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Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
Strong winds and about a foot of fresh snow prevent the Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides JT Schmitt and Alex Halliday from leaving Camp Muir. Big spring storms and winter like weather are keeping all climbing teams from reaching the summit.
The team will enjoy the stormy morning with a leisurely breakfast before starting their descent. We expect them to return to Rainier Basecamp in the early afternoon.
Glad you’re staying safe! Enjoy the rest of your adventure, mountaineers! We look forward to hearing about the trip and seeing photos!
Posted by: Jane and Doug Green on 5/14/2022 at 9:48 am
So excited to watch your progress! Stay safe and have a fabulous adventure! Love from Michigan!
Posted by: Charlene Hatfield on 5/14/2022 at 8:34 am
It wasn't the wind that blew us away, it was the view! The south face of Aconcagua towered over us all day. Impressive, humbling, breathtaking, epic. We soaked it all in during our acclimatization hike. While not the route we are climbing, it was a good reminder of the challenge that lays ahead. Our spirits are as high as the mountain itself.
Till next time,
What a great shot of you all.
Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others MAKE IT HAPPEN. What a great journey you are on! Have a great day of climbing tomorrow! You got this!
Big hug to my guy Tim. Teri
Posted by: Teri Derr on 1/26/2022 at 10:03 am
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Christina Dale, Jess Wedel, Tyler Meyers, Jenna Burkey, Roland Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 27 - 30 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides JT Schmitt and Christina Dale. Christina reported great route conditions and clear skies. The teams were on their descent at Camp Comfort around 7:30 am making their way back to Camp Muir. The teams will continue their descent to Paradise and then be transferred to Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations everyone! You must be so proud of yourself! We can’t wait to have to full story of your adventure! ❤️
Posted by: My-Lien on 6/30/2022 at 12:58 pm
Congratulations, you did it!!!!
Posted by: Carole on 6/30/2022 at 9:08 am
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Looks like you and the team saw pretty much the same gorgeous views as we did when at the Explora Lodge. Good Luck—will be following you!
Posted by: Pat Purnell on 11/17/2011 at 1:36 pm
David-
I hope the weather breaks and you have a successful soon. Best of luck!
Lou
Posted by: Louis Krause on 11/17/2011 at 11:45 am
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We were up before the sun at Lokisale, our tented hotel in the outback of Tarangire. It was wonderful to sip coffee as the baobab trees took shape with the rising sun. Some heard a lion passing near to camp. The great staff put out a fine and fast breakfast for us and then we said goodbye and hopped into the Landcruisers for one final morning of safari. We cruised the “swamp” -a vast expanse of grass- with no other cars around. There were herds of zebra and elephant, wildebeest and Cape buffalo stretching for miles and miles. Eventually, Saiman and Izach pointed our vehicles toward the distant park entrance, but on the way, we saw the good stuff… a leopard climbing a tree, a lion hunting, hyenas crunching the bones of a kill… some final scenes to sustain us during endless airplane travel homeward.
It was a few more hours back to Rivertrees Inn, and then showers and packing for travel. We had time for a last dinner together out under the big trees, and then we were headed to the airport and a million lines and our goodbyes to each other.
It has been a fine two weeks of seeing the world together. Thanks for following along.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team
Posted by: Mike King
Categories: Mountaineering Fitness & Training
As climbers we need to travel safely through complex and hazardous terrain to reach the day’s objective and ultimately return to the car so that we can share our mountain experiences. As Guides we have 3 specific expectations of the people we rope up with:
- Keep the pace of the guide
- Climb in balance
- Take care of yourself at breaks
Climbing in balance will help you manage the other two expectations. By climbing in balance you will move through the mountains more efficiently and be less fatigued so that you can re-fuel and manage your layering at the breaks. Balance can be developed and improved through a variety of training regimens, and incorporating agility training is a great way to improve your balance while climbing.
Wikipedia defines agility as
- the ability to change the body's position efficiently and requires the integration of isolated movement skills using a combination of balance, coordination, speed, reflexes, strength, and endurance. Agility is the ability to change the direction of the body in an efficient and effective manner and to achieve this requires a combination of:
- • balance – the ability to maintain equilibrium when stationary or moving (i.e. not to fall over) through the coordinated actions of our sensory functions
- • static balance – the ability to retain the center of mass above the base of support in a stationary position;
- • dynamic balance – the ability to maintain balance with body movement; speed - the ability to move all or part of the body quickly; strength - the ability of a muscle or muscle group to overcome a resistance; and lastly,
- • co-ordination – the ability to control the movement of the body in co-operation with the body's sensory functions.
Mt. Rainier’s Disappointment Cleaver route tests a climber’s agility while climbing the rock ridge that divides the Ingraham and Emmons glaciers, aptly called the Disappointment Cleaver. In the spring months the route up the Cleaver is comprised of steep snow and by mid-summer is entirely rock. Regardless of the conditions, this section of the climb is more physically taxing for climbers who haven’t developed solid agility skills, as the Cleaver involves large steps, difficult footwork on loose snow or scree and 1,200 feet of elevation gain, so the ability to climb it in balance and as efficiently as possible is a must.
How to train agility:
Get off the pavement! Much of your balance and agility is achieved by small stabilizer muscles in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and core. Running over roots, rocks, and uneven terrain will help you develop your agility by causing these muscles to fire more often and in different combinations as they adapt to the terrain changes of each step. Cross-country and alpine skiing, hiking, and yoga can all help to build these same stabilizer muscles and can be a tool if running isn’t possible for you. Off-road activities also help train you to look ahead to anticipate the irregularities of the trail. This will aid you when you climb so that you focus on what is ahead of you and don't get stuck on what is directly at your feet.
An agility ladder is a great tool for home workouts and will help your dynamic balance and coordination. If you do not want to purchase a ladder, draw one with sidewalk chalk on your driveway. There are a multitude of potential exercises you can use with a ladder, to build quick footwork, reflexes, and agility. Start with these and build your repertoire as you see fit!
Remember, if you're not having some fun while training then you will likely find an excuse to just go through the motions or not train. Get after it and I look forward to seeing you out in the hills!
Useful agility ladder drills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxjC-0yuSHM
_____
Mike King is a senior guide with RMI Expeditions and a Wilderness Medicine Instructor for WMI of NOLS. Mike guides around the world for RMI. Some of his favorites are upcoming trips to Machu Picchu, Aconcagua, and Mexico's Volcanoes.
Questions? Comments? Share your thoughts here on the RMI Blog!
Rich - We totally agree. Thanks adding even more context to agility training!
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer (Guide) on 2/22/2019 at 12:05 pm
I find training agility to be an excellent adjunct to the monotony of steady aerobic training. With the right parameters, it can be used as aerobic or interval training. In addition, breaking down the components used in developing agility such as the feet, knees, hips and trunk can greatly enhance the results. For example, if the feet are limited in pronation or supination, it can greatly limit the strength capabilities of the muscles of the knees, hips and trunk. When both feet have optimal strength in all motions, then power increases and fatigue decreases. Training to climb mountains is challenging, but it leads to great rewards when the body is in fantastic condition.
Posted by: Rich Rife on 2/21/2019 at 11:59 am
Posted by: Linden Mallory
Categories: Guide News
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Mt. McKinley Mount Rainier
Posted by: Steve Gately, Avery Parrinello, Ben Ammon, George Hedreen, Lacie Smith, Evan Sather
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Teams August 10 - 13 led by RMI Guides Steve Gately and Avery Parrinello reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Clear skies and warm temps were enjoyed by the climbers. Around 7:30 am the teams started their descent from the crater rim. All teams will return to Camp Muir for a quick break before continuing the remaining 4.5 miles and 4,500' to Paradise. They will conclude thier program with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations! Well done!
Posted by: Gavin McCraley on 8/13/2022 at 9:23 am
Way to go! Great achievement on a beautiful day!
Posted by: Chuck Denney on 8/13/2022 at 9:23 am
Enjoying the blogs and the great photographs. The wind and falling rocks still sound to be giving you great problems. Most teams appear to have the same thoughts by putting the safety of their teams above everything else.It appears to be the same situation at both camps.I understand that SBC have a time limit on their expedition whereas CBC have a much longer window, until the monsoon season.I doubt teams would have the patience to hang about that long. I wish you all well with successful summits.Cheers Kate
Posted by: Kate Smith on 5/4/2012 at 5:36 pm
Go get ‘em guys. Love the updates.
Posted by: Charles Mixson on 5/3/2012 at 5:47 pm
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