Entries By dustin wittmier
December 9, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
Today the weather redeemed itself with perfect conditions on Cotopaxi. 100% of the team reached the summit in calm conditions just after sunrise. It could not have been a nicer day. We now can all go home having summited a big mountain and with a story to tell from Cayambe.
A huge shoutout to this team for embracing the team aspect of climbing. All members supported another member at some point during both of the climbs. It was impressive to see the group show genuine care towards people who were strangers just days earlier. On numerous occasions we spent two hours or more at a meal sharing stories, laughing and learning about each other.
Also a shoutout to our Ecuadorian guides who continue to show their professionalism in the mountains, this expedition would not be possible without their local knowledge and high level of skill.
Finally, thanks to friends and family who have been following along with this trip. It’s encouraging to know you’re out there supporting us and we always enjoy getting a comment from Farmer Dave!
Yesterday we made a valiant effort on Cayambe. The team stuck together and supported each other along the way. We sat down for a break at 18200' anticipating one more hour to the summit. However, Mother Nature had a different plan, and we were privy to a surprise lightning show that was a touch too close for comfort. After packing up at the hut we made the trek south to Chilcabamba Eco Lodge where we are letting the bodies rest and reset. The team went for a neighborhood walk this morning and were delighted to have the neighborhood dogs join, although it seems the dogs had the ulterior motive of getting into mischief. Currently we are taking in stunning views of Cotopaxi and setting our sights towards our next high altitude adventure.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier and Team
Sending Perfect weather thoughts for Cotopaxi!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/8/2021 at 7:28 am
December 5, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,300'
We are settled back into the climber’s hut at Cayambe after a morning of reviewing climbing skills. Some competitive rounds of Yahtzee will now be followed with afternoon charcuterie and tea. The team is in good spirits and looking forward to our first alpine start tonight!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
Climb Strong Dustin!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/6/2021 at 4:25 am
December 2, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
Today we got second chair on the gondola and enjoyed a quiet morning on Rucu Pichincha. For many this was the second highest altitude they had reached and a good hike to really get the acclimatization going. Contrary to my previous trips and further proving the unreliability of weather forecasting in the tropics, we did not get rained on and it really did not threaten to rain on us at any point today. Following the hike we enjoyed a team dinner at a favorite local Lebanese restaurant and tomorrow we are headed north towards Cayambe.
All the Best to you and your team Dustin!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/3/2021 at 3:15 am
Following some last minute changes to COVID protocol in Ecuador and the saga of one lost duffel, all climbers have now arrived safely in Quito and the lost bag was found and delivered to the hotel. As the first step in the acclimatization process we toured museums, churches and historic sites for much of the day. It is currently a national holiday in Ecuador so the streets were lively with tourists and vendors. Spirits are high as we prepare to hike Rucu Pichincha tomorrow!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
November 9, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
We awoke to a perfectly clear night and were on the move by just after 1am on Friday. The first section of the climb, which is often a trail through pebble scree was covered in a perfectly hard, thin layer of snow. In fact, conditions on the entire route were near perfect. We followed La Ruta Antigua due to crevasse conditions on the more standard route. Shortly after sunrise we were walking up La Arista de Yanasacha, staring down the final headwall and trying to catch our breaths above 18500'. Upon reaching the summit, we were rewarded with 360 degree views of the highlands of Ecuador including numerous other active and dormant stratovolcanoes. Everyone did their standard summit rituals, ate a favorite snack, took some pictures and headed down. This team made quick work of the descent and we were eating pancakes at the hut by a normal breakfast hour.
Thanks to all the members of this team for showing up ready to climb and thank you to you all for following along with our travels!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
That is Awesome Dustin!! It brings back Great Memories!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 11/10/2021 at 2:50 am
November 4, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Matias Francis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,100'
When we arrived in Ecuador last weekend it had been rainy for weeks on end. Even the first couple days of this trip were quite stormy in the afternoons. But over the last couple days the patterns have been changing for the better. This morning we leave the Chilcabamba Eco Lodge and have our fingers crossed for one more day of good weather! Tomorrow is the main event, Cotopaxi summit day, and the excitement is palpable. Looking out the main window of the dining room at Chilcabamba we can see the summit of Cotopaxi and most of the route.
Included in the pictures are a couple from Iliniza Norte yesterday and one of Cotopaxi from the back porch at Chilcabamba.
Wishing you Clear sky on Cotopaxi Dustin!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 11/5/2021 at 3:05 am
November 2, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Matias Francis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,354'
November 2, 2021 - 6:33 am PT
Yesterday we did our first serious acclimatizing by hiking Rucu Pichincha. It is a fun hike that includes a gondola ride to 13,000' where we began our ascent to Rucu Pichincha, with an official summit elevation of 15354'. The entire team made it to the summit after a few hours of hiking and a short scramble. We then hustled down to avoid the afternoon rains and arrived back at the gondola before getting wet. This morning we are headed to Iliniza to make a summit attempt on Iliniza Norte tomorrow!
That is Awesome Dustin!!! Best of luck to you and the team!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 11/3/2021 at 4:05 am
Nice hike to the summit of Rucu Puchincha. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Joel Cline on 11/2/2021 at 8:16 am
November 1, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
The members of the team arrived safely in Quito and ventured out yesterday for a city tour of Quito. The first (and generally favorite) stop on the tour was at the Mitad del Mundo museum, which means "middle of the world". This museum is located on the equatorial line and the tour guides give us a review of some 8th grade science (which it seems we have all forgotten). At an elevation greater than 9,000' we are already getting our breathing in check and today are looking forward to a warm-up hike on Rucu Pichincha!
September 26, 2021
Posted by: Alex Halliday, Dustin Wittmier, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
On Friday the Camp Muir Expedition Skills Seminar returned from five days of training on Mount Rainier. Aspiring climbers learned a variety of movement and technical skills that will further their future mountain experiences. This wraps up RMI trips on Rainier this season, thank you to everyone who has been following along!
Congrats to You Dustin and all the Team!!! I love the pictures from a sunny summit!! Now I know what it looks like without snow and ice fog!! :) I agree it is so cool how complete strangers become best of friends in a day or so when in the mountains!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/11/2021 at 3:13 am
I am a gringo who lives in Ecuador… I am looking just for a guide for Chimborazo the weekend of Jan 22-23… Any recommendations on a good local?
Posted by: Spencer Chiaro on 12/10/2021 at 1:32 pm
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