Most Popular Entries
Posted by: Alex Halliday, Ben Luedtke, Lauren Macklin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Alaska Seminar
Today we awoke to the same relentless north wind that made the air feel cold, but after breakfast we decided that we needed to get out and do some training. We walked to a nearby area of tension cracks on the glacier and practiced crevasse rescue until our brains were full. We are back in camp now resting out of the wind.
RMI Guide Alex Halliday & Team
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Erika Birkeland, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 11:32 pm PT
Things were pretty perfect this morning to take a burn on the fixed lines. When we move to 17,000' Camp, it will be with just the essentials. We'll leave luxury items, switch from burritos to freeze dried meals, and go with the plan to get the job done and get back down to thicker air. Thus, there really isn't much that we can cache between here and 17,000'. Instead of caching, our goal was to climb to to higher altitude to keep the acclimatization process progressing, and to get a chance to see the fixed lines without heavy packs. Our packs were light, the sky was clear, and conditions generally calm. We had a wonderful climb up to 16,200', spent a few minutes enjoying the views, then headed back down.
The fixed lines often spark some anxiety: how hard are they, how steep, we can't stop and take a break?!? After a practice run on them those nerves were quelled. Everybody was happy to get a chance with light packs and feel ready to go again, when we move to 17,000' Camp for the summit push. Seems that there is a bit of wind up high the next couple of days so we'll likely wait that out, and then hit the go button when things calm down again. So rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guides Pete, Erika, Leif, and team
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Bryan Mazaika reached the summit of Mt. Rainier Early this morning. They spend time on the summit enjoying the sunrise before starting their descent. Bryan reported clear skies with 20 mph winds for their climb.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Peter Whittaker, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
On The Map
Elizabeth and team, so happy to hear all is well and you are getting higher and higher.. Stay focused, eat lots, rest and enjoy the beauty and each other.
Miss you and our emails. Emily’s concert was fantastic. Love you tons. Mom
Posted by: Maureen Bartron on 5/23/2012 at 8:22 am
Hi dad, it’s the last day of school. We bought an iPad and downloaded lots of games. We are having an end of the year party on Thursday, right after the last day of school. I love you and miss you. Stay safe.
-Laura
Posted by: Laura on 5/23/2012 at 7:22 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Tatum Whatford, Seth Burns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, July 4, 2022 - 9:46 pm PT
We woke to a calm but cloudy morning at 17,200'. There was light snow falling -some of the first snowflakes we’ve had on this trip. It wasn’t too hard to be out in it for packing though. We got it all done and got walking at noon. Many careful steps were taken along the crest of the West Buttress in the clouds. We got a little surprise when we started down the fixed lines at 16,200. There was an actual squall with snow blowing in our faces as we delicately stepped down and across crevasses. Things eased as we got to 14,000' at 3 PM and re-established camp. We then had a quiet afternoon and evening of resting, relaxing and eating, with everybody making mention of how much easier life at 14,000' was compared to 17,000'.
Tomorrow we’ll hope the clouds go elsewhere as we get down to 11,000' and get set for the big walk out the lower glacier.
Best Regards
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Josh McDowell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Way to go team! And how spectacular and breathtaking to have such fabulous weather. So impressive to hike such a formidable mountain!
Way to go Kira Thorien. Love you and proud of you. Can’t wait to see the pics.
Mom (Jan)
Posted by: Jan Thorien on 6/3/2019 at 8:33 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
It was pretty incredible to wake up deep within Tarangire National Park just before daylight. Birds were starting to sing, monkeys were at play a few feet from our tents and lions were about. Someone heard an elephant. We drank coffee and watched the light come up. The team ate breakfast, bid the hotel staff goodbye and hopped into our now familiar Landcruisers. We set off on our final morning of Safari on a big cat mission… no stopping for zebras and wildebeest… bring on the kitties. And sure enough, we struck lion gold. First there was that big, beautiful male hanging out with four females… but wait, wasn’t that another couple of lions over in that tree and still more under it? All told there were thirteen, big and small in the pride. We watched them watch us and we watched them wrestle and climb trees. And then we made slowly but steadily toward the park gate (we did indeed still stop for zebras and wildebeests). The day got ordinary -though still pleasant- as we commuted back to Usa River and Rivertrees Hotel to repack and prepare for the airport. We recalled our favorite parts of the climb and Safari, we planned out future trips. Then the team busted up finally… hopping on planes and departing Africa.
I’ll stay on for another climb and Safari that will begin soon. Thank you for following.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team
Awesome Dave! Loved following along
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 8/13/2022 at 3:14 am
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 10,000'
The team awoke bright and early today to eat a quick breakfast and start heading to La Malinche, our first objective of the trip. We were treated with sprawling views of the Mexican countryside as well as our first main objective, Ixtaccihuatl. We were thankful to stretch our leg and lungs as we hiked through the forest of Malinche, a welcome change from the urban jungle of Mexico City. Unfortunately, that’s where our hike ended, just below 13,000 ft, due to incoming weather. Though we didn’t reach our objective, we did get to our highest elevation of the trip so far, hiked with stray dogs that we named Beavus, Butthead, and Hank and ate a delicious carne asada for dinner. Now we rest and get ready to head to Ixta basecamp tomorrow.
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Matias Francis, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guide Mike Haugen checked in via radio at 7:40 am as the Kautz Seminar July 18 - 23 team was just reaching the crater rim. The team did well and climbed strong from their camp at the top of the Wapowety Cleaver. After enjoying the views from the summit the team will descend via the Disappointment Cleaver route. This group met at Rainier BaseCamp on Sunday, July 18 and after two days of off mountain training began their ascent via the Kautz Glacier Route. Their time on the mountain included glacier travel training as well as focusing on techniques required for the current conditions on the upper mountain. The team will conclude their program with a celebration in Ashford later today.
Congratulations to the Kautz Seminar climbers!
Amazing accomplishment Dustin! Can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Rose
Posted by: Rose on 7/24/2021 at 12:48 pm
Way to go Dustin! We are so proud of your accomplishments! Can’t wait to hear about your expedition when you get back to work! Your fans at iMemories!
Posted by: Sheila Beals on 7/23/2021 at 11:56 am
Awesomeness!!! Congrats Team!!
So so proud of you Brenda Baxter. Keep on summitting in everything you do!!!! ❤️ Dad & Mom
Posted by: Karen Baxter on 6/30/2018 at 9:11 am
Congratulations Benny, Gareth, Geoff, and Andrew! I’m not sure if this is your team but it’s the closest thing I could find on the blog! Incredibly amazed with you all!
Posted by: Lisa Eisler on 6/29/2018 at 10:04 am
View All Comments