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Good morning. This is RMI Guide Eric Frank calling from the top of Mount Shuksan. Our team climbed up this morning from the Fisher Chimneys route, had a beautiful day. Now we're just hanging out on top. We're going to be up here for 20 or 25 minutes, enjoy the view, get some photos, then we'll work our way back down. Hope everyone's doing well, take care.
RMI Guide Eric Frank calls from the summit of Mt. Shuksan in the North Cascades, WA.
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello everyone and welcome to RMI's second Kilimanjaro's trip of the season.
The team arrived late last night after our very long and tiring flights from the U.S. We were greeted by the wonderful staff from the Dik Dik Lodge with warm smiles and a little champagne to toast our arrival.
After a short and quiet ride to our lodge we had a quick dinner then headed off to bed to catch up on some much needed sleep.
The team met this morning at breakfast with fresh fruits, homemade bread and jam, and plenty of good Tanzanian coffee.
We then got together for a formal round of introductions and an overview of the upcoming adventure. We discussed our plan for the climb and made sure everyone has all the necessary gear to keep us safe and warm on Kilimanjaro.
After a short break some team members took a short stroll on the beautiful grounds hoping to catch sight of some of the monkeys that often visit and some even managed to spot Kilimanjaro in a break in the clouds. The rest of us did a little packing and caught up on a little more sleep to help get adjusted to the big time difference.
We have just wrapped up an amazing five-course meal with great conversations, and everyone is squared away and looking forward to hitting the trail tomorrow as well as stretching the legs a bit.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Lori and Dave - I see that you will be going to the summit Saturday or Sunday!! Wow!! You’re doing it and I’m so jealous…
Stay warm and keep those feet dry!!
Love,
Leslie
Posted by: Leslie on 7/17/2015 at 2:07 pm
Best wishes for a good climb and a wonderful experience!
Posted by: Audrey on 7/14/2015 at 4:58 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Hello Everyone -
We awoke early today and left behind the comforts of our beautiful lodge and have headed to the mountain towards the start of the climb. Starting shortly before 8am we drove along the rural country side for two hours to reach the Kilimanjaro National Park entrance. Most of the area surrounding Kilimanjaro has been cultivated and primarily used for coffee production and for a variety of other agriculture needs, but there are still some areas that have been untouched and resemble more of a savanna that Tanzania is known for. The base of Kilimanjaro is more forested and resembles a jungle or cloud forest. Traditionally it supports a large part of the banana production for this area.
Once at the gate we had all of our gear weighed and divided into loads for our porters to carry before hitting the trail. Once everything was in order we started our climb slowly making our way up the winding trail. The team hiked for a little over 5 hours to reach our camp for the night. Everyone did great and enjoyed finally getting some much needed exercise.
After settling in the team was served a nice warm meal and then headed off to bed for a nice full night of rest.
RMI Guide Casey Grom
On The Map
Posted by: Mike King, Jess Matthews, Nick Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
The Team decided that they have had enough of the comforts of base camp...roasted lamb, showers, Internet and pit latrines and told the guides they trade it all in for pasta, dusty scree, interpersonal conversation and blue bags. With our lungs and legs feeling stronger after another rest day we cruised up to Camp 1 in under 5 hours and spent the remainder of the day setting up camp and enjoying the view. We can see the first hour and half towards Camp 2 and the red, brown and orange pastel colors of the Central Andes to the East. There is some apprehension in the group about what the coming days and weather will bring. So far everyone is acclimating well and excited to be finally heading up Aconcagua. Thanks for following along, we'll carry gear and supplies to Camp 2 tomorrow and check in with an update.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Good on you, mate!! Have a safe climb and show em how we do it in Texas.
Posted by: Lee on 1/26/2018 at 8:09 pm
So good to hear your voice, Dave. Sorry to hear of the BP change you had. So you are on your way again, keep trucking! Enjoyed the post to you all by Rachel Ford, so fitting.
Posted by: Donna Bernier on 1/7/2018 at 10:21 am
After a few days of training on the upper slopes of Mt. Rainier, the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team led by RMI Guide Walter Hailes reached the summit via the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous U.S. The team has started their descent and will spend one more night on the mountain before returning to Rainier Basecamp tomorrow.
Congratulations to today's team!
The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams reached the top at 8:00 a.m. With clear skies, calm winds, and a bit on the chilly side, the team began their descent at 9:30. High fives and cheers will commence at Rainier Basecamp this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's teams!
Congrats team!!! You did it! Looking forward to hearing from you once you make it down! You are all Rock Stars!!!
Love,
Nick and Lisa
Posted by: Nick and Lisa Fohl on 9/4/2016 at 7:11 pm
Posted by: Robby Young, Bryan Mazaika, Paul Rachele, Bridget Belliveau
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,400'
The Mt. Rainier Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons led by RMI Guide Robby Young is wrapping up their week on the mountain today. The team will descend from Camp Schurman to the White River Campground before driving back to Ashford this afternoon. On the summit attempt yesterday, the team was able to experience first hand snow pack analysis and decision making. As a result of the snow pack analysis the team made the prudent decision to call 12,400' their high point and descend back to Camp Schurman for their final night on the mountain.
We look forward to greeting the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team back in Ashford today and are excited to hear the stories from their week on the Emmons.
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 10,400'
Saturday, May 14th - 3:32pm PST
We put our intention to move to 11,000' on hold today and decided that after a couple of big days with big loads, a rest day was in order. A leisurely wake up and breakfast led to naps and lunch, which led to more naps, photography sessions, and dinner. All together, the perfect rest day. Tomorrow, we'll wake, pack up this lovely camp, and make the move to 11,000'. This has been a great home but everyone is excited to move on and check out some new scenery. We'll check in tomorrow.
Best,
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Jess Matthews, and team
Go Hitesh!!! We’re with you in spirit!
Posted by: Purvi on 5/16/2016 at 2:38 pm
Looking good team! Keep on keepin’ on!
Posted by: Chris B on 5/15/2016 at 10:47 pm
Posted by: Solveig Waterfall, Billy Haas
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,000'
Hi everyone. This is Solveig calling in from the Piedra Grande Hut on Orizaba. Our team arrived around 3 p.m. We have beautiful skies and light winds; we're all really excited about our climb tonight. We are going to have a delicious pasta dinner and then tuck in early and get ready to go climbing. We'll touch base tomorrow when we return. Ciao.
RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall
RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall calls in from Piedra Grande Hut.
On The Map
Summit day on Chimborazo. Not only were our bodies still recovering from the two previous big climbs of Cayambe and Antisana, we saved the trickiest and tallest climb for last. Towering over the surrounding landscape at 20,700ft, Chimborazo was our final objective. And boy, did it deliver!
Even in the best conditions, this peak isn't an easy target. But coupled with uncharacteristically dry season this year, this climb proved to be the most physically and mentally demanding of the trip.
We hiked up yesterday to our High Camp at around 17,500', made some dinner, and hit the sack. Our climb this morning began with our 11pm alarms waking us from our sleep. After tidying up camp, slamming some calories, and chugging some coffee, we pointed our tired feet uphill towards the summit.
The climb began with about an hour and a half of walking on trail, exposed ridges, and a couple of 5th class climbing moves. As the trail steepened, we cramponed up and prepared to hit the glacier.
Because of the dry spell Ecuador has been experiencing, the glacier was a challenging beast! Steep, firm, icy, exposed. Perfect footwork was required for the entire ascent, but our team delivered! From challenging cramponing to sections of pitched-out steep ice, this team persevered and tackled everything that crossed their paths. After a grueling 7.5 hours, we reached the Veintemilla summit at 20,561', 30 minutes later we had turned tail and began the descent.
The steep ice and exposure made the descent as difficult as the ascent, but the team kept their heads in the game and we made it safely back to high camp by 2pm. Our porters had already packed up camp for us, making it easy for us to continue on our final descent back to the bus.
The (thoroughly exhausted yet happy) team is now back at Estrella de Chimborazo, enjoying some much earned beverages, and reminiscing about these crazy last two weeks. It's hard to believe we're heading back to the big city tomorrow and flying home!
We will have one more update for you guys tomorrow, but we'll all be home to tell you more stories firsthand before you know it!
Until tomorrow,
RMI Guides Nick Hunt and Adam Knoff
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Well done Jeff! Hope you’re having a fabulous vacation! Talk to you soon!
Posted by: Meredith on 8/1/2015 at 4:12 pm
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