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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Today began with a team meeting at breakfast. Last night there was a possibility that mud slides in the Vacas Valley would prevent us from coming down the mountain the way we came. Fearless leader Dom confirmed we would not be able to backtrack the way we came and instead would go down the other side of the mountain to the Mulas base camp, a route known as the "360." Since we would not be able to go back to our original base camp, we'll have one of the helicopters pick up our duffels and bring them to us at the Mulas base camp.
Our carry day to Camp 3 today brought many us to new high points, with Camp 3 at nearly 19,600ft. Since we would have to carry all our gear up and over the mountain, as opposed to caching it at Camp 2, we all had pretty heavy packs. As we climbed today, the air got thinner and thinner, for most of us requiring a breath every step. Even though we have been at 18,000ft for almost two days, it still required significant fortitude to keep climbing.
High elevation does a number on your body. As you climb higher, the decreasing oxygen makes it difficult to even do the very basic tasks, you loose your appetite and have to force yourself to eat, and for most climbers there is a point where they need start taking Diamox to help prevent high altitude pulmonary and cerebral edema.
After a few days at a particular elevation, we get acclimatized and start feeling good. But we can only bring so many supplies and we have only so many days to get to the summit and back. So our schedule keeps us moving to a new higher point just as we were getting used to our current camp. This is mountaineering and one of the many things that makes it so difficult and the act of doing it so rewarding. Getting to a rest stop on a hike or the next-higher camp on a carry or move day brings a sense of relief that is hard to find in any other activity.
As we approach our last uphill move day, and followed soon after by our summit bid, it's important to remember what a great feat we have accomplished so far, and how lucky we are to be up here with the best climbing team you could ask for.
Climber Andy Green
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Aconcagua Expedition January 12, 2024
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo everyone!
Today was our first day of safari and we headed west to visit the beautiful Lake Manyara. The lake is known for its many migratory animals and home to more than 300 different birds. Everyone enjoyed the day cruising around in our safari vehicles with cold beverages in hand while seeing the animals up close.
We managed to see a few wildebeest, zebras, Cape buffalo, lots of baboons, a few impalas, and a few elephants pretty close, but sadly no lions.
Hopefully tomorrow the big cats come out.
All in all it was a really nice introduction to the incredible diversity of wildlife that Africa has and the team is looking forward to seeing more tomorrow.
We wrapped up the evening with a few cocktails and a wonderful meal at our new lodge. Plantation Lodge - See for yourself!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew
I check these blog updates almost daily! I know RMI and Rainier have a lot of climbs throughout the season but it would be interesting for sure to write maybe a bit more of the Rainier climbs. Maybe a great story from a guide or climber that was told. A crazy food that was brought up on the mountain. Ask the guides who are working the climb to share a bit more. It could be Steves 10th Rainier summit or another important summit for another guide on the team. Food for thought from a lover of climbing blogs. Thank you
Posted by: Darren Chromey on 8/7/2019 at 11:24 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 12,000'
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Conor, congratulations from all your ConMet buddies! Have fun on the next phase of your visit.
Posted by: John Hodge on 2/4/2014 at 8:07 am
Congratulations to all!! It’s been exciting to follow your progress through this blog and I’m hoping the updates will continue through the safari segment, too. Can’t wait to give you a celebratory hug in person, Barrie, but you have more adventures ahead before we see you here in Richmond. Enjoy the “high” you must be feeling even as you continue your travels at lower altitudes!!!
Debbie Trainer
Posted by: Debbie Trainer on 2/3/2014 at 2:15 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Ben Liken
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 13,600'
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It was a pretty start to the day down at Karanga Camp. There were just enough clouds around to make the sunrise colorful, but not enough clouds to make us worry about the weather. It was calm and clear when we walked uphill just after 8 AM. The path upward was an easy one, on broad open slopes. Our gang had no trouble matching Naiman’s pace and in just a few hours we were going up the final, slightly steeper, slopes to Barafu Camp. As fast as we were, our support crew was faster still and we moved into a fine camp and took shelter from the strong midday sun in our tents. Tosha served up a great lunch and then the team sat for a detailed meeting about the big climb and how to prepare for it. This all left plenty of time for resting through the afternoon in preparation for our “alpine start” tonight. In s few minutes we will chow down on an early dinner at 5 o’clock… Spaghetti! And then we will go to bed before the sun sets at 6:30.
We’ve got big plans for the night!
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Omg you all did it!!! Congratulations to you all - I am so super happy for you Amanda and Cindee!!!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it over some wine!!!
Posted by: Belinda Greenstein on 8/27/2023 at 10:28 am
Thankful you’re having great weather and great food! Almost there… enjoy the “big” climb.
Hello to Sarah O
Posted by: Judy Hurley on 8/27/2023 at 7:45 am
Yesterday as our team of acclimating, moth parenting, cloud touching gringos strolled up Rucu Pichincha, a storm was unleashing 40 miles to the south. In Espanol they might say it was raining perros y gatos, but luckily we never felt a drop. Ever since the team arrived, our weather has been a bit squirley leaving us to wonder if we might actually get wet somewhere along the line.
As we packed Victor’s magic bus today, the clouds swirled above but not as noisily as the traffic around us. Forty-five minutes after departing our gracious hotel hosts, we gathered speed around a four lane roundabout and were literally shot out of the city like something breaking free from a strange orbit. Three hours and 50 miles later we found ourselves at a beautiful crater lake named Largo Mojanda. As Americans we want to pronounce this with a true "j" sound, making this lake sound like some kind of volcanic jelly, but in Espanol, the "j" sounds like an "h" and the "o" is long giving it a more majestic feel.
The mountains we climbed don’t take as much tutoring to figure out. Fuya Fuya is the name of the twin peaks we ascended leaving only images and not so much phonetics to the imagination. Much like yesterday, the weather held and we were blessed with another summit and beautiful vistas of the deep blue lake and surrounding peaks. The climbing wasn’t difficult but watching Jerome plunge into the frigid water was. When he asked me it it was okay to swim, I looked at him and said, “I don’t know, is it?” I certainly wasn’t risking my skin against fresh water volcanic flesh eating trout. He went in but came out quicker.
From the lake we descended the bumpy cobble road to our favorite lunch spot and then to the hacienda for some rest, packing and preparing for tomorrow’s big move to 15,000' on the flanks of Cayambe. This is a big jump so wish us luck. But, before we go to the mountain we will go shopping! All faithful blog followers get a gift.
Stay tuned.
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
Awesome job guys. Sounds like you have an extremely strong team. Wishing everyone a safe and successful summit.
Posted by: Kevin Durbon on 1/27/2020 at 4:29 am
Glad to hear the weather has been good for your journey. Enjoying the pictures that are posted. Save up your energy. Sounds like you all have lots of hard work ahead. Remember…lots of people are cheering for you!!! LUMTA 1TF
Posted by: Geri Kuehn on 1/25/2020 at 10:13 pm
After a relaxing evening enjoying traditionally prepared foods at La Casa Sol, we awoke to a peaceful morning. Most of the team spent some time prior to breakfast drinking coffee and appreciating our perch above Otavalo. Following breakfast we loaded the bus and headed into town to experience one of Ecuador's finest craft markets.
The market in Otavalo is full of traditional goods: alpaca garments, woven bags, various other textiles, chocolate (Ecuador is famous for artisan chocolate) and coffee amongst a variety of other goods. Some team members spent most of their time sipping artisan coffee. Others used a combination of broken Spanish and hand signals to haggle with vendors. Once we all reconvened the bus drove us to our rendezvous with the 4x4 trucks that would take us to the refuge on Cayambe.
We are now moved in and situated for the next two days. Sunday will consist of basic mountaineering skills training review. The plan is to wrap up early and wake up during the night to climb Cayambe. The entire team is getting acclimated and itching to give our first big objective a go!
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
Great news that all are enjoying the culture and ready to roll up Cayambe. Best to all of the team! Keep the pics and news coming!
Posted by: Jill Klores on 1/12/2020 at 8:48 pm
Packers are winning! Safe travels uphill to the team! Sending love ❤️
Posted by: Christine Hoag on 1/12/2020 at 6:36 pm
This just got even more exciting. Mudslides, helicopter transport and an alternative route. You’re all so close!
Posted by: Ed DaPra on 1/25/2024 at 7:19 pm
Amazing! Difficult! Rewarding! And the VIEW!
Personally could have done without some of the detail on the altitude challenges on the body Dr. Green. I trust the spirit of the team to check on each other. Difficult day for sure.
And, best of all, The Summit is Just There!
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on 1/25/2024 at 4:04 pm
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