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Vinson Massif: Next Team is Ready to Meet Dave Hahn at Union Glacier

December 6, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif

Greetings, Today was another fairly relaxed day for us. We had taken care of all our packing and last minute shopping yesterday, so we were ready for the "weigh in" at 11:30. ALE, the company in charge of all the flight logistics, came to the hotel to weigh and collect all our checked baggage for the flight tomorrow. It will be loaded into the plane tonight and be ready to go whenever we get the green light. We had our flight briefing at the ALE office at 5:00 pm. All the passengers (climbers and skiers) were there, about 45 total, to learn about the procedures for flying to Antarctica. As you might guess, this is definitely not a normal flight. It's a cargo plane. There are no window seats, overhead bins, or cabin crew. The plane was built for only two reasons, hauling cargo and landing in "off strip" runways. And a blue ice runway in the interior of Antarctica definitely qualifies as "off strip". At the airport in Punta Arenas, we will board the plane in 40-45 degree temperatures, wearing or carrying our Antarctica clothing. The flight, about 3000 kilometers, takes about 4 1/2 hours, and when you de-plane, you are literally on a different continent, but more importantly, it is one of the coldest and remote places in the world. When you step outside, the temperature will be about -15 degrees Fahrenheit at Union Glacier. And that does not include any windchill. We got a flight update tonight at 7:30 pm. Tomorrow morning, they will get an updated weather report from Union Glacier at 7:00 am and after reviewing the new information, will call us between 7:30 and 8:30 am. If the weather looks good, they will give us a flight time with about 30 minutes to get ready for the shuttle to the airport. If there is any concern about the weather, they will give us the time for the next weather update. Hopefully the first call we get is the call to get ready, that the flight is a go. We have already had dinner and are back at the hotel. We wanted to have an early night in anticipation of the big day tomorrow. We'll keep you posted. Best, RMI Guide Jeff Martin

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

As with your folks we’ve got you all on the prayer list for a safe and successful trip and summit. Hopefully we’ll be able to zero in on the correct blog so we can experience as much of it as possible. God Bless and God speed!

Posted by: Art & Smokey Bickel on 12/7/2014 at 2:21 pm

Well, off to Antarctica. It’s hard here to imagine the cold or fully grasp the team’s excitement. Travel well, enjoy the experience and return home safely. You’re in our prayers.

Posted by: Bob Sullvan on 12/7/2014 at 4:50 am

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Mt. Elbrus: JJ Justman and Team Fly to Cheget

July 7, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman

Categories:

Elevation: 11,000'

The RMI Mount Elbrus Southside team departed Moscow. We jumped on a plane and wound up in the ski town of Cheget. Let the climb begin! Check out the video below. RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Mike have a good time & have fun Poppy

Posted by: Bruce Archer on 7/8/2014 at 6:56 am

Live the Rocky like film! Peter and friends - Good luck on your ascent! Looks like quite a challenge, which is what you all want! Have fun, too.

Posted by: Diana Olney on 7/8/2014 at 5:38 am

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team are at 14K, Fully Stocked

June 21, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 20, 2014 - 10:08 pm PT Back-carry from Windy Corner to 14K Camp? Mission accomplished. We enjoyed the best weather of the trip today. Morning snow flurries gave way to sapphire skies and gorgeous views of the entire range. Our back-carry only took us a couple of hours to complete so we spent the rest of the day soaking in the grandeur of the Alaska Range. They're calling for over a foot of snow tomorrow so we may end up taking a weather day but the trend is supposedly clearing Sunday through Tuesday. Could be our window? We'll see... RMI Guide Billy Nugent from 14K Camp

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Bruce
Keeping the gym boys up on your progress
Good luck to the summit

Posted by: Edward Gramm on 6/21/2014 at 8:50 pm

Eric,
Good job and make sure you are carrying extra weight in your pack so you have practice when you have to carry mine again :-)

Posted by: Jenny Olson on 6/21/2014 at 7:44 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Upper West Rib Team Weathers Another Day

June 16, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 15, 2014 - 11:26 pm PT We awoke this morning to blue skies and our excitement spiked. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that this was only a trap door, the forecast is still looking poor for the next few days. We decided to stay put here at 14 camp, and by early afternoon the clouds and snow were back. The team is beginning to become discouraged and there is talk of heading down hill without a better weather forecast. That's all for now. RMI Guide Eric Frank and the McKinley Upper West Rib Team

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However this all plays out, we know you have done everything under your control and to the best of your abilities. Hopefully Mother Nature will have a change of heart and send some weather improvements and conditions in your favor. Keep the faith and stay strong.

Posted by: Rita and BruceWightman on 6/17/2014 at 6:06 pm

Hey guys sorry to hear that.
Although this fickle weather, I hope you have enjoyed your time. Though you haven’t been able to continue up the slope, don’t be disappointed. After all, it isn’t your fault. At least you have explored the unknown and have met your challenge. Do only what’s safe, you’re in our thoughts and prayers.

Love you Jesse

Posted by: L. Rosales on 6/16/2014 at 9:18 pm

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Take a Weather Day

May 22, 2024

Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:23 pm PDT

We're resting again at 14k. We're in the sun, but the cloud deck is just below us. And strong winds continue to ravage the upper mountain above us. After a lengthy brunch, our team spent a few hours building snow walls to fortify camp. We're hopeful that the weather change we're looking for will arrive by the weekend so we can make a summit push. Signs are optimistic and our team's spirits are high.

RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team

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You are almost there!!! Patience and the time will be there before you know it! We are with you.

Posted by: Bruce Wilhelm on 5/22/2024 at 7:53 pm

Stay safe out there!

Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 5/22/2024 at 5:19 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Tackle the Barranco Wall

August 11, 2023

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 13,160'

This morning at Barranco, the clouds were lapping at the mountain just a hundred feet below us, but it was crystal clear up above. We were out of camp just after 8 AM and doing battle with the Great Barranco Wall. Climbing through this section requires hands on some careful holds and feet on some well-chosen ledges in the lava. We cruised it. We pulled over the top of the wall (at 14,000 ft) in about an hour and forty minutes.

Somehow, Benson, our chef, had beaten us to it and had a picnic table set up with refreshments. We lounged about in the sun and took pictures with Kibo’s impressive south face as the backdrop. Then we traveled on, traversing several shallow valleys.

Finally, we dropped down a steep hillside into the Karanga Valley and then up the just-as-steep opposite side of the valley. This climb took us into Karanga Camp where we ate lunch and rested and told each other tall tales for the afternoon.

Best Regards,

RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

You got this Carrie! Lifetime memories in the making.

Posted by: Phyllicia Thomason on 8/13/2023 at 9:06 am

We are thinking of you all, especially our dear Allison Reiner, every step of this way.
So much love to you all!

Posted by: Amber Klein-Adam on 8/13/2023 at 4:39 am

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Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team at Their First Camp

August 6, 2019

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 9,890'

From first light this morning at the Arumeru River Lodge, Kilimanjaro could be seen towering in the distance, free of the normal cloud cover. The purists in the group maintained that the air was still "a little hazy" but the rest of us were simply thankful for the view and the chance to start our climb without rain in the air and mud on the trail. We’d finished breakfast and the “duffel shuffle” by 8 AM and so we loaded up on our bus for the 90 minute ride to the park entrance. The team stayed alert for the ride, alternating between staring at the rapidly growing mountain on the horizon and watching the Tanzanians beginning their day in the towns and villages along the highway. The bus began to climb as we drove up through banana and coffee plantations at the base of the big volcano. At the 6,000 ft Machame Gate to the park, we hopped out and got ready for walking. We were on the trail in perfect conditions at 10:40 AM. Freddy -one of our most experienced local guides- led the way and set the pace. We followed, marveling at the thick and lush forest. Eventually, in the early afternoon, cumulus clouds formed just above us and took away the sunlight that had been sneaking down through the foliage. The air got quite humid and although we were climbing steadily and getting into cooler air, we each did a fair bit of sweating. We took rest breaks each hour or so and in about five hours time we rolled into Machame Camp at nearly 10,000 ft. The team was a little amazed at how much work had been done by our support staff in building camp and making things comfortable and easy for our arrival. We enjoyed afternoon tea and ultimately Chef Tosha’s excellent dinner in the dining tent. The clouds cleared away and we came out to find a display of stars and moon and Milky Way that far exceeded the home view many of our team have access to. Day one went just fine in every way. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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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.

Aconcagua: Blais & Team Enjoy Rest Day at Base Camp

January 2, 2015

Posted by: Zeb Blais, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Greetings from a well rested team. Today was our first rest day at Plaza Argentina on the Aconcagua 3 Trip. The team is doing great. We went for a brief walk to assist in acclimatization and have spent the rest of the day sorting gear and preparing for our carry tomorrow. We will check back in after our carry to Camp 1. RMI Guide Zeb Blais

RMI Guide Zeb Blais checks in from Plaza Argentina.

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Mt. Shuksan: Seminar Team Reaches Summit

August 27, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 9,127'

Another excellent day on Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades...this time we woke up before dawn and cramponed up the Sulphide Glacier to the base of the summit pyramid, where we ditched the crampons and ice axes and climbed 4th and 5th class rock for 800 vertical feet to the summit! Our entire team reached the summit in good style. The weather was perfect so we hung out on the summit for over an hour before descending. We were back in camp around 2 p.m. for a round trip of a little over eight hours. The training over the past week really paid off and nobody struggled with the technical terrain at all. Congrats team! RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Most Popular Entries

Vinson Massif: Next Team is Ready to Meet Dave Hahn at Union Glacier

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Mt. McKinley: Upper West Rib Team Weathers Another Day

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Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Tackle the Barranco Wall

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb on the Summit!

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Mt. Shuksan: Seminar Team Reaches Summit

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