Entries By chad gaffigan
December 6, 2018
Posted by: Casey Grom, Chad Gaffigan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,696'
After a fun filled day touring around Quito yesterday, today was our first acclimatization hike. Our target Rucu Pichincha, a 15,696' extinct volcano. With sun breaks and patchy clouds the hike was a success, getting back to the hotel by 3 in the afternoon.
There was plenty of time for more exploring and shopping around Quito before the team had a good dinner at a local brewery.
RMI Guide Chad Gaffigan
On The Map
December 5, 2018
Posted by: Casey Grom, Chad Gaffigan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
Hola from Ecuador!
The team arrived late last night after some very long flights. Today we started our day with a team meeting where we did our usual round of introductions to get to know each other and then discussed the game plan for our upcoming 11 day adventure here in Ecuador.
After the meeting we headed out on the town to explore this beautiful historical city with our local and very knowledgeable tour guide Angel. We first headed north to visit the Equator from which Ecuador gets its name, stopping by a museum that had a pretty interesting collection as well as some unique test that attempt to prove it’s the actual middle of the world.
Then we headed to the southern part of Quito to a big hill called La Panacia that over looks this beautiful city. Normally we get to visit the oldest part of Quito, but today is the Holiday celebrating the founding of Quito and many of the street were closed for the festival. So we opted for a visit to the Basilica, built in gothic style, and managed to climb nearly to the top, via the steepest stairs any of us had ever been on. Pretty cool to say the least!
We wrapped up the day with a quick gear check to make sure everyone has all the gear needed for our climbs. Then it was off to dinner at a nice restaurant where we were enjoyed getting to know each other better.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Ecuador crew
August 1, 2017
Posted by: Andy Bond, Bryan Mazaika, Jessie Poquerusse, Chad Gaffigan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons July 28 - 2 August, 2017 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 7 am. RMI Guide Andy Bond and the team headed to the White River Camp Ground on Sunday after two days of training at Rainier BaseCamp. They started on the route on Sunday and ascended to Camp Schurman yesterday. They made an alpine start this morning and were pleased to report great weather and route conditions and that 100% of their team reached the summit today. The team will return to camp today for their final night on the mountain. Following some additional training the team will descend to the trail head and return to Rainier BaseCamp tomorrow.
Congratulations to the Emmons Seminar Team!
July 24, 2017
Posted by: Andy Bond, Chris Ebeling, Chad Gaffigan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guide Andy Bond and the Five Day Summit Climb July 20 - 24 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:30 am. Andy reported warm temperatures and sunny skies. The teams will return to Camp Muir and continue their descent to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's Five Day Summit Climb team!
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So glad to see the team reached the summit today. Special congrats to son Dave Skofstad. What a way to celebrate your birthday tomorrow! The kids just left and made something for you.
Posted by: Charlotte Skofstad on 7/24/2017 at 4:27 pm
So proud of my big brother Randy DeBoer. I am over 10 years younger and with my back and knees struggle to hike to the mailbox! You are a stud big brother!
Posted by: Roger DeBoer on 7/24/2017 at 11:19 am
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