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Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Elevation: 10,000'
Posted by: Mike Bennett, Sam Hoffman, Felipe Guarderas
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 16,300'
Cotopaxi Express Daily Blog
The team woke up this morning in a packed climbers hut at the ripe hour of 4am to climb Illiniza. Snow and sleet covered the ground and word came from the top to go back to bed. After a brief breakfast The team set off at 7 am towards Illiniza Norte with a windy snow still coming down but daylight on our side. Teams split into smaller groups to tackle the snowy scramble up the knife edge ridge of the mountain. Conditions remained poor, and we turned around 16,300’ to head down to the familiarity of the climbers hut. Repacked and trekking down to the bus, snow turned to rain and the bus was a warm bumpy welcome down the cobblestone roads. Lunch at a VERY FAMOUS pizza dive. Now the team is relaxing in front of wood stove fires, gazing over pastures towards the cloudy abyss—looking to catch a glimpse of the pinnacle objective hidden in the mist.
RMI Climbers, Dan and Joe Hayden
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Cotopaxi Express October 25, 2025
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Friday, June 6, 2025 - 10:45 am PT
Team Dustin/Lacie/Will rose early to low winds, partly sunny skies, & a delightful breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, bacon, & coffee. We broke camp and began our move to Camp 2 at 11,000 feet. The early part of the climb was hot with bright sun, to which one of our Lone Star State participants proclaimed “Welcome to Texas!” The weather gradually turned cloudy with snow which seems to be our mantra but we made good time up the steep terrain. We set up camp and our guides prepared yet another great dinner. The hot sauce selection is truly five stars. The team crashed in anticipation of a full day tomorrow back-carrying yesterday’s cache and training.
--Climber Robert
PS Happy first birthday as a mom to Melissa!
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Mt. McKinley Expedition May 29, 2025
Hey Dustin! Sending Best wishes for Strong Legs, Big Powerful Lungs and Perfect weather for you and your team!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/7/2025 at 3:22 am
Congrats to the whole team! I felt lucky to have great guides, and I’m coming back next year in July. July is my favorite month.
Posted by: Yvonne Young on 7/20/2017 at 8:01 pm
I was blown away - literally and figuratively - by this experience. Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. Our entire team pulled together - all 9 climbers and 3 guides - to make this an event of a lifetime for everyone on the hill. I feel a special closeness to each and every one of them. Who wants to do it again?!? Sign me up!
Posted by: Mary Ann Peterson on 7/20/2017 at 9:00 am
I experienced Everything on Rainier which I never have before on any mountain
Team spirit was So high
Leadership was Stellar and kind and Patient and helpful, absolutely, but especially talented and tenacious…
The Route was So Terminally Beautiful it was like a volcanic eruption of Emotion, your heart racing, thoughts swimming in stimulation… a virtual BASE JUMP into Euphoria
The guides resource reservoir was vast and the way they adapted to the challenges our team encountered along the way, Masterful… instinctively executing adaptation not uncertainty to emerging obstacles in varied forms while maintaining cohesion to Team, to route, to Goal and to True Success
This alone would have been Epic to be a part of… what Elevates this trip for Myself and my teammates beyond Epic is the Catalyst into Transformation we launched with the intensive training fused together by the “real Mountain” Kautz Expedition Challenge which demands Focus on practice of lessons which opens the window into the stratosphere of what is possible for EACH ONE of us to develop into as Mountaineers of the highest caliber!
This Team… held by This Mountain during This Moment has been evolved into an Eternal Artwork as our recollections and our stories will testify…
We have Successfully Summited our Destiny and now we enjoy the opportunity our ascension has created to continue beyond…
Ken Tessier, a Believer
Posted by: Ken Tessier on 6/14/2017 at 9:54 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
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On The Map
Hi Alex and Tom and Team—
Still following and routing for you all. What strength and endurance.
Keep warm.
Jasmin
Posted by: Jasmin on 6/2/2017 at 10:43 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer checks in from 17,000 ft Camp on Denali.
On The Map
Good luck guys.
Hope you have a speedy ascent and clear skies.
Enjoy the moment Mark and Rach.
James
Posted by: James on 6/1/2017 at 4:55 pm
Gutted I’m not with you all. I wish each and every one of you a safe and successful summit attempt. Take care, Andy from Scotland.
Posted by: Andy mcronald on 6/1/2017 at 3:04 pm
Congratulations all, well done! The view was spectacular, thanks for the pics. Blessings to all.
Posted by: Dadeo on 10/31/2025 at 12:04 pm
Wishing everyone a safe and fun, but not too comfortable, trip. Bonus points for hunting your own food.
Posted by: Kyle Warfield on 10/30/2025 at 6:25 am
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