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Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
On The Map
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Chris
Looks beautiful. Have fun and take lots of pictures.
Looks like a nice set-up.
Mom
Posted by: Diane Sadler on 1/16/2015 at 1:07 pm
Happy everyone made it there safely. Looking forward to the daily blogs. Stay safe and enjoy the adventure. Take lots of pictures!
Posted by: Barb McAllister on 1/12/2015 at 5:42 pm
On The Map
OMG…I am so proud of all of you!!! You guys ROCK!
Debbi
Posted by: Debbi on 12/28/2014 at 7:57 am
Don’t stop when you are tired…stop when you are done.
Posted by: Chris on 12/28/2014 at 1:17 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
On The Map
On your way home!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas to all.
Posted by: Betty Sullivan on 12/18/2014 at 7:25 am
On The Map
Good luck to everyone!! Greg I am excited for you and your dad for this adventure but I still can’t wait to see you when you get back!!
Posted by: Tiara on 7/29/2014 at 11:04 pm
Greg & Gregory Waltz. Good luck, we are tracking your progress.
Posted by: Eduardo A de Aragón on 7/29/2014 at 7:53 pm
After a week of skills training, glacier travel, and expedition-style living, the Expedition Skills Seminar – Emmons team stood on the summit of Mt. Rainier! Led by RMI Guide James Bealer, the team made their summit push in good conditions, capping off a challenging and rewarding week on the mountain’s remote east side.
The Emmons Glacier route offers a more secluded and wilderness-based experience compared to the more-traveled routes on Rainier. Over the course of the program, climbers practiced essential mountaineering techniques including ice axe arrest, crampon use, rope travel, crevasse rescue, and glacier navigation—all while camping on the mountain and gradually acclimating.
The team's summit push began in the early hours, moving steadily under clear skies and calm winds. They reached the summit crater with views stretching across the Cascades—proof of their perseverance, preparation, and teamwork throughout the week. After taking time to enjoy the moment and snap some summit photos, they began their descent back toward camp.
Congratulations to the team!
After a leisurely three course breakfast at 8:30am (read, one final relaxing morning), we're ready to do big mountain things in earnest. We left the lovely confines of the Intiyaya Residences and enjoyed a couple hours in the Otavalo market. Souvenirs were haggled for while Jaime and I enjoyed multiple ice creams, in the form of both affogatos and soft serve. It was our way of celebrating Carnival, which is happening right now through much of the world. I have no plans of fasting for Lent, but a little bit of Carnival indulgence seemed appealing.
This afternoon we made our way to the lower hut on Cayambe and are settled in for the night. We spent some time practicing anchor building skills for those who hope to use this skills seminar as a jumping off point for personal climbs or bigger guided climbs. Things to this point have moved a bit slowly, the acclimatization process is not fast-paced, instead it is methodical and does not pay to be rushed. However, we now are beginning the three-day cycle of big climbs. Tomorrow, we go to high camp, the next day is our summit attempt and the following is a rest day. We will repeat this cycle on Antisana and Chimborazo, making three big summit attempts over the following nine calendar days. And as soon as we know it, it will all be over, so for now we are all just trying to live in the moment and focus on the task at hand!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 6, 2024
All the BEST Dustin and Team!!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/11/2024 at 3:59 am
Today we left the manicured streets of Puebla for the road to the Piedra Grande (Orizaba high camp). After a quick stop in Tlachichuca to do the duffel shuffle and get yet another tasty lunch, we downed our climbing clothes and loaded the 4x4s. The trail to high camp took two hours up a very primitive wash. We were greeted with hail and much cloud cover on the giant of a mountain that laid in front of us.
Nonetheless, spirits remained high as we did a little skills practice before the fiesta consisting of pollo, frijoles, rice, veggies, and of course, guacamole! Hope that the forecast will hold true and we will get clearing in the night before we dawn patrol our way up the mighty Pico de Orizaba!
RMI Guide Alan Davis & Team
Posted by: Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Learned a new word today “graupel”. Hoping that it went away quickly. Cannot wait to get an update on the summit and more pics. Almost there :-)
Posted by: Bridget on 7/26/2019 at 6:04 am
Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott, Gloria Roe
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Go Patty Go! You’re doing GREAT…just ignore the wind
Posted by: Sue Mamer on 12/22/2018 at 9:03 am
Praying for all of your safety and lots of good time. What a great adventure!
Posted by: Kay Robinson on 12/22/2018 at 7:07 am
Thank you for the updates. I loved your song!
Lots of Love from 8000
Babs xox
Posted by: Barbara Lynn Bloemsma on 1/22/2015 at 9:18 am
Linz - I’m getting a desperate feeling that I need to walk on some rocks. Does walking down the gravel road in Indiana qualify as scree? Wish I was there. Rock on girl! Pop
Posted by: Les on 1/21/2015 at 6:14 pm
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