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Hello from 15,500ft on Ixta! The team did an impressive job carrying heavy loads up to our high camp today. Sunny skies and upbeat attitudes made for a great day in the mountains.
Our camp is above the clouds for now with only a light breeze. We have spectacular views of the Volcano Popocatepetl (17,800ft) to our south. Popo is an active volcano that spits out plumes of Ash from time to time which is fun to watch.
Tonight we will eat an early dinner and crawl into bed to get some shut eye before an early start to our summit attempt tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the massive sprawl of city lights from both Mexico City and Puebla thousands of feet below.
Checking in from 13,000ft on Ixta. Today the team is preparing our equipment for our trip up to high camp (15,500ft) on Ixta. We are enjoying a beautiful sunset to the west with glorious views of Ixta to the North. The mountain has fresh snow above 15,500ft.
Tomorrow will be a challenging day with heavier packs, but our team is looking strong. As we watch the sunset, we are eating a delicious meal prepared by our wonderful local staff!
Wish us luck for continuing good weather and hopefully a successful summit of Ixta 17,100ft!
We will check in from our high camp tomorrow.
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
Due to avalanche activity, the Four Day Climb with RMI Guides JT Schmitt and Alex Halliday did not climb above Camp Muir this morning. The mountain received 8+" of new snow yesterday afternoon and there were numerous slides on the Cowlitz Glacier with several going over the trail. In the first picture, you can see evidence of avalanche debris that has been deposited along the first steps of the route.
The team has started their descent and will back at Ashford Basecamp early this afternoon.
Happy Birthday to my son Davis!
Posted by: Sherry Yonge on 6/18/2022 at 1:58 pm
8+’ ? Surely that’s in inches! Let’s all hope the weather improves and parties stay safe.
Posted by: David on 6/18/2022 at 11:25 am
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Mount Rainier
Hi Mike, Looks like your team is enjoying a lot more snow than last years team. I hope that you don,t have any long stays anywhere on denali. Good-luck to all of you. Ken Young “Denali team 2011”
Posted by: Ken Young on 5/20/2012 at 1:38 pm
Posted by:
Categories: Mountaineering Fitness & Training
I have some big mountaineering goals. I’m not sure how much training and fitness is necessary. I’m trading for Ironman Lake Tahoe as a way to get fit for mountaineering. Is doing this enough fitness?
I have asked this question here before. I still have not heard from anyone. I would hate to find out I don’t have enough fitness on the mountain.
Posted by: Will Beaubien on 2/9/2014 at 6:05 pm
Any opinions on CrossFit? I’m somewhat short on time and do this about four times a week. It’s fun. I also do a long endurance hike with weight 4+ hours once a week. I fight forest fires during the summer for the Forest Service and this is my off season training regime. I’m aiming to climb Rainier via the Kautz glacier or another similar route. Any suggestions for adding to or changing my training plan? Thanks!
Posted by: Tim on 10/13/2013 at 7:32 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
Elevation: 12,325'
Good evening or shall I say good morning,
After 2 nights in Namche, it was time to leave and make our way further up the valley. A tasty breakfast, a last message sent, and quick sit on the toilet wrapped up our morning routine before hitting the trail. Today’s hike was once again more beautiful than pictures can capture. The trail carried us along the hillside bringing us to the view we have all been waiting for...Everest. Haze cloaked the mountains giving almost a mysterious look to them. Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest all stood proud. Words and pictures can't describe how impressive they are...one must simply be here to experience it.
All day the mountains stood in view almost calling us further down trail. After a handful of hours walking the dusty trail, sharing it will yak and zyopkyo, we arrive at the Tengboche Monastery. Here we received a puja ceremony by one of the monks who prayed for our safe travels. Each one of us placed items to be blessed and recieved both a khata and a sungdi.
After the ceremony we made our way downhill to Deboche where we will spend the night. Heated blankets greet us on our beds. There will be no cold toes tonight. Tomorrow, we hit the trail again to our next destination. Day by day we get closer to basecamp.
For now, we head to bed as the rest of you begin your day.
RMI Guides Casey, Hannah, and Team
Posted by: Mike King, Camille Leininger, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
RMI Guide Mike King and the Mt. Baker Coleman Deming July 20 - 22 team reached the summit this morning. Mike reported a cold and windy day with firm conditions on the Roman Headwall. The team returned to camp shortly after 11 am. After packing up camp they descended to the trail head and concluded their program.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Ed Viesturs, Peter Whittaker, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Awesome job Matt; I am so happy for you! It looks like you had perfect conditions too. I look forward to hearing about it when you get back.
Posted by: John Boyce on 6/26/2014 at 7:54 am
Well done Dave,Mike and team! Thanks Ed and Peter for keeping them safe:)
Posted by: Nat Turner on 6/26/2014 at 3:20 am
Following you closly Vlado, thanks to Dave’s exelent reporting. Amazing,amazing, father is watching over you and we all are very proud of your achievments.
Stay safe for the rest of the expedition.
Cheers Maria, Lumir a Patrick
Posted by: Maria on 12/15/2011 at 10:34 am
So proud of you Mindy. thinking about you everyday and your achievement. Can’t wait to see all the glorious pictures. You stay safe and know you are in our thoughts. Missing you - but happy you are enjoying the challenge and sights. Love, Suz xoxo
Posted by: suzanne de maio on 12/15/2011 at 5:59 am
Love reading the updates. Hope tomorrow is a successful summit day!
Posted by: Katie Allanson on 10/12/2021 at 1:25 pm
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