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Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
June 22, 2016 - 9:29 pm PT
We took advantage of beautiful weather and moved some supplies up to the camp at 14,000 feet. We left camp around 4:30 a.m. so we could take advantage of firm snow and cool traveling conditions. Although we are on a cold mountain, the solar radiation can be stifling later in the day. Our 3,000-foot climb up to 14k took us up several big hills with names like Motorcycle Hill, Squirrel Hill, and Windy Corner. Once we got to 14k, we dug a giant hole and then buried our super cold weather gear, food, and some fuel under 1.5 meters of snow. The team did an amazing job all day and we were back in camp in around nine hours round-trip.
The plan for tomorrow is to take advantage of the good forecast and move our camp up to 14k where we will be knocking on the door of the upper mountain.
That's all for now! We'll be in touch from 14 camp.
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, Chris Ebeling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
June 4, 2016 - 4:31 pm PT
Our last evening at 11,200' was all too brief. Walking this morning after what we hoped was our last in an open air Posh, we descended into clouds that lasted the morning. It felt great letting the feet stride out.
By 11:00am we were at Basecamp, in a complete whiteout! So much for flying out this morning. Thankfully, our job of carrying these huge packs and moving is finally over.
With no immediate optimism for a break in the weather to fly out, we did what just felt right, and set up the Posh Tent. Snacks were shared, but hugely, Geoff had cached a case of Alaskan Amber to celebrate our safe return. What a treat!
After word from Basecamp Lisa of clearing conditions down glacier, we've rallied our gear in place, all except for our Posh. We're back here now, everyone sacked out and recovering from a short night and a few jam packed days.
Conversation floats in for those of us not snoring away or fatigue, as does the sounds of the famed guide Vern Tejas' ukulele.
Things are looking better around here. There's still hope we might have a big steak and fresh veggies for dinner tonight. I'm betting we'll be out for a late dinner and you'll be hearing from your loved ones soon. Until then, I might join my teammates in some much needed rest.
A tout a l'heure,
RMI Guides Brent, Christina and the team
On The Map
Wow! You all came down Fast! Hopefully the weather gives you an opening and you are off the mountain by the time you read this. Awesome Climb!!!
Posted by: Dave on 6/5/2016 at 3:16 am
Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
June 2, 2016 - 1:27 pm PT
The 2016 Upper West Rib team met today in Anchorage after months of preparation, training, and anticipation. With the team and all our gear in Alaska we took a shuttle up to Talkeetna, had a great group dinner at Twister Creek, went to bed. Tomorrow is our in town prep day and meeting with the NPS. Thanks everyone for following along as we begin our expedition.
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens
This picture is priceless, Benjamina! Lol. Safe travels, homie!
Posted by: Dizzle on 6/5/2016 at 9:57 am
Looking good guys!!!! Safe trekking. Will be following you every inch of the way from the comfort of my recliner chair
Posted by: Sue Moccia on 6/3/2016 at 7:09 pm
Yesterday our exodus from the beating heart of Mexico City brought us to the cloudy base of La Malinche, an extinct Volcano and site of our first foray to altitude. The clouds stayed saturated with moisture, but didn't really unleash on us for the bulk of the hike. We were able to make it to around 12,500 feet before the wet cloud was accompanied by some wind and it became clear that we weren't going to get much benefit by soaking ourselves for a few hundred feet more of elevation. Keeping things civilized, we returned to our cabin in the hills for a little R&R, some gear sorting and a nice fire after dinner. The team is doing great and we are now enjoying a fantastic breakfast next to a waterfall before getting rustic on Ixta. The weather looks to clearing up a little and just in time! Keep those fingers crossed for some good weather for our team and we will check in from high camp on Ixta!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
On The Map
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 - 9:54 AM PT
Greetings Everyone
The team woke feeling very well rested after about 10hrs in our tent last night. We had a beautiful day on Kilimanjaro today, with sunshine nearly all day and only a few clouds after we reached camp.
We started the day waking at 6:30 to start packing up before moving into our dinning tent for a nice breakfast with porridge, fried eggs, toast, avocado and even some fresh fruit, and most importantly plenty of hot coffee.
We hit the trail shortly after 8am and slowly made our way up the rocky trail that leads out of camp. The trail climbs up a ridge and eventually out of the trees and normally allows for some truly spectacular views of the valley below, but today it was a bit limited. The team hiked for about 4.5 hours before reaching our next camp that sits on Shira plateau, which is an ancient lava flow just above tree-line. Once at camp we were treated to a wonderful warm meal and then hopped into our tents to relax.
The evening was full of great stories and another amazing meal prepared by our gracious staff.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili crew
On The Map
The Four Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guide Mike Walter reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Mike reported clear skies and light winds above the smoke haze plaguing the lowlands that is sitting around 10,000'. They have started their descent and are making their way back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to today's team!
Woohoo!! Congrats! Looks amazing. Can’t wait to hear all about it! Love and miss you!
Posted by: MK on 8/16/2018 at 4:18 am
Congrats to the MYCROFT 4 !
Posted by: Duane L. Mycroft on 8/15/2018 at 6:50 am
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - 9:08 pm PT
We had our first overcast day today and it was a nice break from the intense sunshine. Temperatures were much cooler under the cloud cover and that made the climbing more pleasant for us all. After an early dinner we all kicked back in the cook tent and enjoyed movie night. Tonight's feature was "The brothers grimsby". Back to climbing in the morning when we head to Camp at 11,200 ft.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
On The Map
Go Old Guard.
Posted by: Jason taormino on 5/30/2018 at 6:37 pm
Tyler - Family is excited to track your adventure/progress -looks like great weather & hope it continues for you & your team . The pics are amazing & the commentary gives us a tiny window into your Denali experience !!
Love -Dadio
Posted by: Kim Shearburn on 5/30/2018 at 3:46 pm
Hey, everybody this is Casey Grom checking in again from here on Kilimanjaro. We wanted to let everybody know we woke to a beautiful clear sky and had an incredibly nice breakfast in our camp this morning. Our route ascends a ridge line and then as we just get out of the trees the route veers to the north and we make our way towards what's called the Shira Plateau created by a very long ago eruption. It took us about 4 1/2 hours to get up here. It was sunny all day and the team did great. The trail was a little busy because there are quite a few folks climbing this route with us, but we did really well. We spent the remainder of the day hanging out and our giant dining tent being catered to here in Africa. We just wrapped up dinner. The sky is full of beautiful stars and the team is headed off for bed and looking to get a good night's rest before getting up in the morning and going for another walk. I will check in again tomorrow. No cell service today, but should have it tomorrow, so hopefully we'll get some fresh photos up for everybody back home. Thanks for following.
RMI Guide Casey Grom
RMI Guide Casey Grom calls in from Shira Camp on Kilimanjaro.
On The Map
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Gokyo Trek
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
Tasidelek from Phakding! We flew to the famous Lukla airstrip this morning, and after uniting with our Sherpa guide and our porters, we had a quick breakfast and hit the trails. The majesty of the Himalayas quickly overwhelmed our senses, and despite the fact that low in the valley the crowds are somewhat sizeable before they disperse, we embraced what the cobbled trails started to offer out of the gates.
We're now about to have dinner and an early bed time to compensate for the early wake up today for the airplane ride. However, the slow pace of life in the Himalaya is setting in, and we love it.
RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and team
Have a nice expedition!! Be safe.
Posted by: Louis-Philippe on 10/19/2017 at 7:03 am
Happy Birthday Jon!! Hope you are having a wonderful time and your climb is all you hoped for. God Bless!
Posted by: Marilyn and Jerry on 6/29/2016 at 12:21 pm
Venga team El Siete!!
Glad to read that the UNO cards are being used =)
Have a good climb tomorrow!
Tom
Posted by: Tom on 6/24/2016 at 2:41 am
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