First day on the Aconcagua trail and even though it was hot, we had a nice breeze blowing most of the day. We were all very thankful to have that wind. We moved well on the trail enjoying the rigid high desert beauty. We also continued to tell stories of loved ones at home and a few misadventures.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
Our last day in Antarctica was pleasantly routine. The team strolled into the dining tent at Union Glacier Basecamp to enjoy breakfast and the news that the Ilyushin 76 would be "on deck" by mid-afternoon. We packed our gear and collapsed the tents one more time, then passed the time playing chess and chatting with other climbers. Sure enough, the big plane touched down at 2:45 PM. We were on board and lifting off by 5 PM. Landing in Punta Arenas was smooth and easy 4.5 hours later. We had to work quickly to get checked in, showered and out to dinner before closing, but all of that was quite enjoyable "work". The trip ended with an excellent midnight dinner in Patagonia.
Thank You for following along.
Until next climb,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
June 19, 2014 - 8:43 pm PT
Hello, this is Leon, Katie and Jake up at 17K Camp. We moved today up the Buttress. We dealt with a little wind and a little bit of snow, but the team did super well. We're all buttoned up tight hoping to go for it tomorrow if the weather allows. That's all from 17K, we will be checking in tomorrow.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Jake Beren calling in from Mt. McKinley's 17K Camp.
After 8 days in the comfort of 14,000' camp we went climbing today. The team packed up and we made our way once again up the fixed lines. The west buttress did not disappoint, delivering panoramic views. The weather could not have been better with only the slightest of breezes and the occasional cloud. While tired, the team is ready to hopefully take advantage of a small weather window. Send good weather vibes our way!
The team assembled in Moscow yesterday evening for the start to our Elbrus Northside adventure. We kept things brief, as many of us were working off the affects of many hours of transatlantic flights, and headed out for a nice dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Moscow River. This morning it was time to kick it into tourist gear and explore some of the historical architecture in and around the Kremlin. We met our tour guide Victoria in a bustling Red Square and joined the queue to file through Lenin’s Tomb to see his body. We emerged from the darkness to cross Red Square and enter St. Basil's Cathedral. The building is actually made up of 11 individual churches, all connected, that were built and dedicated to a variety of saints; some local heroes of Moscow, and some of the Eastern Orthodox religion. After a quick swing through the GUM department store, we swung around the walls of the Kremlin to the entrance and filtered through the main gate. Inside, buildings from a variety of time periods, some dating back to the Czars and emperors, some built during communism, house a variety of museums, assembly and concert venues, and current Russian government offices. Of interest to us were the five cathedrals towards the back of the Kremlin. Cathedrals that were used for the coronation of emperors, to hold the remains of royalty, to be the head of the Eastern Orthodox religion, and to be the location for royal baptisms, weddings, and other major events.
Our whirlwind tour of cathedrals concluded, and we wandered into the old city for lunch, before making our way back across the Moscow River to our hotel for a little free time. We got together this evening for another delicious meal atop yet another Moscow building, this one themed around mushrooms and all of their unique flavors. We’ve only just gotten off the planes it feels like, but early tomorrow, we’ll be back on the road to the airport, headed for Kislovodsk, our departure point for the mountain and our objective. It will feel good to be closer to the hills, and to the rhythms of climbing that we're accustomed. We'll check in tomorrow from Kislovodsk.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
After a few delayed flights and minor complications, all members of the Mongolia climbing team have arrived and are getting settled here in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.
We are all a bit jet-lagged but this morning after a quick breakfast meeting, we struck out to see the sights and sounds of city. The Sukhbaatar Square, the National History Museum, first Buddhist temple and Russian Friendship Monument filled our morning. After a quick pit stop for lunch, we journeyed outside of the city to witness the Nadaam festival.
Nadaam is the Mongolian celebration of their three main sports: wrestling, archery, and horsemanship. We were treated to front row seats for all three competitions. After the archery competition, they even invited us to try pulling the bows and shooting a few arrows. Suffice to say, they make it look a lot easier then it was for us.
A traditional Mongolian dinner rounded out the day and we are in bed early to prepare for morning flight to Olgii on the other side of the country.
RMI Guide Eric Frank
So proud of you, Em! What an inspiration and testament you are to put in the work & following your dreams! To many more summits in this lifetime! Love ya mountain mama!
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Chris Ebeling reached 12,600' today before deteriorating weather and snow conditions forced their decision to turn back. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Blessed to have alpine with you and your Tele-tuesday gang thru Bear Pit,Many Years Ago,Which was Completely Memorable, Will always be thankful for you and Julie ‘s friendship even back when you lived on Gold HILL
Posted by: James ( Spud) on 6/1/2019 at 1:12 am
Maybe not quite as hoped but had to be an unforgettable experience for all, none-the-less! Can’t wait to hear the details, Chandra!
‘Love u to the mountains & back!’
Mom ❤
100% on top!!!
Today we had a wonderful albeit long day climbing to the summit of Kilimanjaro. The team woke at 11pm as we planned to thankfully clear skies after a cloudy evening that had us wondering the lay ahead.
We had a quick breakfast of porridge, tea and coffee before hitting the trail at 12am.
We climbed in hour increments with 10-15 breaks in between, which we've been doing every day thus far. The weather was pretty nice with just a little wind that kept us bundled up for most of the day. Thankfully the wind died just as we reached the crater rim know as Stella Point. It was one of the busiest days I’ve seen on Kili with more than 200 climbers, but the team timed everything just right and took great care of themselves.
The climb took about 7 hours to reach the top, and thankfully the sun had risen shortly before to help warm us and boost morale after climbing through the night. Once there, we hugged each other, enjoyed the view and took plenty of pictures of the sign that adorns the “Roof of Africa”.
It was a true test of endurance for most of the crew, and I'm really proud of everyone. We safely descended back to High Camp, had a quick lunch, repacked and continued further down the mountain to our final camp, where we are about to have dinner and then head to bed for some well deserved sleep.
Everyone is really looking forward to hot showers tomorrow to say the least.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili summit crew
June 10, 2016 - 10:59 pm PT
Waking up at 17K camp this morning was tough after yesterday's big day. We were happy though to be on the move again, back down the mountain to thicker air. Walking down the West Buttress was beautiful, and this time we were actually able to enjoy the knife ridge views. Taking in views is much easier walking down when you're only using half the physical effort as the way up. The mountain treated us with pleasant weather all the way to 11K Camp until we hit the storm layer, walked through some high winds and blowing snow and eventually below the storm to 7,800 camp. Now we're enjoying a cheese, bacon and bagel fry up celebration and looking forward to the final leg of our journey back to basecamp tomorrow! See you all soon and thanks for the support!
RMI Guide Tyler Jones
Still trying to keep a little vertical distance from reality.
Posted by: Dad on 6/12/2016 at 5:41 am
Wow descending almost 10,000 feet and through a snow storm layer—thats a long day! I hope you’re all holding up well on this last leg down to base camp!
Ongun I can’t wait to hear from you! sending you my hugs!
xoxo
Karina
Update Saturday, May 30th 8:30 pm PDT
Mike Walter & team were safely back at camp by 6 pm PDT. They will begin their descent to Basecamp tomorrow.
Saturday, May 30th 2:40 pm PDT
RMI Guide Mike Walter and team are standing on the summit of Mt. McKinley! Mike reported a strong team and and short-sleeve weather on top. The team will begin making their descent shortly and will send a dispatch when they are back at camp.
Way to go team!
Totally awesome .....congratulations To RickyBobby and Ericquito!! We are so proud of you! Can’t wait to tell you in person. Perseverance pays off in a big way. Looking forward to catching up at the lake.
XOXOXO your aunts and uncles in Chicago
Posted by: Maca-Mangan-Surpless on 5/31/2015 at 6:16 pm
Congratulations Solveig! I can’t wait to see you back in Seattle. Love you lots
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Love following your adventure each day…..be safe and enjoy
Posted by: Jean P on 12/24/2014 at 3:29 pm
Looking good Viv, enjoy every minute!!! Happy Holidays to the whole team!!!!
Anna
Posted by: Anna on 12/24/2014 at 8:21 am
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