Entries from Expedition Dispatches
July 14, 2024
Posted by: Alan Davis, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Elevation: 10,000'
It was such a treat to again be able to enjoy the bustling coastal grandeur of Lima and watching surf for a night before the next long travel leg. As we arrived by bus two nights ago, we were greeted with our first views of the Cordillera Blanca and the towering giant that is Huascaran. We were welcomed back by the always friendly staff at the Andino Club Hotel. A true climbers hotel with some Swiss roots. It was so great to catch up with our local partner and guide Peter Alvarado as well as some of the other support staff with whom we hadn't seen in a couple years. Tired from multiple days of travel via busses and planes we quickly enjoyed dinner and got settled into our rooms for a full nights rest 10,000’.
Acclimatization has been going well thus far here in Huaraz. Not only have we been sleeping at 10,000', but yesterday, we went for a hike a few hours round-trip walk from our hotel to the "Puca Ventana" or "Red Window" which overlooks the city. Today, we went up to 14,700' on another hike to the beautiful turquoise Laguna which sits in front of the 18,000' "Nevado Churup." Early to bed for some rest and last minute gear shuffling before we begin our trek into the the Lllaca Valley where we will set up our basecamp at around 14,500’ for the next few days as we prepare for our first objective of Vallunaraju.
RMI Guide Alan Davis
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Despite route conditions, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jess Wedel and their climbing team reached the top of the cleaver this morning. They enjoyed the chance to see the route and route conditions we are currently facing first-hand. They made a stop at Ingraham Flats on their descent to practice crevasse rescue and expand their skills as mountaineers.
They are currently enjoying their descent and will be back at Basecamp soon!
*Ashford boy fulfills dream of climbing with RMI thanks to birthday gift from wife*
Woohoo! Despite unfortunate route conditions preventing a summit, our guides provided an incredible experience in mountaineering and we had an unforgettable adventure! The mountain gives what it gives, and we were gifted with a beautiful sunrise atop the Cleaver and an extremely up-close view of a crevasse on the edge of the Flats!
Special shout-out to Jess and Margo, our primary small-team guides throughout the trip - thanks for your hard work and positive energy you brought to the team every minute. We appreciated your care and reassurance in times of need and also keeping us updated on whether or not we were “there yet.”
Going forward we will look fondly at our backyard mountain piercing the horizon and be filled with great joy at the memories created with our fellow climbers and excellent RMI Guides. Thanks for the safe journey, please be safe yourselves, and we’ll hope to (or even try to) cross paths again someday!
Keep kicking crev-asse, Women of the Mountains!
Most Sincerely, Dalton
Posted by: Dalton on 7/14/2024 at 10:09 pm
Way to go Paige and Dalton!
Posted by: Renee on 7/13/2024 at 2:59 pm
July 13, 2024
Posted by: Jackson Breen, Raymond Holt, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier Climb July 11 - 13 reached the summit of Mt. Baker led by RMI Guides Jackson Breen, Ray Holt and Rosie Hust. The team returned to camp and enjoyed a few hours of sleep. They will continue their descent to the trailhead and conclude their program.
Congratulations team!
July 12, 2024
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Joe Hoch, Mike Bennett, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray, Layne Peters
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Mt. Rainier Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Joe Hoch enjoyed a beautiful morning from Ingraham Flats this morning. While route conditions prevented the team from climbing higher, they spent time at 11,200' watching the sunrise. Nice work team!
Hey Andy! Hope you’re on Top of The World! Don’t fall!
Posted by: Bob Ashburn on 7/13/2024 at 6:30 am
July 11, 2024
Posted by: Daniel May, Charlie Harrison, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Mt. Rainier Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Daniel May called Ingraham Flats their high point this morning. While route conditions prevented the team from climbing higher, they spent time at 11,200' watching the sunrise over Eastern Washington and the Cascades. We look forward to welcoming the team back to Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
July 11, 2024
Posted by: Win Whittaker, Nicole De Petris, Dylan Anderson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
Shifting route conditions prevented the American Lung Association's Climb for Clean Air from climbing above Ingraham Flats on Mt. Rainier this morning. The team, led by RMI Guide Win Whittaker, made the most of their morning by watching the sunrise at 11,200' before returnning to Camp Muir. We look forward to seeing the team at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
July 10, 2024
Posted by: Casey Grom, Bailey Servais, Hannah Billings, Walter Hailes, Josh Geiser, Jack Ritterson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 6 - 10 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom & Walter Hailes reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Skies are clear and temperatures are warm with a light breeze. The teams are making their way back to Camp Muir. Once back at camp they will pack up and continue their descent to Paradise. We look forward to see thing back at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Five Day Climb teams!
I was searching for one mental and physical challenge in the mountains and this climb with RMI sure did the trick! I can not thank Casey, Bailey and Hannah enough for their teaching and support/motivation in getting this 64 year old butt from Canada up that beautiful mountain. We were blessed with excellent weather and mountain conditions. I have never been so exhausted, thrilled, worried and all at the same time. The school was a wonderful start and just processing the whole experience is taking some time. You have something special and thanks for letting me parachute into your world for 5 days!
Posted by: Barry Milne on 7/12/2024 at 3:03 pm
This was my first glaciated climb ever and it was nerve wracking, thrilling, exhausting, and wonderful all at once. Thank you to all 6 guides who flexed with us as our rope teams shifted, but especially to my original 3 guides Casey, Bailey and Hannah… the goal is not to reach the summit, but to return to the trailhead safely and we all did because of all of you. What an awesome experience!
Posted by: Scott Redfern on 7/12/2024 at 4:18 am
July 10, 2024
Posted by: Jackson Breen, Raymond Holt, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier July 8 - 10 climb led by RMI Guides Jackson Breen, Raymond Holt and Rosie Hust did a sunset climb and reached the summit at 9:30 pm on Tuesday. They enjoyed clear and colorful skies and descended safely back to Camp. They descended from Camp to the trailhead on Wednesday afternoon and concluded their program in Sedro Wooley.
Congratulations climbers!
PC: Jackson Breen
July 9, 2024
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Mitch Valaitis, Robert Whyte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz July 5 - 10 led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Mitch Valaitis and Robert Whyte reached the summit of Mt. Rainier just before 8 am today. Dustin reported a beautiful day and warm temperatures. The team was going to spend a few minutes in the crater before starting their descent. They will return to their high camp for one more night on the mountain and some additional training. Tomorrow they will retrace their steps to Paradise and conclude their program at Rainier BaseCamp in the afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Kautz team!
Nice!
(Although I am totally jealous. Lol.)
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 7/9/2024 at 12:06 pm
Awesome job, team!!
Posted by: Scott on 7/9/2024 at 9:08 am
July 8, 2024
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Ben Luedtke, Tatum Whatford, Felipe Guarderas, Celeste Wilson, Arianna Drechsler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 4 - 8 led by RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer & Ben Luedtke reached the summit of Mt. Rainier with 100% of their teams. The teams enjoyed clear skies and warm temperatures and lots of great photo opportunities.
Nice work everyone and congratulations!
PC: Ben Luedtke & Pete Van Deventer
What an amazing experience! Fun, safe, encouraging. I couldn’t quit smiling. The team was great, and the guides brought out the best in everyone. A transformative experience, and one I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Training for this climb changed my life, and standing on top of the world for a few moments changed me forever. Truly grateful!
Posted by: Glory Dole on 7/15/2024 at 11:10 am
I could not thank enough to our RMI guides and team members who contributed and shared this lifelong memories. I really enjoyed the stores behind each climber on why dreamed the summit of Mt. Rainier and how to take efforts to make the dream become true.
I know I made a right choice to pick RMI as my guide service. I will definitely refer RMI to my friends for future mountaineering adventures.
Posted by: Shirley Zhang on 7/9/2024 at 7:51 pm
Hi,
Please share photos of your adventure, if at all possible. (The Peru Seminar is one I’ve been mulling over for quite awhile now—the Cordillera Blanca seem absolutely magical to me.)
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 7/14/2024 at 5:55 pm
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