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Sunday, August 25, 2024 - 3:26 am PT
We made it to Machu Picchu!
Wow, what a day. We woke up and walked the final few hours to the Sun Gate. It was a little cloudy but we still had views of Machu Picchu below.
We spent the morning exploring the different sites - the Sun Temple, the Palace Quarters, the Temple of the Condor and so much more! Then we took the bus downhill to Aguas Calientes where we all enjoyed a shower and delicious dinner.
Tomorrow, we get to go back to the park and climb Huayna Picchu. For now, we are sleeping happily in warm beds.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the team
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu August 15, 2024
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
TREK TO BASE CAMP
Our first start before sunrise,
The wake-up call came at five.
Soon the climbers were busy,
Our camp was a beehive.
Quickly our duffles were packed,
And our tents were taken down.
Our daypacks readied for travel,
We were soon Base Camp bound.
Our first task of the day,
Was a frigid river to cross.
The pain upon entering hit shockingly fast,
But once forded no toes had been lost.
Up Relenchos Valley we trekked,
Steep canyon walls on each side.
We passed mesmerizing formations,
That Jack our geologist would describe.
We stopped once and marveled,
At guanacos high on the hill.
Their grace and their splendor,
We carry with us still.
We trekked all day on a trail of dust,
And rocks, and then more rocks.
Some big rocks to step over,
Some small ones in your socks.
Finally Base Camp came in sight,
We slightly quickened our pace.
3500’ gain, 7.9 miles in 6 hours,
This was truly no race.
We were warmly greeted at camp,
With cold drinks and snacks to eat.
The afternoon feast was ended,
With a delicious chocolate treat.
We have all settled into camp life,
Playing cards or just laying low.
As we think of the mountain,
And those we love down below.
By: RMI Climber Tim Cavanagh
On The Map
Kristina and Mike,
So glad the trip is going well. It is amazing to see all the snow and think of the cold while we hit 89 today and it is dry, dry , dry. Enjoy your rest day and thanks for the updates.
Missy
Posted by: missy prudden on 6/22/2012 at 8:46 pm
For someone that lives in snow country, you guys have a lot of snow
It sure seems incredible, hope every one is well and all continues to go well.
Matt, This has to be the high light of your life. All Take care, climb safely
Thanks so much for the updates. Don Pennington
Posted by: Don Pennington on 6/22/2012 at 5:44 pm
On The Map
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
Ahh the end of a trip like this is always so bittersweet. Tired, sore, hungry we leave the trail happy and satiated with the journey, and yet we have to leave this breathtaking landscape and national park. Us, and everyone around us, will be very happy with a shower when we get back into Puerto Natales tonight.
Our last day is one of the hardest. A long, steep ascent up the valley to see the namesake of the park, Las Torres (The Towers of Paine). It’s about 11km each way with almost 3000 ft of ascent and our ached bodies felt every bit of it. Up up up until we were treated with yet another beautiful fricken day. Just our luck.
Waking up at 430 to pack, eat breakfast, and head up to avoid the crowds. And boy are we glad we did. I call the descent the Disney world descent due to the crowds that come into the park in order to complete the relatively accesible hike. And so we weaved in an out of folks fresh from town and worked our way toward the promised land ( the van)
We’re showered, sore, and now heading toward dinner for our last night together. This trip has been incredible not only because of the views, but because of the strangers turned friends we met 10 days ago in Punta Arenas. We all can’t wait to fill you in with the stories we have and the pictures we took. See you soon.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
New Post Alerts:
Torres del Paine Trek February 1, 2025
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
It has been a treat to rest, relax, and learn after a big day on our feet. The morning consisted of learning haul systems, rope ascension, and EARNEST anchors. As the downpour began, we taxied into the town of Cumbayá for lunch of taco flights and quesadillas. We spent a few hours of the afternoon exploring one of the wealthiest suburbs of Quito. The rain continued for most of the afternoon so we headed back to our hotel for dinner of more local Ecuadorian dishes. Everyone is feeling rested and ready for our Cotopaxi climb!
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
The Mt. Rainier Five Day Climb, led by RMI Guides Mike King and Andy Bond, reached the summit today! They enjoyed calm winds and great conditions on their climb today. The teams will return to Camp Muir for their second night on the mountain. We look forward to congratulating them in Ashford tomorrow afternoon!
Congratulations, well done!
Posted by: Mark M on 4/27/2021 at 5:45 pm
Great job!!
Posted by: Christine Malatras on 4/27/2021 at 9:57 am
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Elevation: 18,143'
Elias de Andres Martos calls in from the Inshinca summit!
Awesome, Lucy and Corell!!! So excited for you and the rest of the team!!!
One more to go!
Can’t wait to hear about it all, and to see photos!
Corell- the boys are home from Philmont—Colman is filled with stories—not the least of which is waking up to a lightning-induced forest fire ~100 yds away across the creek. A nascent forest fire that their group actually alerted the nearby staff/ranger camp about, and the same fire that made the papers back here… YIKES! we are fortunate the group leader got up earlier than the others to make coffee—noticed the flames filling the trees just across the creek, then went to the tents with the sleeping boys and said, “Boys, we might have a bit of an emergency here…” Colman said they had never packed up so fast!!!!
Thurston’s group was not on same trail, but apparently saw the flames…think both groups were diverted a bit. I think the fire was finally contained a week later…
But oh my!
Hoping your adventures are challenging—- but not so dangerous!!
XOXO
Posted by: Dana Marie on 7/8/2014 at 8:53 pm
Great job, Lucy. So good to hear everyone is climbing well and the weather is cooperating. All is well in VA. Love from all 5 of us. C
Posted by: Carter on 7/8/2014 at 6:39 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Elias de Andres Martos, Bridget Belliveau
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Very proud and excited for all of the members of the Team, but specially for my cousin Niño Frontera. Love you very much ❤ the kids are in wow!!!
Bucket list ✔.
Posted by: Celeste Gomez-Biamon on 5/24/2014 at 6:21 pm
congrats to nino & the team.!Enjoy the moment!
Posted by: herminio frontera on 5/24/2014 at 7:05 am
On The Map
Happy birthday to Michael! We hope you feel so loved and celebrated today! We are so proud of you and cannot wait to hear about your adventure and see your photos. Our thoughts are with you, Dr Bruce and the team!
Posted by: UDON, TURTLES & The Shortman on 2/11/2012 at 11:57 am
Happy Birthday Michael. I cant believe that 24 years have gone by. Stay safe and warm up there. Get in one of the photos so we can all see you. Love you. Mom
Posted by: Joyce on 2/11/2012 at 6:07 am
Greetings Pops!
Im finally getting on here. We are all doing well here at home. Including your pups. Sounds like you’re having a great start to your expedition. Love your poem. We love you and miss you !
Love, Noel and kids
Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/25/2023 at 8:02 am
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