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Posted by: Brent Okita, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Hi Geoff, Jeff and I have been e-mailing back and forth on how your trip is going. It`s been a tough go for your team but Mike Walters#1-RMI team from May 2nd is Following you and good luck as you seek your peak. Can`t wait to hear the stories. Good luck Ken Young
PS GO BRUINS
Posted by: Ken Young on 7/11/2011 at 4:36 pm
Frank,
What an accomplishment! Truly awesome and inspiring. See you soon!
Posted by: Michael Duran on 7/11/2011 at 9:04 am
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Ben Luedtke, Ben Thorneycroft, Mac Nolde, Simon Kearns, Jack Ritterson, Ben Porter, Oliver Shapiro
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
We had high hopes as we left Camp Muir for our summit attempt. But as we crossed the Cowlitz Glacier, a misty rain started, which turned into a stout blizzard at Ingraham Flats.
The team climbed well through the weather, but we started losing the fight to stay dry. We returned to Camp Muir safely.
We will be leaving Camp Muir around 9:30 am for our final walk down to Paradise.
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
PC: Joe Hoch
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: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
On the road again! We woke this morning to the hustle and bustle of the other teams packing up their camp. The sun creeped into camp warming our tents. This was our alarm to get up. Everyone had a good night and were feeling good this morning, so we continued with our plan to carry gear to Camp 2. Group piles were made while the stoves roared. Toasted bagels with cream cheese and bacon would fuel us to 18,000' and make the rest of camp jealous with its aroma. It was a busy day on the trail with almost all of Camp 1 occupants moving to Camp 2. After a few hours of walking and getting new views of snowy mountains we arrived at Camp 2. A new sea of tents scattered the rocky camp like skittles. We cached our gear, watched the other teams set up their camp, and then we packed up our things to head down hill. We arrived back to a peaceful Camp 1 with only our tents plus one other still standing. The rest of the afternoon we enjoyed the warm sun and fresh popped popcorn for an afternoon snack.
Having the camp to ourselves is nice and will be even nicer tomorrow on our rest day. The quiet will be much appreciated for sleeping in. The air is chilly now, so we are all off to bed to get warm.
Till next time,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
On The Map
You all are amazing! Stay safe and enjoy. Tell Tim hi for me!!
Posted by: Connie Riddle on 1/16/2020 at 4:34 pm
Amazing work out there everyone! Happy to hear you get a rest day. I’m sure it’s much needed. Enjoy and stay warm. So nice to hear your progress.
Love, Noel, Xander, Nora
We love you and miss you Pops!
Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/15/2020 at 8:55 pm
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
Happy Birthday to Zach & Ian.
Aunt Lyn & Uncle Mick
Posted by: Carolyn Mason on 6/24/2019 at 1:11 am
Happy Birthday to Ian and Zach on June 24th.
Love, Yuri and Yoko (mom and Copper too!)
Posted by: Annette Prochaska on 6/23/2019 at 6:52 pm
Wow! Amazing pictures! Glad you all made it safe and sound.
Posted by: Jean Wittmier on 2/24/2019 at 6:49 pm
So proud of you Tiffany! Quite an accomplishment to add to your many. I’m just happy you are safe and that you had a wonderful experience.
Posted by: Cyndi on 8/14/2013 at 3:38 pm
Congratulations Ross, Griffin, Jeremy, Scott and Calvin! All your hard work paid off. Party in Puyallup!!
Posted by: Margie on 8/14/2013 at 1:50 pm
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