Well...if there ever was a day to have a rest day, it would be today. As I laid in my sleeping bag last night watching Caddyshack for the 74th time I could hear the snow falling on the tin roof of the hut. Upon waking it appeared several inches of snow fell and it continued through most of the day.
The team spent the day relaxing and I even gave a mini slideshow on Mount Everest. We are putting the final preparations on packing our summit packs. The forecast is for this weather to push off and clear skies are on the horizon. Knock on wood. If all goes well the team will be on the summit soon!!
Stay tuned.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
May 31, 2016 - 1:17 am PT
It's finally happening! Light snow fell overnight and the morning skies were blue, without anything moving up high. We packed up our camp, left a cache of extras, and went for round two on the fixed lines. With sunny skies and calm winds, we got the experience the air under our feet that comes with climbing the West Buttress. Exhilarating! 6.5 hours of climbing brought us to 17,200' where we had to build camp in the thin air. With tents up and walls built, we're tucking in for the night with the hope of going to the summit of Denali tomorrow.
Best,
RMI Guides Pete, Robby, Jess, and team
Greetings from Huaraz!
The team finished the expedition yesterday, arriving safe and sound to the capital of the Ancash district of Peru, but also the capital of Andean climbing. Our descent to the trail head at Cashapampa, with the help of horses, was an extraordinary experience. We took our time to enjoyed for the last time the views of the massively snow fluted peaks and turquoise lakes down valley. Right on time for a shower and a celebratory dinner, the arrival at the hotel marked the end of our climbing adventure. We'll spend the day today relaxing in Huaraz and enjoying a Pachamanca, typical Peruvian meal cooked underground, with our local guide and outfitter's family, before packing for tomorrow's departure to Lima and flights back home.
Thanks to all for following and cheering for this team during our climb! We just say bye now until next year's expedition, wishing best of luck to Geoff's Schellens' team, who's currently starting the 2nd RMI Alpamayo climb this season.
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos
Our entire team was in agreement that a night at 10,000 ft was just what the doctor ordered. Sure, there were some tired legs and sore backs at Mweka Camp this morning, but so many other problems had magically disappeared with the dropping of a vertical mile in sleeping elevation. We ate breakfast as the sun started to find its way through the heather and hanging moss. Afterward, our entire staff assembled to serenade and entertain us (and themselves) with singing and dancing. Before long, we were all laughing and clapping at their costumed portrayal of a western tourist, out for a climb. The customary tipping ceremony followed in which we passed out gratuities while shaking hands and personally thanking each of 51 strong and talented men. By 8:30 we were on the trail and losing altitude once again. Quickly, we transitioned back into a thick and lush rain forest. While we’d started out with blue sky and sunshine, inevitably we entered the cloud sea that had been so far below for much of the week. We never got anything worse than the odd sprinkle and a little mist down in the clouds and that kept the dirt trail from getting totally sloppy and slippery. One certainly had to pay close attention though, so as not to slip, trip or tumble in the process of descending 4,000 vertical feet. Porters from our own team, as well as from surrounding teams, came thundering down the track -mud or no mud- with fifty pound loads balanced on their heads. By late morning we’d all reached the national park gate at Mweka. Naturally we got pics of the gang at the final signpost of the journey, then we signed out of the park and walked through a bit of road construction to where the Barking Zebra staff had laid out a fine picnic lunch at a local art gallery and tourist shop. Thus fortified, we took on the two hour bus trip down through Moshi and over to the edge of Arusha. Everyone was ready for showers and comfy furniture back at the Arumeru River Lodge. The afternoon passed quickly as we reconnected to the world, dried and cleaned gear and readied other -less serious and substantial gear- for our safari starting tomorrow morning. We had a relaxed victory dinner together to celebrate the completion of the climb and to bid farewell to Darcy who’ll be boarding jets and getting home for work while we go poke around a few more National Parks to see what we can see.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
With a portion of our gear safely stowed away at Aconcagua Camp 1, the team took a well-deserved rest day to soak sore feet and massage aching leg muscles. The guides let the climbers sleep in as they prepared a nutritious and delicious egg and bacon breakfast followed by an alpine pizza lunch. Meals designed to replenish lost calories from the taxing carry the day before. Basecamp was buzzing as climbers and guides from other outfits prepared for their own move up to the next camp, at 16,400 feet, despite an unsettling weather forecast. As the RMI crew strapped on their booties for an acclimatization hike, we wished our friends good luck and watched from a safe vantage as they ascended into the low hanging clouds. When the last climber disappeared from view, we were all left to wonder what the weather would look like tomorrow and if Aconcagua would grant us safe passage. What the future holds is uncertain, but this RMI group is in high spirits and ready to get moving.
RMI Guide Nick Scott
Virg-just finished watching play off game between KC and Titans. Titans were down 18 points and came back to win 22 to 21. Very exciting. Hope things are going well. I am doing well and feel good - Dad also - he even watched some of the football game. We love you. Mom & Dad
Posted by: Barbara(mom) on 1/6/2018 at 5:02 pm
Craig and Caroline, I’m following the blog and your progress daily. You know I still worry but that’s a “mom” thing. Stay hydrated and healthy. Love you both.
It’s wicked cold here, -3°F at night with brisk winds. The high today was 11°F. I’m glad I only have to hike out to the barns 4 times a day to care for the horses, dogs, cats, etc. There is nothing in the world as fun as shoveling frozen horse manure. LOL
We are looking at a warm up in the next few days so that is good. I’ve not been hunting the last couple weekends due to the deep cold. The deer are not moving anyway so why should I freeze, ha ha ha. Take care of each other. Love Mom
Happy New Year from Argentina. The Team made short work of the hike today, partially due to cloud cover which kept the temperatures and wind low and because they were eager to get our first glimpse of Aconcagua! We got to see some wildlife on the hike with a fox and some guanacos (Alpacas' smaller cousin) hanging out along the way. True to form, Casa de Piedra is HOT in the midday sun. Team members are busy napping, reading and trying to stay cool for the remainder of the afternoon.
We will have dinner and get to bed so that we can catch an early mule ride across the Vacas River tomorrow morning. One more day to finish our trek to Plaza Argentina. Not a bad way to spend the beginning of another trip around the sun!
RMI Guide Mike King
We got your back and we are extremely proud of you.
Go Rogan !!
Posted by: Rukesh on 1/2/2018 at 6:44 am
Happy 2018!! Miss you Craig Clark!
Hope you’re all enjoying the adventure and are staying safe! High of 20 in Denver, that Argentinian heat sounds pretty good!
Hey, this is Eric Frank with the Shuksan Seminar. Just wanted to let everyone know we're doing well. We moved up to the toe of the glacier had a good day of training today, and now the weather is turned a little bit the clouds are rolling in. I think we're in for a little bit of rain. We are tucked in and we have a nice camp and we're planning to train tomorrow as much as we're able given the weather. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Eric Frank
RMI Guide Eric Frank checks in the Shuksan Seminar.
Greetings all!
Your Peru Expedition Skills Seminar Team has safely arrived in Huaraz City, perched in the high Rio Santo Valley of the Cordillera Blanca. It was a long journey by bus, 8 hours in total, from the hustle and bustle and modern amenities of Lima, to the humble mountain city of Huaraz. We enjoyed an incredible dinner tonight at Hotel Andino, the nicest spot in town. Alpaca steaks, Lomo Saltado, and numerous classic Peruvian dishes filled our table. Everyone is excited to be in a new country, and looking forward to some trip preparation, and further acclimatization tomorrow. Until then, thanks for following along; the best is yet to come!
RMI Guides Robby, Steve, William, and your ESS-Peru team
Hi Jon!
We are enjjoying the 4th of July and waiting for the fireworks. The Crabbies say hi and Cala’s first words are Hi Uncle Jon. I hope you are having fun. Good luck to you and the entire team.
Whoah...
Long day of traveling today. We assembled at 5:30 am in the hotel lobby and were picked up by our driver who helped us beat the Moscow traffic on our transfer over to the airport. It was a beautiful morning for navigating Aeroflot's complicated check in process but we were able to get it all done relatively quickly making time to grab some breakfast at an airport cafe before heading through security. Our flight itself was smooth, and our ride from Mineralnye Vody to Cheget went smoothly as well despite hot temps and many cows in the road. The team is relaxing after our dinner and hoping to catch up on a little sleep. Sometimes days where you just sit in on vehicle and then another can be the most tiring.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent & Team
Hey there. This is Seth calling in from Kikoti Camp way on the far side of Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. We are on the last part of our trip here. Today on safari was great with lots of elephants very close to the car and plenty of other stuff to see in Tarangire. Weather was really clear today. No rain insight for us that's for sure. About 90 degrees in Tarangire and totally clear skies almost all day long. We're going to all meet up for dinner around 7:00 for our first evening celebration as a team. Tomorrow we'll get up fairly early to head back into the city of Arusha back to the Dik Dik Hotel. We'll have one more dinner together tomorrow night before we all head to the airport to be on the same flight out on KLM at about 10:00 tomorrow night. Closing in our last day of the trip. It's been great. Not sure if everybody wants to leave but we are getting back to the USA. I'll check in when we are heading out to the airport from the Dik Dik Hotel.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall calls in from Kikoti Camp, Tarangire National Park.
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Can’t wait to hear how the summit goes- shout out to Jen and Mark Becker and the rest of your crew!
Posted by: Mel Emanuel on 7/8/2016 at 2:34 pm
Following the updates…Hoping for a successful summit! Go team!!
Posted by: Shirley Tharp on 7/8/2016 at 12:39 pm
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