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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
It was a day without sun. Mostly. We had it for a few minutes this morning as we walked to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. But then we were swallowed in cloud and mist just as we started to get serious on the wall. Perhaps that helped those of us with a fear of heights to concentrate solely on the rock and the path ahead. Our guides, Freddy, Naiman, and Thomas kept us moving well and guarded us on the tricky steps. We’d prepared for traffic jams on this normally busy section of the route, but there were none. We cruised the wall in just over an hour’s time -about half of what it might have taken with normal traffic. Our amazing dining tent “waiters”, Hamedi and Shwahibu, had scaled the wall even faster and had tea and snacks out within moments of our arrival at the 14,000 ft “summit”. Although we had no view whatsoever from this normally stunning viewpoint, we lingered for forty five minutes anyway, enjoying the snacks and the swirling mists. The remaining hours to camp were easy by comparison. We took the time to review efficient hill-climbing techniques on our way up the final steep path into Karanga Camp at 13,200 ft. Now, in early evening, we’ve yet to see the place. The visibility is perhaps 100 ft although the weather is not unpleasant. Just a little static.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
PC: Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari August 5, 2025
After two successful summits of La Malinche and Ixta, team Mexico Volcanoes took our show back on the road to the small town of Tlachachuca to prepare for our climb of 18,500' Pico de Orizaba.
Our perfect sunny weather continued as we gear exploded and sorted on the lawn of our Mexican outfitter Servimont. After a quick lunch we loaded into the 4x4 trucks and 1964 Dodge Powerwagon that take us to our basecamp. A couple bouncy hours later, we unloaded, dusted off and set up the tents for a quick sleep.
11:30pm dawned calm and star-lit, and we made quick work of the lower part of Orizaba. As we neared 17,000 feet, the sun came up and gave us the spectacular and classic pyramidal mountain shadow that Orizaba is famous for.
As we climbed higher, it became clear that rumors of a very icy summit section were true. We watched as multiple teams above us on the steep summit headwall found more of the bullet-hard ice we’d found lower on the glacier, and winds strong enough to put them down on that ice multiple times.
We had a chat as a group and concluded that our 18,000 foot high point (highest for all but the guides!) was certainly the best spot to turn around. It was a hard decision as Orizaba was our biggest goal. But ultimately we all agreed that safety on this huge exotic mountain was number one.
We descended into a hot sunny afternoon and enjoyed our final evening with a delicious dinner, then made our way to the airport in the morning to some fond farewells.
Until next time Orizaba!
Thanks to the team for a great trip and way too many memories to list here!
RMI Guides Joe Hoch & Sam Hoffman
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes February 3, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,600'
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On The Map
Awesome!
Keep up your great skills . Keep your warmth and continue strong. Hope the weather continue being nice to you guys. The Rosales Family sends love and good vibes to you guys.
Posted by: L. Rosales on 6/4/2014 at 1:55 pm
We send greetings from the mountains of Western North Carolina and good vibes that your quest goes smoothly and the weather continues to cooperate.
John- All of the family send their love!!
Posted by: Rita and BruceWightman on 6/4/2014 at 2:28 am
Dave Hahn checks in from 11 Camp
On The Map
Nice pic!
Posted by: michelle on 7/8/2011 at 7:13 pm
Pleased your weather has been holding. Great to move higher. Wayne, I am so very proud of your accomplishments. wonderful time down south. Back to paradise tomorrow. love U, dinah
Posted by: dinah rogers on 7/8/2011 at 2:35 pm
On The Map
Time is winding down quickly for us. Glad to see you are all safe and sound with such a strong team. Crossing my fingers for good weather. Talk to you soon.
Posted by: BCK on 6/27/2011 at 5:38 pm
Hey, team. Glad to know that everyone is happy and healthy. Elias, you would be happy to know that I did 3 14ers over the past 2 days, and the training for Shisha Pangma is going even better than expected.
Hope the howling winds are showing some mercy today. Can’t wait to hear from you again,
Bridget
Posted by: Bridget Schletty on 6/27/2011 at 6:52 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Nick Sinapius, Felipe Guarderas, Layne Peters, Hannah Billings, Brooks Ordway Smith, Matt Tucker, Matt Kelly
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
At 5:45 AM, under bluebird skies and in calm, clear, and beautiful conditions, the Four Day Climb team led by Brent Okita and Nick Sinapius reached the summit!
They’re already on the descent, making the most of this perfect alpine morning.
Huge congrats to the team for a strong and successful push!
Amazing accomplishment congratulations on summiting
See you all soon !!!
Posted by: Maria Pelikan on 7/5/2025 at 11:22 am
Congratulations Team Skopic & Pelikan! You rock!!!
Posted by: chris Skopic on 7/5/2025 at 11:01 am
Thanks everybody had a great time! Glad we all got back down alrighty.
Posted by: Jonathan J Paige on 6/14/2019 at 9:29 am
Congratulations Jonathon! We are so proud of you. I cant wait to hear your stories.
Posted by: Emily Paige on 6/2/2019 at 6:02 am
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