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Flying into Quito you begin to grasp the magnitude and astounding beauty of the volcanoes surrounding the city. The dichotomy of the lush Amazonian rainforest and the high, snowy mountains leaves one with a sense of the diverse ecosystems of Ecuador. Our first day included trip introductions, getting to know each other and exploring the city. We spent the first half of the day at the equatorial line, learning about the indigenous people of the Amazon and their culture. The second half of the day we explored old Quito, checking out stunning architecture and discussing the current politics of Ecuador. Our second day we took a teleferico or gondola up to around 13,000ft to begin our acclimating hike up to the summit of Rucca Pichincha at 15,354ft. Everyone enjoyed snacks and laughs at the summit before heading back to Quito for a delicious Mediterranean dinner.
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 7:22 pm PT
Hello everyone,
We woke this morning goal oriented and optimistic. We knew if we wanted to fly we had a lot of chores to get done to be ready when the pilots said it was time. As we packed our duffels and packs and rearranged gear we all kept a hopful eye on the clouds above, hoping they would clear and give us the window we wanted. Unfortunately our patience did not pay off and our window for flying closed. But the day was not lost as we are now ready to try to tomorrow. So with dinner time approaching we will enjoy hopfully one last dinner at a table and fly in the morning.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith & Team
Fidel says, “I love you!” All of Wellsville is cheering for you. Love you lots.
Posted by: Anna Haring on 6/11/2021 at 6:59 pm
Pulling for you all and the weather to clear up so you can get in there! Also, I swapped my Rainier 4 day for the Aug 30th 5 day. Hoping one or both of you are guiding it. Be safe and good luck!
Posted by: Shane Summers on 6/10/2021 at 8:56 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Lucas Haaland, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Alaska Seminar
Happy birthday Craig! ❤️ I hope you have great weather for your bday! Love you!
Posted by: Angy Gallimore on 5/31/2019 at 8:38 am
Posted by: Jake Beren, Christina Dale, Andrew Kiefer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Jake, you’re killin’ me! It’s been over 48 hours since your last post. What’s happening? How’s the weather? Is everybody OK? Did you guys summit already?
Posted by: Norm Vork on 6/16/2015 at 9:58 pm
Hi,
I hope you’re having a good time AJ.Good work till now,keep up the spirit.Take care see you soon at sea level. :)
Posted by: Megha Bhardwaj on 6/16/2015 at 8:24 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Josh Maggard
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
On The Map
Ooh Rah Ski Hill! Good luck to the whole team especially Nicky and Bob!
Posted by: Bill Rosche on 5/16/2014 at 5:10 pm
On The Map
Wow! You guys are sure making progress. All that snow must have been scary. I hope the weather holds for you tomorrow. Keep up the good work. Stay safe.
Posted by: John and Lorraine Lorenc on 6/26/2011 at 6:22 pm
I am in awe of your bravery and strength! What a breathtaking photo. Can’t wait to see more pictures!!! Hugs from Clinton, NY Frank.
Posted by: Terri Erin on 6/26/2011 at 4:05 pm
It’s a beautiful thing, to challenge yourself to something you truly don’t know you can accomplish. You figure out truths about yourself that otherwise would be lost behind the comforts of home and the assuredness of monotony. It’s a beautiful thing to know that despite the outcome of an expedition, you’ll return with a lifelong memory.
A lifelong memory we sure had. Today was a hard fought battle full of wind, clouds, and sideways snow. On typical summit days we revel in the brief reprieve from the cold at two rest stops, Independencia and the cave. Today, we were met with swirling clouds and snow; nothing but glimpses of the sun as the clouds whipped over Aconcagua. Though we weren’t treated to the views that Aconcagua had to offer we weren’t short of a sense of accomplishment. I am so proud to say that 100% of the team stood on top of the Americas today. We were more than likely the highest people touching the earth at the time. Congrats team.
I do owe the team an explanation though. Ever since I was a kid, i hated the attribution of the saying “ that’s Just my luck” to mean bad luck. Ever since, whenever something good would happen, I’d say the line. The team heard plenty of it during the trip. Saying “ just my luck” to getting an extra lunch, or when the weather forecast was in our favor. Except you just read the above, the forecast wasn’t exactly in our favor, so what gives. Of course some things don’t go in my favor all the time, weather included, but the team showed up in the best shape of their lives, need I remind you we went 100%. The team showed up ready to mentally handle the hardship and discomfort of the wind, snow, and cold. The team gelled and laughed the entire time. So who gives a shit about the weather. If that’s not “ just my luck” I don’t know what is.
Congrats again, Team! For a hard fought summit and an excellent trip.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
New Post Alerts:
Aconcagua Expedition January 12, 2024
Congrats & strong work to all!! Shout out to my boy Koch for conquering South America! Have a safe trip down.
Posted by: Jeff Vos on 1/29/2024 at 10:11 am
Congratulations, Mikayla and the rest of the team! Looks a little warmer there than AK
Posted by: Katherine Forsyth on 1/29/2024 at 9:14 am
We began the day with a team meeting over breakfast. The intention was to get everybody squared away on the details of preparing for our Gokyo trek. But the coffee was good and plentiful, so our business meeting just turned into a story-telling session as caffeine levels rose. At 10 AM we set out with Naraj for a tour of the city. During the ride through busy streets, Naraj explained the mix of Hindu and Buddhist religions and the various ethnic groups making up Nepali Society.
Our first stop was the Swayambhu Temple -known as the monkey temple for the great number of monkeys scaling the stupas and Buddha statues. We were lucky -on this partly cloudy day- to get great views of the city from the hilltop temple. Next stop was Boudinath Stupa. We made a circuit and then visited a school for artists constructing mandalas. We finished our outing with a relaxing lunch on a rooftop overlooking the giant stupa.
Back at the Yak and Yeti, we used the afternoon to finish organizing gear for an early trip to the airport tomorrow morning. With all preparations complete we set out in a downpour bound for dinner. Luckily the walk was only 5-10 minutes. An impressive amount of monsoon rain fell while we were eating. And an even more impressive amount fell as we were walking back to the hotel afterward.
Best Regards
Glad everyone arrived ok. I am a friend of Catherine Rossbach’s and will be following your blogs, I hope she is doing well. Thanks for doing this!
Posted by: jim kidder on 10/5/2023 at 6:49 am
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
Best of Luck to the entire team from US, especially from Chicago and NY. Wish I was there with you guys.
Good Luck on Antisana and Chimborazo. Carpei Diem…!!!
Fernando Carranza Sr.
Posted by: Fernando R Carranza on 11/2/2023 at 1:00 pm
Stunning sunset!
Posted by: Jean Wittmier on 11/1/2023 at 11:35 pm
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