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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
THE CLIMB BEGINS
Today we awoke for an 8am breakfast, the last luxurious basecamp breakfast for a week and a half. Hell has it really only been a week in this dust?! From meeting in peruivian airports to tent mates, how have we only known each other 9 days and in tents for 7?
We quickly ate our food and stashed away our future mountain lunch. Before long we were making our way up the mountain again. This time we kissed goodbye to the sweet creature comforts of basecamp… have no fear the speaker made it on the pack list! Up the winding switch backs, through the penetentes, over the glacier streams, and up the final scramble to our new home, campo uno. We set up camp, acquainted ourselves with our new bathroom situation, and started treating our water.
Tonight we feast on quesadillas and Indian style tasty bites… good thing we have our blue bags at the ready (RMI please take the hint). Tomorrow we have another big day, a carry to 18,000' feet. On this trip we’ve learned many things. We’ve learned why the moon waxes and wanes differently in the southern hemisphere. We’ve mastered the game of euchre. We’ve etched our guides pet peeves into our brains so as not to do those things..purposefully at least. But what we have yet to learn is our future on this mountain, we can only continue to set ourselves up for success, having each others back, and controlling what’s in our power to control. Summit or not, one thing we will walk away from this mountain without a doubt is what we’ve learned about ourselves, our proven strength, our attitude, and our camaraderie as a team of strangers turned friends.
I’d like to make a call out to our two biggest fans Eddie and my mom Michelle, and our other fans the polish team and the burrows. We have yet to decide on a team name, please send your suggestions in the comments, no guarantees we will use it, but we would love your thoughts!
And lastly. Happy early birthday to my ride or die Ambre, I love the hell out of you and I hope you have the best birthday. Lord knows I was thinking of you crossing that river!
Climber Mikayla Demers
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Aconcagua Expedition January 12, 2024
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
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier radioed in at 8:45 am to report that the team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. The team started their summit attempt from Camp Schurman and climbed the Emmons Glacier to reach the top. They have one more night on the mountain where they will continue to develop their alpine mountaineering skills in hopes of tackling bigger peaks like Denali and Aconcagua.
Congratulations Emmons Team!
So proud of all those old Lobo swimmers! WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!!!!
Posted by: Heidi Heywood on 7/15/2021 at 5:24 pm
Aces on top! Couldn’t be happier for The Don and the group. Plant the RFC flag!
Posted by: rvh on 7/15/2021 at 11:43 am
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.
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
Posted by: Robby Young, Pete Van Deventer, Josh Maggard
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Go Renee. Am waiting with bated breath to hear you’re at the summit. I hope it’s as awesome as the views do far. I think all of the VEC are behind you babe. Good luck and much love xxxxx
Posted by: Glenda on 5/30/2015 at 1:46 am
Rennee you are doing not only us here at the VEC, but your family and more importantly yourself proud ! Everyone is 100% right behind you all the way my friend :)
Thanks to the rest of the team for looking after our little Duvo ! Great photo’s and updates !
Onwards and upwards all :)
Posted by: Paul your GOD Webbyyyyy on 5/26/2015 at 9:23 pm
On The Map
Bill and Team! Yahoo… enjoy resting and relaxing as you trek downward. So looking forward to seeing you on January 23rd Bill…breakfast is my treat! D
Posted by: Dav'ne on 1/7/2014 at 8:46 am
Enjoy your day resting. Take lots of pictures.
Posted by: Martha on 1/7/2014 at 4:17 am
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Ben Liken
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
On The Map
GO BRO! Your Razorback crew is praying for a safe and spectacular climb for Uncle John and the team.
Posted by: Jane on 7/29/2011 at 8:06 pm
I’ve been bragging about my bad-ass best friend to anybody who listens… so honored to receive a mountain-side birthday wish!
You have been, and always will be, the shining image of perseverance. I know in my heart that little J will see you as one of his hero’s <3
Also, make sure you share the chocolate!
Posted by: Ambre Judd on 1/22/2024 at 1:22 pm
Thanks for the shout out! I’m following the team all the way. I love hearing about your days, food, and team work. I love the photos as well.
Team names: I kind of feel like it should include doctor (since there are so many) and burros maybe. Mostly because I like burros and I’ve got ornery, little, Cinderellie the mule. That is if your looking for something fun. The origin of the name Aconcagua appears to be in dispute. I found several meanings to include “Snow-capped mountain” - “Stone Sentinel” - and “White Sentinel”. Maybe something with Sentinel? Just some random thoughts.
Looking forward to the next post!
P.S. Love you Mikayla, Captain, Badass, baby girl!
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on 1/22/2024 at 8:40 am
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