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Aconcagua: Justman & Team In Position for Summit Bid

January 18, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Sorry folks this is gonna be short. Our Aconcagua team is great and we are settling into high camp at 19,600 feet. There's a lot of work for the guides so we gotta run. Tomorrow is looking good for a summit attempt so wish us luck!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Robert, Jo and the group,
May the winds be calm, the view magnificent and your goal reached! Can’t wait to share the adventure. Pat

Posted by: pat ward on 1/19/2015 at 8:28 am

Ok Sue,Jo & Robert and all,
Time to finish that big lump of rock, snow and ice off! Looking to soon view well produced summit photos and video…..

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/19/2015 at 7:51 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Spend First Night at Bascamp

January 10, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

It is supposed to be a day of rest here in base camp but let's be honest! How can you rest when the Green Bay Packers are playing and there isn't a television in sight! Go Green Bay!!! Our Aconcagua Team is rocking it! After our first night at base everyone woke up feeling great! We had a great breakfast of scrambled eggs and now we are down to business getting ready for our carry to Camp 1. The team says hello to family and friends. Pass the word around of our blog and keep wishing us luck. But with a team like this, who needs luck! Start sending in your comments, we'd love to hear from you! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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David, Good Luck. That’s a damn high mountain!!

Posted by: Lloyd on 1/11/2015 at 9:06 pm

G returned safely from Colorado this afternoon, and we had a nice visit with Irena. It finally warmed up a bit this weekend, but it is snowing for the fourth time since you two left. Should have given me lessons on using the snowblower. Had a great dinner with the Dunnes, Sullivans and Josses last night. Everyone missed you and had lots of questions about your trip. Pat has been looking for you on the live feed from base camp, but so far no Jenny or David sightings. Have a good day tomorrow. Be safe! Love, Mom/Nan

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 1/11/2015 at 8:25 pm

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Mt. Elbrus: Justman & Team Arrive in Cheget

July 21, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside

Elevation: 11,000'

Sometimes the most difficult part of any expedition is just getting on the mountain. Today, our Elbrus team got one step closer. We jumped on a flight from Moscow and arrived in Mineralnye Vody and then had a 2 1/2 hour shuttle ride to arrive in Cheget. We are now sitting under the glistening Caucasus Mountains that surround the valley. Some of our team are exploring the shops in town while others are sorting mountaineering gear. Thanks for catching up with is and stay tuned for some photos and video of this wonderful area. RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Denali Expedition: Mike Haugen Wraps Up Their Seamless Descent and Flight Back to Talkeetna

July 2, 2016

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Hannah McGowan

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

July 2, 2016 - 1:23 am PT We were very lucky to fly off the glacier yesterday since the weather closed in on Denali and may have prevented us from flying for days. We spent a celebratory evening in rainy Talkeetna thankful for not being stuck in snowy Basecamp! After the long process of sorting, cleaning, and drying all of the gear it takes to get to the top of such a huge mountain, we paused to thank each other over a meal that did not require mixing with hot water or adding copious amounts of cheese to maximize calories. It really was an amazing team that assembled two weeks ago in Anchorage and made a smooth ascent of the highest mountain in North America. The team was very strong and had a great attitude that allowed them to experience an amazing, windless summit and a seamless two-day descent back to base camp and ski planes that almost beat us to the glacier landing strip. Thank you for the great expedition El Siete! RMI Guide Mike Haugen

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Mexico’s Volcanoes: Schellens, Frank & Team Gather in Mexico City

March 5, 2016

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

Elevation: 7,300'

After long journeys from all over the US we finally gathered at our hotel in Mexico City. Excitement and anticipation were high throughout the group as we discussed the upcoming trip. We then made our way through the noise Saturday night streets of Zona Rosa, Mexico City, to an authentic Mexican restaurant called, El Refugio Fonda. After a decadent meal, we picked our way back to the hotel to pack and get some rest before we set off on the first leg of our trip tomorrow. Thanks for following along with us here in Mexico. RMI Guides Geoff Schellens & Eric Frank

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climb Turn at Disappointment Cleaver

September 14, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

The Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides JJ Justman and Pete Van Deventer were unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier today due to gusty winds. The teams turned back after reaching the top of Disappointment Cleaver. The teams are descending to Camp Muir and then will continue their to descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.

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Thanks to JJ, Jess, and Bridgette for guiding on the climb. I couldn’t have imagined a better experience. First of many mountaineering experiences, glad you guys were part of it. Looking forward to my next climb and hope to summit rainier with you another go around.

John Vasholz

Posted by: John on 9/14/2015 at 11:05 pm

Chad! Sorry to hear you couldn’t make it due to wind, we were all rooting for you back here at the ACE program. I am sure you have good stories to tell and we look forward to hearing them. Glad you didnt catch Summit fever. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Peace, bruh!

Posted by: Ed on 9/14/2015 at 2:56 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

January 18, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

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

Aconcagua: Smith & Team’s Last Night Out Before Mendoza

January 23, 2020

Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Just keep walking, walking, walking. We said goodbye to basecamp today. We would begin our walk down through the Relinchos Valley to the Vacas Valley. As we walked, we took in the last views of Aconcagua. Taking in those last views naturally makes you reflect on your journey. What a journey it has been. Our walk down was full of Guanacos sighting. Everyone loves a wildlife sighting. We weaved our way across many stream crossings. The cool water felt magnificent on the feet. It was a long day covering two days worth of walking. The end result was worth it. We were greeted with fresh cut melon and pineapple at Lenas. The dinner was the grand finale, carne asada BBQ. Beef and chicken cooked over a fire by the arreyeros makes all the walking worth it. Instead of pitching a tent, like we have done so many times, we chose to sleep under the stars like the Argentinean cowboys do. Its always a surreal moment, having been so high on a mountain then two days later sleeping in a desert valley floor under the stars. Tomorrow we will finish our walk. Our feet are tired. Our bodies are tired. The incentive though is big to keep walking...a shower in Mendoza. The excitment is high for what tomorrow brings, a shower and a bed. So it is off to bed for us.

Our last night out,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team

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Amazing accomplishment everyone. We are excited to talk to you Pops!

Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/24/2020 at 5:15 pm

This is truly a major accomplishment & you are wrapping it up with an Argentinian flare! The sleeping under the stars & the BBQ just sound like perfection. We have so enjoyed your descriptions! Thank you so much!
Judy & Dale

Posted by: Judy collins on 1/24/2020 at 11:40 am

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Denali Custom Expedition: Hahn & Team Arrive in Talkeetna

June 19, 2019

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Chad Gaffigan, Luke Wilhelm

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 - 7:22 AM PT Our expedition has begun and the hard part is done. We managed to come together in the Anchorage airport from throughout North America. As a bonus, all of our gear made it through as well. We loaded up in the traditional Denali Overland van and trailer and got out of rush hour Anchorage traffic for the three hour push to the North. We couldn’t see much of the mountains as clouds were down pretty low, so we focused on enjoying the many shades of green on the valley floor. A stop for groceries in Wasilla broke up the ride nicely and we arrived in Talkeetna by 8PM. There was a brief tour of town before the team settled for the night in the comfort of the Swiss Alaska Inn. The work begins in the morning-packing and permitting. Best Regards RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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hannah smith is the best

Posted by: Jaime Smith on 6/22/2019 at 11:17 am

Way to go to the King Team that just summited! You guys are next!!!! :) Keep making snow angels and stay strong!
Love,
Vicki

Posted by: Victoria Buchanan on 6/21/2019 at 7:38 am

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Mt. Baker Ski: Walter & Team Summit & Ski Off the Top!

June 9, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Grayson Swingle

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 10,781'

Sunday, June 9, 2019 - 1:42pm PT RMI Guide Mike Walter checked in via SAT Phone from camp on the Easton Glacier of Mt. Baker. The team reached the summit this morning and enjoyed an almost 4,000' ski descent off the top of Mt. Baker. The team plans to spend a little time in camp recovering before they pack up and head to the trail head where they will return to town for a successful post-climb dinner! Congratulations!

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