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On The Map
Yo yo Catherine! Have you found any chaga on Kili yet?!
Posted by: Kate & Mary on 1/10/2017 at 7:42 pm
Posted by: Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Great ascend fantastic experience responsible safe and enjoyable climb to the top, unsurprisingly spectacular crevice formations just below the summit, memorable experience Thank you Zeb, Tyler , JT Schmitt, Chris, Jordan, Steve for all fabulous work!
Posted by: Lauro Urbina on 7/9/2016 at 10:45 am
Congrats. I hope it was amazing.
Posted by: Mark Steranka on 7/8/2016 at 8:06 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Ben Liken, Bridget Belliveau, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Good luck Robin and the rest of the group.
Posted by: Kent on 7/1/2016 at 2:41 pm
Sending lots of vibes from Utah for good weather and continued success!
Posted by: Caitlin Olive on 7/1/2016 at 11:27 am
On The Map
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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Way to go Cindy!! Awesome accomplishment!!
Posted by: Jeannie on 8/31/2018 at 9:39 am
Awesome job Tim and Cindy! I’m thrulled that the weather was on your side!! Great news!! Safe trip down!!!
Posted by: Penny pfann on 8/31/2018 at 9:16 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Congratulations, Chris!!!! What an incredible adventure… and an awesome accomplishment.
Posted by: Katherine on 9/1/2017 at 7:30 pm
On our way to meet you! Can’t wait to hear about the adventure :)
ILY
Posted by: Lori/Mom on 9/1/2017 at 12:18 pm
Posted by: JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
It’s been fun following the team’s progress. Best wishes as you move higher toward the summit, maybe even blue skies and minimal wind. Otherwise, hunker down and enjoy the experience. Either way it will be memorable.
Posted by: Bruce on 1/13/2017 at 6:46 pm
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