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Posted by: Luke Wilhelm, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Day 15
Our team is so resilient. This storm continues to pound the mountain, but our positivity is overwhelming it! It was another really windy and cold one. Despite the bad weather, we were able to get out and stretch our legs a bit. It felt great to move around! The team kept themselves busy this afternoon sorting and preparing gear. If the weather allows, we plan to move to Camp 3 tomorrow.
Till next time,
RMI Guides Luke, David & Team
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Jackson Breen, Charlie Harrison, Bo Torrey
Categories:
Elevation: 13,200'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons July 3 - 8 led by RMI Guide Nikki Champion spent two days training at Rainier BaseCamp and at Paradise, prior to starting their climb. On Tuesday, they left Ashford for the White River Ranger Station. They donned heavy packs and started up the mountain to their first camp. Yesterday, they ascended to Camp Schurman and continued their training. With an alpine start this morning, they made their summit attempt but were turned back due to high winds, low visibility and challenging walking. The team returned safely to Camp Schurman around 1 pm where they will spend their last night on the mountain. Tomorrow the group will descend to the trailhead and return to Rainier BaseCamp.
our son, Glen Zilly, was in the group attempting to climb Mt. Reiner. A wise decision but he plans to return next year.
Our son is a 43 yr. old self employed
Architect who lives with his wife & daughters in Scottsdale, AZ.
Posted by: Patricia Zilly & Richard Zilly on 7/9/2022 at 12:22 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Yesterday we made a valiant effort on Cayambe. The team stuck together and supported each other along the way. We sat down for a break at 18200' anticipating one more hour to the summit. However, Mother Nature had a different plan, and we were privy to a surprise lightning show that was a touch too close for comfort. After packing up at the hut we made the trek south to Chilcabamba Eco Lodge where we are letting the bodies rest and reset. The team went for a neighborhood walk this morning and were delighted to have the neighborhood dogs join, although it seems the dogs had the ulterior motive of getting into mischief. Currently we are taking in stunning views of Cotopaxi and setting our sights towards our next high altitude adventure.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier and Team
Sending Perfect weather thoughts for Cotopaxi!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/8/2021 at 7:28 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Melissa Arnot, Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 17,575'
On The Map
Happy Bithday Mark.
Be safe, but hurry up and summit. Surf is up and the Black Ball is coming. Are you in for Father’s Day Golf?
Posted by: Kent Tucker on 5/21/2012 at 9:08 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!
Dalton, Nicole, and Hailey all went through cllege graduation ceramonies this weekend.
Boy, you are getting old!
Have a snow cone on me.
Posted by: Craig Tucker on 5/20/2012 at 7:58 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello everyone,
We spent today touring Tarangire National Park which is home to more elephants per square kilometer than any place on earth, and a huge diversity of other animals, it was amazing to say the least.
We saw elephants, giraffes, warthogs, impala, mongoose, baboons, ostrich, and a lot of other animals, and 13 lions! Several of them were cat napping in trees and even one that was still dinning on last nights feast by the looks of things.
We ended our day at a remote and off grid camp within the National Park and surrounded by wildlife. The camp has screened in rooms that allow the night sounds of Africa in. Hopefully everyone sleeps well tonight!
This is our last dispatch as we will exit the park tomorrow and head back to our lodge near Arusha for a quick break and shower. Then it’s off to the airport to return to our loved ones.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew!
Thank You letting us take this amazing trip with all of you. Great blog and beautiful pictures. Enjoy your last day!
Posted by: Kim Scogna on 9/8/2022 at 1:58 pm
What an amazing adventure! Thank you for taking us all along for the journey.
Posted by: Linda DuPertuis on 9/8/2022 at 12:11 pm
It was just a little on the cold side this morning at Shira Camp. Kibo -Kilimanjaro’s main peak- was between us and the sun. But we were far above the clouds and it was clear up high, so the views more than made up for the cold temps. The sun was on us by the time breakfast had finished and so things were comfortable when we got walking at 8:30 AM. Our path led directly toward Kibo and the terrain was easier than what we’d dealt with yesterday. We worked up broad, gently angled slopes. Old lava flows. Obsidian chunks were easy to find amongst the sagebrush and wildflowers. By 11 AM we were higher than Mount Rainier and a short while later we were higher than Mt Whitney… thus breaking altitude records for everyone on the team (except Kim who has been to 19,000 ft). We made it to the Lava Tower -at 15,200 ft- just after noon. Clouds had formed up again and so it was cool, but not so bad that we couldn’t enjoy some lunch. We began working downhill at 1 PM. It felt good to drop altitude and to get back into warmer air. We took a break just as we got into a garden-like grove of giant senecios and lobelias… the “Dr Suess plants” of Kilimanjaro. Another careful hour of descent had us walking into 13,000 ft Barranco Camp just after 3 PM. We settled in at the base of tomorrow’s main objective -the great Barranco Wall.
We napped and read and sipped tea through the remaining afternoon hours. Dinner finished up by 8 PM and we marveled at the stars on this moonless night.
Best Regards
Looking string, Kim! It looks like you, Bella and the team are just cruising along. I know better though. The effort is real - so is the joy. Keep on keeping on!
The boys are still wondering were you actually are and are a little concerned that you would go on an adventure without us.
You amaze me everyday. I love you.
John
Posted by: JOHN GILMAN on 8/19/2022 at 6:48 am
Everyone looks psyched to take on the challenge. You all have got this! Thank you, Dave, for the great daily accounts.
Posted by: Michael Brewer on 8/18/2022 at 8:31 pm
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Yay, Heidi and David! It has been so fun following your amazing adventures through this blog. Can’t wait to see you upon your return….travel safe! Smooches, Jules
Posted by: Julie Gregory on 2/23/2012 at 4:01 pm
What a besutiful sunset! Can’t wait to hear more details and see photos….hurry home Jim/Daddy - we miss you!! Safe travels home everyone. XOXO, P, j & c
Posted by: Pamela Wick on 2/23/2012 at 1:56 pm
RMI Guide Linden Mallory on the team departure from Everest Base Camp.
I miss you so much! These pictures are beautiful! I wish iwere there with you. I couldn’t do the climb right now, but you could rent me a helicopter driver! I am going over to Seattle on Friday the 15, and will be at the airport Saturday morning to greet you! ONE MORE WEEK!!!!!!!!! I love you! Sweet man
Posted by: Deb McLaughlin on 4/7/2011 at 11:17 pm
Tim,
Lay off those cigars so you can make it to the top!
Wish I was there!
Rick
Posted by: Rick on 4/5/2011 at 6:40 pm
Our climb kept pushing us as we descended from our high camp at Barafu (15,200') all the way to Mweka Camp (10,000'). The feet and knees were talking to us and what they were saying would be inappropriate for the ears of young children.
But we all made it, in part to the fantastic pizza our chef Tosha made us for lunch. Pizza, at 15,200'! On a two burner stove, no less.. Incredible!
At Mweka the gods were smiling down on us, granting a rare sunny day at this place that exists on the edge of the rain forest where clouds always seem to hang. Of course, Tosha beat us to Camp to prepare another wonderful dinner.
Last night brought everyone a night's sleep they haven't had since they were bouncing about in diapers. 10+ hours of solid sleep was had by all, just the right medicine for our tired bodies. It was amazing to see a bunch of mostly middle aged men bounce back from an intense 13-14 hour day and trot down a slick, slightly muddy trail to the Park gate at 6000'. In fact, they even beat many of our porters down. A first!
At the Mweka gate we were greeted by our outfitter and the busses and enjoyed our last meal 'on the mountain.' This time cold drinks were available, and many bottles of the local brew were consumed. The gift shop was happy to provide some the chance to get something special to bring home.
The highlight of this time was certainly the singing and dancing our mountain crew did celebrating our week together. The joy and kindness these hard-working individuals shared with us all week was distilled into a few minutes, and really reminded us of how special this trip was.
Yes, the mountain was fantastic, but it was the people we shared this time with that proved to be the most special part of the climb. These people, who lack so much in material things compared to us Westerners, are so rich in spirit and generosity that we as a team were all moved and reminded of what's really important in life.
And in the end, there was this team of climbers that came together to climb a mountain and left as friends, sharing an amazing story that will never be forgotten.
Hope to see you all again!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Happy Birthday, Geo! Congrats on reaching the summit. We’re still standing here for now. See you soon!
- The Sales Pod
Posted by: Kourtni Kesler on 7/26/2022 at 6:53 am
I have tears in my eyes from reading this. Congratulations to all of you! So inspiring!
Posted by: Andrea Murphy on 7/25/2022 at 11:53 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent, Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 13,950'
On The Map
What a pitiful attitude Bob has!! Wishing your team a safe journey back home. That is very admirable for Mark to have stayed back with the Sherpa team! Again it says a lot about the quality of a team you all are!! God Bless each and everyone of you!!!!! Tammy
Posted by: Tammy Doppenberg on 4/26/2014 at 4:47 pm
Oh Spen,
Tuesday’s not gone. There’s a lifetime of Tuesdays left for you. That mountain is not going anywhere. You’re young and strong and we got your back. Love you, Weasel,
Momma
Posted by: jan pipkin on 4/25/2014 at 1:46 pm
I’m in awe of both the physical and mental strength you all have to push forward! Stay strong team. You can do this!
Posted by: Amanda Schimkus on 2/5/2022 at 4:05 pm
Hey Pop/Tim,
It wouldn’t be an adventure if everything went as planned! I know you will be persevere these hardships and conquer this challenge. Just know that we are all rooting for you and miss you. I’ve got a laundry list of “man” projects around the house for us to complete upon your return which should motivate your prolonged stay in Aconcagua. Take care and be safe!
Love your favorite son-in-law,
Chris
Posted by: Christopher Nicholson on 2/5/2022 at 12:42 pm
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