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The
Machu Picchu Trekking Team arrived in Cusco a few days ago with all their luggage in tow. Since we are currently at 11,151’ there are a few acclimatization days planned into the schedule. Yesterday we toured the Sacred Valley that is carved from the Urabamba River and contains many agricultural and cultural areas vital to the Quechua people of this area.
We got our first look at the impressive Incan stone work and a brief walk on a trail similar to what we will walk on over the next week. Following the great interpretative tour at Ollantaytambo we were fortunate to observe a local celebration and parade in Pisac Market. There were small groups of families and friends in colorful costumes and dress. Each group had their own music and choreographed dance, it was something else.
Today we will visit a few more Incan sites and the temple of the sun before getting our gear ready for the trek. Everyone is doing well and adjusting to the dry air and high altitude. We are eager to begin walking towards Machu Picchu.
RMI Guide Mike King
Thursday, July 12, 2018 - 4:44 PM PT
Hello,
It’s an incredibly rare event to be held down by weather here in the
Cordillera Blanca in the months of July and August. The dry season here is wonderfully tranquil, for the most part, yet today, was a day the mountains were not their warm and welcoming selves. We had originally planned to move to high camp on Pisco today, but threatening clouds, wind, and snow showers kept us out here at Base Camp at 15,200’. Luckily, we’re acclimatized, and Pisco can be easily climbed from here at Base Camp in one day. We’re saving the energy of hauling heavy loads up high, and are going to make a go at it later tonight from Base Camp, if the weather allows, of course. We get really spoiled here with weather here in Peru for the most part, so is certainly out of the ordinary to need to improvise. Despite all that, we’re excited to go climb tonight, we’re well rested, and we just ate steak and French fries at 15,200’. Life is good! We’ll let you know how our climb goes tomorrow! Wish us luck!
Robby,
Alan, William, and team Papas Fritas
Today we departed from the warm showers and soft beds of our Puebla hotel to rough it one last night up high. After a luxurious breakfast at our host Dr. Reyes’ re-purposed home (from an ancient soap factory) followed by a three-hour stomach-churning ride through local farms and a long windy road up to
Pico de Orizaba National Park, we settled straight into our camp site for the night, sitting well above the clouds at 14,900ft. Everybody has been working well, setting up camp and prepping meals, but we’re also very grateful for the efforts and support of our local porters and guide, who have been fantastic resources and friends. Burritos and more laughter on the dinner menu, then an early bedtime for us in order to be fully charged to tackle our final objective tomorrow, the roof of Mexico, the Pico de Orizaba.
RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & the crew
June 16, 2017 10:02 pm PST
Greetings from Camp 1 on
Denali!
Today the team took an early morning stroll up the Kahiltna, only mildly inconvenienced by absurdly large packs and sleds packed with all the supplies as food we'll need for the next several weeks. Traveling with so much weight takes some getting used to, and everyone is doing a great job adapting to the new systems in play. We arrived at the base of Ski Hill in a heavy snow fall, but after a much needed afternoon nap the sun came out and we were able to get a good view of our spectacular surroundings.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, the plan is to walk uphill some more! With any luck, we'll be checking in from 9,600' tomorrow night.
In Horiskey we trust,
RMI Guides Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, and Gloria Roe
On The Map
June 14, 2015 10:58 pm
Hi friends and family! Team Haugen continues to make strong moves up here. Today we got a bright and early start, broke camp, and made short work of Ski Hill en route to
Camp 2 at 9,600 feet. Upon arrival, the boys of "El Siete" enthusiastically dug what may be the burliest camp ever to grace the slopes of Denali, then harvested the fruits of their labor by way of a long half day of relaxing, napping, and eating truly preposterous quantities of Mac and cheese. We're all excited for a move up to 11 camp tomorrow. And now, for the more literary inclined followers, please enjoy a summary of the day's exploits in haiku:
Bright and early start,
Solid work on frozen slopes,
Camp 2 chilling, FUN!
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
It is hard to sit under
Alpamayo's southwest face and not stare for an extended period of time. Our team, along with three other groups moved up to the Col Camp (17,600') today and find ourselves trying to prepare for the ascent tomorrow, but constantly distracted by the beauty of the route. From our tents the route rises nearly 2,000 feet in a vertical line of frozen snow and ice. An alpinist's dream.
Getting to camp today was a job in itself. We climbed up a glacier for 90 minutes to the base of a headwall. It took three pitches of ice to reach the saddle where camp lies. The team performed well, but climbing 60-degree ice at 17,000 feet with 45-pound packs had everyone breathing hard.
Stay tuned for tomorrow. We hope to make an attempt and will call via satellite phone to update everyone with the results.
RMI Guide Eric Frank and the Alpamayo team
The
Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide
Tyler Reid was able to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Strong winds kept the group from spending much time on top. As of 7:15 am they were at 12,900' on their descent.
The group will take a short rest at Camp Muir before continuing down to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to today's team!
Ahhh...rest day. We didn't even begin to move in our tents until the sun moved from behind the mountain and shined directly upon us. We weren't completely worthless since we took a hike over to an area called The Edge of the World where you can look over 6,000' down to the Kahiltna Glacier. We also got some fixed rope practice in as we made the team work their way through a course with ascenders. We finished the gauntlet with a rappel into the posh house for dinner. We hope to carry a load up to 17,000' Camp tomorrow if the weather plays nice.
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
This is Solveig checking in from Mt. McKinley. We left camp today at 11 am for our carry to 13,200’. Three hours of walking up Motorcycle Hill, Squirrel Hill, across the Polo field, and around Windy Corner to our cache site. Gusting winds and cool temperatures subsided as we approached our cache, a welcome relief. We took a nice break and buried 12 days worth of food, fuel and extra gear. Eager to be back in the shelter of camp we hustled downhill. Everyone is now relaxing after dinner and hot drinks. The forecast calls for moderate wind and continued low pressure throughout the week. So weather permitting we will make our move up to 14,000’ feet.
We will check in again soon.
RMI Guide Solveig Garhart
On The Map
It was a pretty full day, prepping everything for a few weeks of glacier living and making sure we get it right. We started with an orientation from the Park Service this morning, before diving in to unpacking our kits, and repacking them for the flight to base camp, where we will unpack them again, to pack for climbing. It's a lot of shuffling but we're feeling confident that everything is set to go. And everyone was buoyed as the skies were clear as could be all day. These clear days are when Denali (McKinley) shows off, encased in white and gleaming brightly on the skyline. Weather continues to look good for tomorrow, so we are prepped to fly first thing and get this expedition truly underway!
RMI Guides, Pete, Ben, Nick, and Team
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I love the red tents against the white. Must be fabulous to look around you!
Posted by: Michelle W on 6/18/2017 at 12:50 am
Pictures are aMazing! Know there are many following you and sending you warmth and good vibes every step of the way!
Big Love to all if you!
Posted by: Ann Cook on 6/18/2017 at 12:40 am
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