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We woke before 8 AM a wash with a lingering sunrise. Hughes of pinks, oranges and blues, a stark contrast against the black volcanic dust around and below us at base camp. Within just a few minutes of the groups rousing the dust was above us too, as Popo erupted with fury, more violent than we've seen since arrival in Mexico, we watched as smoke and steam billowed into the sky, becoming a dark cloud inching in our direction while we hoped it was a good omen. lt certainly was a sobering one. A reminder that we are merely guests here in every sense.
We ate a hearty breakfast of refried beans, corn chips, eggs, potatoes, and ham thanks to our team at Ixta base camp, coffee and tea were had as well. The anticipation and excitement among the group were as thick as the ash and at 10 AM we dawned our packs and jettisoned from the Basecamp led by our local guide Allan, 300 summits of Ixta, including many by running, with Dominic and Ben in the rear. We kept an eye on the clouds of smoke, but it didn't phase us on a spectacular and reasonably effortful climb to high camp at 14,500 ft we faced only a little
scree, and instead moved through an ocean of golden grass. Its fine blades seemed to hug us as we passed. People had the energy and breath to discuss life's most important philosophical questions like Buddhism, the true nature of millennials, and Gen Xers, and how one defines a soup versus a stew and what is chili and cereal with milk, and while we are still trying to determine the conversions for the Dominic unit, the climb was indeed three hours as promised, which was met by applause at high camp. We were greeted by the cheers, laughs and smiles of our incredible Porter team, who ran ahead of us to get camp ready for our arrival which marked personal high points for the majority of us.
We rested and relaxed, had a nourishing dinner of chicken Ramen, hot chocolate, cookies, and various preparations of, and some questionable, of spam, and after a final briefing retreated to our tents and sleeping bags early in preparation for our Alpine start to the summit of Ixta.
RMI Climber, Eric Obscherning
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes February 24, 2024
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Chad Gaffigan, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello, Nikki Champion
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Posted by: Jake Beren, Christina Dale, Andrew Kiefer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Best wishes to you all. Enjoy the down time and visualize your success. Be smooth, Mer.
Posted by: Rich on 6/9/2015 at 12:19 pm
Hope you all are enjoying the scenery. Also am hoping the weather is starting to cooperate with your journey.
Pearl
Posted by: Pearl on 6/8/2015 at 1:46 pm
On The Map
we so look forward to the daily updates and in a small way sharing you amazing journey—hi darrin and all mom and dad
Posted by: huth"s on 12/28/2014 at 5:45 am
What a great experience this must be! Love getting a glimpse through the blog and pictures. Continued wishes for a safe climb!!
Posted by: Sandy Evans on 12/27/2014 at 11:28 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,636'
On The Map
Looking good Thanks for the e-mail about the plane. Keep warm and enjoy the sites. Love Mom and Granny Kevin what a story to write about for sure.
Posted by: Cornelia on 7/18/2014 at 7:23 am
Good luck Miller boys!
Posted by: Sean on 7/18/2014 at 5:52 am
Posted by: Jess Wedel, George Hedreen, Stella Johnson, Celeste Wilson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,300'
The ALA Climb for Clean Air Team made an incredible push up Mt. Rainier, reaching the top of Disappointment Cleaver before high winds and a summit cloud cap made it unsafe to continue.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel reports the team is doing well and is now en route back to Camp Muir to regroup before descending to Paradise.
We’re proud of their strength, determination, and commitment to clean air for all.
Posted by: Tatum Whatford, Joe Crawford, Raymond Holt, Dylan Anderson, Julian Kral, Ben Porter, David Rathbun, Nina Bridges
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five-Day Climb teams, led by RMI Guides Tatum Whatford and Joe Crawford, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning! After taking in a beautiful sunrise above the clouds, the climbers began their descent from the crater rim around 7:00 a.m. They'll pause for a well-earned break at Camp Muir before continuing down to Paradise, with plans to return to basecamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today’s climbers on a successful summit!
Congratulations everyone (especially Trishita)! Great job and you continue to inspire us!
Posted by: Sanjay Banerjee on 7/7/2025 at 7:20 pm
Great job, everyone (especially Trishita)! So glad you got to summit
Posted by: Connor Boyle on 7/7/2025 at 4:27 pm
The Curtes Crew is with you in spirit every step of the way. Go Hirschy and Magpie - We love you guys!
Posted by: Jay Curtes on 6/20/2018 at 5:32 pm
Wishes for a safe climb for your entire team. Special shout out to Margaret & Jon, keep your eye on the prize! Praying the weather clears for you!
Posted by: Donna Elmer Weber on 6/20/2018 at 4:34 pm
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