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On The Map
Posted by: Kel Rossiter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Bailey Servais, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: South Twin Sister
Today, we sauntered into the wilderness of Washington for our first objective: South Twin Sister.
“What are we doing?” you might ask. “Where the heck is that?” you may wonder. Spoiler alert: it’s a hidden gem of a climb just south of Mt. Baker.
After crossing a downed tree over a raging creek and bushwhacking through a sea of berries, we arrived at camp nestled in a field of boulders. The question kept coming: “Have y’all done this climb before?” Sure have.
We spent the afternoon refreshing our skills in preparation for what’s to come. Hiding from the sun and heat, we’re hoping to get some sleep tonight.
Tomorrow, we climb.
— RMI Guide Ben & Team
Posted by: Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 16,950'
Another great day in the Himalayas!
We had another shorter day of trekking so everyone was SHOCKED last night when I told them breakfast would be at 8:00am instead of our usual 7:30am. Really changing things up over here!
We hit the trail around 8:30am to another sunny and clear day. Nuptse was shining on our right and Pumori towering above on our left. We soon made it to the rocky trail on the edge of the Khumbu glacier and got our first views of Everest Base Camp far off in the distance.
We pulled over for what we thought would be a normal yak train (we always move out of the way - one never faces down a yak) but soon realized it was the largest yak train to ever exist. 50 yaks? 100? Sooo many. This was confirmed by all our Sherpa guides who agreed they had never seen anything like it. We took the extra break and enjoyed taking 1484 more yak photos and videos but this time with Everest in the background.
Before we knew it we had made it to Gorek shep, our final stop before base camp and sitting just over 17,000ft. It’s a barren place and oddly sandy. We all noted that it looks like it’s out of Dune.
After lunch, with clear skies still above, we opted to go on a little hike for better views of Everest. We had so much fun just strolling a little more uphill, taking photos and talking about all the mountains around us.
We are all doing well and so looking forward to base camp tomorrow!
RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Lobuche team
P.S. yesterday, Jangbu carried Diego but TODAY David carried Dawa so we’re all even.
P.P.S. We likely won’t have service or wifi at basecamp so don’t be too worried if you don’t hear from your loved one for the next few days.
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 16, 2024
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Sam Marjerison, Nick Sinapius
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 10:17 pm PT
Our climbing team came together today. After years of planning and anticipation and training… twelve of us got together in the Anchorage airport and got started on RMI’s final Denali Expedition for 2024. We made it with all of our gear and without flight cancellations… it all worked out. We boarded the Denali Overland van for the big drive up to Talkeetna. The windshield wipers were on for much of the journey and the spectacular mountain vistas were… shrouded, for the most part. We broke up the trip with a stop at the last big supermarkets -in Wasilla- where we rounded out the trip menu with some fresh food for down low on the mountain. We got back in the van then and made it up to Talkeetna by 5:30 PM. Having settled our gear in the airplane hangar, we checked in to the comfortable Swiss Alaska Inn and then made the short hike over the railroad tracks and into downtown Talkeetna. The rain seemed to be keeping the tourists in check so we had a quiet dinner at the brewery and then walked down to the mighty Susitna River to gaze at the water and the clouds (where there might normally be mountains). The team then walked past a few perfectly good bars and watering holes to turn in early and be ready for what promises to be a big day of packing and prepping for the climb tomorrow.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 11, 2024
SOOOOO exciting!!!!! thinking of you all on the way up, and can not wait to see the summit pictures! love you KATIE!!!! mom
Posted by: barbara theiss on 6/13/2024 at 8:39 am
Step by step, all the way to the top! You’ve got this Tony!!
Posted by: Brenda on 6/13/2024 at 8:20 am
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
On The Map
Great job, everyone! I’m so impressed!! Wishing you all a restful, only slightly breezy rest day.
Posted by: Kim Ford on 1/8/2019 at 8:06 pm
Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,500'
Go William Wiley !!! The Himalayas look beautiful.
Posted by: Peter Mellini on 4/3/2015 at 4:47 pm
Please send my love to Bonny and Peter Rogers!! I am so happy to hear that you are all safe and hope that you are staying warm!
Posted by: Chelsea Hall on 4/1/2015 at 12:16 pm
Hiiiii Ben!
Sounds like a lot of fun! We are glad the weather is on your side, we are sure it will stay that way. Be safe. God Bless. and take lots of photos!
Em and JB
Posted by: Emily and James on 6/8/2011 at 7:59 pm
Tyler, enjoyed climbing with you and Pete May 20-23. I am amazed by what you do every day! Thanks for the well-written updates. I’ll be back next year for Rainier again. Will follow you on Denali to see if I’m up to the challenge. Stay safe. —John
Posted by: John Corona on 6/8/2011 at 8:24 am
Keep it up Daddy!
Posted by: Samantha Golomb on 1/30/2014 at 3:47 pm
Pole Pole Barrie and good luck to the whole team from Team KuWaz. And best regards to Jeff Martin from all KuWaz’s!
Posted by: Wheat McDowell on 1/29/2014 at 2:02 pm
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