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Mt. Rainier: Paradise Seminar Reaches the Summit

August 27, 2021

Posted by: Grayson Swingle, Seth Burns, Emma Lyddan

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Grayson Swingle topped off the Paradise Seminar week- literally. They are on the Mt. Rainier summit right now! The team spent the week on the flanks of Mt. Rainier learning valuable mountaineering skills. Yesterday they moved to Camp Muir where they started their summit bid early this morning. We look forward to congratulating them this afternoon at Rainier Basecamp.

Ecuador Volcanoes: Cotopaxi Summit!

February 3, 2022

Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 19,348'

Good morning,

I am happy to report that on a beautiful morning the team made the summit of Cotopaxi. Sunny skies and light winds made for great climbing conditions. The local guides have departed and the team is headed back to Quito for an afternoon of relaxation and a celebration dinner. This trip has thrown some curveballs, but I'm proud of the team for sticking with it and being flexible along the way. Everyone, regardless of whether they went to the summit of Cayambe or Cotopaxi did a really fine job pushing themselves towards goals they have worked so hard for. Cheers to this team!

Thank you for following along with our blog and please continue following the final RMI Ecuador trip of the season which starts next week!

RMI Guides Dustin, Avery and Team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Awesome!! Sunny Summit!!!

Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/4/2022 at 3:45 am

Congrats all! Great to see that mountain summited

Posted by: Sam on 2/3/2022 at 12:50 pm

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Everest Base Camp Trek: Experiencing Everest Base Camp

March 27, 2012

Posted by: Linden Mallory

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek

Elevation: 17,575'

The temperatures at Everest Base Camp were a big concern among the group for the days, weeks, and even months leading into the trip. Knowing that, before dinner last night we pulled out a special surprise for the group: A First Ascent Down Suit for each member of the trip to use while at Base Camp. Needless to say, they were a big hit. We sat around the dining tent toasty warm, discussing the best ways to go about the daily tasks in our new Base Camp attire - from sleeping to brushing our teeth to using the toilet tent. It was a crystal clear night here last night, every star in the sky shining brightly in the blackness above. Around us the mountain was alive with activity: the glacier creaked and cracked, rocks occasionally came crashing down distant slopes, and chunks of glacier from far off collapsed sending low rumbles through the valley. Despite it all we were comfortable in our tents, cozy warm in our sleeping bags and down suits and the night passed smoothly. The sun finally roused us this morning and we sat down for a delicious breakfast. Not a cloud was to be found in the sky and we enjoyed the time to sit around and talk, with nowhere in particular to be. Around mid morning I headed out into the lower stretches of the Khumbu Glacier with the three climbers heading to Island Peak and we set up a small ropes course on the ice features of the glacier. We focused on how to climb with crampons on firm glacial ice, the best techniques for overcoming steep obstacles, and then jumped onto fixed ropes and familiarized ourselves with ascending a fixed line, how to use an ascender on the rope, and how to rappel. The climbing team was soon zipping around the ropes course, clambering up and rappelling back down the large ice fin upon which we were practicing. Once we felt comfortable with using the equipment and moving across the terrain, and sufficiently winded from the 17,000' elevation, we headed back to camp to meet up with the rest of the team. We've spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in camp, resting from the days of hiking it took to get up here, and preparing for the hike out tomorrow. The team is doing very well, sending our best to everyone at home, and eager to share more stories from the adventures we've had thus far. RMI Guide Linden Mallory

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb Teams Descending from the Crater Rim

July 15, 2023

Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Abby Westling, Daniel May, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft, Will Nash

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Climb July 12 - 15 led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier & Abby Westling reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Dustin reported sunny skies and winds from the west at 20 mph, which was less than forecasted. The teams were leaving the crater rim just after 7 am today for their return to Camp Muir. Once at Muir they will have a short rest before continuing 4,500' down to Paradise.

Congratulations to today's climbing teams!

Vinson Massif: Team Reaches High Camp

December 11, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif

Elevation: 12,400'

The clouds fled Low Camp around 1:30 this morning and we woke to sparkling skies about ten hours later. Moving day! Breakfast got us set for a flurry of gearing up, knocking tents down, and roping up for the big climb to high camp. We are old hands at climbing the steep fixed rope sections now, but most were startled at the scenery (which eluded us on our cloudy climb the other day). We had unimpaired views of hundreds of square miles of the Antarctic interior today, including the big jagged, crazy peaks just north of Vinson (Shinn and Epperly). As we worked our way higher, our "Low" Camp began to seem low indeed, reduced to a collection of specks on the big Branscomb Glacier. We pulled into high camp six hours after setting out, at a quarter to Eight PM. As usual, it was a fair amount of work getting tents up and stoves burning and snow melting for dinner, but the entire team is well practiced now at such chores and it went quickly. One by one our climbers wandered over to the edge of camp to peer out over the edge of the world. At least the big drop-off back down to the Branscomb seems that way now. Precipitous to the tune of more than three thousand vertical feet. A physical cliff, as it were. Tell congress we've found it. Tomorrow, relatively bright and early, we'll get up and see if the weather will work for a summit day. It is forecast to be -28 degrees Celsius on top tomorrow. Which is normal. By the way, that converts to minus brrrrrrrr degrees Fahrenheit. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Bruce, been enjoying reading the blogs. Good luck, be safe and stay warm!

Posted by: Tara Zier on 12/12/2012 at 7:24 pm

Wow…the photos are incredible and reading the blog brings chills. You guys are amazing! Sending good wishes for an awesome day tomorrow.

Paula Selland

Posted by: Paula Selland on 12/12/2012 at 5:54 pm

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb on the Summit!

August 17, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, Ben Ammon

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides JM Gorum and Ben Ammon climbed above the clouds and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Ben reported clear skies and chilly temperatures. The team has started their descent and are en route back to Camp Muir. Congratulations to today's team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Great accomplishment for all! Way to go Emily and Phil .. another goal reached for you both.. so proud of both of you!!

Posted by: JoAnn Bolton on 8/18/2019 at 7:36 am

Congratulations to all summiteers. Hope you are suitably proud of your accomplishment. In spite of your bravado, it is a big deal. To the guides, thanks for taking such good care of my son, Nathan and helping him reach one of his goals.

Posted by: Don Evans on 8/17/2019 at 9:38 am

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Mountaineering Training | Climber’s Perspective on Balancing Work and Training for Mt. Rainier

July 15, 2013

Posted by:

Categories: Mountaineering Fitness & Training

Mt. Rainier, everyday, when it’s not cloudy … I get to see Mt. Rainier. Ever since I moved to the Seattle area 10 years ago, I’ve been looking at that mountain, knowing that I would summit it someday. This September, with RMI Expeditions, I will be able to attempt the climb and hope that the mountain allows me to summit. Every day for the past 8 months I have been waking up and heading to the gym at 4 AM to work out. I have been part of a fitness program getting back into shape, and now, down 80lbs, I have been inspired to make my summit a reality this fall. The great thing about living in the Pacific Northwest is that I get to look at the mountain almost daily and it serves as a constant reminder of what I am training for. That training has to be incorporated into a very busy life, balancing my work and family schedules, but as many I have talked with, every bit of training you do is more ‘fuel’ in your tank for when you summit - that is what drives me to get up every morning. As someone who works in marketing for a major software company in Redmond, my days are kept very busy, and 9 - 10hr work days on top of training is at times challenging to keep up with. The way I keep life balanced is by starting my days early as it helps me get in what I need to at the gym and allows for some quiet time in the office to catch up on email before the busyness of the day begins. My days look like the following: • 4 AM: Alarm goes off and I drag myself out of bed. • 5 AM: At the gym to get in a 60 - 90 minute workout doing either circuit training, or a mountain conditioning class at the Pro Sports Club. • Around 7 AM I am into work for a full day. • 4 PM: I either head home for the day to relax or I head to Tiger Mountain’s cable line trail for training on Tuesdays & Thursdays. • Eat dinner when I get home. • 8:30-9 PM: Head to bed to rest for another busy day. Right now I’m doing a combination of circuit training and a mountain conditioning course Monday - Thursday at the gym and on Fridays I workout my bigger muscle groups and do a short 30 min on cardio. On Monday and Wednesday after work I head to the driving range to mix it up a bit and have some fun. Tuesday and Thursdays are my big days where I have both mountain conditioning and I head up and do the Tiger Mountain Cable Line Trail (1000 vertical feet in a little over a mile). I use Fridays to recover and I do major hikes for training over the weekends, and try to include my wife on some of these more “fun” hikes. Balancing the heavy training schedule with work and a family is very tricky, but I also remember this is only for a short period of life, and I am constantly reminded of the goal ahead when I catch a glimpse of Mt. Rainier peeking out from the clouds. - Jeff Marcoux _____ Jeff Marcoux is an avid hiker & lover of micro brews who lives with his wife in Seattle, WA.

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Summit on 4th of July

July 4, 2021

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, David Price, Liam Weed, Mike King, Seth Burns, Axel Ryd

Categories:

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI's Four Day Climb teams for July 1 - 4 led by RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer & Mike King reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning at 5:40 am. Pete reported a nice day with light winds, really nice climbing conditions and a great route. The climbs spent some time in the crater enjoying the views and getting all the photo ops. They began their descent from the crater rim around 7 am. Once back at Camp Muir they will repack and continue down to Paradise to conclude their climb.

We want to give a shout out to RMI Guides Henry Coppollilo and Leif Bergstrom who spent a long day on route work earlier this week and really worked hard to improve the route. Thank you!

Congratulations to today's climber

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations, what a great accomplishment!

Posted by: Jeff Means on 7/4/2021 at 9:02 am

« Bravo à toute l’équipe », congratulations to all of you, from France !!!

Posted by: Philippe Deiss on 7/4/2021 at 7:49 am

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Aconcagua Expedition: Team At High Camp

January 19, 2012

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

We are at High Camp (Piedras Blancas) and getting ready for our summit bid. We will leave early in the morning for an alpine start and climb out of camp to join the Ruta Normal. A gradual traverse along the mountain's northwest flank takes us to the base of the Canaleta, a 1,000' long couloir leading to the summit ridge. Upon reaching the top of the Canaleta, a straightforward traverse leads to the Aconcagua summit. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Gabriel Barral

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Bryan, So glad to hear about your climb!!! We are sooooooo proud of you ‘warrior!’ Also, glad you and your team are having a great time! Can’t wait to see you and ‘celebrate!’ Love mommy and daddy

Posted by: Connie Blalock on 1/21/2012 at 1:09 pm

Bryan, So glad to hear about your climb!!! Also, glad you and your team are having a great time! Can’t wait to see you and ‘celebrate!’ Love mommy and daddy

Posted by: Connie Blalock on 1/21/2012 at 1:07 pm

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Mt. Baker: King and Team Stand on Top

July 20, 2022

Posted by: Mike King, Jess Wedel, Mike Bennett

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 10,781'

RMI Guide Mike King reported clear, calm, and beautiful views from the summit of Mt. Baker this morning. Congrats to the team for their summit of a classic climb of the Cascades!

The team will spend tonight at camp basking in their success before descending back to the trailhead tomorrow.

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Most Popular Entries

Mt. Rainier: Paradise Seminar Reaches the Summit

Ecuador Volcanoes: Cotopaxi Summit!

Everest Base Camp Trek: Experiencing Everest Base Camp

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb Teams Descending from the Crater Rim

Vinson Massif: Team Reaches High Camp

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb on the Summit!

Mountaineering Training | Climber’s Perspective on Balancing Work and Training for Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Summit on 4th of July

Aconcagua Expedition: Team At High Camp

On The Map

Mt. Baker: King and Team Stand on Top

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