RMI Expeditions Blog
June 30, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,200'
As we arose from our tents again at 14,000’ camp, fresh snow covered everything as if a frozen Baja Blast machine broke in the middle of the night and began spewing as far as the eye could see.
Today marked a choice, go for it, and continue up beautiful Denali, or stay here at14,000’ Camp for another night, and wait for a better window. Upon first view of the surroundings, the choice was clear, spend one more day resting. This journey has been largely about patience, especially these last few days, but we are on the home stretch now, also just days away now from returning to civilization…
All the fish tacos, burritos and fajitas, Doritos, and Fritos, and Cheetos, pizza, burgers and glizzies and frozen margaritas All these and more, await at Talkeetna
Climber Joey Myers & Team
June 30, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Mike Walter and Henry Coppolillo reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Mike Walter reported moderate winds, clear skies and a solid climbing on their way to the top. The team is on the descent, and will be celebrating with cold beverages and at Rainier Basecamp by the early afternoon.
Congratulations Team!
June 29, 2023
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Josh McDowell, Ellison Boord, Josh Geiser, Hannah Blum, Raymond Holt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The June 26 - 29 Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer & Josh McDowell reached the summit of Mt. Rainier just before 6 am today. Pete reported a very nice morning on the mountain. The teams enjoyed an hour in the summit crater before starting their descent from the crater rim. The teams will return to Camp Muir for a quick break and then continue the final 4,500' to Paradise. They will celebrate their achievement at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Nice work team!
June 29, 2023
Posted by: Abby Westling, Walter Hailes, Calvin Jiricko, Tom Skoog
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guide Abby Westling and the Emmons Seminar June 25 - 30 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They reached the summit around 6:30 am on a beautiful, clear day. After several days of training and climbing the team put it all together to reach the top. The team will return to Camp Schurman today for their last night on the mountain. They will descend to the White River trailhead tomorrow afternoon and make the drive back to Ashford.
Congratulations Emmons team!
June 29, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - 10:39 pm PT
Our climb yesterday earned us a well deserved rest day. After sleeping in we were awoken to some delicious extra cheesy breakfast burritos. This was followed by a musical production of “These Boots Were Made For Climbing” by the soon to be famous Denali 10 (look for us on TikTok). Stay tuned for our upcoming show “Dancing on Denali”, which will include some tasteful nude scenes as well. The rest of our day was spent relaxing as we look forward to beginning our summit push either tomorrow or Friday.
RMI Climber Mark Kulow
June 29, 2023
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Michael Murray, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - 9:41 pm PT
We celebrated Tibor's birthday with a storm day and a no-bake cheesecake. Familiar weather to us, clouds and snow with winds aloft kept us confined to 14,000ft Camp. We slept, we ate, we dug snow and cut snow blocks. We talked and we read... we passed time. Looking forward to going climbing again when the storm quits.
June 28, 2023
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Lacie Smith, Charlie Harrison, Evan Sather
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz June 23 - 28, 2023 checked in this morning from the summit crater. After two days of training at Rainier BaseCamp and Paradise the team headed onto the mountain. With several days to train and ascend, the team launched their summit attempt this morning, reaching the crater before 7 am. After enjoying some time on top, the team is now on their descent. RMI Guide Mike Haugen reported a beautiful day with light winds. The team will return to Paradise later this afternoon and be transferred back to Rainier BaseCamp to complete their program.
Nice work team!
June 28, 2023
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Tatum Whatford, Emma Lyddan, Cal Seeley, Ben Thorneycroft, Will Ambler
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb teams led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Tatum Whatford reached the summit this morning. Joe reported a stormy night at Camp Muir and a cloudy ascent but a clear morning with light winds as they were descending from the crater rim. The teams started their descent from the crater rim a little before 7am today. They will return to Camp Muir for a quick break and then continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
June 28, 2023
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 28, 2023 - 9:28 pm PT
We set out on our quest to get a load of supplies onto the West Buttress but the weather deteriorated steadily as we climbed. At 15,400 ft we decided to turn. We set a few personal altitude records, but it was just short of the fixed rope section we had been hoping to climb today. We returned to camp in light snowfall. The afternoon became a quiet napping contest in the tents. We'll try again when we get a break in the storm.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Bummer….Sending prayers for clear skies and no wind !!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/28/2023 at 8:08 am
June 28, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - 8:25 am PT
The morning started out cold, crisp, and clear. Excitement was in the air - today we were climbing.
We ascended the steep snow up to 15,700. For some, each step was a new highest altitude ever climbed, while for others the thin air was all too familiar. Looking up, we could see the two ropes poking out of a steep slope of blue ice and wind blown snow. Looking down, through the clouds that had rolled in, glimpses of our camp could be seen far below. One by one, we attached ourselves to the fixed lines with ascenders. Initially cautious and unsteady, we soon found our footing and got into the groove - one duck step after the other. Nearing the top, the wind had picked up, and it was decided around 16,100 to descend back to camp - our mission of acclimatizing and experiencing the fixed ropes accomplished. Heading down the lines was exhilarating; facing downhill with one arm ensnared around the rope, we leaned forward and let gravity do the work. Relaxing in camp the rest of the day, we all felt prepared and ready - hopefully awaiting our chance to climb higher in the coming days.
RMI Climber Alex Smith
Amazing, so so incredible. Go Alex and team, go! Stay safe and warm.
Posted by: Cristian on 6/28/2023 at 6:19 pm
Gooooo uncle Alex! Hope you packed some Dan Dan noodles for the summit! Xox
Posted by: Liz and Max and ollie on 6/28/2023 at 5:35 pm
WOOO great work on a successful climb! Congrats to Becky and the rest of the team :)
Posted by: Corey on 6/29/2023 at 8:55 am
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