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Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Visit Otavalo Market, Arrive at Cayambe Hut

December 6, 2023

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,300'

Greetings friends, I know you have all been anxiously awaiting this update and I am proud to announce that we have in fact found Flaming Hot Cheetos and are currently in possession of enough to power a small factory. Mission accomplished. As for updates on our whereabouts, we had a great breakfast at the hacienda and made our way to the Otavalo Market where we did some shopping and exploring before heading for the hills. We arrived at the lower hut on Cayambe late afternoon and had some time to relax before a three course dinner. Afterwards talked some logistics about the days to come and shared some good laughs. Tomorrow we will rise early and make our way to the high hut before heading up to the glacier for a quick snow school in preparation for our Cayambe summit attempt. Morale continues to soar and we are all excited for what is to come. Hope all is well back at home, we can feel you all cheering us on and we greatly appreciate it! Even Jeff Daniels

RMI Guide Michael Murray

New Post Alerts:
Ecuador's Volcanoes 12-2-2023

Mexicos Volcanoes: Westling & Team Prepare for Ixta Climb

January 16, 2023

Posted by: Abby Westling

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Elevation: 13,047'

We awoke to another beautiful and clear morning, perfect for our active rest day. After enjoying some street tacos and meeting with our local guide we hopped back in the van to travel to Paso de Cortez. From here our team left the van to walk to La Joya- our camp for the night. Along the trail we soaked in the sun and surrounding nature. It was relaxing compared to our long climb yesterday! Tonight, we trade the comforts of hotels for tents as we prepare for our ascent to High Camp tomorrow.

RMI Guide Abby Westling

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Nestled in at 14K Camp

May 31, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Friday, May 31, 2019 2:49 PM PT Nothing is easy about climbing Denali. Just ask any member of our team who worked hard for more than two weeks before standing on top of the highest point in North America 17 days after landing at Base Camp on the Kahiltna Glacier. But that doesn't even tell the whole story. Our team eagerly awaited the start of this expedition and spent three antsy days in Talkeetna waiting for good enough weather to fly into Basecamp as a storm sat over the Alaska Range. Now, after summitting, we have descended to the 14k camp and are comfortably nestled in to our old camp. We are socked in the clouds and it is snowing. This morning we spoke via radio with Robby Young, who is leading the 4th RMI Denali expedition. He reported heavy and wet snow on the Kahiltna Glacier between 7800' and 9600'. The weather forecast is calling for heavy snow to continue through tomorrow, hopefully tapering on Sunday. No planes are flying and we are at the mercy of the weather once again. This time we are eagerly awaiting hot showers, cold beer, clean clothes, and a chance to talk with loved ones. Oh, and also flush toilets. Not necessarily in that order. Mountain weather is fickle and right now we are at her mercy. We'll take the good weather on summit day in exchange for playing the waiting game on both the front and tail ends of our expedition. And for now we're practicing our Zen patience in the comfort of our 14k camp. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

I’ve been following Tom M’s InReach and it looks to me like you’ve reached Kahiltna Glacier - Yahoo!! Welcome back. Congrats on completing the descent, hopefully the planes will be flying you off the glacier shortly. In the interim you’ll probably be digging up a cache of beer, perhaps a nice bottle of bourbon???

When you get back to Talkeetna enjoy: a cold beer or 2, a burger or 3, a looong hot shower, clean clothes, another cold beer, more burgers, perhaps a pizza, calls to loved ones -that’s my recommended order!
It’s after midnight here (and there) but since you’re all awake I’m going to join you in a long awaited celebratory drink. A toast to you all: TEAM WALTER 2019, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL EXPEDITION, YOU ROCK!!
Cheers
Jacquie

Posted by: Jacquie Byatt on 6/2/2019 at 12:28 am

Wow, I can’t even imagine what it’s like to reach the top of the world. Stay safe and warm. I’m in 91 degree weather, maybe send just a little of the cold this way.

Posted by: Peggy Robertson on 6/1/2019 at 9:44 am

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Have a Snow/Rest Day

June 22, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 22, 2014 - 12:04 am PT A snowy day here at 14K... Howdy all. Our team enjoyed a weather/rest day after our back-carry yesterday. Winds up on the West Buttress and steady snow through most of the day kept us from making an attempt at a carry up to 17K Camp. Tomorrow's weather outlook is a bit more promising and we are hoping to capitalize. On a brighter note, the two successful RMI teams came down from the summit and spent some time with us on their descent to the airstrip. It was a fun reunion for everyone and I congratulated those guys on their success and wish them safe passage down the Kahiltna. Wurd. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Eric: Prayers and crossed fingers for clear weather over the next three days! Being on top with blue skies and marginal wind would be awesome! Be smart & safe! Paul

Posted by: Paul on 6/23/2014 at 11:42 am

Michael & Bruce…sending you so much love and prayers from NYC…thinking of you guys and our amazing Kili adventure. You are both awesome and I KNOW you & your team will have incredible stories to share! Cannot wait to hear all about your climb and see your pics! Love you! xoxo Christine & the Shortman

Posted by: Christine on 6/22/2014 at 6:05 pm

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Mexico: Waterfall & Team Ready for Orizaba Summit Bid

January 24, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Elevation: 14,000'

Hey there. This is Seth checking in from Piedra Grande, our high camp on el Pico de Orizaba. We had a good day coming over from Pueblo. We checked out of the hotel nice and early and drove over to Tlachichuca at the base of Orizaba. Packed our stuff, had lunch at the Reyes Compound, and then proceeded to drive up to the hut here at high camp. Once we got up here, we took a little hike. It was cloudy and right before the sun went down, the mountain finally showed itself. It was rearing up nice and high. We just finished with dinner and sorting a little gear and packing for the climb tonight. We'll be taking off right as it turns tomorrow, a little after midnight, maybe 1:00. We'll be going for the summit. Crystal clear skies right now and just a beautiful night, and everybody is tucked in and getting ready to climb. We'll check in, hopefully from the summit in the morning. Hope all's well back in the U.S.A. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

RMI Guide Seth Waterfall calls in from Piedra Grande.

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & All Team Members Reach Summit

January 14, 2024

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 19,340'

It’s a miracle!!!

Rain and snow clouds. But this team stuck with it.

100% on top

Everyone doing well and headed back to high camp.

All team members safely down to high camp and doing well.

Everyone is tired, which feels about right.

Packing up, then a huge lunch, then we’ll make our way down to some thick air at Mweka camp.

It’s also raining again!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the summiteers

New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro January 6, 2024

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Way to go Andrew and team!! You guys crushed it!

Posted by: Rahim Charania on 1/14/2024 at 1:57 pm

Such great new. The smiles say everything. Congratulations!

Posted by: Brenda Cerkoney on 1/14/2024 at 9:57 am

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Mt. Elbrus: Northside Team Arrives in Moscow

August 4, 2019

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

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

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

I hope you all have a safe and fun climb! What an adventure! I looking forward to following you on this amazing journey

Posted by: Kelly Nyquist on 8/7/2019 at 3:17 pm

Looks amazing have a safe climb!! We’re following along

Posted by: Sean on 8/6/2019 at 7:49 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Carry and Cache

June 27, 2019

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Chad Gaffigan, Luke Wilhelm

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 11:21 PM PT Our workable weather continued today. Crisp, cool and mostly clear conditions prevailed as we set out above 11,000 camp at 7:15 this morning. Motorcycle Hill was first up, but didn’t take us all that long, just forty five minutes of “duck foot” cramponing up a steep snow slope with a handful of well-bridged crevasses. Next up was Squirrel Hill, a little traversing and some more duck footing, which brought us up to the Polo Field at the west end of the West Buttress. By this point, we were finally out of the valleys... looking up at surrounding mountains has been fun, but now looking out and down at the world from 12 and 13,000 ft is novel and beautiful. Windy Corner wasn’t windy. We took a pleasant rest break there in the mid morning sunshine. Then we put our helmets on and climbed around the corner. A new world opened up to us as we could now see the upper West Buttress and the bulk of Denali’s South Peak up close and personal. At 13,500 ft, we’d reached our target for the day -about four hours above 11 camp. We dug a deep hole in the snow to cache food and gear out of the reach of crafty clever ravens. Enjoying the sunshine and calm conditions, we lingered for about an hour before starting our descent. The track was in fine condition, so walking/climbing down went smoothly and easily. We strolled into 11,000 near two in the afternoon, which as we’ve discovered, is a darn good time for a nap. Clouds came and went throughout the afternoon and evening, there were some light showers, but nothing of great significance from our perspective. We’ll rest tomorrow to solidify acclimatization before making the big jump up to 14 camp. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Following along from sea level and 95 degrees, wishing we were there on the top with you. Good Luck with continued good weather and happy hikers. N & P from Maryland.

Posted by: Sandy on 6/28/2019 at 5:42 am

Thanks David - great being connected! Is that Keir in front of the camera in today’s post walking up hill? Awesome views and blue skies!

Posted by: Rich Green on 6/27/2019 at 10:05 am

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Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Arrive at Plaza Argentina Base Camp

January 15, 2019

Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We got an early start this morning with a few members crossing the cold Vacas River on foot and few other opting for a mule ride. The days hike brought us up the Relinchos River valley with a decent elevation gain during the first two hours. Since we missed the view of Aconcagua yesterday due to clouds and stormy weather the Team was taken back by the size of the mountain and it’s fresh coat of snow. We strolled down the braided mule paths, walking slowly to allow our bodies to adjust to the change in altitude. This trip has been one of 180 degree different weather patterns. Today was our hottest day of the trek as we were swarmed by horse flies. Now that we are at Aconcagua Base Camp at 13,800’ the Team is setting up their tents and taking some down time after three days of walking. Not much on the agenda except a delicious dinner and enjoying the sunset from our home for the next four nights. Tomorrow will be a rest day so the Team can continue acclimatizing and have a chance to sort gear and food to get carried up to Camp 1. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb on the Summit!

May 28, 2018

Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Geoff Schellens and Zeb Blais called down this morning at 7:30 am from the summit of Mt. Rainier. They reported 10 - 15 mph winds, cold conditions, and high team morale. Their plan is to spend about 30 minutes on the summit before beginning their descent back to Camp Muir.

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Most Popular Entries

Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Visit Otavalo Market, Arrive at Cayambe Hut

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Nestled in at 14K Camp

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Have a Snow/Rest Day

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Mexico: Waterfall & Team Ready for Orizaba Summit Bid

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & All Team Members Reach Summit

Mt. Elbrus: Northside Team Arrives in Moscow

Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Carry and Cache

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Arrive at Plaza Argentina Base Camp

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb on the Summit!

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