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Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Acclimatize on Rucu Pichincha

December 2, 2021

Posted by: Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 9,350'

Today we got second chair on the gondola and enjoyed a quiet morning on Rucu Pichincha. For many this was the second highest altitude they had reached and a good hike to really get the acclimatization going. Contrary to my previous trips and further proving the unreliability of weather forecasting in the tropics, we did not get rained on and it really did not threaten to rain on us at any point today. Following the hike we enjoyed a team dinner at a favorite local Lebanese restaurant and tomorrow we are headed north towards Cayambe.

RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier

Cotopaxi Express: Whittaker & Team Acclimating Day

January 7, 2019

Posted by: Peter Whittaker, Jess Matthews

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 12,000'

Our hopes for sunrise photos of Cotopaxi were dashed when we woke to a layer of low clouds blanketing the hillside. The upside was additional sleep and a leisurely start to the day with pancakes and coffee. Our mission for the day was some active rest after sleeping at a new altitude of almost 12,000’. Inspired by our caffeine intake, several of us jumped on the backs of a few horses. Fortunately, no injuries and no feelings hurt. Nacho, our Ecuadorian friend and guide, has been sharing his country with us the past couple days. We went on a cruise in his high country backyard and were introduced to some of his equine friends. Never really taken a rest break before with a small herd of horses. After we banked 1,500’ feet of vertical, tagging almost 13,000’, we once again finished the day with an equatorial downpour. RMI Guide Jess Matthews

Mt. Everest: Dave Hahn & Team Back to Namche Bazaar

April 26, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent, Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 11,300'

Today was a big walking day, up and down the hills of the Khumbu Valley from Pheriche to Namche. Right out of Pheriche, where we started hiking at 8 AM, we crossed the river, climbed a hill and turned into the inhabited portions of the Khumbu. We turned our backs on rocks and ice and walked down into rhododendrons, pine trees and villages. JJ led the way as we rolled through Shomare, Pangboche, Deboche, Thyangboche, and Phunky Tonga. We got hot enough to sweat a bit, which was a novelty, we passed a million trekkers and heard about a million helicopter laps as the B2's and B3's flew over us on their way back and forth to Everest Base. Finally, at midday, we got working our way up the giant dusty hill that would put us on level with Namche. It took us about six hours to reach Namche -still quite familiar to us since we spent three days acclimating in town on the way in. This time... no acclimatization needed... so fine to be below 12,000 ft for the first time in close to a month. The team enjoyed a fine evening at comfortable Camp De Base. One more big day of hiking to go before Lukla International. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Nicole Lobiondo: Safe travels from Lukla to you all! Nicole H.

Posted by: Nicole Howard on 4/28/2014 at 6:27 am

Hey Spencer, So sorry you weren’t able to make it this time. You’ll be back under better circumstances and the summit will be that much more sweet. Safe journey home!
Uncle Matt

Posted by: Matt Pietro on 4/27/2014 at 12:40 pm

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Team Reaches Ingraham Flats

July 20, 2023

Posted by: Daniel May, Nikki Champion, Will Nash

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,200'

The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Dan May watched the sunrise from Ingraham Flats today. Due to route conditions the team was unable to safely climb higher. They are on the descent from Camp Muir to Paradise.

Mt. Rainier: Haugen, Halliday & Four Day Climb Teams on Summit!

July 28, 2021

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling, Kiira Antenucci, Daniel May, David Shuer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Mike Haugen reported sunshine, great weather and a light 5 mph breeze as his team was on the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The Four Day Climb July 25 - 28, 2021 led by Mike Haugen and Alex Halliday were descending from the crater rim at 7 am.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Amazing climb. Expertise guidance made this ascend safe and possible. Out of body experience for me.

Posted by: Eva Steinwald on 8/1/2021 at 7:01 am

Looks like it was one of the best weather days possible. One of the best ever photos too from the summit.
I have a cousin who lives in Kent. Have never visited. Too old to climb but would enjoy visiting Paradise for the exhilarating views. So far have been traveling there vicariously, a regular visitor to the webcam site. Amazing snowfall !!
Congrats on your success to the top. J.B.

Posted by: JOHN BUCKETT on 7/29/2021 at 6:37 am

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Shishapangma: Team Checks in from Advanced Base Camp

September 24, 2011

Posted by: Eric Frank

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Guide News Everest

Elevation: 18,400'

Hello this is the Shishapangma Team calling from our advance base camp. This morning we woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground here at 18,400' and it seems as though the storm left a few feet on the upper mountain. Part of the team is finishing their first rotation through camp one up near 21,000’ and will be descending either tonight or tomorrow. It seems as though we will be sitting here at our advanced base camp for a few days resting and then hoping for clear weather to go up on our next rotation. Everyone is doing well and climbing strong. We will call back in a few days and check in then. Bye! RMI Guide Eric Frank

RMI Shishapangma Team Checks in from Advanced Base Camp

Everest Basecamp Trek and Island Peak Climb: Gorak Shep

April 2, 2011

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek

Elevation: 17,000'

The group was up early this morning, despite encountering the coldest temperatures of the trip thus far - our water bottles lightly icing up even in the teahouse. However, we quickly shook off the cold within a few minutes of starting off, warming up as we walked out of Lobuche. An hour's walk brought us to the edge of the Khangri Glacier, a tributary flowing into the main Khumbu Glacier just to our side. We climbed up the moraine of the Khangri and began the weaving traverse over its rock strewn surface, climbing up and down over the uneven terrain. Part way through we reached a high point and we're treated to fantastic views further up the valley, even catching glimpses of the tents at Everest BC. By late morning we reached our teahouse at Gorak Shep, the last cluster of buildings before BC. We paused for a cup of tea and after refilling our bottles we set out to climb Kala Patar, a rocky outcropping that sits across the valley from Everest. The team climbed very strongly, the benefits of our acclimatization over the past ten days clearly visible, and within a couple of hours we reached Kala Patar's prayer flag strewn summit. At 18,500' Kala Patar has phenomenal views looking down over Everest BC and the Khumbu Icefall as well as to its summit, the Hillary Step, South Summit, South Col, and part of the Lhotse Face. In addition to Everest, we could see over the Lho La Pass to Changatse in Tibet as well as south down the valley, picking out the peaks of Tamserku, Katenga, and Ama Dablam which we walked past earlier. Despite the clear skies and amazing views the winds were blowing strongly and we were forced to raise our voices to be heard over the fluttering prayer flags. The temperature was quite cold with the wind and before too long we set off back down the trail, returning to Gorak Shep where a late lunch of soup and tea helped rewarm us. We've spent the remainder of the afternoon relaxing in Gorak Shep. We had a great day and are thrilled to have had such great weather and views from Kala Patar. Tomorrow we cover the final stretch to Everest Base Camp where we will spend a couple of nights sleeping on the ice in RMI's Everest Expedition camp. We will check in tomorrow from BC. RMI Guide Linden Mallory

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Tim! I am missing you so much, but in a good way! LOVING the dispatches and pictures! I hope you are keeping a good journal so you can tell us EVERYTHING! I can’t wait! Everything is good at home. I have had the crud, but am feeling MUCH better today! Piss and vinegar coming back. HA! Bridger misses your warm lap at night, and so do I! Have done 2 commission checks and didn’t screw up! Yay me! I should be helping you pay company bills. Once in a while! :) I adore you and look forward to the 16th! But, I want this good experience to last for you. You are living your dreams! I couldn’t be more proud of you!

Posted by: Deb McLaughlin on 4/4/2011 at 12:14 pm

I am fine since tooth pulled—Dad left his message kinda hanging. Yesterday, Sat., 4/2/11 AM the sun was shining, bright blue skies so I jumped in my hot tub clothes, went outside and promptly turned around and headed back in the house!! It was extremely cold and windy—What a wimp! How did I ever birth a child who actually LIVES for cold and windy!!!! Ha—Cudos to you, Timmer. Stay safe all of you. I depend on them to take care of my son—Yeah, I know, nuff Mom talk. Love ya, Mom

Posted by: Mom Mac on 4/3/2011 at 12:22 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Proposal at Lake Manyara

July 26, 2022

Posted by: Brent Okita

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

With sadness we bid adieu to six of our teammates from the climb as they embarked on their short day safari before flying off tonight. But with much excitement we started our own four day safari with some new folks. The Cognetto's added a couple of family members (wife/mom, son/bro), plus Nick's girlfriend. But first we had to celebrate another birthday, George's, at breakfast. In typical Tanzanian fashion the staff came out to sing the national feel good song Jambo Bwana, plus Happy Birthday. Of course, candles and cake were on hand too.

Our visit to Lake Manyara didn't disappoint as we got into elephants and baboons within five minutes of entering the gates of this cool national park. But, quite frankly, the giraffes, hippo, Buffalo, eagles and other animals, while great, were somewhat eclipsed by the actions of a couple of our team. A marriage proposal was made, knee bent and ring offered, in the middle of this amazing part of Africa, and was accepted! This, to the enthusiastic approval of dozens of on lookers at our lunch spot. Yeah, I must admit to becoming an emotional marshmallow seeing this proposal unfold as I joined in the clapping of support for these two wonderful people. And again, that incredible Tanzanian spirit of celebration and happiness came out as the group of safari guides that happened to be at the lunch site with their clients, broke into the Mambo Bwana song to recognize this special occasion.

Congratulations Jess and Nick! Cheers to a long and happy life together!

RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team

From the Plantation Lodge near the Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania

Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Reach Low Camp

December 29, 2021

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Mike King, Dominic Cifelli

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif

Elevation: 9,200'

Wednesday, December 29, 2021 - 7:19 pm PT

We seem to be into a stretch of very fine weather. Today was nothing but sunny, calm and beautiful. Our first morning on Vinson was pleasant, but quite full with getting everybody up to speed on glacier travel and packing and prepping for moving up. Even so, we took a midday break for a sit-down hot lunch of vegetable soup. We got walking at 1:40 PM. Four rope teams traveling in formation up the Branscomb Glacier. Recent snows made the footing a little more insecure for the first few hours out of camp, but conditions improved as we got a little higher. There was less new snow and easier to walk on packed trail by the time we hit the big turn in the glacier below Vinson’s west face. We came into 9,200 ft “Low Camp” just after seven in the evening. A fine time to arrive as the sun hits from a great angle and intensity at low camp during the evening hours. We built tents and moved in to giant walls of snow bricks constructed against big winds by previous inhabitants. Our evening was windless. We ate dinner and talked over possibilities for tomorrow. Perhaps we’ll move higher in the morning, perhaps we’ll spend the day training around low camp. It all depends on how folks feel in the morning. It is wonderful to be up in this wild setting, looking straight up at Vinson and at the jagged peaks just to the North.

Although it is after midnight now, the sun is still strong on the tents, making them almost warm and comfortable. The sun won’t go behind the mountain until about 3 AM, at which point things will feel a bit colder until it reappears around 10:15 AM.

Best Regards,

RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Aconcagua Expedition: Team Returns to Mendoza

January 25, 2012

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hello again from team Aconcagua. Sorry it has been awhile but the last few days have been very busy on our end. Now that we are back in Mendoza sipping red wine and eating great beef we can fill you in on the mountain adventures. Last Thursday, the 19th, we moved from our Camp 2 at 18,000' to Camp Colera (meaning: anger) at 19,600'. It was a short move under beautifully clear skies, but we were tired nonetheless from the thin air. We set camp, ate dinner early, and prepared for the early start of our summit push. The stoves were kicked on early at 3 am to start the long process of boiling water for breakfast at altitude (I believe we are picking up a theme: the length of time it takes to do anything at high altitude is very, very long). We had a beautiful, warm, calm morning for the culmination of our goal. The moon was a sliver, but showing at the bottom, like a saucer, rather than the side as we usually see it in the northern hemisphere. At 5 am, bags were packed with food, water, and extra clothes and storm gear for our day. Crampons were on our feet, and we began the ascent from camp under the light of headlamps, wearing our parkas. There were many groups headed for the summit with us since the weather was supposed to get worse the following day and for several days after. Many groups, like us, had moved their schedule up in order to take advantage of the end of our weather window. The climb travels many switchbacks up a series of benches to our second break at the Independencia Hut, elevation: 21,000 ft. As we reached it, streams of headlamps from fellow climbers stretched below us. Taking a break here, we refueled our bodies with hot cocoa and alfajors, an Argentine treat. As the horizon began to show signs of light, we started the long traverse to the base of the Canaleta, which is a large snow couloir that takes you to the summit. Despite the thin air and tired legs, the team was feeling strong as we climbed the last couple of hours and last 1,000 ft to the summit. It was 1:40pm as the last of our boots stepped onto the top of the tallest mountain in the western hemisphere. We celebrated together with hugs and cheers and relished in the moment for what we had just accomplished. Although we could have stayed on top for hours, the clouds and snow were rolling in and forcing us to start the long descent back to our camp and our sleeping bags. We arrived back at camp at 4:30pm, just as the wind was starting to pick up and our bodies were starting to fully tire. Everyone quickly jumped into their sleeping bags and enjoyed an evening of ramen noodles and an early bedtime. The next morning we woke with sore legs and headaches from dehydration, but everyone was ready for another long descent back to base camp. We broke down camp and at 11am we headed back to Camp 2 and eventually Camp 1 to pick up both personal and group gear that we had cached days before. This is the worst part of any expedition, since our packs get heavier with each previous camp we visit. As we left camp 1 to make the last push down to base camp, our packs were weighing upwards of 25 kilos. We walked into base camp at 4:45pm with huge smiles on our faces and were greeted with tang and fresh fruit from the Grajales crew. As we chatted and laughed about where we had just been the previous day, we realized that the hardest and most dangerous part of our trip was over and we had all made it down safely. We feasted on steak and papas fritas that night and toasted to our 14 days on the mountain. We slept well that night with full bellies and happy hearts, resting up for the 21 mile walk out of the valley and back to the entrance of the provincial park. Fourteen days doesn't seem like that long a time, but Sunday we realized how deprived of color we had been, as we walked past brilliant green and yellow clumps of flowers descending the Relinchos valley towards home. Our packs were light and birds were singing nearby, making our steps light and quick. As the day wore on however, our steps slowed as the 15 miles we had to walk that day ticked past. An exciting river crossing of the Vacas river found many of the group in their skiveys, wading through thigh deep glacial waters. The late afternoon temps made the cool water dip welcome however. The last few miles were a long affair, but we arrived in camp to the smell of the arrearos cooking us a feast of an asada. One pound of slow cooked steak per person, tomato salad, fresh baked bread, and local malbec wine sent everyone to bed with full stomachs and a beautiful, uninterrupted view of the stars. Most chose to sleep outside of the tents, for views of the southern cross, and beyond! Six miles of walking the next morning brought us to Punta de Vacas and the end of our walking! Everyone piled into the van for a tired drive to Mendoza. Showers, and shaves brought everyone back to life, and Monday night the group enjoyed a celebratory dinner at the "patio," a local parilla (Brazilian style steak house but Argentinian!). The group dreamed up a wonderful way to commemorate the climb: a locally published coffee table book of Aconcagua that each signed to everyone else, so that we'll remember the faces, friendships, experiences, and stories that we have grown over the last three weeks. The guides would like to thank an incredible team of climbers for their dedication, strength, perseverance, and laughter. Gabi's 25th was a special one. And further, the team would like to thank everyone for their notes, thoughts, and positive vibes while we were headed to the highest point in the western hemisphere! Goodnight and good luck, The RMI Aconcagua Crew

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Way to go Wally Glover and the rest of the team!
Dan in Indy.

Posted by: Dan Meno on 1/27/2012 at 3:31 pm

Can’t wait to hear all about this adventure Tom. From all accounts (including the bloggers reporting) you had a wonderful time and share an experience only a limited few understand. What a memory! Safe journey home tommorow and Saturday.
Love Mom and Dad

Posted by: Daisy on 1/26/2012 at 1:51 pm

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Most Popular Entries

Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Acclimatize on Rucu Pichincha

Cotopaxi Express: Whittaker & Team Acclimating Day

Mt. Everest: Dave Hahn & Team Back to Namche Bazaar

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Team Reaches Ingraham Flats

Mt. Rainier: Haugen, Halliday & Four Day Climb Teams on Summit!

Shishapangma: Team Checks in from Advanced Base Camp

Everest Basecamp Trek and Island Peak Climb: Gorak Shep

Kilimanjaro: Proposal at Lake Manyara

Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Reach Low Camp

Aconcagua Expedition: Team Returns to Mendoza

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