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Posted by: Walter Hailes, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Sunday, January 16, 2022 4:01 PM PST
After a rough first night at base camp because of the big jump in altitude, we started the day a little slow. We went for a nice casual walk to check out the local penitentes and breathe off the slight headaches that lingered from the night before. It was beautiful walking into the 15’ tall glacier spires. After lunch we got to work sprucing up our camp. The whole team worked really hard shoveling, hoeing, and raking the rock filled dirt into plush flat platforms for our tents. We will sleep better tonight partly because the tents will be more comfy and partly because making the tents more comfy was exhausting. Another beautiful day in the mountains with a great team!
RMI Guide Walt Hailes & Team
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 7,000'
Today the team enjoyed a well deserved rest day in the beautiful city of Puebla. After enjoying breakfast together at the hotel, we all went our separate ways and wandered the city streets, taking in the views and enjoying everything from fresh squeezed juices to fried grasshoppers. At 7pm, we met up at one of our favorite restaurants for a team dinner, where we tasted some of Mexico's finest moles, a sauce unique to this area. We followed this up with a quick trip to the ice cream stand, just down the street, then headed to our hotel's rooftop patio to take in the evening views. We're headed off bright and early tomorrow morning to start our move to basecamp for our Orizaba climb. Everyone is excited and ready for the next leg of the trip.
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer and Alex Halliday reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Alex reported windy conditions on top. The teams will descend and return to Ashford later today.
Congratulations climbers!
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Aconcagua 2022! Yes, it’s happening. Covid delayed this trip by a full year but we are all in Argentina, healthy, happy and ready to climb.
I must thank the hard work of Jeff, Autumn, Jack and Luke for working out all the logistics of my covid related delays and making sure that this trip didn’t stop before it ever got started. The whole team is now together in the town of Uspallata, spending tonight in a beautiful hotel a few miles outside Aconcagua National Park. If the weather report holds, we will fly to Base Camp mid-day tomorrow. But until then, we are enjoying more of the friendly people, tasty food and great wine of Argentina.
Our 3 Guardsman, Alden, Brett and Chip are raising money during our climb. We welcome everyone following along with our adventure and thanks for your support and generosity.
RMI Guides Walter Hailes & Jack Delaney
Wish I could be there with you guys.
Enjoy the ride. Will be thinking on you these days.
Keep safe. I want to celebrate your climbing soon with you.
Best
Roman
Posted by: Roman Martin on 1/15/2022 at 7:52 am
I miss you all and and am with you in spirit! ¡Abrazos fuertes!
Posted by: Jeff Gordman on 1/15/2022 at 7:34 am
On The Map
Hey girls - like everyone else I’m amazed by your accomplishments and very grateful for the good weather and good health (so far) you all have enjoyed. What an adventure. Until today I had been just reading Dana Marie’s blog (which is great - thanks for doing that D-M - it has been the highlight of my days), and when Sasha told me everyone was posting on the blog I had no idea of what she was talking about until a client who is thinking about doing a trek sent me the link after I was talking about your exploits. While lacking the color of D-M’s posts, it is great to get the skinny from the guides on what you are doing every day and love the pictures.
Hope you all continue to feel well and enjoy the trip.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Hogan on 3/23/2012 at 6:10 pm
Hi mom! I love u! Hope u r having fun. Miss u!
Love Katie
Posted by: Katie on 3/23/2012 at 5:03 pm
The Four Day Climb of Mt. Rainier reached the 14,410' summit at 7:20 am today. James Bealer, RMI's lead guide for the climb reported a great day of climbing. The heavy marine layer that is sitting around 8,000' was no problem for the team. They climb in near perfect conditions, light winds, clear skies and warm temperatures, and everyone made it to the top!! The team started their descent from the summit at 8:27 am and are in route to Camp Muir.
Congratulations team!
Posted by: Alex Halliday, Ben Luedtke, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar
Elevation: 7,300'
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 6:36 pm PT
On Monday, we awoke to scattered clouds and cooler temps around Base Camp. As the sun rose above the clouds we left camp to refresh some of our climbing skills. After taking naps during the heat of the day we learned about knots for climbing and prepared for our attempt on Radio Tower.
The mountains are calm today. The clouds are fickle and we are now sitting back in camp surrounded by a fog that has moved up the Kahiltna Glacier. We reached the top of Radio Tower today, the small prominence that sits above camp. We were met with impressive views of the north side of Mt. Hunter and the Moonflower Buttress.
Hey Tim! It’s your grandma wishing you safe and happy travels! Love you.
Posted by: Susan Cote on 5/28/2022 at 10:31 am
Great to hear the update. Hopefully the weather will be perfect.
Posted by: Mary & Mike Macklin on 5/25/2022 at 5:42 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Dustin Wittmier and the Mt. Rainier Five Day Climb teams endured a steady and consistent spring storm at Camp Muir. Windy conditions prevented the teams fom ascending above Camp Muir but will make for epic stories of traveling to the outhouse while at camp. The teams will return to Rainier Basecamp in Ashford this afternoon.
Sorry to hear that, looks like last three expeditions able to go up Muir Camp only due to weather.
Is May is good month to go (just wondering)?
Posted by: Umesh Patel on 5/8/2022 at 5:01 pm
Sorry to hear the May 6th team got turned around due to weather….
I am ready to tackle Rainier on August 3 - 6…. I am hoping the weather is not a factor
I would LOVE to hear of your experiences and recommendations so I can learn more
Posted by: Jeff Duqutte on 5/7/2022 at 9:36 am
We are settled back into the climber’s hut at Cayambe after a morning of reviewing climbing skills. Some competitive rounds of Yahtzee will now be followed with afternoon charcuterie and tea. The team is in good spirits and looking forward to our first alpine start tonight!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
Climb Strong Dustin!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/6/2021 at 4:25 am
Saturday, Februdary 12, 2022 2:38 AM PT
We had a windy but dry night at Perros camp. After a quick breakfast we headed up towards John Gardner Pass at 4000’. While it’s not high in elevation the proximity to glaciers and large alpine peaks makes you feel much higher.
The trail winds up through the forest for a bit then begins the ascent over rocky ground. The wind was howling across the Grey glacier as we dropped down the other side of the pass. From one side you see a lush, forested valley and the other is made up of the glaciers that comprise the terminus of the Southern ice fields. This is when the difficulty sets in. The descent from the pass is harmless but once inside the trees the trail is a mess of poorly maintained and eroded steps, toe jamming declines and lots of roots and other obstacles that keep you focused only a few feet in front of you. Your reward for several hours of frustration is spectacular views of the glaciated valley and 3 suspension bridges that will bring out the inner Indiana Jones in anyone.
We got to Refugio Grey in good style but with sore feet and an insatiable thirst. After showers, many tubes of Chilean Pringles like chips, a loaf of bread we had dinner and continued the festivities.
Today we’ll take a day off from walking and enjoy an evening kayak tour on Lago Grey. There’s a lot of calved glacial ice damned near the Refugio which be great to see from water level.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King & Team
Awesome Mike!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/12/2022 at 2:06 pm
Good luck on your next climb. We’re sending love and light to you all. Nice bib Alex
Posted by: Deb Anderson on 2/18/2022 at 6:12 am
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