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Posted by: JJ Justman
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Sunday, December 1, 2024 - 11:45 am PT
Yesterday we had the most beautiful day, mostly calm, clear skies, warm enough. The strange thing was that it was forecasted that we would have high winds and blowing snow. It wasn’t that the forecast was wrong necessarily, it just got the timing wrong. At around midnight the winds showed up, transporting about half a foot of snow around our tents and in every nook and cranny it could find. Bitter cold, shaking our tents, and making it clear today was no summit day. So instead we woke, winds still howling, and got to work. Building higher walls, clearing the nooks of our gear of snow, and making a high camp breakfast of bacon, eggs, and hash browns. We’ll take another day to recoup, rehydrate, and eat eat eat. Crossing our fingers that tomorrow is our day! Whoever didn’t wish us luck back at home, we blame you entirely.
Till tomorrow!
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
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Vinson Expedition November 22, 2024
Posted by: JJ Justman, Katrina Bloemsma
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
On The Map
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
On The Map
On The Map
Good Luck to the Team. We can see that you are having Great Weather! Enjoy.
Posted by: Kathleen Esposito on 5/14/2011 at 10:11 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
Posted by: Jeff Martin, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
On The Map
This looks so cool! Rob Meffe, we hope you are having fun and we can’t wait to hear all about it. Go Bob the Builder!
Posted by: Sharon and Charlotte on 7/31/2013 at 1:10 am
Go team Junell! Can’t wait for next update.
Posted by: Beverly Jones on 7/30/2013 at 11:57 am
Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,000'
On The Map
Good Luck! I know you will make the safest decisions.
Posted by: Julie Grooms on 2/15/2013 at 4:30 pm
Good Luck! The route was wonderful a few weeks ago.
Posted by: Travis Lubinski on 2/15/2013 at 3:44 pm
Hi there Katrina; I am a cousin of your grandfather and jolly proud that one of my family does such brave things in the mountains. Are you going to be with the team for Mt Rainier this summer? I have a daughter living nearby there so Mt Rainier is one of my beautiful sites.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Jan Jonker on 2/16/2014 at 2:37 am
Craig_The pictures are beautiful! What color is your backpack? Have an EPIC time… Happy V-day! K & E
Posted by: Kim on 2/14/2014 at 1:20 pm
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