjoy some much deserved and needed rest.
Goodnight all,
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and Team
Awesome Hannah!! I love following along!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/25/2023 at 9:17 am
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Smith, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Hola amigos!
This morning we bid farewell to our fellow RMI team as they headed back down the Relinchos Valley, one day closer to civilization. We on the other hand shouldered our heavy packs and began our move to Camp 1 at 16,000ft. Blue skies and a light breeze accompanied the team up toward camp. We arrived in good style, feeling and looking good, happy to be making our way to the upper mountain. The night ended with our very own high altitude rendition of Pad Thai. The sun dipped below the ridgeline, the wind picked up, and we all took the cue and retreated to our warm sleeping bags. An early night's rest will do wonders for our carry to camp 2 (Guanacos 3) tomorrow!
Cheers!
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and the team
Hey Hannah! Best wishes for Strength and perfect weather for your climb!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/17/2023 at 8:15 am
How excited you must all be!
Posted by: Peter Darasz on 1/17/2023 at 5:25 am
Hope it’s going well ... sounds like a great team.
Posted by: Jon McHenry on 2/16/2011 at 7:39 am
Thinking of y’all constantly! Enjoy and be safe!
Posted by: Patsy Judy on 2/16/2011 at 5:59 am
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