Entries from Expedition Dispatches
February 14, 2025
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Today, we feel loved, extra loved, some might say. In honor of Valentine's Day and our loved ones, who let us choose to be climbing Aconcagua rather than be at home, we want to say thank you and we love you. Our climb early this morning was no easy feat. We battled high winds and cold temperatures; so much so that we were covered head to toe in every layer we brought on this trip. Our loved ones would have barely recognized us. We did, however, accomplish our goal of standing on top of the Stone Sentinel. We are back at high camp safely, but also looking forward to some much deserved rest before making our full descent home over the next 5 days. Some people might ask, "Why do you put yourself through such grueling tribulations?" It's because of love; our love for the mountains, our love for the people we get to share these experiences with, and our love for the memories we get to obtain and cherish. But this post is for our loved ones back home. We love you, we miss you, we are safe, and we look forward to seeing you soon when we return home.
RMI Guides Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum & Team
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Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
February 14, 2025
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
The final four just topped out on Aconcagua!
Ben Luedtke reported that it took the team 7 hours 20 minutes to reach the summit. The winds were blowing at 35 mph and it was cold.
They will report more on their summit day when they return to High Camp.
Congratulations Team!
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Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
February 13, 2025
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
There are times when one has no option but to perform. As we sit here at Camp 3 with the summit of Aconcagua towering three thousand feet over us, it is clear that tomorrow will be one of those times. With a less-than-ideal weather window, we have our work cut out for us. We hope to have good news tomorrow.
RMI Climber Yev "Freyverissimo" Freyvert
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Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
February 13, 2025
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
RMI Guides Walter Hailes & Nicole DePetris checked in from the summit of Cotopaxi this morning. It was a cold day with not many views but the route was good and the entire team reached the summit.
Nice work everyone!
RMI Guide Walt Hailes calls from the summit of Cotopaxi.
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Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
February 12, 2025
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. In an en route update for everyone. It seems that we are experiencing some minor mechanical issues with one of our engines. This is nothing to be worried about but as a precaution they would like us to make a diversionary landing. RMI has informed us that the new aircraft will be able to continue from Camp 2 to the summit without any other issues. Unfortunately Nick will have to stay behind with the original aircraft. We have been told that it should be a minor fix and that he will see you in Basecamp for the flight back to the original starting point. Hopefully all will go well and the Summit window will stay open long enough for the four of you to accomplish what you set out to do. Otherwise Yev will be crying for years. Best wishes for the next two days and may the mountain be kind to everyone up there.
RMI Climber Nick Hanson
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Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
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
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Torres del Paine Trek February 1, 2025
The last day with our turtle shells came and went. In our lucky nature, of course it was a gorgeous day completing the last bit of the full circle around Torres del Paine National park. We walked along beaches of crystal blue water, saw condors that got so close I questioned how bad I really smell, and gawked at the peaks like we always do.
Luckily we have one more hike left on the amazing journey on the circuit. The Towers or Torres. The namesake of the park and the dessert we've been waiting for for quite some time now. Breakfast will be at 5 to avoid the crowds that come to the park to day hike the route but we'll be looong ahead.
I would say wish us luck, but we're all full.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
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Torres del Paine Trek February 1, 2025
February 11, 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
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Ecuador Seminar February 4, 2025
February 11, 2025
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
The Fellowship of Climbers, bound by their quest to conquer Mount Doom (i.e. Aconcagua), set forth from Camp 1. Sauron (i.e. Ben), the dark lord of the mountain, led the way, his all-seeing eye detecting all possible overhead hazard.
Gollum (i.e. Yev) crept alongside, whispering "precious summit, we wants it, we needs it." Hannah, Jim, and Nick followed, their hearts steeled for the trials ahead.
As they ascended, the winds howled and the scree tumbled. Yet the Fellowship pressed on, driven by their quest to reach the unattainable summit of Mount Doom. At last, they reached Camp 2, weary but undaunted. The vastness of the mountain loomed ahead, but they stood ready to face its windy challenges."
RMI Climber James Loudin
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Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
February 10, 2025
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Aconcagua dispatch 2.10.25
After a night of witnessing a spectacular Andean thunderstorm, we awoke this morning to a beautiful cloak of snow on the ground, ~5cm of white magic. We rustled out of our sleeping bags to a warm breakfast, then prepared our packs to carry a load of supplies to Camp 2. Up up and away, we reached our destination at 18,000', in the early afternoon. We didn't spend long up high -just long enough to cache our supplies - before we flew back downhill to the warmth and comfort of Camp 1. We had a lazy afternoon in the sun filled with eating, sleeping, & hydrating.
Dinner rolled around just in time to fill our empty bellies, then off to bed we went. Serenaded by the roar of the nearby river, we drifted off to sleep. Much needed rest for the big days ahead.
RMI Guide Hannah Blum & Team
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Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
Sounds like you’re having a great time! Be safe.
Posted by: Jim Esrey on 2/11/2025 at 8:11 am
The pics keep getting better and better! The only thing more awesome would be live video! When you all get to the summit keep an eye out for low flying 757’s.
John B. In Rhode Island USA.
Posted by: John Buckett on 2/12/2025 at 6:29 am
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