The Alaska Mountaineering Seminar - Alpine led by RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos and Chase Nelson were able to fly off the Pika Glacier yesterday evening during a break in the weather. Despite the weather, the team had several great days of climbing including successful climbs of Lost Marsupial and the Middle Troll.
Congratulations climbers!
The day went pretty well on schedule. We were up at around 8 AM at high camp, thankful that the winds had not yet found our tents. It was obviously kicking a bit higher, with streamers of snow blowing off ridges and frozen dust devils dancing across our ascent route of the day before. But we were granted calm and sunny conditions in which to eat breakfast and pack for the descent. We bailed out of high camp at 11:20 and carefully picked our way down the fixed lines. Coming into Low Camp was a bit of a shock as there were dozens of climbers there and we'd gotten so used to having the mountain to ourselves. Folks were hanging there rather than ascending since forecasts say that the winds will build and dominate the upper mountain for several days. We shuffled our loads, repacked and headed down to Vinson Base, arriving by 5:30 PM. No flights back to Union today as the winds have the pilots hunkering down, so we set tents and enjoyed a victory dinner together at 7000 ft on the Branscomb Glacier.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Hi this is RMI Guide Seth Waterfall checking in from inside Ngorongoro Crater. We've had an amazing morning! First thing after we drove into the crater we came upon several lions including a large male that walked right in front of our truck. After that we found a spot where a female rhinoceros was lying down. After waiting patiently we were treated to the sight of her getting up and coming within a few hundred feet of the car. That's as close as I've ever been to a rhino in the wild! We're headed for lunch now and then off to a Maasai village.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
We had our best day yet climbing on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro today. By no means is it vertical rock climbing, however, ascending the Great Barranco Wall really makes you feel like you are climbing!
After we reached the top of the wall we traversed at an altitude of 14,500'. The weather didn't turn on us. However, the clouds rose up and engulfed us in a light mist as we climbed the final section into camp. We are now nestled in at Karanga Camp and the entire team is doing fantastic!
Tomorrow is high camp. An then the summit so don't go too far. We will have a summit report for you Sunday!!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Kalani and Dom, wow! Way to go, so proud of both of you and happy to be able to follow your adventure and cheer you on from afar. Be safe and enjoy! We miss you!!! Warm aloha…Sioson ‘ohana.
Posted by: Kimi Rapada on 8/2/2013 at 6:46 pm
Dom and Kalani, Awesome climb so far, huh? Can’t wait to hear all the details. Be safe. Debbie V
We had a nice drive out of the park today as many elephants stole the show. We made a stop for more shopping and a visit to an orphanage. We had a last great meal with some day rooms to make sure no dust is brought back state side. It is nice when things go like clockwork the whole trip through. No rain or snow on the big hill this time, but we were ready. We had a nice view of the mountain at sunset on our way to the airport.
What a pleasure working with this diverse group these last couple of weeks.They all climbed with great style. Keeping me thrilled with this life I lead.
Look forward to meeting up with them again!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Despite the change in the weather our Four Day Summit Climb team led by Tyler Jones reached the crater rim at about 8:35am PST this morning. It was a touch and go summit for the team as winds were strong, temperatures were cold, and snow was beginning to fall.
Our Five Day Summit Climb team also attempted the summit today but due to deteriorating conditions aborted their attempt at 13,500’. Both teams are descending back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to both teams for your hard work on the mountain today!
Jambo.
Mr. Tucker here at the Mweka Camp. You call breath easier as well as us here at the 10,000’ level. All is going well. We had a big day and looking forward to some great deep sleep in the thick air tonight. We’ll have a quick hike to the gate and then back to the hotel and we’ll drop you a note from there.
Thanks.
Good Show!! Now that you guys are back in thick air, how does it feel to reach your goal? MAy everyone have a great time comming home with your adventure ready to share ... even more than this blog I mean ... thanks for the time to post. See you soon Steve!
Paul
Led by RMI Guides Eric Frank and Joe Hoch, the Four Day Climb May 8 - 11 teams reached an elevation of 13,100 feet today before being turned back due to route conditions. They are currently descending to Camp Muir for a short rest and to repack before continuing down to Paradise later this afternoon.
It was a crystal clear and bright morning in Phakding. We started walking at 8AM along the charging, frothing, roaring river. Before long we could see Thamserku towering 10,000 feet above us. The rock and ice was in stark contrast to the lush farmland we walked through. A couple of hours in, we reached the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. The team ate an early lunch at a tea house in Jorsalle before getting on with the big work of the day -climbing the Namche Hill. It began with a walk across a very high cable bridge and then we set ourselves to walking slow and steady up switchbacks in a thick pine forest. Things clouded up -predictably- as the day went on. We gained 2000 feet and finally turned the corner into Namche Bazaar at around 2PM. We were relieved to pull into Camp De Base. Calling it a tea house doesn’t really do the place justice as it has become a fine hotel by any standard. We rested and rehydrated for the afternoon and evening, getting used to life at 11,300 ft.
RMI Guides Eric Frank & Robby Young and their teams of Four Day Climbers reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They enjoyed some time in the crater on a beautiful morning and began their descent from the crater rim a little after 8 AM. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue down to Paradise. From there an RMI Shuttle will deliver them to Rainier BaseCamp. Their program will conclude with a celebration and cheers to their accomplishments over the last few days.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations, Larry. It looks really cold in the photos, but I could not tell how technical the climb was. Barbara in Dallas
Posted by: Barbara gunnin on 12/9/2013 at 11:04 am
Juan
Otro éxito mas y un ciclo cerrado por fin.
Recibe un fuerte abrazo de Mary,Beatriz y Alejandra
Nos vemos para festejar!!!
Posted by: alejandro on 12/9/2013 at 9:13 am
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