Entries By dustin wittmier
The team led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier and Matias Francis reached the summit of Mt. Triumph today! The team climbed Triumph's northeast ridge to the summit where they enjoyed views deep into the North Cascades, including Mt. Baker. The team is making the most of their time in the North Cascades and plan to climb Thornton Peak tomorrow before their program concludes later this week.
August 14, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
Warm temperatures and overhead hazards on the climbing route prevented today's Four Day Climb from reaching the summit safely. RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier and team walked to Ingraham Flats to enjoy the sunrise and make the most of their time on the Mountian. They had and early departure from Camp Muir and will be back at Rainier Basecamp this afternoon.
August 10, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Henry Coppolillo, Liam Weed, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 7 - 10 led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier and Avery Parrinello reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:30 am PT. The team enjoyed a light breeze and good visibility under an overcast sky. They spent time crossing the crater to reach Columbia Crest, the highest point on Mt. Rainier and in Washington. After taking all the photos and enjoying the views, the team left the crater rim just after 8 am PT. They will travel 4.5 miles and 4,500' retracing their steps from early this morning to return to Camp Muir. Once they have removed their glacier travel gear and repacked their backpacks, they will continue another 4.5 miles and 4,500' back to Paradise.
Nice work today team! Congratulations!
July 31, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Matias Francis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,816'
At noon yesterday the West Ridge - Forbidden Peak team reached the summit. We started early to beat the heat (and other parties) and were rewarded with shade for much of the ascent. The climb went smoothly, the team was strong and all optional crux pitches were sent!
July 20, 2021
Posted by: Andy Bond, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey, Kiira Antenucci, Nathan Delmar, David Shuer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Today's Mt. Rainier teams reached the summit at 6:00 a.m. They reported windy conditions with clear skies. The teams began their descent back to Camp Muir at 7:08 a.m. where they will pack up the rest of their gear and continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to the summit teams!
July 15, 2021
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14, 410'
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier radioed in at 8:45 am to report that the team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. The team started their summit attempt from Camp Schurman and climbed the Emmons Glacier to reach the top. They have one more night on the mountain where they will continue to develop their alpine mountaineering skills in hopes of tackling bigger peaks like Denali and Aconcagua.
Congratulations Emmons Team!
So proud of all those old Lobo swimmers! WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!!!!
Posted by: Heidi Heywood on 7/15/2021 at 5:24 pm
Aces on top! Couldn’t be happier for The Don and the group. Plant the RFC flag!
Posted by: rvh on 7/15/2021 at 11:43 am
July 8, 2021
Posted by: JM Gorum, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The July 8th Four Day Climb team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team climbed above the heavy marine layer to enjoy clear skies and goregous views fromt the top. RMI Guide JM Gorum checked in by Radio, and reported light winds, clear skies, and a great route for climbing.
The team is on the descent and will be back to Camp Muir later this morning.
Congratulations to today’s team!
Great job!! A year extra of conditioning due to the pandemic and original date of hike cancellation was not part of the original plan.
Your persistence and dedication to each other is a terrific testimony to your brotherhood. As a father of two on the climb I couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations to the entire team-mission accomplished!!
Posted by: Peter Allen on 7/9/2021 at 1:25 pm
You guys are awesome! I can’t wait to hear all about this amazing experience from my husband and brother-in-law who are on this hike! Congrats to the team for this accomplishment!
Posted by: Kristen Allen on 7/8/2021 at 10:37 am
July 1, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 348'
Thursday, July 1, 2021 - 2:19 pm PT
Just a walk in the park,
A short nap began our long walk out. A 10pm wake up and a midnight start got us to basecamp an early hour. Heavy sleds and packs were no match for our motivation to shower away 22 days worth of smell. Walking the Kahiltna in the middle of the night (granted its always light out) is peaceful. A great time for reflection. Its been a fun, albeit hard, 22 days on Denali. We had it all, snow, wind, sunshine, all three at once. What we didn't have was any illness or injury and that's the important part. Showered, fed, and full of oxygen-rich air, we are all ready for our journey home. Its been a memorable expedition but now its time for family, friends, and recovery.
Well done team, well done,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Great Job Hannah and Dustin!! It was great following along with you.
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 7/2/2021 at 2:49 am
July 1, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 - 8:31 pm PT
Hey-O,
A long day indeed. We woke at 17K Camp and are now resting at 11K Camp. We have changed our focus of going up the mountain to going down the mountain. The focus is always on going higher and higher but the most important part is the downhill. Our trip is coming to an end and we are making our way back to basecamp. These long days walking gives plenty of time to reflect on the trip. It's been a long one, with today marking day 21. Many experiences and memories have been had. We may have not gained the summit but we have gained stories on stories of our time out here. And really the summit is just the cherry on top of an experience of a lifetime. Tomorrow we walk the Kahiltna Glacier with the final bit called Heart Break Hill. Its only a quick nap at 11K before we hit the glacier around midnight. Caffeine is going to be our friend.
Oh how sweet the air is,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
June 30, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 19,500'
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - 10:13 pm PT
And that's that,
Today we gave it all we could. The forecast was for less than 15mph winds and party sunny...well that wasn't exactly what we got. Camp was windy from the start. The sun was out but so was the wind. But today was our last shot so we left camp. It was a slow start behind a bunch of teams on the Autobahn but we made it to Denali Pass. The first stretch of the day is a real butt kicker. Clouds began to roam above Denali but conditions were still good. As the day progressed so did the clouds. By late afternoon we were in a cloud and the winds had picked up. We pushed as far as we could until it didn't make sense to keep going. 19,500' was our high point. Pushing past there with the conditions we had would be a risk. As the saying goes the mountains will be there for another try. They are much more robust than we are. The team made good, safe work making it back to camp. It would have been nice to arrive to a quiet camp but it is rather windy here. It will be a rowdy night in the winds but tomorrow we will skiddattle out of here to the land of more oxygen.
We gave it our all,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Gutted for you but great effort and staying power to stick it out as long as you have. Devin & Dustin it was great to see you when we were on our way down (I was with Mike King’s group). Here’s to a safe descent and lots of beers!!
Posted by: Huw Rothwell on 7/1/2021 at 4:07 pm
Really an impressive achievement and I’m so happy and so proud of you all for going after this exciting adventure!
I admire your patience & tenacity Byron! We all love living your adventures!
Mom & Dad
Posted by: Judy & Dale on 6/30/2021 at 1:29 pm
Way to go team! My son Nick was part of this group and everyone is glad they reached the summit safely.
Great work guides!
Posted by: Mike Vovakes on 8/10/2021 at 10:15 am
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