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Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Back to Union Glacier

December 11, 2018

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif

Tough start to the day up at high camp as the winds weren’t inclined to give us a break. These weren’t the kind of winds that could rip your tent down, just the kind that make it a little miserable to be outside, say taking down a tent or trying to do up ones crampons. We persevered, with huge help from Patchi and Lakpa Rita, two of ALE’s guides, we carefully got our work done and got walking downhill around 12:30 PM. No surprise, it was tough work getting down the fixed ropes with full packs, but we just kept at it. We pulled into low camp and got back into the world of sleds and flat glacier travel. All were tired from multiple hard days strung together, but we got walking toward Vinson Basecamp (VBC) at 4PM in any case. By this point our radio communications had let us know that an airplane would be on the ground at VBC awaiting our arrival. We couldn’t run, but of course we went down at a business like pace, despite sore feet and worn out muscles. We passed a number of climbing teams headed up the mountain -the next wave- and we wished them all well. We arrived at base around 6:30 and set for some serious and rapid gear sorting. We were busy and motivated, but not so much that we couldn’t connect with ALE’s wonderful staff at VBC to thank them for such comprehensive support and friendship. It turned out that we were sharing the flight with a couple of ALE’s owners and so our Twin Otter pilot, Monica, took the scenic route through the mountains, much to our delight. We got back to Union Glacier on a calm and sunny -warm, by our standards- evening and life got a lot easier. The camp is chock full of marathon runners who’d flown in this afternoon. We missed that flight as an exit and so it seems we’ll get to be here for a bit longer and who knows... perhaps we’ll run in a little endurance race to stay limber. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Bolivia: Frank & Team Prep for Climb

May 30, 2018

Posted by: Eric Frank, Andy Bond

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia

Elevation: 15,200'

It’s a few minutes after 8pm and the Bolivia climbing team members are already cuddled inside our respective sleeping bags, excited for tomorrow. Today was a good day. We awoke to a quick breakfast and broke down our tents as the sun crested the ridge to our east. Thirty minutes later, our duffels were loaded on donkeys and we moved camp uphill two hours to our high camp. This afternoon we hiked to the toe of the glacier and did some training on advanced techniques- cramponing on ice, short roping and the finer points of pitched climbing. Now we have the skill set we need to tackle our first climb, Pequeño Alpamayo, tomorrow. The weather looks good and with any luck we should be calling from the top by mid to late morning. RMI Guide Eric Frank

Ecuador Volcanoes: Knoff & Team Ready for Cotopaxi Summit

January 21, 2018

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Jordan Cargill

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 16,000'

Greetings from 16,000'! The team loaded the bus from Chilcabamba this morning at 10:30 after a leisurely breakfast. After being obscured for most of our stay at Chilcabamba, Cotopaxi made a guest appearance from amongst the clouds as we rambled down the rough roads to the park entrance. The brief view of "the Crown Jewel of Ecuador" and the full days rest reinvigorated the team and the psyche was high as we pulled into the parking lot and prepped for the 45-minute hike up to the Refugio. We were greeted with strong winds on the hike and were very excited to reach the shelter of the hut and some hot drinks. The afternoon was spent resting and after an early and delicious trout dinner we are off to bed. The winds continue to howl as we settle into our sleeping bags and we are hoping for a respite when we wake in five hours for the climb. Stay tuned! RMI Guide Jordan Cargill signing off.

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Train at 14,200’ Camp

May 20, 2015

Posted by: Mike Walter, Billy Haas, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

May 19, 2015 - 11:40 pm PT Our team had another great day today. We had leisurely breakfast and then headed back down to Windy Corner to retrieve our cached gear that we left there two days ago. The weather was cloudy with light snow, which made for a comfortable walking temperature. After returning to camp, we reviewed fixed rope travel, in preparation for the next phase of our climb. Once we felt polished on the fixed rope training, we spent a few hours building walls for our camp and erecting a cook tent. We're quite comfortable now, here at the 14,200' camp in Genet Basin. We'll play tomorrow by ear, based on the weather. If it is nice out, we'll climb up above 16,000' to establish a cache of supplies for our high camp. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we'll take advantage of a full rest day tomorrow to recover and acclimate. Either option will be a benefit to our team. Everyone is doing well up here. We'll keep you posted as to how tomorrow goes. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter and team

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Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Prepare for Summit Bid at Barafu Camp

August 2, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 15,200'

This was a relatively easy day for our team. We had nice, warm sunshine on the tents when we rolled out for 8 AM breakfast. As we'd become accustomed to, the world below was hidden beneath a thick blanket of cloud and the Roof of Africa was shining and clear above us. The cloud sea rose as the day went on, but so did we, staying one jump ahead in the sunshine. In such nice weather, there seemed to be no hurry, so Eliepende led our crew at a leisurely four-hour pace. We'd left 13,100 ft Karanga Camp at 9 AM and we cruised into 15,200 ft Barafu Camp at 1 PM. After a fine lunch and an inspiring discussion of our summit plans and preparations, the gang retired for a couple of quiet hours resting in the tents. We're doing a 5 o'clock dinner so as to have plenty of rest before our insanely early departure for the top. The evening is still calm and clear and we have high hopes for success. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Dave - wishin u & ur team the best of the best of views from Africa when u summit. And care on safari, i hear they grow the kitty’s bigger n Africa than we do.

Safe travels.

Posted by: Mary on 8/3/2014 at 6:16 am

I’m Brads sister and have been keeping up with your climb. Very excited for your accomplishment! Good luck at the top!!!! Be careful on the decent.
CAROLINE

Posted by: Caroline on 8/2/2014 at 1:21 pm

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Mt. McKinley Climb: Cifelli & Team Move to the Base of Ski Hill

June 13, 2025

Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:15pm PDT

We moved to the base of Ski Hill.

Dia dhuibh, Taimid anocht i Camp 1. Ta an foireann go maith, tar eis an suil anseo. Taimid tuirseach, ach go beo. Nil eine eile anseo. Tar eis an suil, codlaimid go leir, agus ansin, bia, deoch, caint, agus sos. Is la eile amarach!

That was a special request for Tate and Sophia. They understand that about as well they understand me talking. I have an accent!!! However, I’m not alone. There’s a fair TexAn contingent in the group, and they taawk aaaawful slooow. It takes them sooooo long to saaay some ot, that we’re aaaawl daaaamn neeeeear asleeeep by the time it’s finished! And then there is the very suave, some might say sesay Etienne, the French Canadian. Throw in the New Yorkers (because we can’t throw them out), and you have quite the cultural hotpot! Seriously, this team is a blast. Quick facts, stories, jokes - it helps ease the end of day pain.

Oh yes - the hike update! Up at midnight, after a weird dream where Dominic gave a graphic presentation on CMC (clean mountain can a.k.the potty) etiquette, and an old buddy of his called Timmy…. Sleds loaded, teams roped up by 3 am, and a quick 4.5-hour jaunt to Camp 1. On the way we got some early sunlight on Mt Foraker, making it illuminate like a candle. Camp one is a ghost town. We are home alone. Tents and camp erected, water, and a very welcome sleep. Spent the afternoon lazing, with the whoosh of an occasional avalanche.

Finally, and most importantly, happy wedding anniversary to my beautiful wife Fionnuala. (you thought I’d forget!). I am the luckiest man on this planet. I love you.

RMI Climber Myles O'Neil

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Gooooo uncle Myles !!! Soooo proud of you - go team !!

Posted by: Eva Walsh on 6/18/2025 at 2:41 pm

Go raibh maith agat, Myles. Bhain mé taitneamh as an gcúpla focal Gaeilge.
Beir bua, Padraig.

Posted by: Padraig Walsh on 6/16/2025 at 12:09 am

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Kilimanjaro: Team Reaches Shira Camp

August 14, 2024

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,600'

We bit off another chunk. The day started at 6:30 AM at Machame Camp, which was cool and shady before the sun came over the mountain. We had breakfast and threw our packs on just before 8 AM. The trail today was a little steeper and a little more relentlessly uphill compared to yesterday. But we made fine progress up through a forest of giant heather. Eventually we could look out to see that we were above a sea of clouds, and we could look over to Meru, a neighboring 15,000 ft volcano on the western horizon.

We began to identify Senecios and Lobelias -two of the distinctive plants endemic to Kilimanjaro. We worked hard today, but nowhere near as hard as the many porters who passed by with loads balanced on their heads, somehow staying at ease on the difficult rock steps. Eventually we took a left turn, traversing between old layers of lava to turn the corner onto the Shira Plateau. We reached Shira Camp at about 12,600 ft at 12:30 PM. This marks our westernmost point for the climb, and the next days will have us moving east on our wandering route to the summit.

The team enjoyed a restful afternoon and evening in our comfortable new camp.

Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team

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Alaska Seminar: Smith and Team Return to Talkeenta

June 3, 2019

Posted by: Hannah Smith, Lucas Haaland, Luke Wilhelm

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 348'

Monday, June 3, 2019 - 7:33 AM PT It was a busy day yesterday. We woke to clear skies with great views of Foraker, Hunter, and Crosson. As we crawled out of the tent you could here the sweet sound of the planes coming in. At that moment we knew we were gonna fly out. This was not a drill, but go time. In record speed we packed up camp and dragged all our gear to the airstrip. Somewhere near 100 people stood around waiting anxiously to board a plane. Like clock work the planes landed, loaded up a team, and flew off so another plane could land and repeat. We waited our turn, a lot like waiting for your number to be called at the DMV, we waited for our name to be called. After a couple hours, it was our turn to load up the plane and hit the slide to the sky. Showers, beers, and comfy beds were in our future. After organizing and cleaning gear, we loaded into a van headed to Anchorage. We enjoyed one final dinner together, reminiscing about the fun time we all had together the last week and a half. It's been an amazing adventure with great people. Lots of laughs, lots of learning, and lots of great memories were shared by all on the team. As we all load planes going to different states to rejoin our normal routine, I wish the best of luck to the entire team on their next adventure. Till next time, RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team

Alpamayo: Elias & Team Descending from High Camp

June 30, 2018

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar

Elevation: 17,880'

Good evening from Alpamayo High Camp. We are sad to report that the SW face is not in safe condition to be climbed, and we're not going to aim any higher. Everyone did a great job today and pushed through the upper glacier that is steep as usual, but we will descend tomorrow to Base Camp. RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos and team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hello Erik, Sorry to read that the rest of the climb was not safe, but safety is paramount. Hope you have a good trip down. We’ll be watching for the update later today.

Posted by: Tim and Carol Smith on 7/1/2018 at 1:36 pm

Aw, darn. Really sorry to hear that, but no doubt it was the right thing to do. Thanks Elías for keeping everyone safe.

Posted by: Art Muir on 7/1/2018 at 6:50 am

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Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Take Rest Day At 14,000’ Camp

June 8, 2017

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 7, 2017 We are writing from our newly built snow fortress at 14,000'. After a leisurely wake up time and a hearty brunch of bagels and smoked salmon (with capers!), we set our sights on fortifying our camp with some snow walls. The team worked seamlessly to make a solid camp that can withstand wind and blowing snow. With our work for the day out of the way, we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in our cozy tents. Our bellies are filled with a delicious dinner of chicken quesadillas, and we are looking forward to some more technical training tomorrow. Good night from 14,200 feet on Denali! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Cheryl, I’m almost unbearably proud to call a woman like you one of my dearest.
Cheerleading so ridiculously hard with my five star dance moves for you ! (I’d like to think in a way that would make you turn bright red and step slightly to the side - the psych is that real)
Mind
Over
Matter
Keep crushing! You’ve already reached the summit of my heart .
Hugs ❤️
Sarah

Posted by: Sarah on 6/9/2017 at 12:17 pm

Jake Jirsa - We’re watching you! Keep it up man. You’re only a few inches from the top on the map!

Posted by: Jim and Kerynn on 6/9/2017 at 11:42 am

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Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Back to Union Glacier

Bolivia: Frank & Team Prep for Climb

Ecuador Volcanoes: Knoff & Team Ready for Cotopaxi Summit

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Train at 14,200’ Camp

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Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Prepare for Summit Bid at Barafu Camp

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Mt. McKinley Climb: Cifelli & Team Move to the Base of Ski Hill

Kilimanjaro: Team Reaches Shira Camp

Alaska Seminar: Smith and Team Return to Talkeenta

Alpamayo: Elias & Team Descending from High Camp

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Take Rest Day At 14,000’ Camp

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