Most Popular Entries
Posted by: Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
We had a nice short day today. The sun was out and made for the quick 4 1/2 hour hike. We are back in Puerto Natales and looking forward to a nice dinner and some story telling from the eight days in Patagonia. Thanks for following along.
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Mount Rainier
Hello from 15,500ft on Ixta! The team did an impressive job carrying heavy loads up to our high camp today. Sunny skies and upbeat attitudes made for a great day in the mountains.
Our camp is above the clouds for now with only a light breeze. We have spectacular views of the Volcano Popocatepetl (17,800ft) to our south. Popo is an active volcano that spits out plumes of Ash from time to time which is fun to watch.
Tonight we will eat an early dinner and crawl into bed to get some shut eye before an early start to our summit attempt tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the massive sprawl of city lights from both Mexico City and Puebla thousands of feet below.
Love reading the updates. Hope tomorrow is a successful summit day!
Posted by: Katie Allanson on 10/12/2021 at 1:25 pm
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Paul Maier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410
In the words of Ryan Newton ” I’m so glad my dad got to climb all the way to the top of the mountain!”. Great job we can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Posted by: Kelly Newton on 6/14/2012 at 2:44 pm
Stephanie and Brian Ciske - did you summit today?
Posted by: Jean Ciske on 6/14/2012 at 12:39 pm
Posted by: James Bealer, Luke Wilhelm, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
The Soul of a Climber
The mountains hold the soul,
And light fire in the hearts of some men.
It leads them to do things,
Others don't just understand.
It's not only the summits,
Though that's what we oft speak of.
It's the journey, the effort,
And so much more that we love.
It's trekking the valleys,
That lead to the trailhead.
And the anticipation of adventures,
During the journey ahead.
It's the early morning sun,
As if it illuminates the peaks.
All through the day until sunset,
These are the beauties we seek.
We realize it will take effort,
That there will be moments of pain.
But the mountain gives more back,
It is much more of a gain.
It's the time spent with others,
Telling tales of past climbs.
And of more ventures ahead,
That excite each climber's mind.
There is time spent together,
There is tile spent alone.
But mostly it is time in the mountains,
In this place we call home.
The time comes to leave,
It invariably does.
But our hearts and souls have been nourished,
By these sacred mountains we love.
-Tim Cavanagh
Hola, Tim and the Team! We hope your lungs are cleansed and your hearts are filled in your dance with Mother Nature. We are right behind you in spirit. Love, D and I
Posted by: Dick and Irene Simpson on 2/1/2022 at 9:47 am
To our dad and his fellow mountaineers,
Your journey brings envy to our “home isolation”
but hope you’re enjoying God’s Divine Creation.
The mountains are beautiful and treacherous at best,
We hope you are eating, hydrating, and getting adequate rest.
You’ll be climbing and slogging through all sorts of weather
Just think of the camaraderie and memories you’re making together.
It is one of the best parts of these expeditions no doubt,
Along with reflection, prayer, and a few curses throughout.
We’re praying for you all and especially the “Soul of a Climber” who’s soles imprint on the trail
And look forward to you regaling us with your long mountaineer tale.
We love you, dad!
Love and God Bless,
Chris, Bo, Lillian, and Carl
Posted by: ChrisBoLillianCarl on 1/30/2022 at 8:33 pm
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Christina Dale, Jess Wedel, Tyler Meyers, Jenna Burkey, Roland Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 27 - 30 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides JT Schmitt and Christina Dale. Christina reported great route conditions and clear skies. The teams were on their descent at Camp Comfort around 7:30 am making their way back to Camp Muir. The teams will continue their descent to Paradise and then be transferred to Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations everyone! You must be so proud of yourself! We can’t wait to have to full story of your adventure! ❤️
Posted by: My-Lien on 6/30/2022 at 12:58 pm
Congratulations, you did it!!!!
Posted by: Carole on 6/30/2022 at 9:08 am
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Camille Leininger, Augi Fleer, Dominic Cifelli, Leif Bergstrom, Liam Weed
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Four Day Climb June 8 - 11 led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Dominic Cifelli were unable to make their summit attempt this morning. Strong winds and blowing snow made for unsafe climbing conditions and kept the team hunkered down at Camp Muir over night. The telemetry from Camp Muir shows wind averages ranging from mid 20 to mid 60 mph over night with gusts up to 79 mph. When the group radioed the office this morning they were experiencing estimated 50 mph winds. The team will be descending from Camp Muir today and return to Rainier BaseCamp. Unfortunately, today was not their day to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier.
Next time boys!
Posted by: Brandon Sprout on 6/11/2021 at 9:54 pm
We awoke to a perfectly clear night and were on the move by just after 1am on Friday. The first section of the climb, which is often a trail through pebble scree was covered in a perfectly hard, thin layer of snow. In fact, conditions on the entire route were near perfect. We followed La Ruta Antigua due to crevasse conditions on the more standard route. Shortly after sunrise we were walking up La Arista de Yanasacha, staring down the final headwall and trying to catch our breaths above 18500'. Upon reaching the summit, we were rewarded with 360 degree views of the highlands of Ecuador including numerous other active and dormant stratovolcanoes. Everyone did their standard summit rituals, ate a favorite snack, took some pictures and headed down. This team made quick work of the descent and we were eating pancakes at the hut by a normal breakfast hour.
Thanks to all the members of this team for showing up ready to climb and thank you to you all for following along with our travels!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
That is Awesome Dustin!! It brings back Great Memories!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 11/10/2021 at 2:50 am
Posted by:
Categories: Mountaineering Fitness & Training
I have some big mountaineering goals. I’m not sure how much training and fitness is necessary. I’m trading for Ironman Lake Tahoe as a way to get fit for mountaineering. Is doing this enough fitness?
I have asked this question here before. I still have not heard from anyone. I would hate to find out I don’t have enough fitness on the mountain.
Posted by: Will Beaubien on 2/9/2014 at 6:05 pm
Any opinions on CrossFit? I’m somewhat short on time and do this about four times a week. It’s fun. I also do a long endurance hike with weight 4+ hours once a week. I fight forest fires during the summer for the Forest Service and this is my off season training regime. I’m aiming to climb Rainier via the Kautz glacier or another similar route. Any suggestions for adding to or changing my training plan? Thanks!
Posted by: Tim on 10/13/2013 at 7:32 pm
Posted by: Andy Bond, Ellison Boord, George Hedreen, Bryan Mazaika, Keeley Rideout, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Our Five Day Climb May 28 - 1 June, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today led by RMI Guides Andy Bond and Bryan Mazaika. Andy reported a beautiful climb this morning without any winds. The route is very direct and the teams training over the last few days set them up well for the climb.
The photo was taken by Andy on their ascent at around 13,300'. The teams will return to Camp Muir and repack then continue their descent to Paradise.
They will conclude their program this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations guys!! you did it! Looking forward to our climb on July 5th!! I hope the weather will allow us to reach the top as well.
Rich
Posted by: richard philippides on 6/12/2022 at 11:15 pm
It was one of great experience to hike Mt. Rainier. Thanks a lot to RMI for providing all the support.
Special thanks to all guides Bryan, Andy, Michael, Keely, George and Ellison, with you guys we will not have great experience. Thanks for providing all the training and taking care all of us (like family member). Looking forward to have more expeditions with you guys.
Also thanks to all expedition members, learned lot from you guys.
Posted by: Umesh Patel on 6/3/2022 at 2:23 pm
Hi Mike, Looks like your team is enjoying a lot more snow than last years team. I hope that you don,t have any long stays anywhere on denali. Good-luck to all of you. Ken Young “Denali team 2011”
Posted by: Ken Young on 5/20/2012 at 1:38 pm
View All Comments