RMI Expeditions Blog
July 7, 2023
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
The RMI Mt. Baker Team led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Leif Bergstrom were standing on the summit of Mt. Baker at 1:15 pm PDT today. Henry, Leif, and Team traversed the stunning North Face of Mt. Baker to scale the ice cliff of the North Ridge route. Leif reported clear skies, light winds, and great day of climbing. They will descend via the Coleman-Deming route and make their way back to camp for the night.
Congratulations Team!
July 7, 2023
Posted by: Steve Gately, Joe Hoch, Trevor Katz, Lacie Smith, Evan Redman, Raymond Holt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Team climbed into a cap and had light winds. but that didn't stop them from reaching the 14,410' Summit. RMI Guides Steve Gately and Joe Hoch were leading the team off the crater rim at 6:57 am. They are on the descent making their way back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations team!
July 6, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Like we’ve said before, the weather hasn’t been in a good mood here in Alaska. Keeping with that trend, was the dramatic ending to our long and hard-fought expedition. As we resigned ourselves to sleeping yet another night on the glacier, we got the call that planes were in the air.
Hopeful, salad eyed, and smelly we packed our stuff and waited for our return trip home. Then the rain started. As we stared down the southeast fork of the Kahiltna, we could only hear the buzz of the planes and the patter of the drops on our coats. Muttering “ cmon, cmon” as if to plead with Mother Nature to abate and let the clouds lift. We willed the weather to let up just enough for the pilots to pull off a landing and high tail it out of there.
We slept in beds last night, took showers, and celebrated like it was going out of style. We can’t wait to see our friends and family soon. Thank you all for following along and cheers to another great, successful expedition on Denali. See you next year!
RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Dan May and Team
July 6, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Roland Scott, Joey Manship, Will Nash, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb July 3 - 6 led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Ben Luedtke enjoyed a beautiful morning on Mt. Rainier. The teams reached the summit at 6:15 am under clear skies and great route conditions. The team enjoyed an hour in the crater before starting their descent. Once back at Camp Muir the climbers will have a quick break and then continue the remaining 4,500' down to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Nice work team!
July 6, 2023
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7300'/ 348'
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 11:59 pm PT
Difficult day today, waiting for the weather to clear, then scrambling like crazy in the evening to fly and finally an unintentional split of the team. As some made it in to town and some remained on the mountain for the night.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
July 5, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 12:55 am PT
The team woke up to snow and wind distorting the shapes of the tents we call home for the last 21 days. We hit snooze and hoped for the best. While I wouldn’t say the best ever came the allure of Roestis, showers, and beds pulled us out of our sleeping bags and into the fray. From 11,000 ft to the base of Ski Hill was a near total whiteout. We persevered through the wind, moisture, and visibility to reach basecamp at about 6pm, but conditions didn’t allow planes to come and land. We’re hopeful that tomorrow we’ll be back in civilization.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
Yay! Mission almost accomplished! Such an amazing group you are
Posted by: Kim on 7/5/2023 at 8:53 am
July 5, 2023
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 - 11:57 pm PT
Long day, but it ended with us reaching basecamp safe and sound, so it was a very good day. The start was hard, it was still snowing and blowing as we packed. There was a lot to do since our gear had been buried under a few feet of fresh snow. We set out at 9:40 in a whiteout, working by Braille and GPS. The first three hours were like that, pushing through endless new snow. We started to come out of the storm below ski hill, but conditions were quite mushy. Our snow shoes were sinking in, which made finding crevasses fairly difficult. We trudged on in surreal lighting as the clouds came and went. Heartbreak Hill didn't break any hearts. We were happy to be on the home stretch. We pulled in to basecamp at 6PM. It was all ours for a few minutes. Dominic Cifelli's team pulled in just behind us, but otherwise, camp was empty and gone, closed up for the season. Weather didn't permit a flight so we camped.
Hey Dustin and Dave! Awesome job getting your team back to basecamp! You guys Rock!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 7/6/2023 at 4:48 am
July 4, 2023
Posted by: Tatum Whatford, Nicole De Petris, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons June 30 - 5 July reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. After several days of training and ascending via the Emmons Glacier, RMI Guide Tatum Whatford and team left Camp Schurman this morning for their summit attempt. The team reached the summit around 8:30 am. It's a beautiful day on the mountain and after enjoying some time in the crater the team will return to Camp Schurman. Tonight is their last night on the mountain, tomorrow they will descend to the trailhead at White River and make the drive back to Rainier BaseCamp. We look forward to seeing them tomorrow afternoon.
Nice work team!
Nice job team! Way to go Calvin!!
Posted by: Wallis Shoppy on 7/4/2023 at 10:47 am
July 4, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita, Avery Parrinello, Mike Bennett, Tom Skoog, Robert Whyte, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 1 - 5 went for the summit today led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Avery Parrinello. The teams radioed from Columbia Crest a little after 7:30 am PT. As of 8:15 they were starting their descent from the crater rim. The teams will return to Camp Muir to rest and likely enjoy many firework displays from their vantage point this evening. Tomorrow the teams will descend the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise and celebrate their acheivements.
Congratulations team!
Monday, July 3, 2023 - 9:05 pm PT
It has been a windy snowy 24 hrs at 11,000ft. Not very pleasant to be outside of the tents for long. We are biding our time, waiting to make a break for it.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Congratulations & Happy 4th of July!
Jokes are all downhill from here… :D
Posted by: FAUSTINE SAMEC on 7/4/2023 at 9:24 pm
Absolutely amazing Miami Crew! Love you guys and so proud always.
Posted by: Linda on 7/7/2023 at 9:07 am
Felicitaciones a todo el grupo por lograr su cometido. Ya quiero ver las fotografÃas, seguro estan espectaculares!
Posted by: Zulema Roca on 7/7/2023 at 9:01 am
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