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Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in as the trip comes to an end.
Posted by: Brent Okita, Raymond Holt, Mac Nolde, Casey Grom, Roland Scott, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb Led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Roland Scott reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Brent Okita reported a beautiful day on the summit with great route conditions. The team is on the descent and will be back at Rainier Basecamp this afternoon to celebrate.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 18,997'
The team started their summit day with an early alpine start, leaving the Cayambe shelter just before midnight. Scrambling up to the glacier under headlamp, and an almost full moon, the morning remained very calm and pleasantly cool.
After nearly two hours of approach, the team transitioned into crampons and full glacier kits, roping up and embarking up the ridge with their guides. Cayambe remains in a very dry state, leaving very icy and firm walking conditions for much of the climb.
Furthermore, winds picked up higher up on the mountain, exposing the team to colder more challenging climbing conditions. At around 18k feet, the sun began to rise, giving way to some relief for the final stretches of the climb.
After roughly 7 hours of climbing, the team topped out at nearly 19k feet. The summit was relatively calm with low winds, allowing the team to hangout and celebrate for nearly 40 mins.
The descent back to the shelter was altogether speedy despite the effects of altitude being obvious to many of the group. After a brief rest and a late breakfast, the team packed up and departed to Tumbaco for a much-needed upcoming rest day before heading to Antisana.
RMI Guide Mike Bennett & Team
Awesome Dustin!!! Great work getting your Team to the top! Beautiful blue skies!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/30/2024 at 7:28 am
Our big day began at about 5:45 AM… which was when the sun started hitting the high peaks. There was a little more cloud -again- for the start of the day but it didn’t really seem like it would affect us. We got walking at 7 AM in the cool shadows. The trail turned uphill immediately and we got busy gaining altitude. We enjoyed pretty much having it all to ourselves. We took short breaks every hour or so. There was great variety to the climb. We reached an area of high alpine lakes and ultimately a grand stone staircase to the Renjo La -the pass at 17,800 ft. We reached it at 12:30 after 4.5 hrs. Everest was visible in the distance but there were lots of clouds about, meaning we just got some quick glimpses of Lhotse and Makalu and Cho Oyu. It was a thrilling spot to be in and so we spent nearly a half hour enjoying it. We made good progress down the other side, reaching Gokyo in just two more hours… at three PM. Gokyo Lake was mesmerizing. Quite large and quite turquoise in color. It was wonderful to walk along the shore as a finish to the day. And then we were in a comfortable tea house, sipping tea again.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Brian and Craig, I knew you both had the endurance training,both mental & physical to make it if weather cooperated. So cool! You’ll never forget this experience!
Posted by: Babs Velategui on 9/1/2014 at 6:36 pm
AWESOME!!!!
Congratulations Jake ,Kyle, and TEAM on a successful summit!!! What a great accomplishment! Can’t wait to hear all about it!!!
Posted by: Mom and Dad Cremer on 8/31/2014 at 12:05 pm
On The Map
Hi Mark!
We missed your call—sorry. And it didn’t work when we tried to call you back. This experience sounds wonderful. We’re happy for you and we love you.
Mother & Daddy
Posted by: Maury & Eviemail Address * on 8/11/2014 at 4:20 pm
We are looking forward to seeing your celebration pics from the summit! Stay safe and enjoy!
Posted by: Kathy and Andy on 8/11/2014 at 2:02 pm
beautiful…much love from Tacoma , WA
Posted by: trish on 5/7/2013 at 1:19 pm
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