Resting and training were the theme of today. We took time to practice using the ascenders and different techniques for descending the fixed line with the Nepali girls. They did a great job and are getting more excited for the climb ahead, as are the rest of the team. Rest days can seem long but the team is pretty creative in keeping busy. Some made jewelry, while others went to the big boulder, that we call our Nepali gym to work on abs and pull-ups. We ended the day with a delicious cherry cake for dessert. The cook has done an amazing job making us delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinners. Tomorrow we will find out from our team members at our high camp whether we move up or take another test day.
Buenos noches,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Gloria,
We are checking the blogs everyday to keep up with this great adventure you are on. Dana says if he was your age that’s where he would want to be! He caught a salmon in your honor today. Good luck with everything. Hope you summit. We love you!!!!!!
Susan
We had a gorgeous walk into the Easton on Mt. Baker today. Perfect weather, incredible views, wildflowers, and great company. We're at camp at 6400' at the toe of the Easton glacier, getting ready to enjoy dinner. After a good size day and heavy packs, we are looking forward to our sleeping bags!
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Mike King and Hannah McGowan reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team started their climb in the clouds, but these quickly subsided to provide clear skies and a beautiful views from the top. The team has started their descent and will be returning to Rainier Basecamp early this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's team!
Congratualtions! So happy you all made it. I’m sure you had the most amazing view this morning. I’m so proud of you, Adam!
Posted by: Sarah May on 7/28/2018 at 9:05 am
Congrats on the memorial climb and summit! I’m really proud of the team and guides. Mike King is a certified badass! Adam and Garth, another notch. Booya!
The sprinkles began today at noon. The full-on rain came at 1 PM, but by then we were snug in our new camp at Shira 12,600 ft. The day had begun clear for us down at Machame, and we were treated to our first good views of Kibo, Kilimanjaro's central peak. We set out from camp at 8 AM and got walking up steeply rising rocky steps in a forest of giant heather. The sun was on us -but only for about a half hour before clouds came over. We kept working uphill, eventually in fog and a little murk. The day involved a number of rock steps that required a good handhold or two to negotiate. We were wearing rain jackets by the time we turned a corner onto the Shira Plateau. We actually finished by walking several hundred feet downhill to reach camp. The rain didn't let up until after dark, but it just made it a little easier to stay inside and rest. We still gathered in our nice and dry dining dome tent for meals and tea time and to share climbing stories. By the end of dinner, the sky was back to stars and planets and the Milky Way. We'll hope the moisture takes a break.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Best of luck to Pat and Lynn and the rest of the team for a safe and fun climb !
-Mike
Posted by: Mike Sowa on 9/21/2017 at 10:03 am
It’s great to wake up and see how the day has gone for the team! Hope there are clear skys the next few days. Sending lots of love to Colin and Steve <3
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team, led by Zeb Blais, radioed from Columbia Crest on the summit of Mt. Rainier. They are starting their descent and will stay at Camp Schurman tonight. Tomorrow morning the team will pack up and head back to the White River Campground. We look forward to congratulating them back at Rainier Basecamp tomorrow afternoon.
June 23, 2017 10:00 pm PST
It didn't seem terribly cold this morning at 5:30, Around 17 F or so, which made it a little easier to get up and rally for "the carry". We got out on the trail by a quarter to eight. Finally we were wearing crampons and holding ice axes like mountain climbers (to this point it has been snowshoes and ski poles). The track was in great condition -well packed snow- due to the large number of teams that have passed through since the last storm. We cruised up the steep Motorcycle Hill, and navigated the squirrely Squirrel Hill and found ourselves in the Polo Field below the end of the West Buttress before the sun caught us. Another hour brought us to a decidedly calm Windy Corner. We slipped around the corner, getting great views of Foraker, Hunter and finally Denali, in the process. We cached food and fuel at 13,500 ft -our target for the day- and had an easy walk back down to camp at 11K with relatively empty packs. It was exhilarating to be out of the deep valley at last and to be crossing ridges and turning corners with all the big views. But it was also nice to get back to our camp and to have a calm afternoon to rest after our labors. We ate dinner and made preparations for our big move up to 14K tomorrow.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Very exciting to see the progress and clear skies. Wishes for good luck and weather to the team.
Posted by: Bettie S on 6/24/2017 at 4:50 pm
Dad, I’m so proud of you!! I had an amazing time on my hike this past week and I can’t wait to tell you all about it when you come home. But first, you have a mountain to conquer! Best of luck to you and the rest of your team. Don’t forget to take a picture with Teddy at the top! Love, Pookie
Posted by: Madeline Brennan on 6/24/2017 at 3:07 pm
Two days of carrying huge loads is finally over. We have single carried to Camp 2 at 9600' and are ready to start packing lighter loads as we begin the routine of making double carries to get all our gear and food up the mountain.
What has impressed me most about this team is not just their strength, but their ability to endure and toil under mammoth loads without complaint. This is a special group.
Our weather has been snowy, but not bad enough to keep us in our tents. That said, we did set up our Posh House this afternoon which serves as our cook tent and dining room in one. It's warmth and comfort allow us some fun and social time that provides a really nice balance to our climbing.
And what was on the menu tonight? Burritos with all the fixings. Yeah, we eat well up here. We sure as hec deserve it.
Ok. That's a wrap for the night. Tomorrow we move to 11,200' camp, if the weather gods allow.
RMI Guides Brent Okita, Christina Dale and JT Schmitt
Safari just doesn't get any better than this. We cruised out if the Plantation Lodge well fed and ready to go. Of course shopping and a visit to a Maasai village were on the agenda today. Both of which are always interesting and amusing. We couldn't spend too much time on either, for the call of the wild was a big priority for this team. As usual, Tarangire National Park impressed even the most veteran of game viewers. It is always amazing to see survival in its purest form. We were all glad the wildebeest (and not us) was the meal for that pride of lions we viewed tearing it apart. We had just entered the park gate when we encountered them on their lunch break. We rolled our way through the park and exited the other side to the remote and tented Kikoti Camp. This place is nothing like the camps on Kilimanjaro, believe me, it would be very easy to spend a lot of nights here. Luxury is the word that comes to mind. We enjoyed a great dinner and are thrilled to be spending our last night in Tanzania in this awesome location. Like I said, it’s tough to match this one.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Good evening from Base Camp!
We just returned from Camp 1, all the way into Shishapangma Base Camp. The day has been mellow by Himalayan standards, as the great distance to cover or the big elevations to save are just a part of the game that this team is facing with style.
We're heading into bed, looking forward to a couple days of rest while we let our bodies adapt to the new elevation reached.
Suva Rattri!
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos
Keep up the great work and progress. I hope everyone is feeling better and acclimating to the altitude. I wish I could see the beauty you wake up to everyday. Enjoy the gorgeous full moon! It must be spectacular from your location!
Xoxo, Trish
Posted by: Trish Deerwester on 9/18/2016 at 4:21 am
Continued success, congrats to all. Safe travels and enjoyable rest. Thinking of you each and every day.
Jane Nelson
Posted by: Jane Knoff Nelson on 9/17/2016 at 6:13 pm
June 28, 2016 - 6:56 pm PT
Hi, it's Mike Haugen and the team, we just reached the summit of Denali. It is about 5:30 in the afternoon Alaska time. Everyone is doing well, we are 100% to the summit. Beautiful weather, we plan to have a nice safe descent. We hope everyone is doing well. We love all of you. Have a great day.
RMI Guide Mike Haugen calls in from the summit of Denali.
Congratulations to all! The photos are breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Can’t wait to see all the photos Phil. Love, Jill & Steve
Posted by: Jennifer Garrett on 6/29/2016 at 7:25 pm
Congratulations to the team! Enjoy the accomplishment!
Gloria,
We are checking the blogs everyday to keep up with this great adventure you are on. Dana says if he was your age that’s where he would want to be! He caught a salmon in your honor today. Good luck with everything. Hope you summit. We love you!!!!!!
Susan
Posted by: Susan Reid on 10/30/2018 at 5:57 pm
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