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Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,200'
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Saturday, June 28, 2025 - 10:28 pm PT
Today was the day for us to get up on the West Buttress. But it was the day for everybody else to get up on the West Buttress too. We had no choice but to climb in a crowd. That said, it was a crowd of pretty nice folks all around. We didn’t try to be the first out of camp, there was no desire to race anybody. We had a leisurely breakfast and geared up in time to leave by around 10 AM. There were perhaps thirty climbers ahead of us and thirty behind. The storm and waiting for snow to stabilize had put everybody on the same schedule. The downside of that was that we couldn’t go at our own pace, the upside was that we didn’t have to break trail. Patience was the word of the day and that paid off for us. It was neither cold nor windy and we could afford to be patient. The entire team did just fine on the much anticipated “fixed rope” section and then we topped out on the ridge at 16,200 ft, shattering altitude records for Bailey, Calvin, Rahul and Frederick. We cached our food and fuel and got down to camp by 5 PM. Tomorrow will be a rest and recovery day and we’ll be keeping fingers crossed for Dom Cifelli’s RMI team to ring the summit bell.
- RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
June 16, 2023 10:20 PM PT
Day 2 started with a much enjoyed few extra hours of sleep as light snow delayed our alpine start. The skies cleared quickly though, and we were able to begin our work for the day - carrying a load of gear and food to cache just below 10,000’.
Everyone put in a good effort, and we were back down to out tents just as light snow began again. The rest of the day was filled with naps and relaxation in preparation for our move to 11,000’ tomorrow.
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Yesterday, ALL TEAM MEMBERS AND GUIDES reached the summit of Cayambe around 6am EST. For those of us living in or around Seattle, we felt accomplished having completed such a hard activity before we would normally even be awake. Most climbers were back to the refugio by about 8am, a very speedy descent. Route conditions were ideal on Cayambe, when you would step out of the trail it was just a light dusting of snow on top of a supportable crust, meaning there was very little plunging, and the crampons would bite into the hard surface during the cold night. Although the route is in great shape, this is always a challenging mountain. At 18,500’ the route ascends a steep headwall for about 300 vertical feet before passing through crevassed terrain. Additionally, sleeping above 15,000’ for two nights and then going to nearly 19,000’ on day seven of an expedition is a quick jump in altitude and everyone seemed to handle it well. Now we turn our sights towards Antisana.
On our way to Antisana we are staying in two different haciendas. Last night we were at the rustic Guachala, which was built in the early 1500s. It has it’s charm and is steeped in local history; we also enjoyed a quiet dinner and breakfast under the watchful eye of the two house dogs, always hoping for a scrap. This morning we packed up and got ourselves closer to Antisana. We are using the beautiful yard at Casa Ilayaku to learn skills for our next climb (tent setup and running belays) as well as more expedition skills for future endeavors. Tomorrow we will go to Antisana basecamp via 4x4 vehicles and spend the night in tents before taking our shot at the summit.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
Hey Dustin and Team! This is all Great to hear. Keep looking up! All the best to you!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/18/2023 at 3:20 am
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Ben Liken, Sean Collon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls from 11,000ft on Mt. McKinley, Alaska.
On The Map
Posted by: Billy Nugent, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
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On The Map
Happy Father’s Day Michael and to any other fathers with you! Your life lessons have been and continue to be incredible. Enjoy the journey! Love you and stay safe!!
Posted by: Mary Lou Quandt on 6/15/2014 at 7:15 am
Mike,
cycling class isn’t as fun without you! We are thinking of you daily!
Well wishes-Paige and Warren
Posted by: paige woodward on 6/14/2014 at 7:02 pm
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Hi Dave!! I am following you all the way up!!! God Speed!
Posted by: Sandi on 6/5/2014 at 2:07 pm
Well it’s only been one day and I have already gone to text you three times before realizing I can’t! Be safe and have fun!
Love you Dad.
-PCK
Posted by: Paige on 6/3/2014 at 7:42 pm
Elizabeth, Nancy and Liz: Guess it feels “real” now and I’ve got goose bumps looking at you in the picture! Gotta say, this is really cool! Have fun and stay warm! XO, Janet
Posted by: Janet Mendez on 3/23/2014 at 6:21 pm
Looks like you are having fun, enjoy the adventure
Posted by: Audrey O'Brien on 3/23/2014 at 9:19 am
On The Map
Papa and Shreekanth uncle- hope you guys are entertaining eachother on your day off. Can’t wait to hear all the stories about your adventures!
love you, love yashu
Posted by: Yashu on 6/24/2011 at 8:57 am
Hi Dad! Take it easy tomorrow and keep warm at night! Can’t wait to see pictures, the view from 14,000 sounds pretty nice.
Luv,
Maya and Sarina
Posted by: Maya and Sarina on 6/24/2011 at 2:12 am
Congratulations to Rahul and team on breaking those altitude records!! The SPI team is cheering you on as you go even higher and reach the summit. Wishing everyone a safe and successful expedition :)
Posted by: Scarlett on 6/30/2025 at 12:01 pm
Je vous soutiens en pensée et je vous souhaite une ascension qui marquera à jamais votre Vie
Posted by: Claudette.groleau on 6/30/2025 at 8:31 am
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