RMI Expeditions Blog
January 29, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,000'
Hello again everyone,
The team had a good night’s rest last night and today was just a short 3hr hike up to 15’000 ft to our high camp. It started out sunny, but then quickly clouded up thankfully for great hiking temperatures. The Equatorial sun at this elevation is quite intense, a little break was needed.
The team has just wrapped up lunch and discussed in detail the plan for tomorrow’s climb. Everyone knows what we will be wearing, what will be in the pack, as well as the schedule.
Our game plan will be to wake at 11pm and have a quick breakfast at 11:30, then hopefully hit the trail right at midnight. The team has been doing great thus far and I’m expecting us to reach the summit in 7 to 8hrs if things go according to plan.
As per usual on a Casey climb, one lucky trivia winner will get a phone call from the summit.
So, everyone back home please keep your phones handy and if you receive a call from a strange number please answer. We are 8+hrs ahead of the east coast time zone.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Summit Bound Crew
January 28, 2022
Posted by: Luke Wilhelm, James Bealer, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
It's easy to forget how wild it is here. Over the past several days we have been surrounded by the hustle and bustle of helicopters, mules, and other climbers rushing in and out of Aconcagua Base Camp. Today brought a lovely change. Carrying our gear higher and higher, we were reminded of how incomprehensible the land we are exploring in is. The surrounding mountains took depth and the air became noticeably thinner. It was calm. No wind, no helicopters, no loud music. Just climbing. Wonderful.
Till next time,
RMI Guide Luke Wilhelm & Team
So excited for you Richie! Can’t wait to hear all about this and see pics. You are a rockstar!
Posted by: Andrew Hatfield on 1/29/2022 at 11:37 am
Sounds amazing! Keep it up and enjoy the adventure everyone!
We love you and miss you Pops! We’re all rooting for you!
Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/28/2022 at 9:29 pm
January 28, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,030'
Hello everyone,
Right out of camp we were faced with the only significant technical obstacle for this climb. This hurdle is the great Barranco Wall, which rises about 1000ft and looks as intimidating as it sounds. Thankfully, there is a nice narrow trail that weaves its way up and through the wall and all the way to the top. Most of it feels more like steep hiking, but there are a few places that require the use of our hands to help us climb up.
The team did an excellent job of moving steady and allowing a few porters through with their loads precariously balanced on their heads. Which was astonishing to see!
After reaching the top we took a nice break and enjoyed the amazing views of the ice ladened south face and valleys below. The team continued our hike for a few more hours up and down through a few valleys before reaching today endpoint.
All in all, it took only about 4 hours for us to reach our next camp called Karanga, named for the big and beautiful valley which it overlooks.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and Crew
January 27, 2022
Posted by: James Bealer, Luke Wilhelm, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 14,400'
The team enjoyed a well deserved rest day at Basecamp. We spent the time napping, reading, and preparing gear for tomorrow. Optimism and hope flowed out of our dining tent this evening as we were finally able to see the climbing route above us. We feel recovered and ready for what lies above.
RMI Guides James, Luke, David & Team
Joe 1 foot in front of the other.
We are rooting for you, and wishing were there with a Cold Coke
Posted by: Daryl and Katie on 1/28/2022 at 9:35 am
January 27, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,030'
Hello from Africa,
Today we woke to beautifully clear skies again with even better views of Kilimanjaro since moving up on the mountain. The days route took us up and around the well known and beautiful Lava Tower reaching just over 15,000', setting a new altitude record for some.
We also passed by many of the giant groundsels and towering Senecio trees that made us feel as if we were in some crazy Dr. Seuss story book.
All in all it was a really nice day with clouds gathering in the afternoon to help keep the temperature comfortable for hiking.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
January 26, 2022
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
Everyone has now arrived in Quito and I must say it was a pleasure to show up to this morning's orientation and count all nine people present. An added bonus is that all luggage is accounted for, although one luggage lock key was lost. Turns out those can simply be pried open with two screwdrivers.
We enjoyed a nice weather day for our city tour and Mitad del Mundo museum tour. It was just cloudy enough to filter some of the intense equatorial sun and it also never rained. Everybody learned at least something new about physics or practices of the indigenous peoples of Ecuador, the two main focuses at the museum.
Tomorrow we turn our focus towards getting the body moving. As a preparation about half the team spent the afternoon cold plunging and in the sauna. I can still taste the eucalyptus when I take a deep breath. Anyways, that's all to say that we are feeling ready to hike Rucu Pichincha tomorrow and hopefully reach a new high point for a few of the team members!
January 26, 2022
Posted by: James Bealer, Luke Wilhelm, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 14,400'
The sun got a little brighter for us today, as we moved up to Plaza de Mulas. One only needed to look up from the trail to realize the unique contrast of the environment we were in. Dusty desert gave way to ice covered peaks, appearing to rocket upwards in an attempt to reach outer space. After a long day on the trail, we were greeted with good food and shade.
Till next time,
Hope y’all are getting plenty of rest and are gently stoking the fire within you for the adventure ahead.
Dad, to six years of recovery and hard work! You are a bad A! Proud of you! We are with you each step of the way!
Rest Easy,
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly on 1/27/2022 at 6:48 pm
So excited to hear about your trip - we are following along hoping for good weather and good companions along the trail. Give us some colors and feelings in your emails so we get the full view from up there in the thin air. Good Luck and be safe. N. and P.
Posted by: Sandy and Dick on 1/27/2022 at 10:53 am
January 26, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,200'
Hello again everyone-
The team had a really nice day here on Kilimanjaro today, waking to clear skies and a beautiful view of Kilimanjaro looming in the distance. We had a light cloudy layer which helped keep us cool while on the trail, which was nice as the sun can be quite intense here near the equator.
We started the day waking at 6:30 to start packing up before moving into our dinning tent for a nice breakfast with porridge, fried eggs, toast, avocado and even some fresh fruit, and most importantly plenty of hot coffee.
We hit the trail shortly after 8am and slowly made our way up the rocky trail with occasional views of Kilimanjaro above. The trail climbed up a blunted ridge and eventually out of the trees and allowed for some truly spectacular views of the valley below. The team hiked for a little more than four hours before reaching our next camp that sits on the Shira plateau, which is an ancient lava flow.
Everyone is doing very well and we are currently relaxing in camp.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
After two very long and tiring days, walking more than 20 miles and descending more than 14,000ft, we are finally back in civilization! Shower, clean beds, real food…oh my! We are all feeling like human beings again after a wonderful shower and a celebratory dinner out. It’s good to back in comfortable surroundings after such a trying trip, but at the same time sad that the adventure is coming to an end. Climbers are planning wine tours and sight seeing adventures during the 1 or 2 days they have left in the country. Hopefully, they return to you all, reading at home, rested and ready to retell all their stories and show you all the photos! It was one hell of a trip!
Thanks for following along everyone.
Cheers!
January 25, 2022
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 - 9:15 am PT
This is the Hailes Aconcagua team. We have made it to the summit! The whole team is happy and healthy. It's been a long day but we are happy to be here. We'll turn around and head down here in about 20 minutes after we take some pictures. We will check back in after we are back to camp. Wish us luck. We will talk to you soon.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes calls from the summit!
Woohoo!!!! So excited for you all. Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Tracie on 1/26/2022 at 3:03 pm
Way to go Boys! Another summit! Get home safe!!
Posted by: Craig Straub on 1/26/2022 at 9:36 am
Go Kimberly!! Keep following your hopes and dreams!
(proud dad moment)
Posted by: Kevin Nichols on 1/29/2022 at 2:38 pm
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