RMI Expeditions Blog
June 8, 2023
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jack Delaney, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
Cache and carry was the theme of the day; or more appropriately the reverse. We carried loads up Ski Hill to the Kahiltna pass and buried them in a cache, to be dug up on a later day. We did this to acclimate and make moving camp easier. The weather was hot, cold and windy; so typical for the mountains. We then loaded our sleds in our backpacks and looking like characters in a Mardi Gras parade tromped back down hill to some of Jack’s spicy Jambalaya. Check back tomorrow to see what kind of adventure or mischief we get into - same time, same channel. -
RMI Climber Scott Coffey
June 7, 2023
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Nicole De Petris, Ellison Boord, Cal Seeley, Mitch Valaitis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb June 3 - 7 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. After training and climbing the last few days the teams put their training to work. The climbing teams enjoyed some time in the crater before starting their descent around 8:30 am. From the crater rim, RMI Guide Dave Hahn reported a perfect day with no wind and beautiful conditions. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Happy to hear y’all had a perfect day for the summit! Can’t wait to hear how it was Travis!
Posted by: Ryan on 6/9/2023 at 6:37 am
Glad to hear everyone made the summit on a good weather day. Congrats to Travis! Looking forward to hearing stories and seeing some cool photos.
Godspeed on a safe return to all!
Posted by: Scott S on 6/8/2023 at 6:35 am
June 7, 2023
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jack Delaney, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - 11:11 pm PT
The RMI team lead by RMI Guides Andy Bond, Jack Delaney and Joey Manship thoroughly enjoyed the K2 flight in to base camp this morning. The views were spectacular! We began our climb for a short distance down hill before beginning the arduous journey with heavy packs and full sleds up what we referred to as Blister Hill. The team made excellent time and established our camp at 7,800 feet elevation on the flats at the base of Ski Hill. As the clouds rolled in and a light snow began to fall we enjoyed delicious burritos and looked forward to a well deserved nights rest.
Climber Jeff Ebeling
Looking forward to following your progress Take lots of pictures Andy.
Steve
Posted by: Steve Kickert on 6/7/2023 at 6:25 pm
Great to hear day 1 was a success! We wish the best of luck and best of weather! -Love, Jeff’s family! ❤️
Posted by: Jill Ebeling on 6/7/2023 at 1:04 pm
June 6, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Roland Scott, Lacie Smith, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After a full week of training on the lower slopes of Mt. Rainier the Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli said the Kautz route was in awesome shape. They left the crater rim around 9:30 am and will return to their camp for a final night on the mountain. The skills acquired will help these climbers pursue more advanced climbs like Denali, Aconcagua, or Mt. Baker North Ridge.
Congratulations team!
June 6, 2023
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jack Delaney, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 348'
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - 9:53 am PT
The weather is cooperating and we're taking off to the Alaska Range and landing on the Kahiltna glacier! Our next update will be via satellite messenger and the climb will have started!
Bon voyage!
RMI Guides Andy Bond, Jack Delaney and Joey Manship
Best wishes for a safe and successful team!
Posted by: KATHERINE GRAHAM on 6/7/2023 at 5:26 am
Praying for great weather, a safe climb, awesome memories, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and a summit!
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on 6/7/2023 at 4:10 am
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 7:13 pm PT
Denali Team Assemble!
Everyone has made it to Alaska with our bags in tow. After brief introductions we loaded up the shuttle and took off for Talkeetna. The day was beautiful with clear skies and warm temps. After an hour we did a quick pit stop at the grocery store in Wasilla for last minute supplies, mostly beer and cookie dough. Another hour of driving and we arrived in the quaint town of Talkeetna. Unloading the dozens of duffels and supplies really put into perspective the sheer scale of preparing for an expedition of this size. We then relaxed for the evening, had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed the midnight sun.
Cheerio,
RMI Guides Jack, Andy, Joey and the team
To quote Calvin and Hobbes “It’s A Magical World Hobbes Ol’ Buddy….Let’s Go Exploring”
Savor all the magic this exploration holds. Stay Safe.
Posted by: Jan Morgan on 6/6/2023 at 5:41 pm
So excited for all of you! We hope for great weather and a a successful summit!
Posted by: Larisa Corbett on 6/6/2023 at 9:48 am
June 5, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Erika Birkeland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 348'
Hello readers,
What a day, what a day. We woke again to snow and all you can see, white. The forecast didn't call for all this snow and white but it's what we got for 36 hours straight. Hope wasn't lost and the team enjoyed a group activity of stomping out the runway. It didn't look like we would fly but we would at least be ready for those planes. The hours went by and no change. Surely we would spend another night at basecamp...then all of a sudden the clouds started to lift. There was a bustle around camp...planes were coming. The team having done a few false alarm pack ups was dialed. In less than 30 minutes we were fully packed up waiting next to the airstrip for our plane. It is a whirlwind experience to be one second in your sleeping bag on the mountain and the next loading a plane to take you off. In no time we were back in civilization, stinky, tired, and a few shades darker from the sun. A long shower, a hot meal not cooked over the XKG stoves, and a mattress you don't have to blow up later, we are new people. It's been an amazing trip full of ups and downs and always lessons learned about ourselves. We are grateful to be back safe and already look forward to our next adventures.
Thanks for following along! Till next time,
RMI Guides Hannah, Devin, Erika, and Team
Thank you for helping to keep molly and the rest of the team safe. She had nothing but glowing praise for all of you. Very much appreciated!!! It sounded like a great adventure.
Thanks again!!!!
Posted by: Todd Wardwell on 6/5/2023 at 2:51 pm
June 5, 2023
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Lauren Macklin, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 348'
Here's one more haiku,
The otters finally flew
We have made it back.
After a few long days sitting and waiting in our tents at Basecamp, K2 Aviation was able to make their way up glacier to come and grab our teams and sneak us back to Talkeetna last night.
We unpacked all the group gear, took our first shower in a long time, and got to enjoy a hot meal not prepared by an RMI guide.
After a long and challenging trip, we were all very thankful to make it back to land safe and sound.
Until next year!
Nikki
Congratulations on a safe return, Matt and team! Looking forward to hearing your stories and seeing your pictures, Matt!
Posted by: Kathleen George on 6/5/2023 at 9:15 am
June 5, 2023
Posted by: Steve Gately, Avery Parrinello, Mike Bennett, Charlie Harrison, Evan Sather, Nick Sinapius
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb June 1 - 5 led by RMI Guides Steve Gately and Avery Parinello reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team enjoyed some time in the crater and reported a very pleasant climb although a bit cold and windy. They started their descent from the crater rim at 8 am and will return to Camp Muir for a quick stop before continuning the remaining 4,500' to Paradise later today. Their program will conclude this afternoon with ceremony at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations! So proud of you, Brandon! ❤️
Posted by: Cynthia on 6/5/2023 at 10:04 am
Go Kaylee!! I’m Kaylees dad and we are cheering her on from Houston!! Thanks guides for the great job you are doing!!!!
Posted by: Andy Bergman on 6/5/2023 at 9:33 am
June 4, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 348'
Sunday, June 4, 2023 - 11:33 am PT
Well, Denali didn't disappoint, nor did it ever relent, but we've wrapped up a safe and successful expedition. Stormy weather bookended our trip, delaying flights both onto and off of the glacier. Not to be outdone, we endured snowy and windy weather throughout the trip, taking advantage of the sunny days in between to climb and get into position for a calm and warm (albeit cloudy with no views) summit day.
Our team was elated to see K2 Aviation's de Havilland Otters approaching Basecamp to pick us up. As excited as we were to get to town, there's always a little sadness watching the beauty of the Alaska Range, our home for the past twenty-three days, disappear underneath the wings of the ski plane.
Thanks for following our adventure. Now we're off to climb in the Cascades!
RMI Guide Mike Walter and team
Just want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone there. Rich is back in Thailand, just got done reading his journal. FaceTimed with him earlier, he had a lot to say about Mike being a beast lol. Thanks Mike for taking care of my son. A very proud mom down here, so glad he got to the summit. Bad weather seems to prevent him from summiting, so this was awesome.
Enjoy the Cascades.
Posted by: Kim on 6/4/2023 at 4:14 pm
Hope the weather cooperates today! We are all rooting for you Mikayla!
Posted by: Larisa Corbett on 6/9/2023 at 9:34 am
Glad all is going well, team! Hope the adventure continues to go well, Katie. Cheering you on from 716!
Love,
Kate
Posted by: Kate Graham on 6/9/2023 at 8:48 am
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