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RMI JJ Justman recaps Ixta summit day.
On The Map
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Roland Scott, Joey Manship, Will Nash, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb July 3 - 6 led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Ben Luedtke enjoyed a beautiful morning on Mt. Rainier. The teams reached the summit at 6:15 am under clear skies and great route conditions. The team enjoyed an hour in the crater before starting their descent. Once back at Camp Muir the climbers will have a quick break and then continue the remaining 4,500' down to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Nice work team!
Posted by: Brent Okita, Henry Coppolillo, Trevor Katz, Sam Hoffman, Mike Bennett, Evan Redman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five-Day climb led by RMI Guides, Brent Okita and Henry Coppolillo, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They enjoyed absolutely beautiful day on top this morning with a great route and enjoyable weather.
They will enjoy a casual walk back down to Camp Muir to do some more training this afternoon and tomorrow morning. The team will return to Basecamp tomorrow.
Nice work team!
Great job everyone! Sorry I couldn’t climb with you.
Posted by: David Jesmer on 6/25/2023 at 9:01 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - 10:55 pm PT
Yet another weather day, we woke up to snow covered tents and cold temperatures. We had our final bagel meal of the trip, paired with smoked salmon. As we sat in and out of the clouds, and snowfall we waited for the other RMI teams to descend from 17,000' Camp. Tomorrow morning marks a decision point. We need a three day weather window to open up before Thursday for us, otherwise we run out of food at 14,000' Camp, and then have to go retrieve our cache from 16,300' and then eat our summit food. Leaving us out of food if a summit window did open up later. Tomorrow morning we should have clarity if Wednesday, Thursday, Friday will be a viable option. The other tricky component is a very large system seems to be slated to hit the mountain Friday, bringing more snow and more wind. This storm could run it's course as late as next Tuesday or so. Leaving us completely out of food by the time weather improves. All that said, with an updated forecast tomorrow morning we may make the call to either go for it, or to grab the cache and get out so we don't get stuck for the entire storm. We will check in tomorrow with whatever we hear!
Proud of you Matt and team for all you have accomplished!
Posted by: Kathleen George on 6/1/2023 at 2:56 pm
Positive vibes headed your way for a good weather window! Keep it up Dawn, you got this!!
Posted by: Kendyl on 6/1/2023 at 4:47 am
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
Friday, June 17, 2022 1:47 AM
June 17th 2022 - THE TEAM SUCCESSFULLY SUMMITS!
Well hot diggity dog we did it! We went to bed with several inconclusive weather forecasts stressing us out and a weather check at 4:30 confirmed cloudy skies. Alas our actual wake up of 6:30 gave us the surprise “nowcast” we had been waiting for, clear skies and no sign of winds! Huzzah! We quickly set about rallying the troops and making hot water for breakfast. When it was all said and done we were walking by 8:30 headed up, up, up! We first scaled the imposing and cold “Autobahn”. A large steep traverse that gains us about a 1,000 feet. Next we zig and zagged through “Zebra Rocks” gaining more elevation rapidly. Next we meandered slowly and steadily uphill crossing the Denali summit plateau until we got to the “Football Field” a large flat zone that led to our final two obstacles. “Pig Hill” and the summit ridge proper! Pig Hill is a daunting final push up several switch backs to gain elevation before traversing the true summit ridge. The Summit Ridge gave us incredible views and big exposure before finally giving way to the true summit itself! The highest point in North America! There was much congratulating and picture taking and before you know it, it was time to head down. We retraced our steps safely and efficiently all the way back to camp. The crew was tired, thirsty and hungry but by jove they’d done it! All told 13 hours round trip. After being fed and watered, it was quickly lights out for everyone.
Talk to you tomorrow friends, family and loved ones!
RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the Team
Congratulations Heather and everyone on this expedition. What an accomplishment. I saw this image and got chills. I can’t even imagine the feeling of reaching the summit after all your training prior to arriving and then the last three weeks. Heather, thank you so much for fundraising for ANRF and arthritis research. YOU are amazing!
Posted by: Jenn on 6/20/2022 at 6:16 pm
Congratulations to all and Rebecca! Your Mecha Team has been cheering you on from Colorado. We are proud of you! Get home safe and soon!
Posted by: Courtney Hutton on 6/18/2022 at 7:19 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,320'
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RMI Guide Brent Okita calls from the summit of Mt. McKinley, 20,320 ft.
On The Map
You are amazing Gerald!!!! You are one in a million, always have been and always will be!!! We miss you tons! Please come and visit with family ASAP! The Hamptons in the summer isn’t the same without you! Love you Gerald!
Love,
Kimmy
Posted by: KImmy on 6/24/2013 at 8:35 am
Simply phenomenal!
Congratulations
-th
Posted by: Tom H on 6/8/2013 at 1:53 pm
Posted by: Andy Bond, Alan Davis, Ben Liken, Cal Smith, Liam Weed, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,800'
The Four Day Climb May 27 - 30 led by RMI Guides Andy Bond and Alan Davis reported pockets of wind slabs on the steeper portions of the route which forced the teams to turn around at 12,800’. They enjoyed a spectacular sunrise with great views as they descended to Camp Muir.
Photo: Andy Bond
Led by RMI Guides Mike Walter and Matias Francis the Mt. Baker - North Ridge team reached the summit of Mt. Baker yesterday. The team enjoyed a variety of weather on the climb, including rain once they got back to Hogsback Camp after their summit attempt.
11 PM sure seemed like it came early last night. Some got a little sleep, some got none, but we all got up to go climbing. We had an 11:30 “breakfast” before leaving Barafu High Camp just after midnight. It was magically clear and calm. We could see the lights of Moshi and a thousand other towns. The moon didn’t rise until about three so there were plenty of stars to see as we marched by headlight. Naturally, all the other climbing teams were getting going at the same time, so Naiman -who led the way- had to do some bobbing and weaving to get us free of traffic jams. Eventually we broke free and were able to set our desired pace up the steep, zig zag of pumice and lava steps. We took short breaks every 60 to 90 minutes, generally adding clothing layers as we got higher and colder. It was still dark when we hit the crater rim at Stella Pt at 5:48. We took a short break and the guides broke out thermoses of sweet black tea which the team devoured. Then we walked the rim to Uhuru as daylight slowly came on. There is a lot to look at on a 19,000 ft stroll at sunrise. We hit the tippy top… Uhuru… at 6:47 AM There were a few tears and cheers, then a bunch of happy photographs. We sat to eat and drink and then -after 25 minutes on the top of Africa- we began our descent. The team made good time, boot skiing down thousands of feet of loose pumice. In three and a half hours we were back at High Camp. Our staff welcomed us with cups of fruit juice and joyful songs. Tosha -our chef- prepared a 15,200 ft pizza lunch to fortify us for our continued climb down. The team pulled out of High Camp at 11:40 AM and got down 5000 ft of rocky and dusty trail in three hours. It is clear and sunny still at 10,000 ft Mweka Camp. Our team is tired but happy. We’ll sit down to our final dinner on the hill in a few minutes and we’ll review the highs… and the hard parts of an excellent day. There will certainly be a few mentions of the amazing job our guides and staff did to get us living out a dream.
Best Regards
Congratulation all.
Well-written recap - Evokes memories of ‘‘09.
Waltero
Posted by: Waltero Glover on 8/22/2022 at 2:58 am
Wow! Wow! Wow!!!!! Congratulations everyone! So proud of you ALL!!!
Looking forward to hearing all about it Kim!! What a HUGE accomplishment!
Enjoy your last bit of time in Africa! Soak in that earthy smell for me!
Love,
Alisha
Posted by: Alisha Palmer on 8/21/2022 at 6:26 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,060'
HI TA,
Congratulations on your summit!it is really cool that you made it to the top.Did you have a good time on the mountain? Looking forward to having you back for a visit again. Hooray for you from the grade fours at Bishop Abraham Elementary.
Heather and the grade four class
Posted by: Heather Courage on 10/25/2012 at 4:31 am
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