Most Popular Entries

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Arrive in Shira Camp

July 27, 2016

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,200'

A good night for sleep with a couple folk still adjusting to time zone change. There were amazing stars last night. Woke up to perfectly clear sky's views of the big top ahead. Sizable chunk of altitude gain in half the distance of yesterday but still gained us 2,500 feet in elevation. As you can imagine fairly steep right out of the gate but every one handled it well. The environment changes dramatically from a lush forest to a more alpine feel. A big finish to the day, traversing out to the west, complete opposite from where we will travel tomorrow across ancient lava flows that have created a broad flatland between Kibo-Kilimanjaros main peak and Shira, its western satellite. Our home for the night. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Check in from 14,000 ft Camp

May 22, 2016

Posted by: Mike Walter, Billy Haas, Blake Votilla

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 22, 2016 - 1:54 pm PT Once again we're checking in from 14k on Denali. There is not much new to report here. The winds up high remain strong, and the National Weather Service has issued a special high wind warning for this storm. We are all comfortable and safe at camp and we'll just have to see how this one plays out. Today is day 18 on the the mountain for our team, and high winds are forecast through at least Thursday. We'll keep you up to date with the latest news. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Thinking alot about you Blake !!
Love you !!

Mom

Posted by: Maria Votilla on 5/24/2016 at 12:58 pm

Team Walter, you guys are already my heroes coming so close to the summit. Respect storm Daryl! No gut or glory stuff! Come home in one piece, Lei. Love you. Hao

Posted by: Hao on 5/23/2016 at 7:31 pm

View All Comments

Mexicos Volcanoes: King & Team Arrive Mexico City, Ready for Acclimatization Hike

January 14, 2024

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico

This is Mike checking in for our Mexico Volcanoes team. All our climbers arrived over the last two days with bags in tow. We had a quick team meeting last night and a good dinner. Today we are enroute for our acclimatization hike on La Malinche. This dormant volcano has a dense pine forest that covers the lower slopes. The route gets above tree line after a few hours and ascends to a ridge that weaves its way to a nice summit. The air is clear here now so we are getting some good views of Ixta & Popo on our exit from Mexico City. Our hike today is approximately 9000' of gain/loss so we'll keep our fingers crossed for good weather. We will sleep at 10,000' in a former Olympic training facility....from the 1968. We won't have service at our cabins. I'll check in tomorrow while enroute to Ixta. The group is excited to get going.

Thanks for following along.

RMI Guide Mike King

New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024

Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Reach Shira Plateau

July 27, 2018

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 12,500'

The clouds stayed with us through much of the night at Machame Camp, but it was a treat to wake to clearing skies and our first views of Kibo -Kilimanjaro’s central peak- rising to impossible heights in the distance. We set out at 8 AM on a steeper and rockier track than yesterday’s trail. It was as if we were on an endless staircase through a forest of giant heather. We could see a layer of cloud a thousand feet below us, stretching to the horizons, and there was some cloud up near the top of Kibo, but we were in the clear for big chunks of our journey. Our climb ended up being along the spine of a ridge radiating out -like a spoke in a wheel- from the central peak. We began a leftward traverse toward the Shira Plateau when the clouds caught up with us, making things a bit murky, but not as damp as our cloud-walking yesterday. At 12,000 feet, we began to pick out the giant senecios and lobelias endemic to Kilimanjaro and we got used to the large white-necked ravens performing crazy aerial maneuvers and waddling around on the ground to scavenge for food. By 1 PM we walked into our new camp at Shira at 12,500 ft and quickly got settled. Most enjoyed a good afternoon nap following lunch, but we all came out to watch the sunset and moonrise before dinner. Luckily the clouds faded away again and we could easily pick out Venus, Jupiter and Mars in the brilliant sky. Kibo was lit up magically by the moonlight. Word is that a lunar eclipse will occur between 2AM and 4AM tonight and several of the team vowed to take advantage of their lingering jet lag to get up and witness such a thing in this memorable setting. Best Regards RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Keeping my daughter and her husband (Heather & Brian) as all the team and guide in my thoughts and prayers daily! Safe journey as you continue in your assent !

Posted by: Jean (Mom) Lebo on 7/27/2018 at 2:33 pm

Sounds pretty fabulous!!
Be safe !❤️
Love Aunt Vicki and Nana

Posted by: Aunt Vicki on 7/27/2018 at 1:04 pm

View All Comments

Mt. Rainier: Dale & Team Turn Due to Route Conditions

July 22, 2018

Posted by: Christina Dale

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 12,300'

The Four Day Summit Climb July 19 - 22 led by RMI Guide Christina Dale was unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier today due to route conditions. The team is currently descending to Camp Muir. They will spend a bit of time at Camp Muir before continuing to Paradise later this morning.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Good effort team. I’m sorry you didn’t reach the summit, but you will forever hold the memories of this adventure!

Posted by: Katharine Miller on 7/22/2018 at 11:29 am

Sue Niezgoda. So sorry you weren’t able to make it to the summit. But also glad you are safe. Love you

Posted by: Helen Bogdon on 7/22/2018 at 7:43 am

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: King & Team Hanging at 14,000’ Camp

June 20, 2018

Posted by: Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

We turned in last night expecting another pulse of wind and snow from the large storm stalled out in Bristol Bay. Instead we slept well through a calm night with little in the way of wind and only minimal snow drift. The West Buttress was windy as noted by the plumes of snow being blown into the atmosphere. We decided to stay in camp should the storm send more weather our way. After a leisurely breakfast of pancakes there was a swell of climbers headed up to 17. Some to pull caches for a descent to Basecamp and some just to stretch the legs and lungs after sitting for several days. Choosing not to get in a traffic jam we decided to stay put. Tomorrow if we are fortunate we'll head up the fixed lines and hopefully to 17 so we can get some climbing in. Unfortunately we still need a larger window of improving weather to move camp to 17. The forecasts are improving when compared to what we actually experience in camp. Fingers crossed we get 3-4 days of low winds above for a summi t bid. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Gately & Team Explore Local Market Then Drive to Cayambe

December 9, 2017

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,300'

Despite some menacing afternoon clouds we woke up again to clear beautiful skies. A late breakfast and a short drive brought us to the Otovalo Market, a huge local market full of a wide variety of textiles and food. The team spent an hour and a half exploring the markets many corners, buying gifts for loved ones before meeting for lunch at Buena Vista. From there we headed back towards the town of Cayambe to meet our transfer vehicles that would carry us and our belongings to the Cayambe Climbers Hut at 15,300ft. An hour or so of exciting driving down primitive roads perched on the side of a volcano brought us to our final destination. The team is doing a great job getting readjusted to life without so much oxygen and are patiently awaiting what will no doubt be a wonderful dinner served by the huts cook staff. Thanks for following. Tune in tomorrow for more! RMI Guide Steve Gately

On The Map

Peru Seminar: Team on the Summit of Urus!

July 9, 2017

Posted by: Robby Young, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar

Elevation: 17,600

Greetings RMI Blog loyal followers. This is your ESS - Peru team and we are standing on top of Urus Este at an elevation of 17,600 or 17,700 ish disputed. We are in the sunshine. We're loving life on this really dramatic beautiful arrest of a summit and we are all enjoying the sunshine up here before we start going downhill and the group has something to say. (Cheers) Tomorrow we return to Huaraz and then on to Copa. Until then we will keep you in the loop. Bye. RMI Guide Robby Young

RMI Guide Robby Young and team call from the summit of Nevado Urus, Peru.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Jason. Sorry Brian couldn’t complete the trip.
I’m sure the pictures don’t do justice to the real views you are experiencing.
Love you and look forward to your safe return.
Mom and Dad.

Posted by: Steve Gehrke on 7/10/2017 at 3:27 am

Hi Jon! How’s the air up there? Your family at sea level misses you, especially Cala, who misses her Uncle Jon so much she cries every day. We wish you and your climbing team the best, stay healthy and safe.
Hugs,
the Crabbies and Mom

Posted by: faye on 7/9/2017 at 9:01 pm

View All Comments

Mt. Rainier: June 4th Summit!

June 4, 2017

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Elías de Andrés Martos and Solveig Waterfall topped out on Mt. Rainier early this morning with winds around 50-60 mph. As of 7:18AM, they were at 13,600’ on their descent. It was a very cold, windy climb for them. Congratulations to today's team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats to Mike G. and the rest of the team on the climb!

Posted by: Jack on 6/4/2017 at 4:34 pm

Congrats guys great achievement looking forward to y’all getting back home.

Dad

Posted by: Jay Murray on 6/4/2017 at 12:31 pm

View All Comments

Ecuador Volcanoes: Liken & Team Acclimatize Near Quito

January 19, 2017

Posted by: Ben Liken, Adam Knoff

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,700'

Hola, Today, after a lot of travel and food the team finally got out into the mountains. We set off for a gondola ride on the outskirts of town that takes us all the way up to well over 13,000 feet. We were pleased to find fair skies and moderate temps with sweeping views of the city at the top. From there it took us 2.5 hours to reach the summit at 15,700 feet with the whole team! This is a great team and everyone did excellent. After some time on top breathing thin air, we descended back to Quito grabbing some tasty carne empanadas on the way. After an afternoon nap we all got some pizzas and ice cream to soothe the soul before bed. Tomorrow we will venture further outside Quito for another highland hike. Stay tuned, RMI Guide Ben Liken

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Good luck over the next three days as the team moves towards the climbers hut in anticipation of summiting Cayambe on Monday! Let’s hope the weather cooperates better than today!

Posted by: Susan Brashear on 1/20/2017 at 5:27 pm

good luck on your climbing/eating adventure! if this is a race, my money is on Owen. nobody can eat faster than Owen.

Posted by: catherine's sister on 1/20/2017 at 10:15 am

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

Check Availability

Most Popular Entries

Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Arrive in Shira Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Check in from 14,000 ft Camp

On The Map

Mexicos Volcanoes: King & Team Arrive Mexico City, Ready for Acclimatization Hike

Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Reach Shira Plateau

Mt. Rainier: Dale & Team Turn Due to Route Conditions

Denali Expedition: King & Team Hanging at 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Gately & Team Explore Local Market Then Drive to Cayambe

On The Map

Peru Seminar: Team on the Summit of Urus!

Mt. Rainier: June 4th Summit!

Ecuador Volcanoes: Liken & Team Acclimatize Near Quito

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

Most Popular Entries

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches