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Denali Expedition: King & Team Move to 14,000’ Camp

June 14, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, JT Schmitt, Ben Ammon

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - 10:53 PM PT With a forecast that hasn't been stellar, the guides woke at 2:30 AM only to see strong winds above. We continued to check for high winds until 6 am, needing to make a decision on whether to move camp or burn another weather day, we opted to pack up. Hoping for the sun to calm the wind we started out at 9 am through boot high snow, calf high snow, knee high snow and you guessed it thigh high snow. We made good time without any congestion on the route, but it was not an easy day. Once we picked up our cache at 12,500' we slogged up towards Windy Corner. Packs were heavy, sleds didn't help and the loose drifted in snow made for a tired team. We got chased around Windy Corner by a storm then promptly walked into a basin where the wind had stopped and we were quickly to hot. Today's lesson was, "learn to be comfortable, being uncomfortable". Freeze or fry is all you can expect up here, ideal doesn't exist. We will take a well deserved rest day tomorrow and maybe for the next week if the projected Pineapple Express weather front dumps 9 feet of snow. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Diana King here, Mike’s Mom. We to enjoy keeping up wit the Team from Atlanta. Wish he could get home more often.

Posted by: Diana King on 6/15/2018 at 2:09 pm

Robb-o!!
Sending some positive weather vibes your way!! Hope you, Cole and the rest of the team are having an awesome adventure!!
XOXOXO

Sharoni

Posted by: Sharon Del Vecchio on 6/14/2018 at 5:17 pm

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Mexico’s Volcanoes: Dale & Team Descend to Tlachichuca

October 14, 2017

Posted by: Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Hello from Tlachichuca, We are all exhausted from a wonderfully successful summit day on Orizaba and are now enjoying the hospitality of Dr. Reyes in the beautiful town of Tlachichuca. We awoke at midnight this morning to clear skies above, and began our climb with cautious optimism. The weather held for us and we were treated with perfect conditions for our climb. The skies were clear and the snow was perfect for cramponing. With the sunrise we were treated with abounding views of the Mexican country side, including the towering vistas of Ixta and Malinche. We were ecstatic to have 100% of our team make it to the summit! After descending the mountain and taking a long bumpy truck ride back to town we enjoyed hot showers and a delicious meal. It was a great day to top off an amazing week! RMI Guide JT Schmitt

Mt. Shuksan: Walter and team arrive at high camp

July 18, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 7,000

We had a great day of climbing today on Mt. Shuksan. We started at the Lake Ann trail head (4700') and climbed up through the Fisher Chimneys, which consisted of a couple thousand feet of 3rd and 4th class rock climbing. The weather and climbing conditions were perfect for us, and we climbed at a leisurely pace, making it to high camp in a little over 6 hours. Our spectacular camp is at just below 7000', on a rock ridge nestled in between the Upper Curtis Glacier and the White Salmon Glacier. We've got views southwest to Mt. Baker and north into Canada; it is truly a stunning alpine setting. We're hoping the weather cooperates with us (the forecast is calling for some rain) and let's us climb to the summit tomorrow. We'll be in touch tomorrow to let you know how it goes. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

And i will work on my stumbles & try nor to ‘strumble’ so much. :o)

Climb on!

Posted by: Mary on 7/19/2014 at 5:35 am

I strumbled across your blog post & found the climb intriging but ‘no photos?’

I need visuals. Safe travels.

Posted by: Mary on 7/19/2014 at 5:32 am

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Descend and Complete Climb

September 16, 2024

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

What a climb we had!

Yesterday’s climb took the team 8.5 hours to successfully stand on the “Roof of Africa”.

After a few photos, phone calls, and just taking in the view, the team descended back down to our high camp where we were greeted by our staff with songs and a little dance. It brought smiles and a much needed boost after all the hard work.

We then descended for about five more hours to reach our last camp on the mountain. Funny how 10,000' can feel so comfortable after such a big day.

Our final day on the mountain!

Today the team got up at 6 am refreshed after a much needed nights sleep, we had breakfast, then hit the trail one last time. It took about four hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch and said our final goodbyes to our amazing crew of 51 that took such great care of us on the mountain.

We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge.

Finally we are all safe and sound, cleaner, and smelling fresh after an exciting seven day journey up and down Kilimanjaro.

Stayed tuned, Safari starts tomorrow!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

PC: Casey Grom

New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, September 9, 2024

Aconcagua: Smith & Team Enjoy Last Rest Day at Basecamp

January 13, 2020

Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Relax and chill! Today's main goal was resting the body for tomorrow's move to Camp 1. The team enjoyed warm naps in the tents (maybe a little too warm at times), reading books, playing cards, listening to music, and watching Netflix. The winds stayed calm all day which was a nice change from the rather windy days we have had. A highlight of the day was most certainly the dessert at dinner, a slice of cake. The flavor could not be pinpointed but is guessed at possibly lemon, coconut. Regardless of the actual flavor it was delightful. Tomorrow we leave Basecamp and the delicious dinners and desserts we have been enjoying, along with all the amenities. We will trade our plastic chairs and tables for rocks and dirt. But it also means that we are moving higher up the mountain and are that much closer to our goal.

Talk to you from our new camp tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Tim,

Thank you Hannah for the thorough, well written, updates. It’s been interesting and fun following the team. Sounds like everyone is healthy, and ready for the challenging days ahead!

Miss you Mountain Man, and think of you daily! Cheered, unsuccessfully, for your Seahawks.

Congrats on your great progress! One foot in front of the other.

Diane

Posted by: Diane Rollo on 1/14/2020 at 2:17 pm

Hi Sue!

Don’t forget yoga at camp one! Remember the chair getting broke! Don’t forget the happy surprise of the porters at camp 2.. the crazy great views! You’ll do great! Have fun.. we are so gonna celebrate in Ouray!

Posted by: Rhonda McCormick on 1/14/2020 at 10:57 am

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Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Arrive in Tanzania

July 22, 2019

Posted by: Brent Okita

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Hello from Tanzania! The last two members of our team have arrived in good spirits and with all their luggage. So, it's all systems go. A late dinner after a long flight was eagerly taken after their 24 hour flight from the States. Any residual stress from the day was completely eased out of the system by the exceptional South African wine Darren generously shared with Bill and me. The rest of the group got here at different times today, with the Craig, Patti, and Joe arriving on the 4:00 AM flight. Mary, Shavran, and Liz arrivied from a nearby hotel just after lunch, having wisely chosen to arrive earlier to adjust to the time zone and relax a bit before the climb. It was great to catch up with my friend Craig, along with Joe and Patti today at breakfast and lunch. The later group joined us at the lunch table when they arrived, allowing us to get to know each other better. I think we have an exceptional group of individuals that will become a fun team in the days to come. Once again I'm exited to be back in Tanzania. Stepping off the plane and breathing in the wonderful smells of this country bring back good memories. I'm constantly reminded that it's the people, as much as the mountain, that makes this such a special trip. Tomorrow morning we get busy as we get together to discuss our upcoming climb of Kilimanjaro, including checking and organizing our gear. Well, I should get some rest too. Good night for now. RMI Guide Brent Okita

Mt. Rainier: Bond & Kautz Seminar Reach Summit with Entire Team

July 9, 2019

Posted by: Andy Bond

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Andy Bond and the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz July 5 - 10 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Andy reported great weather and route conditions and the team enjoyed an hour on the summit. They will return to High Camp for additional training and their final night on the mountain. Congratulations to the entire team for reaching the summit!

Mt. Elbrus: Grom & Team Enjoy a Day in Cheget

July 7, 2019

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside

Greetings everyone, Our team spent the contingency weather day hanging out in Cheget. We spent the day walking around town, enjoying the new coffee shop in town and of course horseback riding Russian style! Right now we're all relaxing before heading out to a celebratory dinner with the team. Hopefully we'll survive the vodka associated with tonight's traditional Russian celebration, hosted by our gracious local tour operator. Everyone is in good spirits and looking forward to heading to beautiful St. Petersburg early tomorrow. Casey and Comrades

Mt.Elbrus: Gorum & Team Acclimatize and Enjoy the Mountain

July 20, 2017

Posted by: JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside

Elevation: 15,300'

Well well well, another good day up here on Mt. Elbrus. Most of the team woke with the sunrise, which is around 4am. Breakfast wasn't until 8, so we had some time to kill. Jazzersize (I don't actually know how to spell that) kept a few folks busy, while others took part in more traditional activities, such as taking photos and wandering aimlessly about the ridge. After breakfast we had a race to see who could get ready the fastest. Everyone tied for first place. This is the dream team, no doubt. We set off on our journey to the top of Pastahkov rocks at 9:00am. After an hour, we could hear thunder in the distance, and dragged our feet thinking we were going to retreat. Thunder is no match for this team, however, and after some intense positive energy output the clouds dissipated and we continued upwards. Two hundred feet shy of our target, the clouds started to look ominous again. It is hard work trying to change the weather, and we're going to need that energy for summit day. The best call was to turn around and head back to the hut. We made it to 15,300 feet today, which is perfectly in line with our acclimatization goals. We made it back to the huts ten minutes before it started raining, which is perfectly in line with our goal of not getting wet. Excellent job by everyone today. Rest day coming up tomorrow. The team sends their best to all back at home! RMI Guide JM Gorum

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Kilimanjaro: Team Moves to High Camp

September 24, 2016

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 15,000'

Hello from High Camp, Barafu, at 15,000' on Kilimanjaro - A left camp and made our way up hill to our High Camp. There are a few clouds above us but we aren't going to worry about that for now. We are settling in to camp and getting ourselves ready for summit day. The creature comforts provided by our great local outfitter The Dik Dik Lodge continues to help make life a bit more manageable. We will have an early dinner before checking our gear and re-packing one more time before we try to get a few hours of sleep before our summit attempt. Wind, clouds and cool temps is the report for now but it's not unusual to wake up to a clear, calm night for the climb. The team continues to do an awesome job and are all in great shape for the push tonight. Wish us luck! We will check in soon from our summit attempt! RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Nicole & the team have a successful & great adventure to the summit… All my thoughts are with you… Lou

Posted by: Lou Walter on 9/25/2016 at 8:54 am

Good luck team, go Jen!

Posted by: Allan on 9/24/2016 at 10:26 pm

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Most Popular Entries

Denali Expedition: King & Team Move to 14,000’ Camp

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Mexico’s Volcanoes: Dale & Team Descend to Tlachichuca

Mt. Shuksan: Walter and team arrive at high camp

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Descend and Complete Climb

Aconcagua: Smith & Team Enjoy Last Rest Day at Basecamp

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Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Arrive in Tanzania

Mt. Rainier: Bond & Kautz Seminar Reach Summit with Entire Team

Mt. Elbrus: Grom & Team Enjoy a Day in Cheget

Mt.Elbrus: Gorum & Team Acclimatize and Enjoy the Mountain

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Kilimanjaro: Team Moves to High Camp

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