The team is well rested after our long climb on Cayambe. It took us about eight hours to reach the summit and another four to safely descend all the way back to the hut. Everyone was very happy, but also very tired from such a long day.
After descending from the mountain we had a wonderful lunch before arriving at Hacienda Guachala, the oldest hacienda in Ecuador, which dates back to 1580. Everyone slept very well and enjoyed the hot showers to say the least.
Today we had a nice big breakfast and had a team meeting to discuss the upcoming climb on Chimborazo. Currently the climbing conditions here in Ecuador are less than ideal on several mountains including Chimbo. The local guides and I discussed the difficulty and hazardous conditions that awaited us there and decided it's a little more than we are willing to risk.
The team was a little disappointed we weren't going to climb to 20,000+ft, but everyone agreed it might be best to choose a safer option.
Our new plan is to climb another mountain that hasn't been affected by the unusually dry weather, yet still gives us a challenging ascent.
We have relocated to a quaint little place in the countryside not too far from our next climb Rumiñahui. It's not the big mountain we were hoping for, but I'm certain we will all enjoy the climb.
We'll spend the day doing some training here tomorrow and getting prepared for our next adventure.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Today was a big day for our Aconcagua Team! After loading up our packs with food and supplies for the upper mountain, we set off above Base Camp into the penitente maze separating Base Camp from Camp 1. For those of you in need of a mountaineering glossary, penitentes are chunks of hardened snow molded by the elements into spires, ranging from shin high to-under some conditions-over head high. Negotiating the penitentes, combined with the wind and snow the team encountered at Camp 1, made for a challenging but successful carry day. Spirits are high as we enjoy a potato hash back at Base Camp.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose,
RMI Guides Pepper Dee and JJ Justman
RMI Guide Robby Young and the Five Day Summit Climb July 27 - 31 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team experienced cooler temperatures and some winds this morning as they climbed from Camp Muir to the summit. After enjoying some time on the crater the teams began their descent to Camp Muir. They will continue down to Paradise later today and we look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations to Jack and Brandon for accomplishing what few people have done! Thanks and congratulations to the guides and other climbers for a successful adventure!
The Four Day Summit Climb May 10 - 13, 2018 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Steve Gately. Dave reported clear skies with some light winds. The teams enjoyed some time on the summit before beginning their descent. Once at Camp Muir, they will re-pack and continue their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later today.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Teams!
TheFive Day Summit Climb led by RMI guide Hannah McGowan reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver today. The team was unable to summit today due to current route conditions. The team will spend some time at Camp Muir before starting their descent to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's team!
May 9, 2017 - 6:26 pm PT
Yesterday's light snow increased in intensity over night and turned into a full on powder day today. We woke to dig out the tents around 4:30 am an they were nearly buried again by 10 am. We have received over three feet of snow overnight and it is continuing as I write this.
So, we spent the day resting and enjoying one of our favorite rest day activities: digging out camp.
We actually needed this rest day, so the snow comes at an opportune time. We would like it to stop though, so we can make our carry to Windy Corner tomorrow. Right now that doesn't seem to be the case, but better weather is forecast for later in the week.
Everyone is doing well and enjoying some down time. We'll let you know what tomorrow brings.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Given the down time at 11K, hope you found a cribbage partner. Looking forward to seeing your pics when you get back. Good luck to you and the team.
Art
Elevation 644’ !!
Northbrook, IL
Posted by: Art Muir on 5/10/2017 at 10:00 am
Hi Mike, Thom, Todd and David, I am so regret I missed this time. Best wishes for you guys with a good weather window. Dr. David, don’t bend your phone again and shoot some great pictures. I have been thinking what you guy’s schedule this year. I am so jealous!!
Be safe and good luck!!!
The Mexico team is back safe at Sr. Reyes' climbers hostel after a long summit day on Pico de Orizaba. Following our dusty drive down from the hut we spent the evening cleaning gear and packing for our flights tomorrow. This trip flew by and we were fortunate to have great weather, two summits and a wonderful group of climbers. Thanks for following along!
RMI Guide Mike King
June 4, 2016 - 11:46 a.m. PDT
The team played a lot of hurry up and wait most of the day in Talkeetna. We put the final touches on packing, weighed in for the flight, and waited for a weather window to get into the Alaska Range. Our window opened right around 5 PM and we snuck into Kahiltna BC just before it socked in again. Once on the glacier we spent a few hours rigging for rope travel and re-packing before we hit the dusty trail. Everyone did a fantastic job and just before 1 AM we set up camp at 7,600' on the Kahiltna That's it for now. We're all really excited to be here.
Thanks for following along,
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens and The UWR team
Mark Tucker here at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Wi-Fi is a bit tough to get, as you can imagine out here in the bush, so I'm doing a quick voice call to say we had a great trip. Thanks for checking in. We had a wonderful evening at the Kikoti Lodge. We went for a sunset hike to the rock, about a mile or so with a guide because we are outside of the park. Saw a few tracks and a beautiful sunset. We had the Lodge come pick us up in a four-wheel drive for the ride home and then the scourning... Lo-and-behold 15 feet from the trail that I was on, a large male with his girlfriend- a big, old lion. I was cohabitating with the beasts. I don't know, ignorance is bliss, I guess. Pretty exciting. Lots of buffalo today, and elephants and everything else you can imagine on the way out of the park. Then a quick snack and a shower before the big journey home. But fear not, we've got the infamous Seth Waterfall right behind me. You guys can stay tuned and listen to his action up on the hill. All is well here. Everybody's making their way back to the homeland, doing just fine. Thanks for watching.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
This morning we awoke to steady rain in Quito. Despite the conditions and the midnight fireworks disrupting slumber, the team rallied in the lobby of Hotel Mercure excited for our first acclimatization trek up Rucu Pinchincha (15,700ft). As we loaded up on coffee and croissants the rain began to taper to a drizzle and we embarked on a short taxi ride to the Teleferico, a gondola that carried us high above the city to 13,000 feet. We began our trek towards the summit with a light rain and snow mix and good visibility. We may not have had bluebird skies but we did get the unique experience of undercast clouds wafting in out of the peaks around Quito. The team cruised the rolling alpine meadow ridge that makes up the first half of the climb, showing their prowess at the high elevation by chatting the whole way. We stopped to take a break just before the route changes character and shifts to steeper, rockier traversing leading around the spiny pinnacle to a saddle just before the final ridge scramble. As we entered this more challenging terrain we encountered snow that had managed to accumulate, a rare occurrence on Pinchincha. As we continued the snow deepened to about 6”, increasing the challenge of the already demanding terrain. The team took these obstacles in stride and made it to the saddle just shy of 15,300’ in style. We decided to make this our high point having accomplished our goal of acclimatization and not wanting to risk the decreased friction on the third-class scramble to the summit. The wet snow and muddy ground demanded our attention on the descent, but we made it back to the Teleferico in good time with only a few muddy hands and backsides. After some much deserved rest we’re off to explore the local cuisine of Quito. Tomorrow will take us up Cerro Fuya Fuya for another round of acclimatization then our first big one, Cayambe!
RMI Guide Jordan Cargill
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Hey Dad (Mike)!! So glad to read that you all are having a great trek! Cheering you on from VA.
Love,
Devon & the kiddos
Posted by: Devon on 1/4/2016 at 8:37 pm
Yum, potato hash! TJ is jealous. The boys are all caught up on your progress, babe, and we are cheering you on from afar.
FYI: We managed to frontline two kitties (with Townsend’s help). One has evaded us; can you guess who?!
Love you and miss you, Terry/Daddy.
Posted by: Amanda, TJ and Townsend on 1/4/2016 at 5:54 pm
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