Most Popular Entries
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, May 20, 2024 - 11:30 pm PT
At 6am, 14,000' Camp is a cold, quiet place as everyone tries to stay deep in their sleeping bags. It was also gorgeous this morning, so we rallied everybody and headed uphill towards the mythical fixed lines well before sun hit camp. It was a chilly start, but gave us the advantage of being among the first teams headed up. We clipped in and started up and that walk made us work today. Much of the ascent was steep, blue ice with little in the way of texture or foot holds in it. But we not only persevered, we cruised up quite smoothly. We then traversed the West Buttress, admiring the views and seeing 14,000' Camp well below. It was a perfect day for climbing and we took it all the way to 17,000' Camp, where we dug a hole to hide our goodies, and then headed back for our cozy home. The fixed lines were quite blue on the way down too, burning calves and feet, but soon we were past and stepped back into the sunlight of camp. It was a great effort from everybody, and tomorrow we plan to rest.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 7, 2024
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 11,300'
“We look like a bag of skittles,” Jenell said as we started our morning leaving Phakding.
It had rained all night and the colors surrounding the Dudh Khosi River were saturated. Amongst them our bright rain shell jackets and pants seemed especially loud.
Did we stop at the bakery just a few minutes outside our teahouse? Yes. Yes, of course we did! Pockets filled with pastries we made our way to the base of the Namche hill. It stayed cloudy and drizzled on us as we officially entered Sagarmatha National Park and soon took a quick break for lunch. The drizzle turned to a full-on rain as we stood at the base of the hill looking up at the Hillary Bridge. We got in formation, one step, and then another right behind the person in front of us. Taking deep breaths and climbing steadily. The rain didn’t let up and the mud was epic but this team stayed positive and many laughs were had along the way. We stood to the side of the trail as the train of mules slipped and slid their way past us. We listened for their bells to know when they were coming. The rain turned to a quiet snow as we hummed along those final few hundred vertical feet to Namche.
Namche Bazaar, the city on a hill. Somehow made even more magical covered in a dusting of fresh snow. What a place! We climbed a little higher through town to our teahouse, Camp de Base, and were greeted with big pots of hot chocolate and popcorn. What a day!
One of our Sherpa guides, Dawa, said to me this evening, “this is a strong team” and I couldn’t agree more. Conditions were tough on an already hard day and everybody absolutely crushed it. We are one step closer to our goal but very much looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guides Jess, Sam and team
P.S. Diane, we miss you!
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek & Lobuche, March 16, 2024
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Scree...every uphill travelers worst nightmare. Today we got to see more of the mountain as we did our first carry. We left Basecamp, packs loaded up with food and fuel and made our way through the rocky terrain. The middle portion of the day looks like a cratered martian land. We weave our way around the craters to the final scree hills to camp. The last 100 feet are a butt kicker. Everyone showed determination and that they were willing to embrace the suck. After taking a well deserved break, we unloaded our packs, made are cache, and enjoyed the scenery of camp one. A couple hours of much easier downhill travel, we were back to the comforts of basecamp. The team did a fantastic job navigating the terrain and the altitude. We are looking strong and getting ready for our move. Now we will enjoy one more rest day before leaving basecamp.
Adios,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
On The Map
The terrain looks and sounds very challenging. Keep up the good work everyone!
Posted by: Heather Collins on 1/13/2020 at 12:23 pm
Hi Pops! And climbing crew!
We love hearing about your progress. Way to go! Sounds grueling, but rewarding. I’m sure it’s a great feeling at the end of the day. Know we’re with you every step of the way, but from the comfort of our couch lol. We love you Pops!
Love, Noel, Xander, and Nora
Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/13/2020 at 11:29 am
On The Map
Keep going team. I can’t wait to meet you at the gate on Monday!!! You are all super heros to me!!!!!!
Posted by: Amy on 9/21/2019 at 1:50 am
Woohoo! Go Molly! I’m so excited for you! I hope you are enjoying every minute!!
Posted by: Lisa A on 9/20/2019 at 6:39 pm
On The Map
Good luck for entire team to the highest point in Europe! huge hugs to Tibor!
Posted by: Katie Kelemen on 7/5/2019 at 10:08 pm
Good luck Riley and the rest of the team - looking forward to hearing all about it!
Posted by: Sally on 7/5/2019 at 12:38 pm
Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Love to muh sunshine:)
Posted by: Jennifer Adams on 6/8/2019 at 10:01 pm
Food sounds tasty! I’m glad I won’t be in the tent with anyone who loaded on the beans. Lol! Glad some of you are able to stay and try. Here’s to great weather. Nice photo of excellent ice cutting shelter. Go, go, go! But, step safe
Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/8/2019 at 5:10 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Praying for each of you on your safe return, and what sounds like some much needed sleep at night. Hurry home Matt B and the rest of the team!!
Posted by: Holly Mitchell on 12/19/2018 at 3:23 am
Hey Dave , Ive been following along everyday. You are all Awesome! Just wondering what is the temp at base camp?
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/19/2018 at 3:09 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
.jpg)
On The Map
Patients, patients, patients- would have thought you would have had plenty of them over the years Steve - oh sorry wrong kind - well praying for patience for all! Hang in there and enjoy every moment of this epic adventure! Pat :)
Posted by: Mike and Pat Lurakis on 6/7/2017 at 3:26 pm
Happy birthday to Ken Lawler! Hopefully you guys are up at 14 camp at this point and ready to take on the buttress. Good luck, sending good SoCal weather your way.
Posted by: Brad Lawler on 6/7/2017 at 12:52 pm
Keep up the the great work! You guys are killing it!! So exciting
Posted by: Jacqueline Millen on 5/21/2024 at 7:28 am
View All Comments