Entries from Expedition Dispatches
August 15, 2024
Posted by: Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
Elevation: 15,454'
The group got a much-needed rest day in La Paz that included some shopping, laundry and good eating. We went to Ancestral restaurant for dinner, which is one of the top up and coming restaurants in Latin America. Most of us selected our own steaks and we enjoyed an amazing dinner.
The next morning, we loaded our van and headed to Illimani. After several hours of driving on windy dirt roads we arrived in Another winding dirt road led us to basecamp where we slept next to a peaceful creek under a starry night.
RMI Guides Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo & Team
Sign Up For Bolivia Expedition, August 3, 2024 Emails
August 14, 2024
Posted by: Mike Bennett, Erika Birkeland, Arianna Drechsler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,541'
RMI Guide Mike Bennett and the entire Glacier Peak Team Reached the 10,541' summit yesterday afternoon. After the summit they returned to high camp, packed up and moved their camp down to White Pass and plan to descend to the trailhead today.
Congratulations Team!
August 14, 2024
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,600'
We bit off another chunk. The day started at 6:30 AM at Machame Camp, which was cool and shady before the sun came over the mountain. We had breakfast and threw our packs on just before 8 AM. The trail today was a little steeper and a little more relentlessly uphill compared to yesterday. But we made fine progress up through a forest of giant heather. Eventually we could look out to see that we were above a sea of clouds, and we could look over to Meru, a neighboring 15,000 ft volcano on the western horizon.
We began to identify Senecios and Lobelias -two of the distinctive plants endemic to Kilimanjaro. We worked hard today, but nowhere near as hard as the many porters who passed by with loads balanced on their heads, somehow staying at ease on the difficult rock steps. Eventually we took a left turn, traversing between old layers of lava to turn the corner onto the Shira Plateau. We reached Shira Camp at about 12,600 ft at 12:30 PM. This marks our westernmost point for the climb, and the next days will have us moving east on our wandering route to the summit.
The team enjoyed a restful afternoon and evening in our comfortable new camp.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari August 10, 2024 Emails
August 14, 2024
Posted by: Joe Hoch, George Hedreen, Will Ambler, Joey Manship, Mac Nolde, Evan Redman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,900'
The Four Day Climb Led by Joe Hoch and George Hedreen climbed to 12,900' but were stopped by ice fall activity that coverd the current climbing route. The team is safely back at Camp Muir and will be returning to Paradise in the early afternoon.
August 13, 2024
Posted by: Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
Hi Everyone -
We made it to the top of Shuksan this morning. It was a really nice morning above the clouds!
RMI Guide Leif Bergstrom
August 13, 2024
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,800'
We woke to clear skies at the Rivertrees Inn. Previously it had been overcast and even drizzly in the mornings. The team was done with breakfast and packed up right on schedule. We boarded the bus just after 8 AM and got on the road to Kilimanjaro. The mountain was visible from the highway but the view got better as we approached and had less smoke and haze. The Machame Gate to the National Park was bustling and busy. It was a relief to have all paperwork and permitting done and to finally get walking, which we did shortly after 11 AM. It was a stair master day as we started at 6000 ft bound for 10,000 ft. The trail was in fine condition and it was clear that the National Park had been taking on major improvement projects. We were lucky to see several families of black and white Colobus monkeys playing in the big trees as we walked. It was hot and sweaty at first, but eventually things clouded over and the air cooled as we approached 10,000 ft. We managed the walk in 5.5 hours. It was a true pleasure to come into a perfectly constructed and completed camp. Our staff greeted us cheerfully and showed us our tent home.
We moved in and then got together for tea time and a 6:30 PM sumptuous dinner in the dining tent. Judging by the laughter, the day hadn’t been so difficult for our team. We went over plans for getting going to new heights tomorrow and headed for bed at 8 PM, pausing -of course- to see the southern cross and a few other unfamiliar southern hemisphere constellations.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave & Team
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari August 10, 2024 Emails
August 13, 2024
Posted by: Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
Elevation: 19,979'
Yesterday was our second summit of the trip, and the first time above 6000m for several members of the team! We had the luxury of being the only group in the refugio on Sunday night so it was easy to get to bed early in advance of our midnight wake up.
We left the hut at 1 am under a beautiful starry sky. A short rock scramble brought us to the toe of the glacier, which started out as the loud, crunchy ice we’d become accustomed to on Tarija, but quickly transitioned to grippy neve. The night was cold but dead calm, and it was a really pleasant few hours of climbing in the darkness until we finally caught the first rays of sun at the base of the summit pyramid.
The final few hundred feet to the summit made for the hardest climbing of the day. The challenge of steep, at times rocky and loose walking was compounded by the thin air at almost 20,000’! The team took it in stride and soon we were all on top, admiring the views of La Paz and the surrounding peaks. After high fives, photos and a brief rest we began making our way back down to the hut. Everyone moved well and we made it off the glacier well before noon. With showers, comfy beds and cold drinks in La Paz in mind we only spent about 45 minutes resting at the hut before continuing the descent all the way back to the road. A few hours later we were enjoying a delicious dinner at Hotel Mitru Sur before turning in early for a well deserved night of sleep.
This morning everyone headed out to explore the city and do some site seeing and souvenir shopping. This afternoon we’ll pack up for Illimani and head south to Pinaya first thing tomorrow.
RMI Guide Andy Bond & Team
Sign Up For Bolivia Expedition, August 3, 2024 Emails
August 13, 2024
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Raymond Holt, Mitch Valaitis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier reached the summit of Mt. Rainer early this morning. The team climbed above the heavy marine layer, and Dustin reported clear skies and calm winds. It took the team 6 hours and 35 minutes to reach the summit from Camp Muir, and they are now on the descent.
Congratulations Team!
August 13, 2024
Posted by: Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise Team reached the top of Mt. Rainier Early this Morning in 6 hours and 35 minutes. The team spent the week learning advanced mountaineering skills as they trained on and then ascended the Paradise Glacier to Camp Muir for a summit attempt via the Disappointment Cleaver route. RMI Guide Sam Hoffman reported a clear and calm day on the summit! They will descend via the Muir Snowfield this afternoon.
Congratulations Team!
August 12, 2024
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Machu Picchu
Elevation: 7,972'
Hello again from Peru.
What an amazing two days we’ve had!
Yesterday the team had a big day hiking the Inca Trail from Llulluchapampa to Winay Wayna. It was a beautiful day with outstanding views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way we visited several Incan ruins, including Winay Wayna, which is considered a mini Machu Picchu. We wrapped up the our last night camping in the mountains with another wonderful meal and said our goodbyes to incredibly gracious crew of 20 porters and 4 cooks and handed out their much deserved tips.
Today the team rose early for our final hike into Machu Picchu. We left camp shortly after 4 a.m. and headed to the entrance where we had to wait a short while for the park to open up. We hiked for a little more than an hour before reaching the famous Sun Gate of Machu Picchu, where the winter solstice sun rises to shine on the center of Machu Picchu. Unfortunately it was very socked in and so we took a long break hoping it would clear up. Thankfully right as we had given up on the clouds clearing and started our way down the trail the clouds parted and we had stunning views. We spent the majority of the day taking in the scenery, taking endless pictures and touring the grounds of the majestic place. I’ll be the first to tell you that all the pictures and articles about this place don’t come close to how astonishing this place is in person.
The team has safely descended to the valley floor and have had hot shower and are relaxing in our comfortable hotel!
RMI Guides Casey Grom and Jess Wedel, and the Chaskis (Incan mountain runners).
That TV and those speakers!!!! The best part is the fireplace. Glad you got time to rest before the next climb!
Posted by: Sheila Forsyth on 8/13/2024 at 8:18 pm
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