Most Popular Entries
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Josh Geiser
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Good evening readers,
The team did it! At 620pm on Wednesday we stood on top of Deanli! The weather held with mostly clear skies and winds no greater than 20mph. It was a cold cold day. We wore most of our jackets and multiple layers on out legs. It was a long, hard day. We had the summit to ourselves. Tomorrow we head downhill to lower elevations where everyone will feel much better. We still have some big days ahead of us but the end is near. We would like to thank everyone for the good weather vibes and positive vibes! And for all the support from back home. Y'all are amazing!!
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and Team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 2, 2024
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
Wow! Amazing pictures! Glad you all made it safe and sound.
Posted by: Jean Wittmier on 2/24/2019 at 6:49 pm
Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Sending much aloha and sunshiny vibes from Maui! Sport eating doesn’t sound too bad, especially as you get ready for the big push. Go, Gail, goooooooo!
Jen Fordyce
Posted by: Jen Fordyce on 7/2/2013 at 2:34 pm
Good morning, Tommy! I hope you rested well last night and you woke to clear skies. I am praying for a great weather day to move up to High Camp. I miss you! Have an awesome day! Love always!
Rhonda
Posted by: Rhonda Kitchen on 7/2/2013 at 11:09 am
.jpg)
On The Map
Robin and Team
Hope all is well up there in the thin air! Congrats to you all for passing the half way mark and I hope you get some well deserved rest and recharge for what lies ahead. You guys are nothing short of amazing! Best wishes and lots of prayers for you all for your continued safe ascent and good weather. Stay warm and stay safe.
Love you Robin
DAD
Posted by: Matt Prosser on 6/8/2013 at 9:54 am
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
We are all watching your precarious adventures biting our nails from the coffee shop in Los Angeles. Worried sick that Clark will get a blister or lose his beauty sleep (he can’t afford to!). He said he was tired of walking the dog everyday but don’t you think this is a bit extreme, Clark?
Wishing you all safe passage home!
XO, from all of us here at sea level
Posted by: Ted Craig CJ on 1/16/2013 at 3:29 pm
Sorry to hear about the hardships but I had to go back to work today and that’s no fun either…haha I hope everyone feels better and you can all end the trip on a high note.
Posted by: Albert on 1/15/2013 at 3:33 pm
On The Map
Hi Mai sounds like all is well way up there. Town is good and going up to the lake with Bob this weekend for some sailing should be fun. I know you are ready for the summit so have fun and please be safe. I miss you tons I will keep my finger crossed that the weather is perfect and that all will be good. Love you xoxo Mom
Posted by: Ginny on 5/25/2012 at 4:00 pm
Can’t help applauding you and your team again, Rob. Your pluck and spirits do our hearts good.
Posted by: Pamela on 5/25/2012 at 12:56 pm
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Congrats on the summit to the TMac attack and the rest of the team. Have a safe trip down. Sending good vibes and much love.
- Harold Pitt M.D.
Posted by: Harold Pitt on 6/21/2024 at 5:26 pm
Congratulations everyone on making it up!! Way to go Shane. Stay safe heading back down.
Posted by: Sonny Digiovanna on 6/21/2024 at 8:13 am
View All Comments