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Posted by: Jeff Martin
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Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Gokyo Trek
Everything went like clockwork this morning, smooth and easy. We ate a last trek breakfast and walked toward the Lukla heliport at 7 AM. There were clouds, but there were also plenty of aircraft coming and going already. After a short wait and weigh-in session, we were ushered out and into a running A-Star B3. The pilot went right to work and we cruised out over farms, ridges, rivers and terraces. He took us around clouds but there were always plenty of open avenues. After 45 minutes we’d reached the busy Kathmandu airport. Within minutes we went from being a famous and well above average trekking team to just another van full of tourists in a big city. We checked back into the comfy Yak and Yeti and headed for the showers. It was a day for catching up, for mingling with other trekkers and climbers and for getting ready for the next phase… the big travel chore. But first, we went over to Thamel, the busy tourist and trekker Mecca for a last relaxed dinner together at the New Orleans Cafe. We toasted a fine journey… one that wasn’t always easy, but one that seemed very much worth the trouble.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
All who attempted had a successful summit of Pico de Orizaba today!
Starting at the alpine hour of 1AM, the stars let us know we had a clear morning to climb. Everything went seamlessly as we ascended through steep rocks to the start of the Jamapa glacier. We roped up with our ice axes in hand and climbed to the summit, enjoying the sunrise and shadow of the mountain stretching far across the landscape from 18,491’.
Although this mountain takes a lot out of us climbers, everyone was in high spirits afterwards, knowing our trip was successful and complete.
Tonight, we celebrate our trip and our last night as a team!
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
On The Map
Wow. Looks like a clear sky and beautiful weather. Good for you. Congratulations!
Posted by: Fernando de Aragon on 8/2/2014 at 6:33 pm
Congratulations !!! Great summit picture. Thanks to the guides for everything. Enjoy your. success.
Posted by: Josie on 8/2/2014 at 9:41 am
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Tell Dave Schick he is drinking too much water… :)
Hope the weather cooperates for a nice summit bid.
Best,
Jack
Posted by: Jack on 6/27/2014 at 9:38 am
Hope all is going well and the Team makes the camp today!
Love to my sis! And all my best to the team!
Posted by: Carolyn on 6/27/2014 at 8:52 am
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Hi—
We’ve loved following your journey, team. Thank you for sharing it : )
Posted by: Rocky the climbing pup (and Kendra) on 1/22/2014 at 6:46 pm
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
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