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Machu Picchu: King & Team Climb Over Incachiriaska Pass

August 4, 2016

Posted by: Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar

Elevation: 16,010'

Cold morning when we pulled out of our camp at 7 a.m. Not 30 minutes later did the sun start to warm our fingers and toes along with illuminating the glaciers of Salkantay while we climbed towards Incachiriaska Pass at 16,010ft. The team is doing great after our seven-hour day. After the pass we walked through a beautiful valley filled with dry grasses and expansive boulder fields. We are camped in a small village (read 3-4 stone houses with thatch roofs) listening to the bleating of sheep and watching dogs heard the mix of horse, llama, sheep and pigs back to rustic stone corrals. We are settling into our tents and getting warm as the sun has already left our valley at 3 p.m. Tomorrow our horseman will depart the group as we enter the National Park. Porters will join us to continue the excellent meals and difficult but much appreciated job of carrying our camp towards Machu Picchu. RMI Guide Mike King

Denali Expedition: Upper West Rib Team Gear Up and Prepare to Fly

June 3, 2016

Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

June 3, 2016 - 10:54 pm PT The Upper West Rib team started the day like any reasonable person in Talkeetna would, lots of coffee, eggs and bacon at the Roadhouse. From there we headed down to the K2 Hangar and went through all our gear and got packed up for flying into the Alaska range tomorrow. In the afternoon we had our NPS orientation and put the final touches on gear packing before relaxing a little. It began raining here in town but even the inclement weather couldn't bring down the stoke in our group. Everyone is extremely excited to get into the Range. Keep your fingers crossed for good fly weather for us tomorrow. RMI Guide Geoff Schellens

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Happy Birthday Ben

Posted by: Susan Moccia on 6/4/2016 at 4:38 am

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Ready to Enjoy Rest Day between big climbs

November 12, 2024

Posted by: Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 11,400'

Cayambe Summit

The first six days of this trip feel like they move slowly. Acclimatization is not a quick process and it certainly makes the anticipation build. Each day it feels as if we are inching closer to Cayambe, literally. From the Hotel Mercure in Quito on day one, Cayambe occasionally pokes out in the distance. We hike Rucu Pichincha to get a slightly better view. As we drive north to go hiking, it occassionaly comes into better view, except that it often dips behind a nearby ridgeline. But then comes the day we move to the lower Cayambe hut and there it is, right in front of us in all of its beauty. We watch the sun rise and set on the mountain, the moon lights it up at night. The anticipation reaches a maximum the day we drive to the upper hut, where you can strap on your boots and climb the mountain. No more bus rides inching closer, no more distractions.

With all the time spent prepping and thinking about climbing this big mountain, the day finally came and when it did, the entire group made it to the top! We were fortunate enough to have a perfect weather day, practically windless and some slight overcast that was both picturesque and helped shade us from the intensity of the sun. The route itself was also in great shape, with just one serious crux to navigate near the top in the form of a large crevasse system at 18,500' that we had to descend into and then climb steeply out of. It honestly made for a great distraction from the difficulty of the high-altitude exercise. By 7am we were on top, high fiving, taking in the views and snagging a few photos before making what turned out to be a pretty quick descent of just under three hours.

Now we find ourselves on the move towards Cotopaxi. However, this time we do not have to repeat the same acclimatization schedule. Instead, we traveled for six hours yesterday to reach the Chilcabamba Eco Lodge, our lovely Andean home for two nights. We were jostled in pickup trucks coming down from the hut, jostled on the bus getting back to town and then fought traffic from the town of Cayambe to Machaci. Along the way we did stop to eat some lunch and resupply on snacks so that we could arrive at this peaceful place and enjoy a full rest day today. Tomorrow, we head for the Cotopaxi Hut with plans to climb in the night again. But for now, eating well, hydrating, stretching and reading are our focus.

RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier

PC: Dustin Wittmier

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Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons Summit!

August 1, 2018

Posted by: Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons led by RMI Guide Jenny Konway reached the summit of Mt. Rainier via the Emmons Route. Jenny reported a great climb with a strong team! This expedition team has spent the last few days on the mountain learning crevasse rescue, anchors and running belays, fixed line travel, and many other alpine mountaineering skills that will prepare them for future endeavors into the mountains. The team is making their way back to Camp Schurman where they will spend the night before descending tomorrow. Congratulations to the Emmons Team!

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It’s a great timing to reach the new heights Kent!!! Proud of you!! Happy birthday and stay safe always!!
Tatiana

Posted by: Tatiana Trofimova on 8/1/2018 at 5:37 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Game View in the Ngorongoro Crater/Caldera

August 11, 2017

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Even on vacation, it was worth getting up early today to get over to Ngorongoro Crater. We left Plantation Lodge at 7 AM and were up on the crater rim just 90 minutes later. It was cold, cloudy and windy, but we figured things would be a little more user friendly down in the "crater". Technically, it is a caldera... not a crater. And animals like a good caldera, apparently. We got down inside and the weather was indeed better, but it never got exactly "good". We wore jackets and sweaters (which is par for the course at 7000 ft) but we still opened up the top of our Landcruiser and rolled down the windows. Immediately, we encountered zebras, and then more zebras. Wildebeest and then more wildebeest, Cape buffalo by the dozen, Kori bustards and Secretary Birds and ostriches. And then we saw lions. Four big fully maned males lounging about and one female who seemed a bit more restless. We watched hippos doing what hippos do (not much) some more lions, hyenas, jackals, elephants, eagles, vultures and several flavors of gazelle. We saw tons of animals and kept constant watch out for more. We came up empty in our rhino search, but that happens. Not many of them left to see in Tanzania. Adamson and Makubi, our extremely knowledgeable driver/guides took us all over the crater/caldera. We climbed back up the steep walls around 4 PM with most everybody a bit sleepy. Which worked out fine because we were back frolicking in the swimming pool and sipping coldies by 5 at the Plantation Lodge. We'll be well rested and ready for another deluxe safari day tomorrow. Best Regards RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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Still enjoying every moment of this marvelous adventure! Thank you for sharing. BIG HUGS

Posted by: Yolanda Deveaux on 8/11/2017 at 6:34 pm

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Aconcagua: RMI Guides Tucker & Dee Meet Team in Mendoza

January 7, 2017

Posted by: Mark Tucker, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hola - We are here in Mendoza, Argentina. All of our team and gear arrived with a few delays but that is to be expected. It is absolutely pouring rain right now but we have no doubt it we be dry in the morning. We think it would be better to get this weather out of the way while we are dry and comfortable in our hotel. We had a good team orientation meeting and an even better dinner here in the land of steak and Malbec red wine. We will have an early rise tomorrow to take care of a bit more packing and once we have our Aconcagua climbing permits in hand we will head off toward the mountain, about a four hour drive. All is well, RMI Guides Mark Tucker & Pepper Dee

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climb Team Reaches the Summit!

August 19, 2016

Posted by: Brent Okita

Categories:

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Brent Okita and the Four Day Summit Climb August 16-19 team checked in at 6:50 am from the summit of Mt. Rainier. Brent reported a very nice day with 10 mph winds. They were a bit chilly waiting for the sun to hit them during their ascent but they know the rest of the day is going to be really warm. They will return to Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise and Rainier BaseCamp. Congratulations to today Summit Climb team!

Peru Seminar: Blais Calls In From Pisco Oeste

August 17, 2016

Posted by: Zeb Blais, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar

Elevation: 16,000'

This is Zeb Blais and team checking in from 16,000-foot, Moraine Camp on Pisco Oeste. We had a great day today moving up to camp- pretty leisurely. We are now tucked in, fueled up and ready to make a charge on Pisco Oeste early in the morning. So we'll check in when we get back. Until then. RMI Guide Zeb Blais

RMI Guide Zeb Blais checking in from Pisco Oeste, Peru.

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Zeb, hope you and the team are enjoying yourselves - safe climbing and looking forward to hearing about this one when you are back!

Posted by: C. Riordan on 8/18/2016 at 7:11 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Check Out the Route Above Camp 2

February 8, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Well, word on the street is that the Broncos won the Super Bowl. I don't believe it, but you can believe that we are having a great day at Camp 2. Today we've got sunny skies, moderate winds, and lots of quesadillas. We are also the only humanoids in sight, which is quite a treat. We went for a quick shuffle above camp this morning to get a view of what lies ahead, and everyone is excited to get moving again. We've got a lot of resting left do do today, but everyone sends their best. Hopefully next time we talk to you will be from high camp! Adios- RMI Guides JM Gorum and JJ Justman

Mt. Elbrus: Justman & Team Enjoy the Sites of Moscow

July 26, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside

Hello from Moscow - Our second RMI Team has gathered in Moscow to begin our trip to Mt. Elbrus. New beginnings for me and a new adventure for all. Today we had a beautiful sunny day here in Moscow and spent the morning exploring the beautiful sites on a great city tour. Check out the video to see what we saw!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Most Popular Entries

Machu Picchu: King & Team Climb Over Incachiriaska Pass

Denali Expedition: Upper West Rib Team Gear Up and Prepare to Fly

Ecuador Volcanoes: Wittmier & Team Ready to Enjoy Rest Day between big climbs

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons Summit!

Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Game View in the Ngorongoro Crater/Caldera

Aconcagua: RMI Guides Tucker & Dee Meet Team in Mendoza

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climb Team Reaches the Summit!

Peru Seminar: Blais Calls In From Pisco Oeste

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Check Out the Route Above Camp 2

Mt. Elbrus: Justman & Team Enjoy the Sites of Moscow

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