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Posted by: James Bealer, Charlie Harrison, Lily Emerson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
RMI Guide James Bealer checked in from the summit of Mt. Baker this morning. He reported that 100% of the team was on top! The team enjoyed a beautiful bluebird day with little to no wind on their ascent to the top.
They were beginning their descent back to camp to celebrate and will get a good nights rest before packing up camp tomorrow.
Congratulations to the climbers!
Today was a fine and calm, sunny day from start to finish. Just perfect for resting. We took it easy and tried to catch up on napping and hydration. This camp is 9300 feet above sea level and so it was a good acclimatization day as well. The sun hit camp at about 10:40 AM and melted the frost collecting overhead in the tents… the perfect alarm clock. We ate a leisurely breakfast in our small dining tent and then retreated to the warmth of the tents for the day. Dinner was in strong sunshine at 8:30 PM. We intend to put in a good hard day tomorrow, carrying loads up the fixed ropes.
Best Regards,
Posted by: Robby Young
Categories: Guide News Guide Grant
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Way to go Wally Glover and the rest of the team!
Dan in Indy.
Posted by: Dan Meno on 1/27/2012 at 3:31 pm
Can’t wait to hear all about this adventure Tom. From all accounts (including the bloggers reporting) you had a wonderful time and share an experience only a limited few understand. What a memory! Safe journey home tommorow and Saturday.
Love Mom and Dad
Posted by: Daisy on 1/26/2012 at 1:51 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Alex Halliday, Augi Fleer, Josh Geiser, Mira Schoeberlein, Bo Torrey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Five Day Climb June 24 - 28 was unable to make a summit attempt due to high winds at Camp Muir overnight. RMI Guides Casey Grom and Alex Halliday reported that the wind picked up around 8 pm last night averaging 60 mphs at Camp Muir with gusts over 90 mph. The wind continues to blow this morning which will prevent the teams from ascending above Camp Muir. The Five Days Teams will be descending to Paradise later this morning and returning to Rainier BaseCamp.
Hello again everyone
The team had a really nice day here on Kili today, waking to clear skies and a beautiful view of Kilimanjaro looming in the distance. We had a light cloudy layer which helped keep us cool while on the trail, which was nice as the sun can be quite intense here near the equator.
We started the day waking at 6:30 to start packing up before moving into our dinning tent for a nice breakfast with porridge, fried eggs, toast, avocado and even some fresh fruit, and most importantly plenty of hot coffee.
We hit the trail shortly after 8am and slowly made our way up the rocky trail with occasional views of Kilimanjaro above. The trail climbed up a blunted ridge and eventually out of the trees and allowed for some truly spectacular views of the valley below. The team hiked for a little more than four hours before reaching out next camp that sits on the Shira plateau, which is the remnant of an ancient lava flow.
Everyone is doing very well and we are currently relaxing in camp.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Guten tag Herr Stowers-
We’re rooting for you in Clinton.
What an awesome experience!!
Can’t wait to hear all about it when you return.
Eric & Daniela
Posted by: Eric and Daniela on 9/1/2022 at 8:13 am
Bob and John,
That photo is heaven!!! I can’t imagine the beauty of that moment!!! Eat well and wish you both the strength to continue forward!!!!
Sending hugs
Mom Candy
Posted by: Candy Sinner on 8/31/2022 at 8:06 pm
Posted by: James Bealer, Evan Sather, Brian Walters
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,791'
RMI Guide James Bealer and team have made it to the summit of Mt. Baker this afternoon. After the team's walk into camp yesterday, they enjoyed a late afternoon training session where they covered self-arrest, cramponing, and rope travel before heading to bed in preparation for their climb today. The team will return to camp tonight and walk back to the trailhead tomorrow.
Congrats climbers!
Back home in Ohio! Thanks all for a great experience. So happy to make it to the top as we all encouraged each other to push on through and get as far as each of us could. Special thanks to James, Evan and Brian for making it happen for us all!!!
Posted by: Patrick Barrett on 8/24/2022 at 9:40 pm
Awesome experience with all of you!!!!!!
Thanks so much!!!!
Posted by: Cheryl Quast on 8/22/2022 at 8:31 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Lauren
Félicitations!
Excellent travail, je suis très heureux pour vous et pour l’équipe!
Gatorade est impressionnant:)
Posted by: Timborazo on 12/5/2011 at 12:51 pm
So Spence, I spent the day raking leaves… not sure it compares to yours. First summit bid tomorrow?
Posted by: Scott Arnold on 12/4/2011 at 4:44 pm
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
I’ve really enjoyed and appreciated your updates. May you have safety and success
Posted by: Don Huntington on 11/30/2021 at 3:51 pm
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