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Posted by: Dave Hahn, Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
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
Despite going to bed socked in at 14,000ft, we woke to clear skies and put on our boots in the early, cold and dark hours just after midnight. Fortunately for us, the freeze line was low the night prior, so we walked into snow just out of Piedra Grande up into the the rocky maze known as the Labyrinth portion of the route. This made the approach to the glacier much easier than the usual condition or ball-bearing like rocks. At the toe of the glacier we were greeted with howling winds out of the west. Based off of the plums of snow rocketing off the upper mountain, any snow that had fallen the day before was surely sublimating in the atmosphere. Nonetheless we pushed upward, armed with our crampons, ice axes, and goggles.
After a few more hours of getting blasted by the veracious winds, the team dug deep and hit the summit crater just before 8:00 am.
The team made light work of the descent and got back to high camp in good style. We quickly loaded camp into the 4X4s and hit the dusty road back to Tlachichuca where we were greeted by the friendly staff at the Reyes’ climbers hostel. We enjoyed our final delicious Mexican dinner together and toasted to stories and laughs over well deserved beverages. Tomorrow we will head back to Mexico City, homebound with new friends and memories to share!
On The Map
Posted by: Jordan Cargill, Ben Ammon, Joe Hoch, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Tal chen we are all proud of you
Well done!
Ben
Posted by: ben straussman on 7/12/2018 at 8:28 pm
Congratulations Tal-Chen ! Very excited for you and for us.
Kol Hackavod!
All my love!
Posted by: Shosh Straussman on 7/12/2018 at 11:18 am
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Bridget Belliveau
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 348'
Wednesday, June 17, 2025 - 10:20 am PT
Well, like all good things, this too must come to an end. Sorry we’ve been a bit MIA since summit day—those final days all start to blur together. You don’t get much downtime until you're either sitting at the airstrip waiting out the weather or lucky enough to fly straight to Talkeetna.
Three days ago, on June 14th, we stood on top. The following morning, June 15th, the team packed up camp and began the long, challenging descent. We dropped down the West Buttress around noon, descended the fixed lines, and stopped at 14,000' Camp for a brief six-hour nap.
After our rest, we had a quick dinner at midnight, then loaded up all of our gear from the last two weeks and began the march back to basecamp. We made our way around Windy Corner, down Squirrel and Motorcycle Hill, and finally back to 11,000' Camp. There, we whispered hellos to Dom’s team—who were sound asleep—grabbed our cache, transitioned back to snowshoes, and continued past Camp One to basecamp.
By around 9 a.m. on the morning of June 16th, we arrived at basecamp to good weather and the chance to fly straight off the glacier. By noon, we were back in Talkeetna wearing flip-flops, and by 2 p.m., we were sharing beers and laughter, wrapping up our expedition at the Brew Pub.
It’s all been a bit of a haze—amazing, exhausting, unforgettable. In the moment, it felt like it moved slowly, but now that we’re back on dry land, it’s hard to believe how fast it all went by.
If you've been following me for years, you know I'm a fan of Hiakus...
Fresh socks, frozen boots
Glacier sunburn, summit views
Fly me to a beer
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
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Mt. McKinley Expedition May 27, 2025
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Jackson Breen, Nicole De Petris, Dylan Anderson, Jack Ritterson, Brendan Oates
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 12 - 15 led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Jackson Breen, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:20 am. Henry reported a beautiful and slightly busy day on the mountain. The skies were clear and winds low. The teams enjoyed some time in the summit crater before starting their descent from the crater rim. Once back at Camp Muir, they repacked and descended the remaining 4,500'. This afternoon they will complete their adventure with a small ceremony.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Tom Skoog, Jack Ritterson, Joe Hoch, Lacie Smith, Celeste Wilson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Joe Hoch reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 9 am this morning. The team climbed in beautiful calm weather. They are on the descent to Camp Muir where they will spend one more night before returning to Ashford Basecamp.
Congratulations Team!
Good luck to the team on the way down south and I’m hoping you all have great experience on the ice.
love to Fatima,
Peter
Posted by: Peter Williamson on 12/4/2013 at 2:36 pm
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