We woke up this morning, packed our bags and said goodbye to our home on the glacier. One last delicious breakfast to fuel some of us for our climb and some of us for our descent.
With big hugs and big thank yous to our base camp staff we took off. The Lobuche climbers headed downhill back through Gorekshep, to Lobuche village and then broke off the trail and headed up to Lobuche High Camp where we’re ready to make a run for the summit tomorrow.
We said goodbye to Sam and the trekking team as they continued downhill to Pheriche. Sam reports everyone is doing well and enjoying the thicker air.
We’re excited to climb Lobuche but boy are we missing being together as a team.
Pickleball Steve. We miss you 12 feet above sea level. Air is good. Be safe see ya soon
Bob. Chill
Posted by: Bob Chillemi. on 4/1/2024 at 10:03 am
Greetings from Sea Level on Hilton Head Island!
Wishing all a great day.
Special call out to Pickleball Steve.
May the ascent and return be full of amazing vistas, fueled by strong legs, full lungs and boundless energy.
Be safe and happy
Joe
RMI Guide Andy Bond reported from summit of Mt. Shuksan - Fisher Chimneys earlier today:
"Hey we’re on top. 100% of the crew. Fun climb and we are heading back down to our camp at Lake Ann."
Congratulations to today's team!
We loaded our on two de Haviland Otter turbo prop single engine airplanes this morning and took off for Kahiltna Base Camp. The flight over the tundra was beautiful as we soared beneath a low ceiling of clouds. As we approached the range it became apparent that our normal access points of One Shot and Second Shot Passes were not options due to the low clouds. So the pilots opted to try "the long way", which means accessing the Kahiltna glacier at its toe and following it up toward Base Camp. The problem was that as we gained elevation on the glacier the cloud did not, and eventually we were flying in the cloud, a thick pea soup, with very little visibility. So the team of K2 pilots made the prudent decision to turn around and head back for Talkeetna.
We spent the rest of the day on stand by to see if weather would improve. It did not, and in fact it deteriorated a little. We'll play the same game tomorrow, with a less than ideal forecast. The good news is that high pressure looks to be moving our way soon!
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Hello there. It's Eric Frank calling in from Bolivia. It's about 1:30 in the afternoon (BOT Time) and I'm at 17,400ft here on Illimani. Unfortunately, we decided this will be our high point for the climb. It's a combination of recent storm snow, and the forecast, which has made us decide to head down hill. So at this point we're going to move back to our base camp and spend our last night in the mountains. Tomorrow we will pack up, head back to La Paz, and in two short days, be back at the airport. We look forward to seeing all of you soon. Bye.
RMI Guide Eric Frank
We are very proud of you guys especially our guy Chris! Amazing accomplishments this trip. We can’t wait to see your face.
Love,
Anna, Shelby and Sammie.
Posted by: Anna Baldwin on 6/6/2018 at 2:11 pm
Still a great accomplishment and a wise decision to trust the weather forcast
You know what they say “don’t mess with Mother Nature”
Be proud team Team Eric and Andy
Special shout out to Julie
As planned, we completed packing today. Our bags were heavy and ready for an 11 AM weigh-in down in the hotel lobby. It was a relief to then load them onto the ALE cargo truck and to be done with them. The team members had one last day of individuality in which to indulge in Punta Arenas. Some went along the shore for miles, stretching their legs and exploring the fringes of town. Others shopped or exercised. And some napped and caught up on correspondence. At five in the evening, we migrated the four or five blocks over to ALE's headquarters for a briefing on the logistics of our planned trip. Within a few moments of arriving, we were informed that weather was so good around Union Glacier, that there would not be any "stand-by" and no tension of waiting for a phone call... The flight was on, plain and simple, be ready for pickup first thing in the morning. We enjoyed a few celebratory cocktails, an informative slideshow and then a great dinner out. We were torn between the urge to celebrate and raise toast after toast... And the need to get back to the rooms for a full night's rest.
Moderation won out, we have high, high hopes for a big day tomorrow. A trip to Antarctica's interior and a great deal closer to the Vinson Massif.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Our morning started with crystal clear views of the peak of Kibo (which contains Kilimanjaro's central crater). We were just above a sea of clouds, as we'd gotten used to yesterday afternoon. Our climb began just before 8 AM up the steady and gradual incline heading directly toward Kibo. We spent the day above "timberline" getting close up views of smaller desert shrubs and flowers. The upper sky began to cloud up, particularly as we approached our high point for the day at 15,200 ft. At this point we came around the castle-like "lava tower" and had to use our imaginations to visualize the steep escarpments above, cloaked in cloud. Those clouds let loose with snow showers as we began our descent toward the Barranco Valley. We quickly put on the weatherproof shells and marched downward through a mild blizzard. The showers let up as we reached the giant Senecios -the doctor Seuss themed trees that make Barranco so interesting. The team was in camp by about 3:15 PM. We were lucky enough to get some brief periods of sunshine as the afternoon progressed, allowing a chance to dry damp gear and as well to see the route for tomorrow up the Barranco Wall. We anticipate a calm night with some good and much needed rest at 13,030 ft above sea level.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Another very nice day on Mt. Kilimanjaro. We set out at 8 am after yet another delicious breakfast we are definitely not losing any weight on this trip. We left the moorland zone of vegetation and moved into the alpine zone meaning not much living up there. A couple of white necked ravens would visit us at our breaks thinking they may get a hand out but doing our best at the leave no trace policy they would have to rummage else where for a snack. Right at high noon we hit the high mark of just under 15,000' which was a new altitude record for most of the team. We then descend down to 13,000' where the Baranco camp is and home for the night. The whole team is feeling good and climbing with great style.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
This is Dave Hahn checking in from the familiar surroundings of Advance Base Camp at 14,000'. Life is good here, but we're not so sure that's the case at 17,000'. A cloud cap formed over the summit of Denali this morning, indicating high wind and changing weather conditions. Sometimes a cap will blow off, followed by settled weather. On the other hand, it may be a harbinger of worsening weather. At any rate, we're sitting tight for the moment, watching and waiting. We'll keep you posted.
Here we are, situated nicely at Camp 2 (19,200 ft) after a long move from Camp 1. Tomorrow will be another rest day that should allow our bodies to make some final adjustments before we take a crack at the summit. The team is in good spirits and is looking forward for our chance to stand on top!
Should be soon!
RMI Guide Zeb Blais and the Five Day Summit Climb August 2 - 6 team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Zeb reported a little cold and a little windy on their climb this morning but overall very nice weather. The team ascended to Camp Muir on August 4th after spending a day and a 1/2 training on the lower slopes of Mt. Rainier. They spent two nights at Camp Muir resting and preparing for their summit climb. We are glad they had a beautiful day today for their summit climb.
Congratulations to the team!
Pickleball Steve. We miss you 12 feet above sea level. Air is good. Be safe see ya soon
Bob. Chill
Posted by: Bob Chillemi. on 4/1/2024 at 10:03 am
Greetings from Sea Level on Hilton Head Island!
Wishing all a great day.
Special call out to Pickleball Steve.
May the ascent and return be full of amazing vistas, fueled by strong legs, full lungs and boundless energy.
Be safe and happy
Joe
Posted by: Joe Murphy on 3/30/2024 at 12:46 pm
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