RMI Expeditions Blog
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!
January 25, 2022
Posted by: Luke Wilhelm, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,287'
It wasn't the wind that blew us away, it was the view! The south face of Aconcagua towered over us all day. Impressive, humbling, breathtaking, epic. We soaked it all in during our acclimatization hike. While not the route we are climbing, it was a good reminder of the challenge that lays ahead. Our spirits are as high as the mountain itself.
Till next time,
What a great shot of you all.
Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others MAKE IT HAPPEN. What a great journey you are on! Have a great day of climbing tomorrow! You got this!
Big hug to my guy Tim. Teri
Posted by: Teri Derr on 1/26/2022 at 10:03 am
January 25, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 10,000'
Hello again everyone,
Today the we had an early start leaving behind our beautiful lodge and have headed to the mountain towards the start of the climb. We left around 8am and drove along the rural country side and small villages for two hours before reaching the park entrance.
Most of the area surrounding Kilimanjaro has been cultivated and primarily used for coffee and banana production, plus a variety of other agriculture needs. There are still a few areas that have been untouched and resemble more of a savannah that Tanzania is known for. Kilimanjaro’s base is mostly forested and resembles more of a jungle, this area is called the cloud forest.
Once we arrived at the park gate we had all of our gear weighed and divided into loads for our porters and other staff to carry before hitting the trail. Once everything was in order we started our climb slowly making our way up the winding trail that ascends continuously through the thick forest. Thankfully the overhead canopy provided a bit of relief from the hot sun overhead.
The team hiked for a little over 5 1/2 hours and reached our camp for the night that sits around 10,000'. After settling into camp and get situated the team was served a nice warm meal for dinner.
Everyone is doing well and looking forward to a good nights rest.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
good trip
Posted by: Alberto Lopez on 1/27/2022 at 5:14 pm
January 24, 2022
Posted by: Nick Scott, James Bealer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
Today was the day! We woke up early to clear skies and absent winds. A first in over a week! We walked out of camp 2 at 2:30 hoping to get ahead of the numerous climbers that had stacked up waiting for the same weather window. Unfortunately, we weren’t early enough to beat all the other climbers out the door and ran into a fair amount of traffic. However, the extra traffic couldn’t spoil the perfect weather or the stoke emanating from the climbers, all of whom had been chomping at the bit for a chance to climb all week. The route felt extra steep this year, but the climbing was aided by good quality snow for much of the upper route leading to the summit. After nine hours of climbing and dodging other climbers, five out of seven of us stood on the summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalaya. It was a perfect summer day with almost no wind and clear skies for epic views all around. After enjoying our hard won success for just a few minutes, believe it or not it can be hard to breathe at 22,841 feet, we turned downhill and continued walking downhill all the way into basecamp around 7:15pm. An absolute epic of a day for those that managed to climb to the top. Despite the sore muscles and blistered toes, the crew was smiles all around the dinner table sharing stories from the day. Tomorrow we walk out to the trailhead and make our way back to Mendoza for a much needed shower and a good night sleep in a proper bed.
Congrats to all those who summited! And good luck on your next adventure!
Congratulations to all!! What great stories you will have to tell about this grand adventure!
Posted by: Coeli Scott on 1/25/2022 at 4:42 am
How absolutely AWESOME - way to go team! It has been fun to follow your adventures and glad many of you finally made the summit! Way to go Jake!!!
Posted by: carron on 1/24/2022 at 8:36 pm
We are on the final part of our climbing adventure, the summit push. We moved camp a couple hours uphill today to Aconcagua's High Camp and are settling in for a short night. If the weather holds we will wake early to climb and the next time you will hear from us will be a message from the summit!
Well done guys! Huge accomplishment. I hope to hear some great stories. have a good down climb.
Posted by: Saxby on 1/26/2022 at 9:57 pm
Congratulations Jack and team! Looking forward to all the details soon!
Posted by: Linda Delaney on 1/26/2022 at 9:31 am
January 24, 2022
Posted by: James Bealer, Luke Wilhelm, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
We hit the dusty ol' trail today! A gentle breeze at our backs encouraged us towards Aconcagua. The hike to Camp Confluencia was filled with good conversation and lots of laughter. With every step, life is getting simpler and simpler. We are all in such awe of this place.
Till next time,
I hope you’re having the best time, Richie!
Posted by: Kim Ehart on 1/25/2022 at 12:02 pm
Sounds like a great start for a great team. Safe climbing to you all!
Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/24/2022 at 8:43 pm
Hello all,
Today the team enjoyed a rare extra day here in Tanzania. Normally we are off to the mountain pretty quickly, but new international flight dates gave us all one additional day here on the front end of our trip. The team ventured out to do some light and distant sightseeing not too far from the lodge. A little city tour that could be called an urban safari, with a brief stop at the local museum/culture center and a small art studio/gallery.
We’re all packed up and ready to hit the road early tomorrow and start our climb up Kilimanjaro.
Everyone is in good spirits and excited for a little exercise.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
January 23, 2022
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 20,703'
Following a restless night of not sleeping at 17,400’, our team stood on top of Chimborazo this morning. It was a clear morning with calm winds and the route is in excellent condition.
Interestingly, the summit of Chimborazo is the furthest point from the center of the earth, due to it’s position near the equator. It is the only 6000 meter peak in Ecuador and it was an honor to visit the summit with this team.
That is AWESOME!!! Congratulations to Everyone!! Your wish came true with the Sunshine!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/24/2022 at 3:13 am
January 23, 2022
Posted by: James Bealer, Luke Wilhelm, David Price
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
After several long days of travel, the team has fully arrived. The glowing Argentinian sun has welcomed us with open arms. With bellies full of steak, the team has enjoyed the slow pace of life here. Everyone is in high spirits as we finalize our packing for the expedition ahead.
More to follow,
RMI Guide Luke Wilhelm
Richie, my love, I am so happy to hear you made it to camp 2!!! It sounds like it was a really tough push, but the view is well worth the journey (of course!). So happy that you have an awesome team to support you and celebrate with through these milestones. I’m with you every step of the way, sweetie! Our fur babies and the whole family send their love. Rest well with the team today. Love you so very much <3
Posted by: Amanda Schimkus on 2/1/2022 at 8:40 am
Go Team! Rest up and enjoy your expedition.
Posted by: Jane on 1/31/2022 at 6:49 pm
Silence. Beautiful silence. For the first time all trip we had a windless night. Needless to say everyone slept deeply and blissfully after the previous nights adventure. We woke up with the late morning sun and enjoyed a relaxing day of snacking, restocking on water and double checking our gear for summit day. Tomorrow we move to High Camp and the team is in high spirits to be that much closer to our goal!
Good luck sounds like if you conquered those winds you can conquer anything. Go gettem!
Posted by: Lolly on 1/24/2022 at 10:01 am
What else is possible and how does it get any better than this!? YOU’RE ALL UNSTOPPABLE!
Posted by: Barbara on 1/24/2022 at 8:15 am
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
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