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Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
Wednesday, May, 12, 2021 - 10:04 pm PT
We got a break in the weather this afternoon and were able to fly in to Basecamp on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. Camp is all set up and we have starting sorting out equipment for (hopefully) moving up glacier to the base of Ski Hill tomorrow. It was warm and sunny here today, although a cloud has settled in now and it's snowing lightly. We'll touch base again tomorrow as we start our long adventure of living on a glacier.
Congratulations to my brother Bob and his friends - you guys rocked it!
Posted by: Ed Sanborn on 7/4/2014 at 1:51 pm
I am so very very proud and excited for my brother Bob.
Posted by: Mary Sanborn on 6/17/2014 at 7:41 am
On The Map
Susan - you look like you love swinging bridges!
Posted by: Love the pictures, thanks on 3/25/2014 at 1:50 pm
Hi Liz and SUsan!! Imaging you and your Gutsy experience. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Sending you lots of energy and positive thoughts!! XOXO
Posted by: connie black on 3/24/2014 at 12:49 pm
Posted by: JJ Justman, Mike King, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
On The Map
Awesome photo! Great job, dad (Lew Smith)! Best of luck to you and the team! Climb smart, and climb on!
Love you!
Kyle
Posted by: Kyle A. Smith on 1/17/2014 at 8:43 am
Hey Denise, This is so cool! I love seeing your progress. Yahoo! Be Safe! Have the best time. Make snow angel for me when you get to the fluffy white stuff!
Sputter Dog says Hey!
Posted by: Mary Fox on 1/15/2014 at 9:22 am
Seth Waterfall checks in from the Jose Ribas Hut on Cotopaxi
I am confident you all will make it to the top weather permitting! Be safe and stay warm. Myself, I am heading to the beach today for two weeks and will be thinking of you all. Tell President Khan I will see him there. Enjoy the adventure! I know there will be a lifetime of tales to tell!
Posted by: Lyn Calloway on 7/8/2011 at 6:14 am
Darryl - We’re praying to see you at the top tomorrow. Have fun! Love, Dad and Jane
Posted by: Jane Schimeck on 7/7/2011 at 5:58 pm
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Today was the day! Cayambe summit bid.
The guides “woke up” at 11pm to check the weather outside and stepped into an uncharacteristically warm and cloudy night. Glimpses of stars came in and out of view with the wind dull and chilled. We decided it was go time and, given the hour we estimated it would take the team to gear up, we put our chips on an improving trend. Clear it did, as we donned our backpacks and set up the rocky, first section of the route. It takes us about an hour plus to get to the base of the glacier on Cayambe due to the varied, and sometimes involved terrain you navigate to get there. Our nerves quickly gave way to the necessity of focus on the tricky terrain and that’s when it gets fun!
After a quick break at the glacier to eat, put our crampons on, and rope up, we were climbing. That warm night gave way to a clear, chilly, moonlit night with views of the surrounding peaks and towns. With perfect conditions and beautiful weather, the team climbed in style for the 4000ft and 7 hours of ascent.
100% of the team stood on top of Cayambe today. An accolade not often achieved by teams attempting these tall peaks.
Proud of the grit, dedication, and attitude this team has. While it’s a shame the trip is ending, I know I’ll see these climbers back in the mountains soon enough.
This is the Cayambe Express trip.
Signing out.
RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns and Team
Dominic ,Joes going to want a cold coke, after climb like that !
Congratulations!,
Posted by: Daryl on 11/5/2022 at 7:52 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, July 5, 2021 - 1:05 pm PT
We're still hanging at 14,000' Camp, amid snow, wind, and very limited visibility. We're hoping for a little break in the weather so that we can pack up camp and head down around Windy Corner and start our descent. The weather isn't having any of that, though. At this point we're comfy and safe at camp and there's no reason to force a descent into terrible weather. As eager as we are to get to Kahiltna Base Camp, it is not a pressing matter because planes cannot fly (much less land on the glacier) in this weather.
We'll keep you posted on our predicament.
Thinking about you Aaron!!! I love you! Love, sissy
Posted by: Emilee on 7/6/2021 at 2:44 pm
I am pleased to announce that our Ecuador Seminar team successfully reached the glorious summit of Cotopaxi today at 6:45 am, a mere six hours after leaving the hut in near perfect weather. As we gathered outside preparing ourselves for launch we were greeted with a stunning view of the Southern Hemisphere’s most notable constellation, the Southern Cross, perched directly over the summit which was illuminated beautifully in half powered moonlight. With almost no wind and warm temps, our climb was a drastic contrast to the experience on Cayambe. There were certainly more climbers sharing the mountain but all in all the climbing was very manageable and the route was perfect. Along with the the great weather, we were blessed with a stunning view of night time Quito, 50 miles to the north looking like a long orange fire against the backdrops of numerous volcanoes.
Upon reaching the summit we were bummed to be missing two of our team members still struggling to overcome annoying chest infections but we took plenty of pictures to show them the crater and expansive vistas. After an almost flawless descent I provided a bit of unneeded excitement by taking the wrong trail off of the glacier resulting in steep screen sliding but we found the hut and eventually the bus, waiting patiently in the parking lot ready to zip us to showers, internet and cervesas.
As I write this I am sitting in another 400+ year old hacienda, beer in hand, showing our gracious hosts the incredible pictures of this mornings climb. All I keep saying is what a great day and climb it was. We all hope Chimborazo treats us the same way.
Our journey is well past it’s first week so we want to let all of those following the blog know we are grateful. We all miss our families and loved ones and hope you can send positive thoughts for one more climb.
Tomorrow is a rest day as we transfer south to this planet’s actual tallest mountain. Ask google why.
Adam: congrats! Your team is lucky to have you and the weather is something I hope for the next time!
Posted by: Deborah Rutter on 1/17/2020 at 6:12 am
Fantastic everyone ! Congratulations! Wishing you good weather and climb for Chimborazo.
Posted by: Linda Dempf on 1/16/2020 at 4:40 pm
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Pete-
What a feast! Best wishes to you and your trail mates for a successful climb!
Dad
Posted by: Ted Sage on 7/16/2014 at 5:15 pm
Pete,
Great to see your smiling face in the Huaraz pic. Jim Daverman alerted me to your presence on this trip.
Good luck; make it happen!
Art Muir
Posted by: Art Muir on 7/15/2014 at 8:40 pm
Good luck everyone! I wish I could do this!
Posted by: Richard Zeppieri on 5/14/2021 at 3:47 am
Go get it and Godspeed, Pete & the Team!
Posted by: Kendra Madrid on 5/14/2021 at 12:25 am
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