Good evening from Huaripampa, our camp on our way to Artesonraju Base. For the writer here, starting the Santa Cruz trek from this side has been a revelation of yet undiscovered beauty. We're currently enjoying an incredible dinner of fresh trout, zucchini soup and fried banana, fueling for tomorrow's hike. We're all enjoying social time and laughter inside or pyramidal dining tent.
Stay tuned on our progress,
RMI Guides Elías de Andres Martos, Eric Frank, Peter and team
Hello from the tiny mountain village of Azau. Today was our transfer day so we've been up and on the move since before 5:30am. We rolled out of Moscow just as the hard core partiers were finishing up their night and it was funny to see people dressed up for going out mingling with other people starting their Saturday morning.
The traffic was light, the check-in and security lines were smooth and the flight was just under two hours. The only major events of the day had to do with our spirited Russian driver and cows in the road.
Tomorrow we'll get some hiking in and I think the whole team is looking forward to some exercise and fresh air.
That's it for now,
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Sunday, May 31st 11:45pm PDT
Today the weather was wonderful! We woke up with the sun warming the tents. With a leisurely breakfast of pop tarts and grits we then sauntered down to hit our cache at 10,000ft. The groceries now in hand, we walked back up hill on firm snow dawning our crampons which was a pleasant change from waddling like platypus in snowshoes! Do platypus even walk anyway?
Back at camp our food bags were calling us as we climbed in our tents to beat the afternoon radiation. We welcomed RMI teams Walter and Van Deventer back to 11 camp fresh from the summit yesterday. Great work teams!
After giving high-fives to our friends, we worked on fortifying our camp. We built walls, bathrooms and a new cook tent. Camp looks good and we are snug as a bug in a rug here at 11,000ft.
RMI Guide Tyler Jones
May 28, 2015 - 9:39 am PT
In the big picture breakdown of Mt. McKinley's climbing days, it would be said that historically the move day from 11,000 foot camp to 14,000 foot camp would prove to be one of the most difficult. Today I would say that we beat the odds. We broke camp at 7 am this morning in quick time and after a delicious breakfast of instant oatmeal and instant coffee we were ready to tackle the day's first objective. Directly out of 11 camp, a swell steep uphill called Motorcycle Hill greets you. Next is Squirrel Hill and after that Windy Corner. Now I'm not sure how we have gotten in such good graces with the often grumpy weather gods but today those gods, sitting around their big weather God dinner table, decide today should be the nicest day all month. With clear skies, no wind and perfect walking temps we all zipped right through those hills and corners to a breathtaking camp here at 14,000 feet. We were in no rush because the day was so amazing so we created our own camp out of scratch and are all feeling rewarded and strong. Big move days rarely go this smooth. We could not feel more psyched for what's to come.
I am thinking about you Liam. I can't wait to see you.
Wishing all of our family and friends big hugs.
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
Howdy all... Checking in after a busy, busy day up here on Aconcagua. There was a bit of commotion buzzing around Plaza Argentina this morning with a bunch of helicopter flights coming in and out of basecamp requiring logistical assistance on our part that stalled us from getting out of the gate on our planned carry up to Camp 1. Luckily, what could have been a logistical nightmare was averted and despite the late start, our team made a great effort and put in a big cache of personal gear, food, fuel, and other group gear up at ~16,400' right in the heart of Camp 1. We're back down here at Plaza Argentina, tired after a long day on our first foray onto the upper mountain but psyched that the team performed so well despite the heavy loads. Spirits are high after a job well done and we hope to keep the good times rolling through another rest/acclimatization day at basecamp tomorrow.
Signing off...
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
Hey Glen, wow quite a bit of excitement! Kudos to you and the team to for getting the carry up to Camp 1 in spite of all the commotion and the late start. Love, Katalina
July 11, 2014 - 4:31 pm PT
Hey Everyone –
This is JJ Justman with team #1 here on Mt. Elbrus. It’s about 3 am in the morning. We have the crampons on, it’s a breathless night here for climbing. We are about to jump on the snow-cat, which will give us a little lift higher up on the mountain.
It’s a gorgeous evening, it’s going to be a gorgeous day tomorrow. We will touch base again. And I am pretty darn positive we will be doing that from the highest mountain here in Europe.
Take care everyone, talk to you soon.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
RMI Guide JJ Justman checks in just before summit attempt.
The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier July 8 - 10 climb led by RMI Guides Jackson Breen, Raymond Holt and Rosie Hust did a sunset climb and reached the summit at 9:30 pm on Tuesday. They enjoyed clear and colorful skies and descended safely back to Camp. They descended from Camp to the trailhead on Wednesday afternoon and concluded their program in Sedro Wooley.
The Four Day Summit Climb August 27 - 30 led by RMI Guides Geoff Schellens and Mike King were unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The teams turned around at 12,700' due to high winds. The teams have returned safely to Camp Muir. They plan to start their descent to Paradise around 9:30 am PT.
Remember…. it is the trip that is most important…not the destination…per “Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: an inquiry into values” by Robert M. Pirsig”...from a ‘60s mama…...love and prayers for all…come home safely.
Posted by: Sharen Hart on 8/30/2017 at 7:37 pm
Glad you’re all safe. Even though you weren’t able to reach the summit, I hope the journey was an adventure!
Last night at 9:30 pm PST Dave Hahn called from the Kilimanjaro summit! Please click the audio button below to listen to his update from the Roof of Africa.
7:48 am PST
By any measure, this was a big day. For one thing, it began yesterday. At 11:30 PM precisely, we woke at 15,200 ft to begin our summit attempt. The moon was brilliant, high clouds and wind were non-existent... It was the perfect night for climbing. Our team assembled in the dining tent at midnight to swill coffee and porridge. By the time we were walking out of camp at 12:30, we'd already sung a few rounds of happy birthday to the 18 year-old twins, Max and Simon. Philip Mbise, our lead guide, brought the team skillfully, politely, and steadily through a hundred potential traffic jams. Everybody was out and on the move, but many were having the normal difficulties with the altitude, the terrain and the cold, so by merely keeping our team at a rock-steady "Pole Pole" pace, Philip passed team after team as we worked higher. Most of us didn't turn our headlights on until just before the crater rim, when we tore through a moon shadow. We hit Stella Point -on the rim- at 5:30 AM, still in darkness, but with an enchanting light show going on between imminent daybreak in the east and moon mania in the west. One hour later... at exactly 6:30, the sun rose and our entire team arrived together at Uhuru... The true summit of Kilimanjaro and Africa. It was cold, we'd been wearing down jackets for the last few hours to the top, but it was an absolutely magical and beautiful moment. There, at 19,340 ft, we celebrated those birthdays, the bonds of family and close friendships, and the wonders of the world. As we watched, a shadow of Kilimanjaro formed in the atmosphere to the West, exactly coinciding with the only landform breaking the surface of the cloud sea, the 16,000-foot pyramid of Mount Meru. As if that weren't enough, the full moon sat just above the twin apexes of ethereal and stone summits in the sky. We took pictures, hugged one another and wandered about wide-eyed and exhilarated. We left the summit at 7:00 and two hours and fifteen minutes later, this strong team was back in high camp. We had a grand feast of a brunch, capped off with a birthday cake which was hand delivered to Barafu from Arusha just yesterday. And then, at 11 AM we skedaddled and headed for Mweka Camp. Walking in pleasant weather, we reached camp at about 10,000 feet by 2:15 -earning a restful afternoon lounging in our forest camp.
The shoutouts today go to our own team... All of whom broke their previous altitude records. Special mention to 14 year-old Ella Green who absolutely crushed the day. To 16 year-old Zach Ginn, who would have gone on for another 5,000 feet if the mountain hadn't abruptly ended at 19,340. To our three 18 year-old brothers... Tyrone Green, Simon and Max Mount each of whom demonstrated uncommon discipline, maturity and good humor on a long tough day.
The loudest of shoutouts to Philip, to Freddy Kileo, to Gama Samvel, to Naiman Metil, to Venance Vicent, and Said Mwanja for flawless guidance.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in from the Kilimanjaro summit!
Congratulations! Happy birthday to the twins! Sounds truly amazing! I can’t wait to hear about the details and see the pictures when you return! What a team! I’m so proud of Ella! You guys rock!!
Posted by: Lisa on 8/9/2017 at 4:56 am
Congratulations team Taos!
Fantastic achievement.
Safe journey back down.
I just wanted to touch base with everyone that has followed our expedition. We flew off of the mountain yesterday, June 3rd, and we're working our way back to our normal lives.
We reached the summit on June 1, the first guide service of the season to step on top of Denali! The weather could not have been better, and we took advantage of it by spending nearly an hour on top of the highest point in North America.
We endured lots of weather during our trip, but we endured and got it done. It was a super rewarding summit with dedicated climbers.
We're already planning our next trip!
RMI Guide Mike Walter
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Sounds amazing! Have a great climb!
Posted by: Jim Thayer on 8/4/2016 at 6:58 am
Sounds yummy! Happy climbing (and eating!)
Posted by: Pam on 8/3/2016 at 5:19 am
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