Entries from North Cascades
August 27, 2014
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,127'
Another excellent day on Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades...this time we woke up before dawn and cramponed up the Sulphide Glacier to the base of the summit pyramid, where we ditched the crampons and ice axes and climbed 4th and 5th class rock for 800 vertical feet to the summit!
Our entire team reached the summit in good style. The weather was perfect so we hung out on the summit for over an hour before descending. We were back in camp around 2 p.m. for a round trip of a little over eight hours. The training over the past week really paid off and nobody struggled with the technical terrain at all. Congrats team!
RMI Guide Mike Walter
8/26/14 8:30 pm PST
We had another great day of training today here on Shuksan's Sulphide Glacier. We spent the bulk of the day ice climbing in a crevasse and practicing crevasse rescue with mechanical advantage systems.
There was barely a cloud in the sky all day, and the forecast looks similar for tomorrow. That's good news for us, as we're planning to make our summit attempt tomorrow. We'll let you know how it goes!
RMI Guide Mike Walter
We had another great day of training today on Mount Shuksan. We ascended the Sulphide Glacier and then stepped onto the Upper Curtis Glacier where we spent much of the day running laps on the steep ice pitches known as Hell's Highway.
Afterwards we practiced some 4th class rock scrambling on the ridge just west of the Sulphide Glacier.
The weather has treated us well so far, and the forecast looks favorable for the rest of out week here. Everyone is doing well and enjoying the beauty of the North Cascades.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
August 24, 2014
Posted by: Mike Walter, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 6,200'
Our Expedition Skills Seminar - Shuksan team is enjoying nice weather here in the North Cascades. Our camp is tucked in at 6,200' amongst stunning alpine scenery on the flanks of the Sulphide Glacier. We have unobstructed views on Shuksan's summit pyramid to the north, and the northern Picket Range to the south. Baker Lake winds its way south through the valley bottom, far below us.
We just returned back to camp after a morning out on the glacier practicing various climbing skills such as ice axe arrest and cramponing. This afternoon we'll work on some technical skills starting with knots and hitches.
Everyone is doing well and enjoying the alpine air.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team
August 21, 2014
Posted by: Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,680'
RMI Guide Geoff Schellens just called from the summit of Sahale Peak! The team had a great climb and ended up above the clouds with great views of the surrounding North Cascades peaks peeking out.
The seminar team has had a fun week of training and climbing, reaching the top of Aiguille and Sahale Peak. Tomorrow they will finish their training and descend back to the trail head before parting ways.
We just wrapped up our 5 day North Cascades Custom Climb in Boston Basin. Dan, Augie, and I took advantage of the excellent weather to get some serious climbing done on Sharkfin Tower, Sahale Mountain, and the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak. Special thanks to Dan and Augie for coming out to the Pacific Northwest to push their comfort zone with real alpine adventures and wild terrain. Let's do it again next year!
RMI Guide Mike Walter
August 9, 2014
Posted by: Jake Beren, Nick Hunt, Ben Liken
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,127'
In the North Cascades of Washington, RMI Guide Jake Beren and team reached the summit of Mt. Shuksan via the Fisher Chimneys this morning. The team is back at high camp for the night and has been enjoying sunny, warm, and perfect weather.
Congratulations Climbers!
Excellent! Stunning view - thanks for the update!
Posted by: Sindi on 8/10/2014 at 3:55 am
Congratulations!!! Very eager to hear from you , Sid !
Posted by: Nirmala Sharma on 8/9/2014 at 3:51 pm
August 8, 2014
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,816'
RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team reached the summit of Forbidden Peak. The team is leaving the Boston Basin area after a successful week of climbing.
Congratulations Team!
August 6, 2014
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,680'
RMI Guide Mike Walter checked in. After a successful summit of Sharkfin Tower yesterday afternoon the team headed over to Sahale Mountain and reached the summit at 10:46am PT this morning.
At 2:02pm PT Mike Walter and Team reported that "All is well" and they are back in camp.
August 5, 2014
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 6,200'
RMI Guide Mike Walter and the Forbidden Peak climb checked in from camp in Boston Basin. The team is enjoying the great weather and beautiful scenery.
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What a spectacular adventure!!! Thanks you Seth and the entire team for helping us reach the summit in record time! Contratulations to the Team!!!
Posted by: Seth Casden on 8/25/2014 at 6:10 am
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