I’m thrilled to announce that 100% of team Ecuador made it to the summit of Cotopaxi this morning. As I mentioned yesterday the mountain got whipped up into a mood which made the prospect of summitting today fairly uncertain. But like I also said, you never know what can happen.
Keeping this in mind I poked my head out of the hut at 11:45 last night and was amazed to see stars glimmering in the clear sky. This at least solved the moisture problem but the wind still rattled the walls and made roofs squeal, which we aptly named Godzilla.
Once we motivated and committed to climbing, things just worked. Our local guides and RMI guides had a bit of differing ideas about pace, which is why there is no group photo, but all in all the climb was superb.
Because we got separated a bit, some climbers made it back to the hut a good hour before the last but by the end, everyone was covered in thick rime ice. The good weather again lasted only long enough for us to get up and down before turning to a wet blowing soaker we are happy to be sheltered from.
Now we are packing up and getting ready to once again load the magic bus and head down to the lowlands for our celebration meal and nap.
Tomorrow is a well earned rest day.
Before I close this I would like to wish happy birthday to the wonderful lady in my life. These beautiful summits remind me of you.
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
RMI Guide Andy Bond and the Four Day Summit Climb June 30 - 3 July team were reaching the summit of Mt. Rainier just before 7 AM today with 100% of their team. Andy reported clear skies and steady winds around 25 mph as they reached the crater rim.
Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 3:23 PM PT
Early this morning we broke down camp under perfect conditions! The team climbed remarkably strong and we made great time up to our Camp III at 11,000'. We arrived in mid morning to avoid traveling while in the heat of solar rays and overheating our engines.
The crew then built camp in short order now we’re settling in for a mid day siesta. We’re strong, happy and stoked with our performance.
Tonight we will have a feast of Annie’s Mac and cheese, then we will try to be up before the sun hits us in the morning for a short back carry to retrieve yesterday’s load of groceries, fuel, and personal luggage. That’s all for now from our new camp and currently the rest and hydration station.
Cheers,
RMI Guides Tyler Jones, Brian Mazaika, and Nick Scott
Go Team Jones! Go Shawn! August says that next time he want to go with you :-)
Keep up the great work everyone. Awesome progress up this amazing mountain!
Posted by: Kam on 6/3/2018 at 7:36 am
Yes!! Watching you all move up the map is incredibly exciting. Stoked to hear the team is climbing strong and the conditions ideal. Sounds like the team is climbing with style.
Dave and Team, you are in our thoughts and we are cheering on each step higher!!
Monday, May 28th - 8:10 pm PST
We woke up to more sunshine and the smell of bacon on the Kahiltna. After breakfast burritos browned to perfection by Lucas, we packed up camp and took off down Heart Break Hill. Named for its uphill torture on the way back to the airstrip. Everyone reported feeling "great!" after the descent. But then we started the glacier slog with heavy packs and sleds. The next break the team reported feeling "good." After another two hours the team asked, "So, where is camp?" We pulled into a perfect camp in Farine Basin and got to work excavating the glacier and flattening our sleeping nooks. Now it looks perfect for the night. The team is doing well and showed their strength by building camp in good fashion after a long day. If this good weather holds, we'll attempt to climb Farine Peak tomorrow.
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Rick…..Hopefully you won’t have to to use any crevasse rescue skills. So claustrophobic, so it gives me the chills. Pictures are so beautiful. Good luck and prayers on the climb to Farine Peak. Love, Mom & Dad
Posted by: Marci & Keith Meyer on 5/29/2018 at 12:03 pm
And the magic started to happen... Namaste from Thame.
We've left the main Everest trail, and started to encounter less people, enjoy a more rustic path, and an overall more authentic Himalayan experience (not that up to Namche wasn't) But secluding ourselves to the Gokyo trek means enjoying a more authentic journey.
The day today was easy, but filled with senses stimulating opportunities; from the mist climbing towards us, to the juniper burning in the villages, or the mystic appearances of Buddhist prayer flags among the fog, the entire way presented multiple chances to amaze ourselves.
We climbed above tree line in order to visit the monastery upon arrival to Thame, a side half hour excursion with the excuse of taking pictures of the yaks that seemed to be grazing on the slopes. A pick up ball game with the young boy monks was a true highlight, and despite being at 13,000 feet, we managed to forget about breathing hard and just enjoyed the smiles.
We made it back to our lodge, owned by Ang Sherpa, who's climbed Everest "only" 21 times. An honor to be in such a humble home tonight. We're now awaiting our dinner, then it will be bed time and we'll prepare for an early start tomorrow.
RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and team
May 31, 2017
Finally, our string of bad weather is over and summer has come to Denali! Yahoo.
Braving the early morning chill of camp at 11,200' we didn't linger in the Posh over breakfast but set about taking down camp after our oatmeal and coffee fix. Everyone did a great job and we were climbing by 9:00am.
We did have company on the route, but the traffic was manageable. Unlike our previous climb of the route when we made our carry, this time we ended up walking in just a base layer after it warmed up in the afternoon. What a treat.
All that said, the move to 14,200' is always tough. It's just a big jump in altitude for everyone. So yes, we're all feeling it just a bit, but that's normal. The team could not have performed better. We even picked up some of our cache from 13,500'.
Tomorrow we have a fairly easy day ahead, which will help our acclimatization to our new home.
As the shadows overtake camp, it's starting to get a little chilly. Just a harbinger of the cold that will settle on us tonight. But we're all snug in our tents now ready for the night.
Good night from 14,200'.
RMI Guides Brent, Christina and JT
Dear Lindsay & Steve,
Have been trying to get through to send you a message but it won’t go through. Sorry. Want you both to know that I can’t wait each morning to check and see what you’re doing. I was aware of the intense training required (for which I give you so much credit) but never appreciated the patience required to get to the summit! Hang in there. It will happen.
Had to chuckle when your guides were describing the personalities of the group. No question who the “dynamo” is.!!! Give my best to the couple from Colorado.
Safe journey. I am there in spirit with you !
.Love Auntie A & Uncle Fred
Good evening from Otavalo, Ecuador.
Today was a good day. It started as all the others have. Breakfast and coffee at the hotel, light rain on the streets and an eagerness to see something new. The exception was we left Quito. It is easy to fall into the creature comforts of city life but we know that bigger and wilder places await outside of the country's capital.
Once loaded onto Victor's magic bus, we weaved our way through the maze of streets which eventually took us to the Pan-American Highway heading north. After two hours of driving we arrived at the foothills of a volcano called Fuya Fuya. Even though it's altitude topped out at 14,300 feet, it still posed a worthy hike. Unfortunately the weather had it out for us. Just like yesterday, a soggy rain fell all around and the prospect of hiking for three hours up a slick mud trail didn't sound worth the benefits gained by going up 2,000 feet.
Much like yesterday though our team of determined climbers showed strong will so we stopped the van 5 km from the parking lot where our climb would have started and walked the road to our waiting van. This idea proved sound when five minutes after arriving the heavy skies opened up and soaked everything with a downpour no hiker would want to be in.
This is what Ecuador can do. So after Fuya Fuya we headed down into town for lunch and then moved 11 men and 20 duffel bags into our beautiful hacienda.
After a couple of hours settling in we gathered in the sun room, ordered some cervezas and listened as Nick taught everyone knots, hitches and bends.
The weather hasn't been perfect but we still seem to have fun times.
Tomorrow we visit the largest crafts market in Ecuador. Pray for sun.
Hasta Manana,
RMI Guides Nick Hunt, Adam Knoff and team
Tasi Delek!
Greetings from Tibet. We were delayed on our flight to Lhasa, but managed to land a couple hours before dark. It was a surreal change to leave the chaotic yet controlled scene of Kathmandu, and in less than one hour, experience on the other side of the Himalaya the somewhat quiet and broad Tibet.
Tired from the hurry up and wait, we checked into our hotel, had an amazing dinner, and then settled in to our rooms for the night.
Everyone is really excited to finally start covering the ground towards Shishapangma. Before we start the drive tomorrow, we'll have time for a quick visit to the Potala. Soon after, we'll set off for Shigatse. More tomorrow!!!
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos
May, 23, 2016 - 10:05 p.m. PDT
Fully prepared for Denali Storm Daryl overnight, we were pleasantly surprised to enjoy a quiet night and an even more beautiful morning. While cold and calm here at 14 Camp this morning, the upper mountain continued to impress with strong winds and an impressive lenticular cloud covering the summit. Our sights turned from climbing and caching, to rest and rejuvenation. We said goodbye to our friends Mike Walter and crew as they began their long descent back to civilization, and headed out to the famous "Edge of the World," a must see for any climber lucky enough to call 14 camp home. The views were 'out of this world,' as always, looking out over the cloud-filled lower Kahiltna Glacier, 7,000' below. Quesadilla Supremes nourished our rested bodies this evening before the setting sun coaxed us back into the warmth of our tents. Tomorrow, our waiting game continues as we look toward a weather window that will allow us entrance to the upper slopes of the tallest mountain in North America.
Goodnight from RMI Guides Robby Young, Pete Van Deventer, and Jess Matthews and team.
Hi Lisa& team VanDemventer wow unbelievable picturesque breathtaking views, hope ur window of opportunity happens today to take u to the top, it’s been a good tough journey I’m sure be safe to all and climb on. Xo the BOLOMEY’S ⛷
Posted by: Joe&Patty; on 5/25/2016 at 3:14 am
Great break in the weather for all as you acclimatize and get those red blood cell numbers up there.
Hitesh. Thinking about you and all goes well at SCH
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Awesome! Way to go…Looking forward to hearing about the next mountain!
Hugs,
Beck (Chris’s wife)
Posted by: Beck Condon on 1/18/2019 at 6:15 am
Congrats on another safe and successful summit. Always thx fo the blog. Excellent! Mom
Posted by: Jane Knoff on 1/17/2019 at 5:51 pm
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