Entries By dustin wittmier
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
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!
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
Wishing you Clear sky on Cotopaxi Dustin!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 11/5/2021 at 3:05 am
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