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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Turned Back Due to High Winds

September 24, 2018

Posted by: Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,100'

The Four Day Climb September 21 - 24 made a valiant effort in their summit attempt of Mt. Rainier this morning. With cold temperatures and clear skies the teams ascended to 14,100' before being forced to abort their climb due to high winds. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise. We look forward to greeting them at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

It was still an adventure of a lifetime and I am sure an experience to always remember. Jamie and Landrum - if this the team that you are with, I can’t wait to see you both. I am proud of both of you for all the time and preparation that you put into this not to mention your pursuit of a dream.

Posted by: M.Watts on 9/26/2018 at 6:32 am

SOOOOO close!!!! I am sure the views were worth every effort. Glad you guys are keeping safe and not risking it all to get to the top! Can’t wait to see pics.

Posted by: Melissa Passero on 9/24/2018 at 10:19 am

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Mt. Rainier: Five Day Summit Climb on Top!

July 24, 2017

Posted by: Andy Bond, Chris Ebeling, Chad Gaffigan

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Andy Bond and the Five Day Summit Climb July 20 - 24 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:30 am. Andy reported warm temperatures and sunny skies. The teams will return to Camp Muir and continue their descent to Paradise. Congratulations to today's Five Day Summit Climb team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

So glad to see the team reached the summit today. Special congrats to son Dave Skofstad. What a way to celebrate your birthday tomorrow! The kids just left and made something for you.

Posted by: Charlotte Skofstad on 7/24/2017 at 4:27 pm

So proud of my big brother Randy DeBoer. I am over 10 years younger and with my back and knees struggle to hike to the mailbox! You are a stud big brother!

Posted by: Roger DeBoer on 7/24/2017 at 11:19 am

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Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Set New Altitude Record for Most

July 22, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 15,200'

Our longest day yet saw us climbing to a high point of 15,200', an altitude record for most of us. Thankfully, ours was a gradual ascent of the Shira Plateau until Lava Tower (15,200'), which made our progress a little easier than it could have been. Dropping 2,000ft to Barranco Camp at 13,000ft is allowing us to feel pretty darned good here at camp and giving us a perfect acclimatization program. Upon walking into camp our mountain staff greeted us with a couple of wonderful folk songs. Not only are they talented singers, but most notably, everyone is incredibly nice, generous and they all bend over backwards to make us feel welcome. The challenge for our group, and all climbers here, is to just deal with the altitude and keep from getting a gut bug. So far so good. 'Pole pole' is the oft heard refrain in Swahili reminding the world, or at least the folks climbing Kili to 'go slowly.' And that we are, to great effect. To say that this is an outgoing and social group would be an understatement, but perhaps that can be expected since we're all family. It's fun hearing the roars of laughter coming from the mess tent as folks play a round of cards before turning in for the night. Tomorrow, the Barranco Wall, a steep one and a half hour climb that should be fun and exciting for us. Not technical, but the steepest climb we've done yet. It'll be a shame leaving the Barranco Valley, with its steep walls hanging spectacularly above camp, but on we climb towards the summit. Next up, the Karanga valley. Good night, RMI Guide Brent Okita

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

It’s great to hear from ye each day and delighted ye are doing so well. It wouldn’t be Okita’s et al without riotous card games. Love to all O’Riordan’s hollyhill

Posted by: Ber and des oriordan on 7/23/2017 at 6:18 am

Brian and I are at Mom’s and reading your updates. Sounds like an amazing climb so far. We love all of you!

Posted by: Carin Parella on 7/22/2017 at 12:00 pm

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Mt. Rainier: Four & Five Day Summit Climb Teams Turn at 13,500’

June 7, 2017

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 13,500'

The Four Day Summit Climb June 4-7 led by RMI Guide Dave Hahn and the Five Day Summit Climb led by Pepper Dee were unable to reach the summit today due to high winds and deteriorating weather. Both teams ascended to 13,500' this morning but were forced to turn around due to weather. The teams will return to Camp Muir to re-pack and take a short rest before descending to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hello and congrats to all on the Hahn team. Outstanding “participation” on the climb and tremendous patience for putting up with the awkward sense of humor of a southern redneck. Y’all are forever in my memories! Thank you to the birthday girl Nikki, the leg model Solveig, and the man with the bed time stories Dave. Y’all took great care of us and are good folk to spend time on a mountain with! May the good Lord keep you safe on all your future expeditions!

Posted by: Keith Lineback on 6/8/2017 at 6:16 pm

The leader of a group of people have a great deal of responsibility in your case I Sincerely believesdid that You makes The right call,Hope that tomorrow will l be a better day, God bless you.

Posted by: Lauro De Leon Jr on 6/8/2017 at 2:02 pm

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Aconcagua: Gately & Team Arrive at Basecamp

December 16, 2016

Posted by: Steve Gately, Hannah McGowan

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

The team woke this morning after a few showers last night to clear skies. Our first obstacle of the day was to cross the Vacas River. Having to get an early start for our big day and it still being very cold, we opted to ask the Arrieros to ferry us across on their mules. One by one the team slowly accumulated on the other side of the river until only myself (Steve) remain. The Arrieros waved me over to my mule and I jumped onto the back of the animal. Just at that time something spooked the front mule (there was three tied together) and all three took off in a sprint, first through the river and then turning there attention up valley. At the time it was actually quite comedic as I tried to calm the lead mule from the center position. It became clear that he wasn't going to give up until I got off his back. So I began looking for my exit and humming the Indiana Jones theme song to myself when I swung one leg over the mule and leapt off to the side. The mules stopped and we reunited with their cowboy. I rejoined the group and we all had a good laugh! The team is now all settled into Basecamp (13,800ft) after a fantastic trek into the high country. Everyone did well with the workload and the new altitude. We'll enjoy a well deserved dinner tonight, prepared by our wonderful basecamp staff, and look forward to our first rest day of the trip tomorrow! Thanks again for following. More to come tomorrow! Adios, RMI Guide Steve Gately

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: July 7th Summit!

July 7, 2016

Posted by: Tyler Reid, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guides Tyler Reid and Zeb Blais reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team climbed in and out of the clouds this morning and were able to spend a short time on top. They have started their descent and will be back at Rainier Basecamp in Ashford early this afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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

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Alpamayo: Elias & Team Back from Carry and Acclimatization Hike

July 17, 2015

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar

Elevation: 16,240'

...And hello again from "Arwaycoccha" Camp, aka BC, for climbers. We just returned from Moraine Camp, where we went this morning for a carry and acclimatization hike. Covering the 800m of elevation, that rise straight up from camp, was nothing out of the ordinary for the team. Hardware, fuel and some food is already waiting for us when we start the move towards the top. We have been able to ditch the weather the last couple days, and only hope we can continue to do so, unless the Gods of Meteorology do it for us, and we can start to move under clear skies. We're going to start our "chilling" program for the next 40 hours; we'll let you know how that goes. RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and team

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Gather in Mendoza, Head for Mountains

January 12, 2019

Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

The Aconcagua January 10th Team arrived over the last two days with their bags in tow. We had a nice dinner and got acquainted last night. Today we’ll head three hours into the Andes. As we leave Mendoza the road weaves through the vineyards that surround the town. The remainder of the drive to Penitentes is through the arid valleys along the Mendoza River. The Team will spend the day packing and sorting equipment for the mules and enjoy their last night in a bed. Our trek towards Plaza Argentina begins tomorrow morning. Everyone is excited to begin what will hopefully be 2.5 weeks of good weather and fun climbing. Thanks for following along, we’ll send an update each day. RMI Guides Mike King & Nick Scott

Aconcagua: King & Team Move to Camp 2 in Warm Weather

January 9, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Jess Matthews, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Our rest day ended with three inches of snow falling on camp with little to no wind and some spectacular heat lightning across the Vacas Valley. It's like one of those quiet winter nights where you wake to a yard filled with snow. We got underway by 9 am and moved camp to 18,000'. With all the new snow and still air we were roasting by the time we reached Amegino Col. The weather this trip has been atypical in that we have had three nights of snow, light to no wind and abnormally warm temperatures. The Team is currently in their tents riding out another snow fall and will hopefully have a good night's rest at the new altitude. Tomorrow we will carry food and fuel to high camp to continue our acclimatization. The Team has appreciated the blog comments, and send their love to family and friends back home. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Great job to all of you! I’m glad you’re making progress. We’re rooting you on from home. Dad (Craig), we miss you and can’t wait to hear all about your adventure!

Posted by: Samantha on 1/10/2018 at 8:07 am

Well done team! Enjoy following along on this adventure of yours and seeing all the pictures. I hope you continue to have good weather! Love and hugs to Nick from his Mom.

Posted by: Coeli Scott on 1/10/2018 at 7:15 am

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Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team’s Snow Day

November 30, 2017

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif

Elevation: 7,200'

Not so much change today. Clouds and murk. We still got up and came to breakfast smiling. We engaged in a vicious scrabble showdown, spewing two-letter-words and bingos. After lunch we marched out into the falling snow and slight breeze. We cruised the now-familiar 10k loop, on foot. It took about two hours with the new snow a little squishy -like beach sand- underfoot. Despite the cool conditions we each warmed up pretty thoroughly. There was still time for resting and mingling with the other inmates before dinner. Afterward, we played a few more games and talked a bit more about the weather. Some went to see a movie about overwintering on the Antarctic continent. Most folks are optimistic that we’ll get a break from winter tomorrow. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Thinking about you Sue, and all your fellow climbers! Sending best wishes and prayers for the weather to break, so your adventure continues! So proud of all! WOW!! You are in ANTARTICA!! I am thrilled to say I know someone climbing in Antartica!! Stay warm, enjoy your games… and the peacefulness that surrounds you! WOW! We can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!
Big hug and love… your Alaskan buddies…Patty and Sally

Posted by: Sally on 12/1/2017 at 10:25 am

I was feeling a little sorry for all of you being stuck at Union Glacier until I heard you had a Scrabble game there. Who knew??? Did anybody play quixotic for a triple triple with bingo? You better pack the Scrabble game for when you get weathered in at base camp after you summit. By the time you get this we’re thinking you will be on your way to Vinson. Keep smiling and climb strong!
Mom and Pop

Posted by: Les Zimmerman on 12/1/2017 at 5:38 am

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