Entries By ben luedtke
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
Saturday, June 19, 2021 - 2:30 pm PT
We woke at 1am this morning and fired up stoves for a quick breakfast and a cup of coffee and then we set off down Heartbreak Hill to the Kahiltna Glacier and up the the base of Ski Hill. By traveling in the wee hours of the morning we were able to take advantage of firm snow conditions and comfortable temperatures for climbing, before the glacier turned into a solar oven.
The traveling was pretty straight forward, climbing over some crevasses and skirting around others. We made quick work of the mission, and four hours after setting out we found ourselves making camp.
After "brunch" we retreated to our tents for some rest and to get out of the searing sun.
We'll stay on the alpine start schedule for now and hope to carry a load of food and fuel up to somewhere close to 10,000' tomorrow before returning back down to our current camp. We'll let you know how it goes.
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
Friday, June 18, 2021 - 8:43 am PT
Good morning from Kahiltna Base Camp. We were packed and ready to fly all day yesterday, but the weather wouldn't cooperate with our plans. After playing the waiting game for most of the day, we finally loaded up the two turbine Otters and launched towards the Alaska Range. We arrived at Basecamp at around 6pm and set up shop here. We'll spend the day here today and move to the Base of Ski Hill tonight when the snow freezes back up.
Posted by: Jenny Konway, Taylor Bickford, Stephen Inman, Ben Luedtke, Axel Ryd, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Teams reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning! The Five Day Climb, May 29 - 2 June, made their summit attempt this morning led by RMI Guides Jenny Konway and Taylor Bickford. The teams were walking into the crater rim around 7:15 am. Taylor reported an exceptional day on the mountain with very little wind, good route conditions and warm temperatures. The teams enjoyed some time on the summit before starting their descent. They will return to Camp Muir for their second and final night on the mountain.
Congratulations to the teams for reaching the summit!!
Posted by: Tracey Inman on 6/3/2021 at 8:38 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Leif Bergstrom, Nikki Champion, Alan Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir May 16 - 21, 2021 met on Sunday for their first day of training led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Nikki Champion. On Monday, May 17th they loaded their packs and ascended to Camp Muir. They have spent the last four days and nights at Camp Muir, training and practicing skills needed to climb big mountains. Today they put that training to test and made their summit attempt on Mt. Rainier. Unfortunately wind and new snow thwarted their effort. The team is safely back at Camp Muir and will do some additional training this morning before packing their gear and descending from 10,000'. We hope they learned a lot and enjoyed their experience even with the uncooperative weather.
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Andy Bond, Ben Luedtke, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,000'
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer and Andy Bond led their team of climbers on the Five Day Climb May 3 - 7 to 13,000' today before deteriorating weather forced them to turn around.
The team completed their Mountaineering School on Tuesday and ascended to Camp Muir yesterday for their first night at 10,080'. They will return to Camp Muir today for their final night on the mountain. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp tomorrow.
A valiant climb made by all! Good work, climbers. Sorry you did not reach the summit, but glad for your safety. <3
Posted by: Lauren Kraft on 5/7/2021 at 9:20 am
Bummer.
Hope they get the chance and make the summit.
Posted by: Don West on 5/6/2021 at 9:56 pm
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Chase Halbert, Ben Luedtke, Luke Wilhelm, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir teams led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier and Avery Parrinello ascended to Camp Muir on Monday under beautiful blue skies. The good weather continued for their training at Camp Muir the following day. Wednesday morning, with an alpine start, the team left Camp Muir en route to the summit. The team enjoyed nice weather and clear skies, allowing them to spend some time in the crater. After their time on top, the teams returned to Camp Muir. They will continue their training today and tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon they will re-pack their gear and descend to Paradise.
Congratulations to the climbers on reaching the summit of Mt. Rainier and being the first RMI Team to do so this season!
Congratulations! Seeing these updates again is awesome!
Posted by: Glenn Kline on 4/23/2021 at 4:29 pm
Always great to hear of Rainier success. Bravo - especially to rookies.
Posted by: Waltero Glover on 4/23/2021 at 6:37 am
Posted by: Casey Grom, Cole Thompson, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Praying for safety. Thanks for the update!! Rob, Dad got your postcard today and was thrilled to hear from you. Praying you all make it to the Summit!
Posted by: Marg Millman on 6/22/2021 at 6:25 pm
Miss you Daryl! Looking forward to the updates! Everyone asking about you everyday
Posted by: Katie on 6/21/2021 at 11:02 am
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