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Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Michael Murray, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - 9:45 pm PT
Snow day at 11,000'. Thankfully the wind calmed down as we went to bed last night. Through the night and much of today it was just light snow and a lot of cloud. As we ate dinner and told each other stories in the dining tent, the storm ramped up and now, as we climb in tents for the night, it is officially DUMPING snow.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 17,575'
Good evening readers,
Today we had a casual morning at Everest Base Camp, rolling into the dining tent for breakfast at 8:30am. After a deliciously filling breakfast, we grabbed some jackets and headed out onto the glacier. We moved our way down loose rock to the ice where it flattened out. We weaved around the ice and came upon some tracks in the snow. First thought was one of the puppers followed us up. But on closer examination they were cat tracks...snow leopard to be exact. What a sight the tracks of a snow leopard! Now if only we could see one. We found a nice ice wave to set up an obstacle course for the team to practice their climbing skills. They ascended one rope and then descended the other. These skills will be needed to climb Lobuche. The rest of the afternoon we repacked our duffles and relaxed for a big day tomorrow. The snow pitter pattered most of the afternoon, once again creating a fresh blanket of snow through camp. With water bottles filled with hot water to warm our sleeping bags we are ready for bed.
Have a good day all back home,
RMI Guides Hannah, Abby, and Team
Posted by: Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Robby ... thank you so much for all of the updates. You have some excellent writing skills! And thanks for getting everyone thru unscathed. Enjoy some downtime!!!
Posted by: Bridget on 7/30/2019 at 3:05 pm
Oh, you’re so close to the Uruhu peak. So cool! Just read that Kilimanjaro “...is an inactive stratovolcano”. Sounds nasty. Be careful, Natasha. I love you.
PS
Can’t find washing machine manual. Where is it?
Posted by: Anatoly, Moscow on 8/2/2011 at 3:59 am
As I post this you will all have made it to the roof of Africa.I was very busy and could not post you all today, but you were all in my thoughts.I “bragged to complete strangers how my friends were nearing the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro with Jeff Martin.Why the hell not! you are all amazing for achieving this amazing feat. I really hope everybody’s in good shape and safe.I’m looking forward to the images and stories.
God Bless you all. Cant wait for the Sara arms in the air picture. Go Sara! woooo hooooo Rusty!
Gummi Worm Man (at sea level)
Posted by: gummi Worm Man on 8/1/2011 at 11:22 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Erika Birkeland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Sunday, May 28, 2023 - 8:50 pm PT
Hello readers,
Today we woke to descent weather for our carry. It was cold and crisp with clouds flowing here and there. We took off still in the shadows. In not too long we were in the sun with a breeze. We were one of the first people to leave camp and get to the fixed lines. They were icy but with great steps that made it feel secure. This is a steep portion of the mountain and the team gave it their all. After a several hours we were at the top of the fixed lines. There we decided to cache our gear and use the rest of our energy to get down safely. The clouds finally rolled fully in and snow began to fall. We made it back to camp surrounded by white. It has been a long hard day and we are all ready for some rest and that's exactly what we will do tomorrow.
So good night all,
RMI Guides Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Erika Birkeland & Team
Lookin forward to more good weather updates! Hope that ramen from the last update is treating you well, it’s making me want some ramen too. Can’t imagine it hits as hard in 75°F weather as it does up on Denali, though. Keep goin strong Corey!!
Anna + Bennett (who literally just had wisdom teeth removed but he wishes you the best in spirit)
Posted by: Anna Nolan on 5/31/2023 at 11:35 am
Hey Hannah! Sending Best wishes and Strength and Stamina to You and Team Tatas!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 5/30/2023 at 3:23 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Erika Birkeland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Hello fellow readers!
Welcome to our journey! We have wrapped up day two of our Denali Expedition. Yesterday the team met at carousel 1 of the Anchorage Airport with heavy duffels in tow. A rainy drive through the woods of Alaska brought us to the launching pad of Denali Expeditions, Talkeetna. Talkeetna is a Native American word meaning where the rivers meet. At the end of town, you can stand where the Susitna, Chulitna, and the Talkeetna meet with views of Hunter, Foraker, and Denali off in the distance. Today the clouds covered up the mountains but the river rushed by with huge chunks of ice floating along down stream, making for a gorgeous view. It was a busy day for the team sorting gear and getting ready for our flight tomorrow. We are separated into two teams with five going on one plane and four on another. As of now, the weather looks good for getting onto the Kahiltna glacier. The team enjoyed their last dinner in civilization before eating a bunch of noodles and burritos on the mountain. You can see and feel the excitement but also the nerves and jitters for what lies ahead. It's going to be an amazing adventure and a memorable one too. Not only because we are climbing the tallest peak in North America but we are doing it as a team of all Ladies! So say hello to your all women's team, The Tatas.
Stayed tuned for what's next,
RMI Guides Hannah, Devin, Erika, and Team
Go Corey!! Show Denali who’s boss!!! Let me know if you find a Mrs. Claus up there, she’s been dodging my calls ( ; _ ;)/
Anna + Bennett
Posted by: Anna Nolan on 5/19/2023 at 10:30 am
We are tracking your progress via the points you are dropping, plus dad is plotting and forecasting where y’all head next via Google earth. Have fun and stay safe, Anna!
Love, Mom & Dad
Posted by: Kathy on 5/19/2023 at 9:00 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Good day faithful readers,
We have concluded our 17 day Aconcagua Expedition. With a final 8mile walk out to the park entrance, we have made it start to finish. Our final night was spent bellies full of Carne asada and a crisp starry night to glance up at intermittently as we rolled in our sleeping bags. It's surreal feeling having been sleeping hypoxic at 19,600' and then in 48 hours on the valley floor. Three hours of walking brought us back to where we started and a quick wait brought us back to our clean clothes at Penitentes. Once back in Mendoza the team cleaned up and became new people. It's crazy what a shower, new clothes, and shave can do for someone's appearance. We enjoyed bottles of wine and listening to everyone tell their highs and lows of the trip. It's been an amazing time in Argentina from the people, the food, the scenery, and the company. On behalf of all three guides, we would like to thank our team for a great expedition. Thier commitment to train and be ready for this trip showed and their ability to adapt and bond as a team has made these three weeks truly enjoyable. So congratulations team, hope to see you all on the next mountain!
That's a wrap,
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan, and Team
Yay! So happy for all of you :)
Posted by: Shelby Read on 1/27/2023 at 11:57 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Howdy howdy,
We woke up for the last time on the mountain.
We opened our eyes to a frosty dome tent as we packed up our sleeping bags and got ready for breakfast. Today, we headed down the valley towards the park entrance. 8hrs and 17miles later, we arrived at Lenas, our first camp we stayed at 16 days ago.
We started our expedition with a carne asada dinner and ended it the same way. Bellies full of steak, potatoes, veggies, red wine. Our bellies no longer rumble and are now instead very full. The team earned this glorious meal cooked by a spectacular chef. With a light breeze we are headed to our sleeping arrangements, some in tents, others sleeping under the stars.
It's a surreal moment looking back at being at 19,600' just yesterday and now sleeping on the valley floor. Tomorrow, we finish our trek out to the gate entrance, concluding our 17-day trip up and down Aconcagua. Everyone is ready and excited for the hotel amenities - top on the list is a shower, a reliable toilet, clean clothes, and a comfy bed.
For now, we are content laying in the dirt after a long day hiking.
Buenos noches,
Godspeed to the climber in the red beret!
Posted by: Jenny French on 1/26/2023 at 6:58 am
Congrats Hannah to You and your Team! You all Rock!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/26/2023 at 3:22 am
The team has arrived at High Camp on Chimborazo, 17,300. It has been a roller coaster of emotion watching the weather. One minute it looks perfect and the next it is cloudy and windy. So we are just doing everything we can to be ready for a summit push tonight. Dinner will be ready at 5:30 pm, with a little charcuterie spread preceding. We be sleeping in tents on a gritty, windy mountain but we are not barvarians! We will eat the finiest dried meats, cheese and olives the Mega Maxi grocery store has to offer.
We will be up climbing under the stars (hopefully) on the switchback deprived trail tonight. It literally goes straight up.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Dustin Wittmier
Hoping all has gone well. Enjoying your descriptive blogs.
Posted by: Jane on 1/19/2020 at 6:06 am
Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
In whatever comes our way
Get ready to start your engines boys. Motorcycle Hill straight ahead!
Posted by: Dan Allegretti on 6/22/2023 at 6:06 am
Happy birthday Mitch! Stay safe and warm
Love Mare
Posted by: Marianne Harvey on 6/21/2023 at 10:27 pm
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