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Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Crest the Shira Plateau

February 2, 2018

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 12,200'

We woke to crystal clear skies and a view of Kibo -Kilimanjaro’s central peak. After breakfast, we were walking by 8:30 AM. Our trail today was more difficult, right from the start, with steeper grades and bigger steps through volcanic rock. We labored uphill through the “heather and mooreland zone” a very different type of vegetation than yesterday’s near jungle of big trees. In general, we were coming into the open, with bigger views in all directions. Eventually we worked along a ridge crest enjoying glimpses of hawks and eagles soaring below our vantage point. After several hours and several thousand feet of vertical gain, we began a traverse to the left out toward the Shira Plateau. By afternoon, clouds had overtaken us and we walked in swirling mists. A few steeper rock features required sharper concentration and the use of handholds and balancing, but eventually we turned the corner onto the plateau and walked down a couple hundred feet on easy ground to reach Shira Camp at 12,600 ft. The day’s March had taken us just over five hours. We’d earned a restful afternoon going back and forth between our sleeping tents and the dining tent. Rain showers caught up to us in the early evening, but only for 15 minutes or so. By the time we finished dinner we had largely clear skies and a million stars. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Yahoo! Thinking about you guys every day. Onward and upward!

Posted by: Lynne Elliott (FA) on 2/3/2018 at 6:44 am

Dilly Dilly! Press forward! Great photos!

Posted by: Lee and Susie on 2/2/2018 at 1:34 pm

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Ecuador Seminar: Knoff & Team Summit Cayambe

January 5, 2018

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Jordan Cargill

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 18,997'

I am happy to announce that our team reached the summit of Cayambe today at 7:45 this morning. Much like the driving challenges we have faced in the last few days, the mountain played the same game. With unusually high snow falls lately the mountains have been seeing few ascents. Cayambe has not seen a successful summit since before the new year. So we knew our chances were 50 50 at best. With an 11 pm wake up call, we hit the snooze only once and soon got motivated to power down instant coffee, white bread with Nutella and some weird cheese I don’t eat if I can help it. The morning was clear and warm so our psyche was high. We left the hut at 12:15 am with hopes to make the glacier by 1:30. Walking was smooth and efficient, so we made good time on the first two stretches. It was around 17,500’ things began to change. The solid supportable crust layer which had made walking so easy down lower began to turn more into punchy post-holing making climbing extremely taxing. By 18,000’ we were literally on the fence on whether to go down or not. The temps were well below freezing and it was clear some storm clouds were building over the mountain. With a long discussion between the guides and the mountain gods, we decide to press on. Pedro, or Peter in English, our Peruvian local guide, who’s legs are like giant pistons, broke trail up the 50 degree headwall landing us on the summit ridge just as the wind started to howl and the snow began to blow. 15 minutes after reaching the summit ridge we stood happily on top. The descent was fairly uneventful with the storm clouds offering welcomed shade from the intense sun that can cook your nose in a matter of minutes if you let it. By noon we were loading the trucks and making our way down to the warmth and comforts of Hacienda Guachala. Ecuador’s oldest operating hotel. Tonight, we will enjoy a nice meal, get some clothes washed and prepare for our next adventure which begins tomorrow. Wish us luck as we move to 16,000’ on the flanks of Cotopaxi. Buenas Noches…. RMI Guide Adam Knoff & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sweet adventure, congrats on summit. Thank God for Pedro Piston pumps! (Loved that description)

Posted by: Patrick on 1/6/2018 at 8:39 am

Amazing! Bravo! I hope Cotopaxi goes well! Great blog update! Thanks!

Posted by: Susan Mulvey on 1/6/2018 at 7:47 am

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Alpamayo: Elias & Team Reach the Summit!

July 17, 2017

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos

Categories:

Elevation: 19,512'

RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos checked in this morning with the great news that he and 100% of his team reached the summit of Alpamayo. The team climbed strong and reached the top at 6:30 am local time. Elias reported very cold temperatures. They are back at camp resting now and will check in later today. Congratulations Team!

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Wait it Out at 14k Camp

May 20, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,200'

May 19, 2017 Once again we fired up the stoves early in the bitter cold of morning in Genet Basin. Another large lenticular built over the summit and the West Buttress, this time accompanied by snow. We decided to pump the breaks once again and kept watching the weather as the sun began to crest the West Rib. But despite our best hopes, the weather never improved enough for us to break camp and move higher. Instead, we spent the day building snow walls to protect our camp against the the strong winds that are forecast in a couple of days. Right now our plan is to sit tight through this next weather system and hope for a window of good weather early next week. With strong winds forecasted over the next few days, an bitter cold temps (lows of -38F and highs of -25 to -30), we aren't even entertaining moving to high camp tomorrow. Hopefully our time to move up will come soon. RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Finish Climb and Return to Arusha

January 16, 2017

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Jambo everyone! Yesterday we had a wonderful albeit long day climbing to the top of Africa. We started shortly after midnight beneath a sky full of stars and climbed for a few hours before the moon came out to help light our way. As per usual we climbed in hour increments with 10-15 breaks in between. The weather was very calm allowing us to take our time and not feel too cold which we are thankful for. The climb took about 7 1/2 hrs to reach the crater rim, where we were greeted with a moderate cold wind, but also the warmth of the sun to keep it tolerable. Then came our final stretch over to the top of Kilimanjaro also called Uhuru peak. Once there, we had the place mostly to ourselves and we hugged each other, enjoyed the view and took plenty of pictures. It was a true test of endurance for most of the crew, and I'm really proud of everyone. We descended back to high camp, had a quick lunch, repacked and continued further down the mountain to our final camp on the mountain, where we had dinner and then headed to bed for some well deserved sleep. Today we woke at 7am feeling good, had breakfast, then enjoyed a goodbye song and dance from our gracious crew of posters, cooks, and local guides numbering 46. We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hit the trail one last time. It took a little over three hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge. Finally we are all safe and sound, and a little less odorous, after an amazing seven day journey up and down Kilimanjaro. The team is currently relaxing and looking forward to Safari which starts tomorrow! RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy Kilimanjaro crew

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Great blog Casey! Sure enjoyed the updates - - Thanks so much! The smiles in the photo speak volumes. 2 thumbs up for RMI !

Posted by: Janet Rutter on 1/17/2017 at 5:36 pm

Thank you for the blog Casey. It’s been awesome to be able to take the journey with all of you day by day. Congratulations!! Enjoy the second leg of your incredible journey Catherine! Looking forward to seeing you soon! Xo

Posted by: Deborah Nicholson on 1/16/2017 at 6:03 pm

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Mt. Rainier: July 13th Summit!

July 13, 2016

Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike Uchal

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

Climbers on the Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Mike Uchal reached the summit crater of Mt. Rainier at 6:45 a.m. PDT. Brent and Mike reported chilly and breezy conditions on the summit. The teams will spend some time on top before beginning their descent. We look forward to welcoming the climbers back to Ashford this afternoon. Congratulations!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Brent, see you on the hiil!

Posted by: James Spodobalski on 9/26/2016 at 10:54 pm

Awesome and beyond (Brent) &team;, blessed to have run Gates on Gold Hill coin-op,& bringing around with Alan,Wheels,steveie ray vaugh!! Especially when you. Team 911,,let me race gates under chair 4,,&& will never forget wheels/ yelled-(Spud Did It For The Team!! You & Julie invited to have super hot cocoa @ that time Up on Gold Hill! Always thankful met Julie & You Thanks

Posted by: James Spodobalski on 9/26/2016 at 10:40 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move To Camp 2

February 7, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

It's like no one else is on this giant mountain. We are alone. Don't mistake that for being lonely, the team is having fun and the bonds the mountain brings grows even stronger. However, there is not another team in sight! Rare. Our Aconcagua team left Camp 1 this morning and we decided to move up to Camp 2 at 18,000 feet. Everyone as usual did a great job. Our oxygen sats are high and our spirits are even higher. Our plan now is to take a well deserved rest day tomorrow. Someone told me the panthers are in the Super Bowl? Carolina has a football team!? Go Broncos!!! RMI Guides JJ Justman and JM Gorum

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Hi there, Mike,
We went to the Lee Co.Community Band Concert at 3:00 on Sat, then went to look at the tornado damage before heading for the Sieferts’ Super Bowl party. Brought Apple Streudel, two boxes of football brownies, and a case of Coke Zero. Had a great time;everyone asked about you. As you know our Carolina Panthers lost; Cam Newton didn’t do much. So glad that you will ascending the summit tomorrow rather than Sat. Brrr! Love reading J.J.Justman’s blog.
Happy climbing
Mom and Dad

Posted by: Joan and Spence Vigneau on 2/9/2016 at 2:06 pm

It was an awesome game. Great defense on Broncos and they pummeled Cam Newton several. times. I was still a little sad though my Packers were not in it. I know Cheese head. LOL. Hope all of you are doing well and wish you the best of luck on your summit bid.

I am so looking forward to doing this climb or a Denali climb in the next couple of years. Will be doing Rainier next year, and then Denali or this one the year after.

Posted by: Kevin Stone on 2/8/2016 at 6:30 am

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Mt. Elbrus: Justman & Team Arrive in St. Petersburg

July 20, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside

Team Russia has arrived in St. Petersburg! It is so nice and a little sad to leave the mountains behind. However, now in this beautiful city the team is invigorated to enjoy our safe and successful adventure on Mount Elbrus. We had a long day of traveling to get here so we are just going to soak it in before tomorrow's adventure...what's that you may ask? Check in tomorrow and find out!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats Stephanie! Great job tagging another summit!

Posted by: Stewart on 7/22/2015 at 1:50 pm

Congrates Steph. You have a strong will power.

Posted by: Gulshan on 7/21/2015 at 7:01 am

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Mt. Rainier: July 9th Teams 100% on Summit!

July 9, 2015

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

100% on the summit of Mt. Rainier! RMI Guides Brent Okita and Leon Davis led their Four Day Summit Climb teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Brent reported gorgeous weather with no wind. The teams began their descent from the crater rim just after 7 am. We look forward to greeting them back in Ashford later today. Way to climb!! Congratulations!

Aconcagua: Cifelli & Team Take a Rest Day at Base Camp

January 16, 2025

Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Thursday, January 16, 2025 - 5:32 pm PT

I don’t do blogs. We are on day whatever having a rest day here at Aconcagua base camp. We went on a “walk” and now we will hang around all day and eat. We all passed our med check too, so that’s neat.

But enough of this. Let’s chat about things that annoy you. Things like Costco, Buc-ees and people that tell you how old their kid is in months. No one needs a box of 47 microwaveable taquitos, 120 gas pumps and I don’t want to do math to figure out how old your kid is. I was asking to be nice anyway.

Tune in tomorrow for a nicely written blog.

Wait….I thought of more….adults that are obsessed with Disney. People that don’t use cruise control on the highway.

RMI Climber Eric Uncapher

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Most Popular Entries

Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Crest the Shira Plateau

On The Map

Ecuador Seminar: Knoff & Team Summit Cayambe

Alpamayo: Elias & Team Reach the Summit!

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Wait it Out at 14k Camp

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Finish Climb and Return to Arusha

Mt. Rainier: July 13th Summit!

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move To Camp 2

On The Map

Mt. Elbrus: Justman & Team Arrive in St. Petersburg

Mt. Rainier: July 9th Teams 100% on Summit!

Aconcagua: Cifelli & Team Take a Rest Day at Base Camp

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