Our team is still at the 11k Camp, as winds picked up around midnight last night and continued through this morning. We decided that the winds were too high for our liking, and we took another rest day here at 11k. The winds abated this afternoon and we're optimistic we'll be able to move to the 14k Camp tomorrow. In the mean time, we enjoyed a relaxing day around camp. Extra rest days like these are beneficial for acclimatization and getting strong for the hard work ahead of us.
Everyone is doing well, and we're all looking forward to moving camp up higher. We'll keep you posted as always.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Four rope teams on the Four Day Summit Climb June 29th - July 2nd tagged the top of Mount Rainier at 6:30 a.m. By 7:40 a.m., the teams were starting the traverse at the top of Disappointment Cleaver on their descent to Camp Muir.
The teams have beautiful, bluebird weather and moderate winds. Congratulations!
Not too many of us got good sleep last night. Waves of wind rolled through, driving snow and rattling nerves. The alarm clocks went off at 4:30 AM but the wind hadn't let up by that point. It did eventually calm down with daybreak... just a little too late for us to go for Aconcagua's summit. We all crawled out for breakfast and to dry out and stare at the storm's leavings. There was still some sign of wind up high, but all-in-all, we enjoyed a calm morning. The decision was made for part of the team to descend and wait things out at Basecamp while the rest of us tried for one more lucky day. All were sorry to see Melissa, Gerry, Rachel and Kelly walk out under big packs a little after mid-day. The clouds were already building by then for the next storm and sure enough, by mid-afternoon it was snowing and we were resting quietly in our tents... waiting patiently for another chance. Dinner was in steadily falling snow, but at least there wasn't a puff of wind to mess with the team's enjoyment of their mac-and-cheese-supreme. We'll hope that the snow quits and that the stars come out at some point tonight... we turn in ready to jump all over a summit bid tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
Welcome to RMI's Denali Expedition #5. Today is day 1 of our expedition. The team traveled from near and far to get to Anchorage. Quick introductions and a brief run down over the gear list and we were out the door and piled into a van for our drive to Talkeetna. Before arriving to Talkeetna we made a pitstop in Wasilla to purchase fresh food items like cheese, meats and breads to enjoy on the mountain. We off loaded all our duffels in the airplane hanger for tomorrow's gear check and packing, then made our way to the hotel. Tonight was informal to allow people time to relax or unwind before a busy day tomorrow. Some of the team made their way down to the river and man was it a view. The mountains were out in all their glory. Denali looks so huge, even from a far. What a good start to our trip to have such a spectacular view. As for now we are going to enjoy being in civilization and sleeping in beds. Tomorrow will be a busy day of prepping so we can (fingers crossed) fly onto the glacier on Tuesday.
This message is for Meganne Harvey. One of Mackenzie’s shit kids dropped an ice cube down my back today, and I realized quickly this is probably your life 24/7. Anyway you are very missed and I’m sending all the vibes to the team
Posted by: Shane Chase on 6/9/2024 at 8:01 pm
Praying you all have a wonderful enjoyable time. Stay safe Shane.
Posted by: Sonny Digiovanna on 6/4/2024 at 7:34 am
Wonder of wonders, all ten climbers made it through to Tanzania and Kilimanjaro International Airport without missing flights or losing baggage. We’ve got the team assembled at the Arumeru River Lodge on the outskirts of Arusha...folks have eaten dinner and are now attempting to sleep away some of their jet lag. In the morning we’ll meet to get into the nuts and bolts of preparing for a Kilimanjaro climb.
Best Regards,
Dave Hahn
The trip has just begun, but we’re already declaring success! Each and every climber -and that would be eleven of us- made it from the far flung corners of the United States of America to the outskirts of Arusha, in the heart of Tanzania, without missing a flight or losing any luggage.
A fair percentage of the team goes by the name Mike, or Robert or Dave -which made introductions pretty easy. Since all are sleepy after such extensive travel, we haven’t gone much beyond introductions yet. Tomorrow we’ll get to the nuts and bolts of prepping to climb Kilimanjaro. Tonight it was all about getting settled at the Arumeru River Lodge and getting some rest.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
RMI Guides Casey Grom and Jenny Konway led their Four Day Summit Climb teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reached the crater rim around 7 AM PT. Casey reported good conditions and moderate winds. After enjoying the views from the summit the teams will descend to Camp Muir and then continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Leaving camp this morning to the sounds of sheep being moved into the high pastures we walked along the Inca canal and eventually down a steep valley. The vegetation began to change and soon we started to see several types of wildflowers and a few different species of hummingbirds. After a few hours we arrived at our first Incan ruin, Inkaracay.
At the village Wayllabamba (10,000'), the famed Inca Trail joins our trekking route for the remainder of the trip. We said our good byes to the horseman as our porter team joined since we are now in the National Park and horses would have difficulty with the trail ahead and destroy the trail itself. The Inca used llamas as pack animals, they do not have hooves, instead their feet are soft pads like a dogs feet thus gentle on the stone trail.
The team is adjusting to the 'Incan steps' and resting after a long day. We are camped on a scenic mountain bench called Luluchupampa (12,300') looking at the valley below, Salkantay in the distance, and the cloud forest all around us. Two more full days of walking brings us to Machu Picchu.
RMI Guide Mike King
May 20, 2017
A visit to the National Park Service to sign in for our expedition followed our team meeting this morning. Good stuff was covered at both get togethers, and set the tone for a safe, fun, and otherwise successful trip.
And then the work began, starting with checking the ton of gear we all have, the group gear and food we'll be taking, and packing all this stuff up so we can actually move someplace tomorrow. We certainly couldn't have fit more into the day.
As we were working, the clouds of the morning finally gave way to clear skies this evening, just in time for us to enjoy a last dinner together under an Alaskan sun that never really sets. Halibut, reindeer meatloaf and local brews were on order - menu items we'll not see for some time.
We're all really enjoying one another's company already, and I look forward to starting our climb in the morning, provided the skies stay reasonably clear overnight.
We'll be in touch tomorrow, hopefully from the Kahiltna Glacier.
RMI Guides Brent, Christina and JT
Wishing the team good weather tomorrow.
Wanted the team to know Tommy makes the best pizza!
We love the reports!
Love to Tommy and Alex
Aunt Elisa and Uncle Garrick
Posted by: Aunt Elisa and Uncle Garrick on 5/28/2017 at 5:48 pm
Hello JT,
Looks like you are making great progress! I sent the blog to the entire fam, so we are all checking the blog daily and talk about your progress constantly.
I am so grateful for this blog. It really helps to alleviate the mom worry :)
Good luck to you and all your team. Sounds like you have a wonderful group!
Love you,
M
Posted by: ellen smith eaton on 5/25/2017 at 8:29 am
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Steve and team,
I’m sure the wind chills must make for some challenges. Hope the wind abates as expected as waiting around is never fun, especially on a long climb.
Unfortunately the Bruins were eliminated in game 7 against the Habs last night (3-1) so you won’t be missing any Bruins playoff action.
Hike well and be safe.
Dad
Posted by: Bill Gately on 5/15/2014 at 4:15 am
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