Most Popular Entries
.jpg)
On The Map
Go Frank, go!! I’m following with excitement and wishing you well. Elizabeth from Rainier session. PS. Brandi is heading to Nepal next week!
Posted by: elizabeth holt on 5/31/2011 at 2:01 am
Wow you guys are doing awsome. I am so happy the weather is in your favor. Enjoy your much need rest day. I will b thinking of you all please stay safe. I love you Maile. xoxo Mom
Posted by: Ginny myers on 5/28/2011 at 11:49 pm
Hey Kev
It is great seeing you pass by “Kahiltna” in your climb - the name makes alot of sense now. Doing awesome!! Patti
Posted by: Patti on 5/11/2011 at 10:22 am
From RTD:
Hi Kevin, I am enjoying following you! Good job! Dad
Ditto - Mary!!
Posted by: Mary Satur on 5/11/2011 at 9:33 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Henry Coppolillo, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Thursday, May 18, 2023 8:12 pm PDT
Finally, we got to stretch our legs today!
We woke to beautiful conditions in camp, the first time we haven't woken to the tents flapping and slapping. We smashed an oatmeal breakfast and coffee and grabbed backpacks, sleds, and snowshoes and beat feet back to our hole in the snow that held all our best food and treats. We made quick work of the day, three hours round trip, and came back to sunny camp, warm tents, and dry sleeping bags. It was also our last day hauling sleds until we descended for good. So, when we walked into camp there was much rejoicing.
Tomorrow we plan to carry another cache up high to Windy Corner or 14 Camp depending. That will set us up to be ready to make a big move to 14!
RMI Guides Pete, Henry, Tatum and Team
Let’s go team! I have a hard time thinking about Brian being stuck inside a tent for days and nights. Hope he has a tent mate that likes to play cards! Moving and climbing are much more fun. Miss you hubby! Jack and I are following along and wishing you well while Lou meditates silently onn your climb.
Posted by: Tory Goltry on 5/20/2023 at 8:15 am
Wonderful to hear…“sunny camp, warm tents, and dry sleeping bags” - the simple pleasures of life on a mountain.
Praying for you all, and have a special place in my heart for my niece Bailey. She is an inspiration to her friends and family.
Posted by: Uncle C on 5/20/2023 at 7:33 am
Deja vu happens to people all the time. A familiar face, feeling or experience happening in the present that one is sure has happened in the past. Most of the time this strange phenomenon passes quickly and the day continues on its normal path. Today was a different type of deja vu.
One year ago at this very time of year, I was on Chimborazo guiding a team of climbers motivated to ascend this beast of a volcano. We were camped at the same camp, had the same tent sights and experienced the same weather. Unfortunately this weather was the kicker. From well below the mountain, a mean looking cloud cap obscured the summit and it was clear that wind, whipped up from the volatile tropics had a grip on the upper mountain with no intention of loosening it. Today, everything from our parking spot to the cloud formations was the same.
We reached high camp at 17,400' at the 3:00 p.m. This section of the climb was actually much more pleasant than expected. Beautiful backdrops of our climbers were framed against the moody upper mountain and the deep red volcanic rock making for amazing color contrast and Kodak moments.
Once at camp, things began to change and the wind began to pour down the mountain making our tent houses flap. Through dinner the wind didn’t let up. Then around 8:00 p.m., as we were tucked in, things went calm. Exactly like last year. With this sign, I knew what was coming.
By 9:30 p.m. the atmospheric fan was turned to high. Dust found every tiny opening in the tents covering our sleeping bags and getting into our eyes and mouths. From here on we knew it was going to be an uncertain climb.
At 2:00 a.m. we left our camp with winds so strong we needed to collapse our tents and put rocks on them to keep them from getting destroyed. Last year that’s what happened. Unfortunately an hour into the climb, having been protected by a large rock band, we turned a corner and were greeted with the full force of Chimborazo. With all the local guides urging us to turn back, we were left with little choice. Having only climbed 600 feet, we turned the group around.
Sometimes the house deals some bad hands. Unfortunately on this trip, two out of three were not winners. Although we didn’t summit Cayambe or Chimborazo, we were blessed with a perfect day on Cotopaxi. We all feel psyched to be heading home soon but a bit disappointed we couldn’t get higher. All in all we had a great journey learning a lot while making life long memories.
Now we are enjoying a welcome afternoon of football before heading back to Quito and ultimately back home. Thank you all for following our Ecuadorian adventure.
Hasta Luego!
RMI Guides Adam Knoff, Dustin Wittmier and Team
Good Luck Sue!! Wishing you and your fellow climbers a safe and successful climb!
- Mychal (Mexico climb teammate)
Posted by: Mychal Wooldridge on 1/20/2020 at 1:14 pm
Glad you are safe! Sorry that the wind blew you off the summit! Packers also were blown out!
Posted by: Jane on 1/20/2020 at 5:03 am
On The Map
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
Elevation: 4,383'
On The Map
Jami & Heidi. We got your message. Congratulations! We have been watching your progress. Love you both, Mom, Dad and kids.
Posted by: Carrie Whitney on 9/10/2013 at 5:13 am
My Heidi Looks COLD…..Keep warm Girl! Miss You!!
Posted by: Mary Jo Sabo on 9/10/2013 at 3:51 am
Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Hi Will! So glad things are going well for you so far! I’m really enjoying the detailed daily updates. Stay strong…and warm! Love you!
-Amy
Posted by: Amy Huson on 7/1/2013 at 8:37 pm
View All Comments