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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Arrive in Basecamp

February 6, 2013

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Greetings from Plaza Argentina! After a very early rise and a FRIGID river crossing our team wound our way up through the Relinchos Valley (a side valley of the Vacas) and arrived at Basecamp. We moved well and made good time on our ascent, with everybody feeling strong on our first bit of sustained elevation gain. We arrived just ahead of a pretty decent squall that gave us a but of wind, hail, and rain but we made short work of setting up tents ahead of the worst of it. Later on we were served up some delicious steaks and a little bit of Cabernet for dinner by the Grajales Basecamp staff. We crashed out around 9 or so when the weather started to get a little squirrelly again and enjoyed a well deserved rest! Adios from Plaza Argentina! RMI Guide Billy Nugent

On The Map

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Pack Up, Then Unpack

May 25, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

This mornings skies were a welcome sight after a few days of white. Clear skies also brought colder temps for us at Kahiltna Base Camp. It was not long before the clouds rolled back in but that did not stop the team from having some fun. We ventured to a crevasse field and gave folks a chance to see the inside of a the icy maw and climb out. Lots of laughs and pictures today around those cracks. Later in the afternoon we received word from K2 that they were launching the fleet to drop a team off and that we should be ready within the hour. That was a frantic hour indeed but the team got it done in short order. As soon as the dust settled we found out that the planes turned back so we set up a new camp downtown on the airstrip. Forecast is calling for more snow the next few days so we will see what the future holds. RMI Guide Leon Davis

Mt. Rainier: September 6, 2013 Update

September 6, 2013

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,080'

The Four Day Summit Climbs led by Lindsay Mann and Tyler Jones were unable to leave Camp Muir last night. The team experienced heavy thunderstorms that brought much lightening and 6 inches of new snow to Camp Muir. The teams plan to leave Camp Muir shortly and will be back in Ashford in the early afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Janet and Peter,
Although it wasn’t what you planned, it sounds like you had quite the adventure, Maybe Peter should have brought his raft! I can’t wait to hear all about your trip. Love you both!!!!
Jeanine

Posted by: Jeanine on 9/6/2013 at 6:44 pm

Hi Juli, Megan and Wes.
What an exciting time you have had for the last few days. We are so proud of your efforts. Looking forward to seeing the pictures. Love and prayers, MOM, Memaw

Posted by: Mary Alyce Hall on 9/6/2013 at 12:21 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Check in from High Camp

December 7, 2023

Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Michael Murray

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,300'

Hello! We arrived at the high camp at Cayambe and walked up to the glacier for a quick snow school followed by a relaxing afternoon. The weather seems to be cooperating and we will make our summit attempt tonight, wish us luck!

RMI Guide Michael Murray

New Post Alerts:
Ecuador's Volcanoes 12-2-2023

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

All the best to you! Climb Strong!!!

Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/8/2023 at 7:19 am

Wishing all of you the best… hope you celebrate with your Flaming Hot Cheetohs! Disfrutar!

Posted by: Patti Kay on 12/8/2023 at 5:06 am

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Denali Expedition: Walter and Team hold at 11,000’ Camp

May 22, 2021

Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Friday May 21, 2021 - 9:56 pm PT

Winds had calmed by 5am, and I got my hopes up as I fired the stoves in the cold Alaskan dawn. But it turned out to be a brief lull instead of a pattern change. Persistently strong winds and snow returned and we were dealt another weather day.

We’re optimistic that the weather pattern is changing; we saw the sun this evening for the first time in four days. We’re all in good spirits, ready and rested for the move to 14k.

RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Good luck to Luke and the whole team!

Posted by: Matthew Byars on 5/25/2021 at 9:19 am

The Bemis’s and Wilhelm’s wish you all well from the shores of Cayuga lake for chuck’s graduation! Hope you’re all not going too stir crazy and that you haven’t consumed all your snacks. Stay safe and thanks for the daily updates- much appreciated!

Posted by: Tracy on 5/23/2021 at 5:21 am

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Arrive at the Rivertrees Lodge

January 20, 2020

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

RMI's Kilimanjaro Climb #2 is underway!

The team arrived late last night after some very long flights. It was a short and uneventful ride to our Rivertrees Lodge that is nestled in between Arusha and Moshi and not so far from the base of Kilimanjaro. We had a quick but delicious dinner and headed for bed as the time change has the arriving team feeling just a little off and pretty tired after all the traveling.

Today we started our morning with our official meeting at 10 am, where we did a round of introductions and then discussed the upcoming program and the game plan for the days ahead. We spent the afternoon getting our gear packed up and exploring the grounds of our peaceful Lodge.

We wrapped up the evening with another delicious meal and plenty of friendly conversations. Everyone is doing well and excited to hit the trail tomorrow and get a little bit of exercise.

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili crew!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Way to go to all of you! Brad, your co-workers are so happy for you and this grand adventure. My husband has this super hike on his bucket list. Enjoy!

Posted by: Lori Diamond on 1/23/2020 at 10:36 am

Way to go Brad! We’re cheering you on. Safe climbing to each of you. Have a blast.

Posted by: Ruth Barraza-Mancilla on 1/23/2020 at 10:32 am

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Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Moving in the Right Direction

June 29, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Ben Liken, Sean Collon

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,000'

June 28, 2014 - 10:07 pm PT So good to be on Denali. So good to be on the move again. With our late flight onto the mountain yesterday evening, there wasn't so much time to be ready for the late season tradition of walking out of basecamp at 4 AM this morning. We built our camp and put priority on getting good rest instead. Our thinking was that with so much snow (30 inches from the last storm) that we might get by just fine without the early start. We'd plainly seen the lower Kahiltna Glacier during our flight and it certainly didn't look like crevasse bridges were going to be a problem. So we got up at a civilized 7:30 AM and did our organizational work and set out for a daytime Denali departure. As we'd allowed ourselves to hope, crevasses were no problem. In fact the glacier was in better condition than it had been for late season in decades. We made three hour-long pulls with some fifteen-minute restbreaks in between. But in the end we decided not to push on to our normal first day camp goal of 8,000 feet. Despite our snowshoes, the walk was getting strenuous due to the great amount of unconsolidated new snow softening with the heat of the day. We camped at 7,000 ft where the East Fork meets the main glacier and we'll happily begin earlier tomorrow to get ideal surface conditions. Nice to see a few of the other late season guides on the move today as well, a bit of a reunion. Especially nice to hear from Adam Knoff at 11K on the radio and Billy Nugent on top. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Mexico’s Volcanoes: Team Resting in Puebla

October 24, 2013

Posted by: Solveig Waterfall, JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

It is a day to explore the city of Puebla. The team is enjoying a day of rest and there's no better place to do that than in this colorful city. Some of the teammates are on the search for cowboy boots. Some of us are going to partake in a culinary class to learn how to make Puebla's signature dish...Mole Poblano! And of course, we will be sampling all the authentic cuisine we can. The weather is improving so don't go too far. Tomorrow we begin our adventure on Orizaba! RMI Guide JJ Justman

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Good luck tomorrow team, may you have great weather!
-Brad and Lori

Posted by: Brad & Lori Briggs on 10/24/2013 at 7:13 pm

Greeting from Massachusetts.
Phil’s favorite sister here. My big task on Wednesday was payroll. I’m tires just reading about your day. Hahaha
Can’t wait to see the pictures.
XO Jackie

Posted by: Jackie Miner on 10/24/2013 at 1:17 pm

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Mexico: Wittmier and Team Summit Ixta and look forward to Tacos

February 15, 2023

Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lauren Macklin

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Elevation: 7,000'

With dust in our eyes (it hasn’t snowed here since early January) and a dream in our hearts (no matter how dirty and tired we are, we all continue wanting it), we awoke at 12:45am this morning to climb Iztaccíhuatl (Ixta). Actually, we were all awake around 10:45pm to overhear the saga of two of our climbers trying to get a mouse out of their tent. Either way, these alpine starts always seem to come a touch too early.

Our day started with a sleepy ascent of “The Knees” section of the route. Once atop “The Knees”, there was a moderate wind that stuck around all day. Most of us wore parkas for nearly the entire climb; it was chilly but beautifully clear. Once the sun came up, we could clearly pick out skyscrapers in downtown Mexico City, which is unassumingly, the fifth largest city in the world.

The group powered through cold, wind and dust and everyone who made the attempt today also reached the summit! Congrats to this bus full of climbers who will enjoy their well-deserved Tacos Arabe in Puebla this evening.

Dustin

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

BEAUTIFUL sky, those clouds omg! hope yall are enjoying some of the most well-earned tacos on the planet right now :D may all your future rests be mouse-free and your summits be as gorgeous as this one!

Posted by: Corey on 2/16/2023 at 7:54 am

Hey Dustin! Thank you for all the updates! Brings back such cool memories! All the Best to yopu and your team for your next climb !!!
Farmer Dave

Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/16/2023 at 3:48 am

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The Top Five Reasons To Ice Climb In Ouray, CO

November 24, 2015

Posted by: Geoff Schellens

Categories:

Ouray, CO is a small mountain town located near the ski resort of Telluride, CO and in the heart of the San Juan mountains. Ouray has become the preeminent destination in the U.S. for ice climbing, and is known throughout the world as well. RMI Guide Geoff Schellens has spent his last five winters climbing and guiding ice in Ouray, and gives his top five reasons to visit the small, exciting mountain town this winter. 1. The Ouray Ice Park: Located two minutes from town, the Ouray ice park is the largest man-made ice park in the world. With over 200 established routes ranging from beginner to difficult ice and mixed climbs and immediate in-town access, the park is the place for any climber to hone their skills. Managed by the Ouray Ice Park staff who turn on nearly 100 showerheads every afternoon to rebuild ice for the next day and keep the park in tip-top shape, this unique playground is free to the public, though donations are much appreciated. The ice park is open seven days a week from mid December to late March. 2. Back Country Ice Climbing: The San Juan Mountains surrounding Ouray are home to many of the best backcountry ice in the US. From roadside multi-pitch climbs on Camp Bird Road to long alpine style ice in Eureka and Telluride, one can find amazing ice and beautiful Rocky Mountain solitude within an hour drive. Famous backcountry routes including Stairway to Heaven, The Ribbon, Skylight, and Bridal Veil Falls are just a few of the sought after classics in the area. 3. The Town of Ouray: This small mountain town has a rich climbing culture. It is not uncommon to see world-class climbers grabbing a pint at the Ourale House or coffee and decadent treat at Mouse’s Chocolate and Coffee following a day on the ice. With over 130 years of history, the town of Ouray is an eclectic blend of new and old. There are a plethora of unique restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels where climbers reconvene with stories from the day’s escapades and plans for tomorrow’s adventure. 4. The Ouray Hot Springs: Located in the heart of town, the Ouray Hot Springs is a public soaking spot not to be missed. Hosting four pools ranging in temperatures from 88º to 106º, the hot springs provide a wonderful way to relax those sore muscles after a day of ice climbing. 5. The Ouray Ice Fest: Typically falling on the second weekend in January, the Ouray Ice Fest is the event of the year. During the day, clinics like ‘Intro to Ice’, ‘Steep Ice Techniques’ and ‘Speed and Efficiency on Ice’ are hosted by world-class athletes and guides. In the evening, slideshows, presentations and events such as the Petzl party are held in town. Don’t be too engrossed to miss the highlight of the weekend: the ice climbing competition. Top climbers from around the world come to test their skill on the difficult competition wall. For anyone interested in learning to ice climb, or looking to take their skills further, Ouray is the perfect destination. The density of available routes, across the spectrum of difficulty, means that there is something for everyone in Ouray. Join one of our Ice Climbing programs this year, and let Geoff or another of our exceptional guides share the excitement of ice climbing with you! _____ Geoff Schellens is a senior guide at RMI. An AMGA certified rock guide, Geoff guides exciting mountain adventures around the world for RMI. Geoff will be guiding Ice programs in Ouray this winter, before starting off his summer season leading an expedition on the West Rib of Denali and then on to Alpamayo. Let Geoff share his wealth of ice climbing knowledge with you this winter!

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Most Popular Entries

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Arrive in Basecamp

On The Map

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Pack Up, Then Unpack

Mt. Rainier: September 6, 2013 Update

Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Check in from High Camp

Denali Expedition: Walter and Team hold at 11,000’ Camp

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Arrive at the Rivertrees Lodge

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Moving in the Right Direction

Mexico’s Volcanoes: Team Resting in Puebla

Mexico: Wittmier and Team Summit Ixta and look forward to Tacos

The Top Five Reasons To Ice Climb In Ouray, CO

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Most Popular Entries

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New Post Alerts:Ecuador's Volcanoes 12-2-2023

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Ecuador's Volcanoes 12-2-2023

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Expedition Dispatches