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Saturday, Februdary 12, 2022 2:38 AM PT
We had a windy but dry night at Perros camp. After a quick breakfast we headed up towards John Gardner Pass at 4000’. While it’s not high in elevation the proximity to glaciers and large alpine peaks makes you feel much higher.
The trail winds up through the forest for a bit then begins the ascent over rocky ground. The wind was howling across the Grey glacier as we dropped down the other side of the pass. From one side you see a lush, forested valley and the other is made up of the glaciers that comprise the terminus of the Southern ice fields. This is when the difficulty sets in. The descent from the pass is harmless but once inside the trees the trail is a mess of poorly maintained and eroded steps, toe jamming declines and lots of roots and other obstacles that keep you focused only a few feet in front of you. Your reward for several hours of frustration is spectacular views of the glaciated valley and 3 suspension bridges that will bring out the inner Indiana Jones in anyone.
We got to Refugio Grey in good style but with sore feet and an insatiable thirst. After showers, many tubes of Chilean Pringles like chips, a loaf of bread we had dinner and continued the festivities.
Today we’ll take a day off from walking and enjoy an evening kayak tour on Lago Grey. There’s a lot of calved glacial ice damned near the Refugio which be great to see from water level.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King & Team
Posted by: Steve Gately, Christina Dale, George Hedreen, Sam Hoffman, Nicole De Petris, Tom Skoog
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four-Day climbing teams led by RMI guides Steve Gately and Christina Dale reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They reported some light route traffic and a great climbing route.
They will return back to Camp Muir for a quick rest break before descending back to Rainier Basecamp in Ashford this evening to celebrate their success!
Nice work team!
BE EPIC. Today. Tomorrow. And every single day after that. Congratulations Anthony, Payson, and the entire team on an epic adventure!!
Brenda and Abby Gerlach
Posted by: Brenda and Abby on 5/28/2023 at 9:36 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Thursday, July 1, 2021 - 2:19 pm PT
Just a walk in the park,
A short nap began our long walk out. A 10pm wake up and a midnight start got us to basecamp an early hour. Heavy sleds and packs were no match for our motivation to shower away 22 days worth of smell. Walking the Kahiltna in the middle of the night (granted its always light out) is peaceful. A great time for reflection. Its been a fun, albeit hard, 22 days on Denali. We had it all, snow, wind, sunshine, all three at once. What we didn't have was any illness or injury and that's the important part. Showered, fed, and full of oxygen-rich air, we are all ready for our journey home. Its been a memorable expedition but now its time for family, friends, and recovery.
Well done team, well done,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Great Job Hannah and Dustin!! It was great following along with you.
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 7/2/2021 at 2:49 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
RMI Guide Brent Okita checks in from 17,000 ft on Mt. McKinley
On The Map
Clear eyes, full hearts
Posted by: Coach Taylor on 6/5/2012 at 4:44 am
17.2K so far! How quickly you’ve done this! SO proud of the whole group. Cant believe that you may actually have a shot at the summit so quickly! Wishing you the best of weather and warm sleeping bags for the night! Missing my nightly conversations with Pea! Enjoy the view from the top of the US Kristen and then come home safe and sound! Love you.
Posted by: Timothy Kelliher MD on 6/4/2012 at 6:55 pm
Yet another perfect weather day, calm and sunny… clear above and cloudy below. We ate breakfast in Karanga Camp and then said a temporary goodbye to two of our climbers. John Bobbitt aggravated an old knee injury and Erika Bobbitt wanted to make sure he got down safely. They set off for the Mweka Gate of the park as we set off for high camp at 8:30 AM. In an easy three hours, we had climbed the 2000’ vertical feet up to Barafu and begun to settle in. From 15,100 ft, we now had unobstructed views of our climbing route to the top.
The afternoon was taken up with resting and getting our gear and clothing ready for our planned alpine start. Chef Benson’s fine spaghetti dinner was served early so that we could get to bed just before sunset. We want as much rest as we can get before our 11:15 PM wake-up time.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
You’re almost there! Enjoy every step of the way!
Posted by: Sarah & Ella on 8/7/2022 at 5:44 am
This is an experience of a lifetime. We can’t imagine natures beauty as you climb tonight, the stars must be spectacular. Good Luck to all! Can’t wait to hear the stories and see the pictures! As I write you must be getting up and ready. Mom and Dad
Posted by: Bruce Cumback on 8/6/2022 at 1:26 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Josh McDowell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Thankful to have been a part of this Team and can’t thank the amazing RMI guides like Brent and Josh enough!! The entire RMI Team is top notch!!
Posted by: Brian Hodges on 9/22/2019 at 9:18 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Elevation: 16,067'
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall from the Vinson Massif summit
On The Map
THREE CHEERS!!! So excited for everyone!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it. Continued Blessings.
Steph and Jane
Posted by: Steph and Jane on 12/14/2012 at 9:26 pm
FELICIDADES CAMPEONA, gracias por este hermoso regalo, si se pudo, tu espíritu inquebrantable, fortaleza, y Dios lo hicieron posible, FELICIDADES PRIMERA TICA EN ANTÁRTICA, te esperamos sana y salva ,, si se pudo la num. 6, Bravoooo, mami te manda felicitaciones de corazón, pensando que siempre sales adelante eres una pequeña gran mujer.
Posted by: Graciela Carmona Soto on 12/14/2012 at 3:37 pm
Good luck to all!
Posted by: Beverly on 11/12/2018 at 1:21 am
Elias,
We are close by having just finished Mera Peak!! Good luck to you and team. And from one Spaniard to another remember…....You have to make sure you look good!
Gene
Posted by: Gene Limia on 11/12/2018 at 1:16 am
Posted by: Billy Nugent, JJ Justman, Win Whittaker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Congratulations!!! You did it!!!
Posted by: Kate Miller on 8/7/2012 at 7:48 am
Way to go Hanky!
Posted by: H miller on 8/6/2012 at 5:03 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Calvin Jiricko, Ellison Boord, Raymond Holt, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Four Day Climb August 3 - 6 was unable to make a summit attempt due to continued rain throughout the night. RMI Guide Nikki Champion reported that rain began at Camp Muir around 10 pm and continued throughout the night. Light rain continued to fall this morning. The teams are planning to leave Camp Muir around 9:30 am heading downhill to Paradise.
We expect them to return to Rainier BaseCamp in the early afternoon.
Being a first-timer, although the trip turned out to be incomplete, took away a couple of things from the experience:
1. Now I know that it is doable and will come back to get to the summit next year
2. The basic training and know-how will be helpful for future activities (thanks to all the guides)
Personally, I thought, although summitting was out of the question due to bad weather, going up to Ingrahm flat was possible in the morning and would have given us some experience regarding rope travel. Not sure, if something else other than the weather was under consideration for this decision not to go to Ingrahm flat
Finally, I plan to come back next year. Would it be possible to get some sort of concession that time due to the fact that we could not do the second part at all this time around?
Thanks
—manoj
Posted by: Manoj Devasarma on 8/9/2023 at 4:24 pm
Awesome Mike!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/12/2022 at 2:06 pm
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