Entries By erika birkeland
May 18, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Erika Birkeland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 348'
Hello fellow readers!
Welcome to our journey! We have wrapped up day two of our Denali Expedition. Yesterday the team met at carousel 1 of the Anchorage Airport with heavy duffels in tow. A rainy drive through the woods of Alaska brought us to the launching pad of Denali Expeditions, Talkeetna. Talkeetna is a Native American word meaning where the rivers meet. At the end of town, you can stand where the Susitna, Chulitna, and the Talkeetna meet with views of Hunter, Foraker, and Denali off in the distance. Today the clouds covered up the mountains but the river rushed by with huge chunks of ice floating along down stream, making for a gorgeous view. It was a busy day for the team sorting gear and getting ready for our flight tomorrow. We are separated into two teams with five going on one plane and four on another. As of now, the weather looks good for getting onto the Kahiltna glacier. The team enjoyed their last dinner in civilization before eating a bunch of noodles and burritos on the mountain. You can see and feel the excitement but also the nerves and jitters for what lies ahead. It's going to be an amazing adventure and a memorable one too. Not only because we are climbing the tallest peak in North America but we are doing it as a team of all Ladies! So say hello to your all women's team, The Tatas.
Stayed tuned for what's next,
RMI Guides Hannah, Devin, Erika, and Team
May 13, 2023
Posted by: Taylor Bickford, Seth Burns, Ellison Boord, Erika Birkeland, Nicole De Petris, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Success! The Four-Day climb led by Taylor Bickford and Seth Burns reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 7:45am. They enjoyed a good climbing route and weather during their ascent.
The team will be back at Basecamp this afternoon to celebrate their hard work!
August 17, 2022
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Erika Birkeland, Michael Murray, Ben Luedtke, Ellison Boord
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climbing Teams led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Dustin Wittmier reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team has clear skies and calm winds for their climb. A blue bird day! The team is back at Camp Muir and will begin their descent to Paradise shortly.
Congratulations Team!
August 10, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom, Ben Ammon, Erika Birkeland, Trevor Katz, Evan Sather, Ellison Boord
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climbs August 7 - 10 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Ben Ammon reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. As of 7:30 am the teams were at 13,100' on their descent. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise.
The program will conclude this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers.
Thanks for a fantastic adventure! Guides Casey, Erika and Evan were great!
Posted by: Darrell Jesse on 8/11/2022 at 3:06 pm
Way to go Brian! We are so proud! Love, Mom and Dad
Posted by: Joan Schneider on 8/10/2022 at 8:55 am
August 7, 2022
Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, Ben Luedtke, Erika Birkeland, Josh Geiser, Trevor Katz
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four-Day teams reached the summit this morning at 5 am! RMI Guides Brent Okita and Christina Dale reported great route conditions and no winds on the summit. They are currently finishing their descent to Camp Muir for a quick break before packing up camp and starting their descent to Paradise in the summer sunshine.
Congrats team!
Congratulations to everyone! Special thank you to Lead Guide Christina, and to Trevor for all his help with me on the descent. So very proud my son Christian Rainier Culbert summited a 2nd year in a row with RMI. On an even more beautiful day this time when they got to see the sunrise from the summit. I’ll always remember (rue?) the unique challenge of Disappointment Cleaver. Pre-dawn on the Ingraham Flats with Gibraltar Rock looming behind us in that early light, a canopy of stars just beginning to fade above us…a moment I will treasure. Appreciated everything so much; RMI you are a credit to your stewardship of our beloved Mt. Rainier.
Posted by: Geoff Culbert on 8/8/2022 at 7:35 am
July 21, 2022
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Erika Birkeland, Mira Schoeberlein
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
RMI Guide Hannah Smith reported beautiful climbing conditions from Glacier Peak today. The team went 100% to the top of one of Washington's most remote volcanoes. The team spends two days trekking into camps before starting their summit attempt. The team is staying at White Pass Camp to enjoy some well-deserved rest before descending to the trailhead tomorrow.
Congrats team!
July 9, 2022
Posted by: James Bealer, Erika Birkeland, Evan Sather
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
The Glacier Peak Climb with RMI Guide James Bealer reached the 10,541' Summit yesterday. The team spent most of the approach to high camp in the clouds, but got incredibly lucky on summit day, as the clouds parted, and the peak showed off beautiful hues of pink. The team had a clear day for climbing. For two of the team members this summit completes their quest to climb all FIVE Washington Volcanoes!
The team will descend about seven and a half miles to the trailhead today and celebrate in Darrington.
Congratulations Team!
June 29, 2022
Posted by: Bryan Mazaika, Jack Delaney, Emma Lyddan, Erika Birkeland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team stood on the summit of Mt. Rainier at 10:15 am today. The high winds from yesterday and overnight calmed in the early hours, it was cold, so the team waited for the temperatures to warm before starting their summit attempt. The waiting paid off and the team had a clear beautiful summit day via the Emmons Glacier. They will spend the last night on the mountain training, before returning to Ashford Basecamp tomorrow afternoon.
Congratulations Team!
June 22, 2022
Posted by: Brent Okita, Bryan Mazaika, Josh Geiser, Joey Manship, Erika Birkeland, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Five Day Climb June 18 - 22 led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Bryan Mazaika enjoyed the sunrise at Ingraham Flats and Muir Peak. Weather this morning was calm and sunny with a few small wind gusts. The teams were unable to climb due to route conditions. All climbers descended from Camp Muir just after 8 am en route to Paradise. They will return to Rainier BaseCamp in the early afternoon.
@Dilip my understanding is it is like early spring conditions and the avy conditions are risky.
Posted by: Ryan on 6/23/2022 at 6:28 am
Definitely a bit upsetting to see so many teams not make summit
Posted by: John on 6/22/2022 at 6:24 pm
June 13, 2022
Posted by: Eric Frank, Alex Halliday, Erika Birkeland, Tatum Whatford, George Hedreen, Cal Seeley
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080
The Five Day Climb June 9 - 13 enjoyed a beautiful sunrise from Ingraham Flats and Camp Muir this morning. Route conditions did not allow the teams to ascend above 11,200' yesterday or today but the team got in some good training and enjoyed two nights at Camp Muir. The teams descended to Paradise arriving around noon today and will conclude their program at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Photos: RMI Guide Eric Frank
We did training ascend on June 11 and went up to 11,000’ around 4 pm. I didn’t see any route conditions that did not allow to go further, I don’t have much experience though. Could you give more details on what route conditions stopped the group?
Posted by: Nick R on 6/15/2022 at 12:55 pm
What were the route conditions that did not allow you to go above 11k? Avalanche? Deep snow? Heading up this weekend and wondering what the current risks are from most recent teams.
Posted by: Kahlie Gleason on 6/13/2022 at 1:58 pm
Go Corey!! Show Denali who’s boss!!! Let me know if you find a Mrs. Claus up there, she’s been dodging my calls ( ; _ ;)/
Anna + Bennett
Posted by: Anna Nolan on 5/19/2023 at 10:30 am
We are tracking your progress via the points you are dropping, plus dad is plotting and forecasting where y’all head next via Google earth. Have fun and stay safe, Anna!
Love, Mom & Dad
Posted by: Kathy on 5/19/2023 at 9:00 am
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