June 1, 2017
Well we were given another blue bird day today with amazing views abounding in every direction. As many of you may know, clear skies usually correspond with cold temperatures, and that was true as ever this morning. At 8 am Christina ventured a peek at her thermometer inside the tent, and her findings confirmed our suspicions, the mercury read a measly -10 F.
After we huddled around some hot beverages, and waited for the sun to start working its magic, the day truly began. With temperatures rising steadily, a few of our climbers who were feeling particularly well acclimated headed down hill to pick up some of our food and fuel at 13,500 ft while the rest of the crew honed in on their fixed rope skills.
We did a bit of lounging whilst preparing and practicing for our carry to high camp tomorrow and enjoyed drying out and soaking up some rays! It was appreciated by all to have some nice sunny weather to balance out all the snowy weather we endured earlier in the trip. That is all from 14 Camp!
RMI Guides JT, Brent and Christina
May 31, 2017
Hey, this is Pete Van Deventer. The wait is finally over we left 14,000' Camp this morning perfect guys one of the nicest mornings we have woken up to yet. We got out early before this sun hit 14 Camp and beat the rest of camp out too. Along with Mike Walter's Team we made the track up to fix lines along the West Buttress and up to our 17,000' Camp. It's a beautiful day, we are looking way down the Kahiltna Glacier with super clear skies. We really couldn't ask for much more it is warm and calm. We are all really excited and it looks like it's going to hold tomorrow. So the plan in the morning is to get up and head for the summit. We will let everybody know how that goes. The forecast looks good and conditions here look good, and the route as we can see it looks good. So everything is working in our favor at the moment. We look forward to talking to everybody tomorrow. Bye.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer checks in from 17,000 ft Camp on Denali.
Summit!
Casey Grom and team reached the Kilimanjaro summit this morning. The team's ascent took 7 1/2 hours and are back safe in camp. They will be headed to thicker air soon.
Congratulations Casey and team on your summit!
Congratulations to Robert and Jayne. What a way to celebrate 70th birthday ! Looks like this part of the trip is a little more upscale. Continue to have fun and safe travels for all.
Posted by: Marilyn Aboussie on 1/31/2017 at 3:06 pm
Congrats Rob and Jayne ... a very successful climb ! Way to Go !!!!
Posted by: Ernie & Victoria on 1/30/2017 at 3:57 pm
Sorry we didn't check in last night, I was unable to get any SAT reception from Base Camp. Yesterday we descended from high camp to base camp where we were welcomed by hot lunch, beers, and warm water for a foot bath. We re-sorted gear and relaxed before an outstanding dinner and then went to bed fat and happy. This morning we woke up to coffee in bed and then eggs and bacon before we finished packing. Just after 9 a.m. we began our hike back to civilization, we quickly descended through many ecosystems over the course of the day with dark clouds nipping at our heals. By early afternoon we had made our down the Santa Cruz valley and out to Cashapompa where we met our van. We are all now back in Huaraz having just finished a huge dinner and a couple pisco soures. We are all happy to have showers and some Wifi, but also already talking about the next trip.
Thanks for following along on our amazing adventure here in the Cordillera Blanca!
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens & Team
We woke at midnight to cold temps and light gusts. After a quick breakfast we packed and stepped into our crampons. Just after one in the morning we left camp and began our traverse across the glacier leading to the start of the technical climbing. After a quick break we pulled out our sexing ice tool and started up the narrow ice runnel. Cold temps, a hand full of other teams, and the altitude made for a challenging climb but everyone did a fantastic job climbing and made good decisions. Shortly after sunrise the team topped out on the summit of Alpamayo to find a strong cold wind out of the east. This made for a short summit celebration before starting the rappels back down the icy face. By 10AM we were all safely back at high camp where we ate, hydrated, and napped all day. We will spend one more night here before descending to base camp tomorrow.
I'm very proud of how the team did on this difficult climb today.
That's all for now,
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens
There's a saying I've always liked to believe, that your abilities in the mountains are inversely proportional to your abilities in the city. Whether or not this is true, I was more than happy to hand over the reigns to Svetlana this morning, our Russian tour guide. She took us on a very interesting and informative journey through Moscow, with emphasis on the Kremlin and Red Square (she speaks perfect English). A sensory overload of history, beautiful architecture, and tourists concluded with a delicious lunch at a traditional Georgian restaurant - an unmarked hidden gem down a side street, through a parking lot, around a corner, and down a staircase.
Tomorrow we fly to Mineralnye Vody, and head for the mountains! We're ready...
RMI Guide Tyler Reid & Team
June 2, 2016 - 8:31 p.m. PDT
Twas a day to rest here in ol' Talkeetna. Our team practiced crevasse rescue in the hangar. Scaling ropes like we would to get ourselves out of a crevasse, should we fall into one on the Kahiltna. To cover our bases we then reviewed how to pull a teammate out of a hole using a jungle gym in the yard outside our piles of gear. Then we all solemnly swore not to fall in a crevasse, the most important part of the deal.
Post training we settled in to wait for a weather window decent enough to fly the 50 miles to Kahiltna Basecamp. Unfortunately we were unable to fly today. The team has done well with the uncertainty and though we are raring to go, we know that getting to the mountain safely is a step we mustn't skip.
Wish us luck for tomorrow and hopefully we will be checking in from the mountains!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Hi sweetheart! I’m so glad you made it to the mountain! I am praying you summit, descend and get back home safely. Like Adryan, Jesse, Tara and Bud, we love you and hope you have a wonderful experience. We’ll watch for Jake’s updates every day!
Posted by: Mama on 6/4/2016 at 6:05 pm
From Adryan: I hope you have a good time climbing the mountain - I’m always thinking about you - I love u Mattie:)
A new day has dawned! The December 28th Aconcagua team has come together in Mendoza! Yesterday evening the team enjoyed a great Argentine dinner...yum. This morning it's business, business, business as we secure our permits, pay our climbing fee, and do some last minute shopping. The team is ready and set to go. Next stop...Penitentes!!
RMI Guides JJ Justman and Pepper Dee
Hey Mountain Mike, we are watching you with interest. Be strong. Rest up for the next phase is the exciting one. Hope the increased snow makes your summit easier.
Posted by: Mark & Pat on 1/4/2016 at 7:42 am
Brian and Brad Beginning of a great adventure. Gather your stories, we want to hear them all. What a way to start the new year. Have fun, be safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Posted by: Mom and Dad, (Ben and Sharon) on 12/31/2015 at 1:03 pm
Today's Four Day Summit Climb team lead by RMI Guide Mike Haugen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier shortly after 7 am. Mike reported calm winds and great climbing. They will spent a bit of time on top before beginning their descent. Once they return to Camp Muir, they will take a quick break, repack their gear and continue their descent to Paradise.
We look forward to seeing the team at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb team!
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Walter Hails and the Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Zeb Blais reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams enjoyed warm, sunny skies on the summit before beginning their descent around 7:30 am. We look forward to seeing the teams back in Ashford this afternoon.
Congratulations climbers!
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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
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