Most Popular Entries
Posted by: Christina Dale, JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Hello everyone! We are in Mendoza safe and sound and enjoying a few of the finer things in life. The team is sitting down to a dinner that would make Anthony Bourdain insanely jealous.
We had a rough go on Aconcagua. High winds and freezing temperatures prevented us from topping out. However, it was Lou Whittaker, one of my mentors and a man i deeply respect who once said to me, "mountaineering isnt about the destination, its about the journey".
And our journey has brought us full circle, now, closer as friends. We just received our first course at the famous restaurant, Siete Cocinas. We are smiling, laughing and relishing in the incredible journey we are experiencing.
RMI Guides JJ and Christina
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 12,800'
Basecamp was a happening place last night. And while there were a few events that disturbed our sleep, it was a great night overall. The Stars were clear, and a distant thunderstorm provided visual entertainment late into the evening. We skipped breakfast this morning in favor of a leisurely brunch prepared by our resident burrito experts, Hannah and Avery. Brunch was really the primary item on our agenda for today, followed by relaxing to the best of our abilities. After checking in with everyone, I can say that we are ready to move out of Basecamp and into higher places.
We'll check in from Camp One tomorrow.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
RMI Guide Mike Walter led his team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning! The left the crater rim on their descent at 7:30 a.m. Mike reported sun, smoke from the eastside of Washington and moderate winds.
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Elevation: 16,000'
Today we trained on the glacier at over 16,000ft below Ishinca Peak. The team enjoyed the day and it was great for our acclimatization and movement skills. The glaciers are very dry at the moment which made for excellent practice with our crampons.
We just got back to camp and were treated to cheese stuffed fried bread with fresh guacamole. Our cook, Helario, is earning his keep and then some! We're resting, digesting and hydrating before an early dinner. Tomorrow we're gunning for the summit of Ishinca .
We'll check back after we return.
RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Chase Nelson and team
I’ve loved reading the posts. Wishing you all the best as you make the climb to Ishinca’s summit. Can’t wait to hear how it went!
Posted by: Bonnie Bergey on 8/11/2016 at 6:22 pm
This is RMI Guide Mike King checking in from Cusco. Our team has arrived with high spirits and all luggage accounted for. We spent the day touring 3 Inca sites and admiring the phenomenal rock work and immense size of the what the Inca accomplished without iron and wheels in just 80ish years. Cusco sitting at 11,400ft elevation requires the Team to acclimate before we reach 16,010 ft on our second day trekking. Tomorrow we will tour the Sacred Valley along the Urubamba river.
We will check in tomorrow, thanks for following along!
Posted by: Robby Young, Eric Frank
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Elevation: 10,000'
Greetings from Huaraz!
The ESS-Peru team is back in the bustling city of Huaraz after a wonderful week in the Ishinca Valley. Perfect climbing weather allowed for successful summits of both Nevada Ishinca (18,143') and Urus Este (17,600'). After a wonderful breakfast of eggs and bacon (at 14,200'!), we made quick work of our descent out of the valley this morning. Town life brought more great eating, shopping, and resting here at the Hotel Andino, all in preparation for our next objective, Pisco Oeste. Tomorrow morning we depart Huaraz for the stunning Quebrada Llanganuco (Llanganuco Valley) and make our move to Pisco Base Camp at 15,400'. Our well acclimatized bodies should take to this altitude well as we set our sights on Pisco, our highest objective of the trip at 18,741'. We'll check in again tomorrow evening from our perch in the Llanganuco. For now, enjoy the "best of" from Robby and Eric's cellphone photo galleries.
Buenos Noches,
RMI Guides Robby Young, Eric Frank, and the ESS-Peru Team
P.S. The Spanish climbing term of the day is "tocino", which means bacon.
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Expedition Skills Seminar Paradise led by RMI Guide Ben Liken reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Ben reported sunny skies and a lot of wind on the summit. The teams began their descent around 9 am. We look forward to greeting them in Ashford this afternoon.
Congratulations Climbers!
Bett, you are inspiring. Congratulations on reaching your goal. Such determination. Can’t wait to hear about it.
Posted by: Peggy Meyer on 8/22/2015 at 8:21 am
Keep climbing Janet and Bet!! Thinking of you!
Posted by: Di on 8/22/2015 at 8:19 am
Posted by: JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
Hello RMI Blog followers,
This is Team Russia coming at you live from the little town of Cheget. And as usual it was a fun adventure just to get here. The team was up early to head to the airport in Moscow where we hopped on our jet that flew us to Mineralnye Vody, known for its abundant mineral springs. But we are not on a spa retreat! We're climbing!
We jumped on our private transfer bus that shuttled us to this quaint little ski town. And upon arrival I was greeted with hugs and smiles from all my friends here that have assisted us over all these years. It's a long day of travel so the team just kicked back and took in the mountain views that we've been desperately waiting for. Finally!! We are in the mountains and the incredible mountain, Mt. Elbrus is a hop, skip and a jump away!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
On The Map
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Casey Grom and Tom Skoog reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. It was another beautiful day on the summit with warm, fair weather, and views for miles.
Congratulations team for reaching the top!
Congratulations team. You did it. Enjoy the beauty.
Posted by: Maryann Marzo on 7/17/2025 at 2:40 pm
Today the Team took off after breakfast for Camp 1 located at 16,400’. We carried food and fuel with a little personal gear up to continue our acclimatization. The route from base camp winds through a series of scree slopes and the Relinchos glacier. This day is typically one of the more difficult stretches on Aconcagua due to the distance, elevation gain and first day with heavy packs above 14,000 feet. The weather began with a strong breeze that would bring gusts of 40 mph at times. The Team got to Camp 1 and put in the cache of food and fuel. With strong gusts of wind sweeping through camp there wasn’t much incentive to hang out. Everyone is back in Plaza Argentina and looking forward to our last rest day here before moving up the mountain. Tomorrow we’ll take it easy.
RMI Guide Mike King
Previous Page
Next Page
Tough decision Doug, glad you’re all down ok. The mountain will still be there when you go back
Posted by: Jean & Rich Krohn on 12/23/2015 at 3:17 pm
It’s time to enjoy a hearty glass of single malt scotch Doug. Glad all of you are safe and sound. Goose.
Posted by: John Newland on 12/23/2015 at 6:39 am
View All Comments