Entries By grayson swingle
October 19, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 18,491'
This is the Mexico volcanoes expedition checking in from the summit of Pico de Orizaba! We summited in great time in great conditions! Blue bird skies and 5mph winds greeted us from the top! Stand by for some pictures once we are back in town!
RMI Guides JT Schmitt and Grayson Swingle
On The Map
October 18, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,000'
Checking in from the Piedra Grande Hut on Pico de Orizaba at an elevation of 13,900 feet. We’ve had a busy day driving from Puebla and prepping in Tlachichuca. After a delicious dinner of chicken tacos, we are ready to turn in for an early start to head up Orizaba tomorrow! Wish us luck!!
Mexico volcanoes expedition.
RMI Guide JT Schmitt
On The Map
October 17, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 7,000'
Greetings from Puebla! The team is enjoying a well deserved rest day in the beautiful city of Puebla. It’s been a rainy day here but we are making the most of it. Each of us have set out on our own to explore the incredible churches built in the 1500’s and the lively markets found around our hotel.
Tomorrow we will head to our final objective of the trip, Pico de Orizaba (18,491')! The weather is looking quite wintery up there today through tomorrow but we may get a window to summit on Saturday if all goes well.
That’s all for now, we are heading to feast on some authentic Mexican cuisine!
RMI Guide Grayson Swingle
October 16, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 16,500'
Today we gave our best shot at the summit of Ixta, but the mountain countered with a stronger blow.
We woke up to mild temperatures and light winds and decided to start climbing around 2am. From past experiences our local guide, Ulisses, and myself were wary of these conditions, such warm temperatures with moisture aloft often indicate heavy precipitation and winds in the near future, so we decided we would climb tentatively upwards until the first sign of bad weather.
We successfully climbed through the most technical portion of the mountain to an elevation of 16,500 feet. At this point the winds started to increase as well as the rate of precipitation, so we decided to head back down. By the time we reached the final saddle before camp, the winds were nearing 40 mph and the snow was blanketing everything in sight. We were happy we turned back as soon as we did and everyone welcomed a dry tent and a hot drink. Now we are off to Puebla for some much earned rest before we go to climb Orizaba!
Enjoy some pictures from the last few days.
RMI Guide JT Schmitt & Team
October 15, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 15,500'
Hello from Ixta high camp!
We woke up this morning at the Altzomoni Hut to a crisp and clear morning. The moon, out in all its glory, was suspended just above Pico de Orizaba, far in the distance, and Popo was periodically producing puffs of smoke, creating an incredible view for us to begin our day with. Although it was a sight to behold, we had little time to sit and watch, because we had a high camp to get to!
Everyone made it up to approximately 15,500 feet in great style! The day proved to have as beautiful weather as the morning provided, and we enjoyed the blue skies the whole way up to high camp. The loads were a bit heavy, and the air a bit thin, but that was no issue for this team.
Now we are all relaxing in our tents and in true Mexican style enjoying a little siesta before dinner. In the morning we plan on waking up and climbing to the summit of Ixta!
Hasta luego!
RMI Guides JT Schmitt & Grayson Swingle
On The Map
WOW! What a beautiful sight, especially with someone I know in it! (:-)
Posted by: E J Fisher on 10/16/2019 at 11:47 am
October 14, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 13,100'
It has been another beautiful sunny day here in Mexico! Today the team moved from La Malinche through the town of Amecameca to the base of Ixta at 13,000 feet. Here, we did a final gear check and packed our bags to begin our two day journey up Ixta. The volcano next to Ixta, Popo, has been giving us quite a show today with big plumes of ash and gas coming from its crater.
Tonight our local logistics manager, Rehulio, is cooking us a Mexican feast as clouds begin to roll in on our perch! Rehulio does tons of work behind the scenes to make this trip run smoothly along with his porters and guides who help us along the way. Big shout out to them!
The plan for tomorrow is to ascend to our high camp on Ixta at 15,500 feet. It’s going to be a big day! Wish us luck for good weather for climbing to the summit!
RMI Guide Grayson Swingle
On The Map
Great going, guys! Keep it up, up, up. (:-)
Posted by: E J Fisher on 10/16/2019 at 11:42 am
Have a great couple days on ixta enjoy the beauty within and around.
Posted by: Joe on 10/15/2019 at 2:02 pm
October 13, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 10,000'
Sunday, October 13, 2019 - 3:07 pm PT
Hey everyone, our Mexico Volcanoes Expedition is off to a great start! This morning we left the busy streets of Mexico City for the mountains. We arrived to La Malinche, the former training ground for the Mexican Olympic team. Here we went for our first hike to prepare our bodies for higher elevations to come. The team made it to about 13,000 feet! Tonight we will stay in quiet cabins at 10,000 with great views of the Mexican countryside.
Tomorrow we will head to the base of Ixta, our fist big peak! So far the team is having a great time enjoying the food, scenery and culture that Mexico has to offer! Thanks for tuning in and we will check in mañana!
RMI Guide JT Schmitt
October 13, 2019
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 7,300'
This is the Mexico's Volcanoes Expedition checking in from the beautiful Zona Rosa in Mexico City. All climbers have arrived safely to our hotel, along with all of our baggage. After a delicious meal of authentic Mexican food, we are about to get some sleep to prepare for our early start to La Malinche tomorrow. Stay tuned for more dispatches once we reach the mountains.
RMI Guide JT Schmitt
August 16, 2019
Posted by: Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise met on August 11 with a full day of Technical training at Rainier BaseCamp. The following morning they loaded their packs and headed for Paradise. The team spent the next several days training on the lower slopes of Mt. Rainier and culminated their adventure by standing on the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. RMI Guide Jenny Konway reported a great day on the upper mountain with some breezy conditions. The team will make a complete descent today and return to Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon to properly celebrate their accomplishments.
Congratulations to the ESS-Paradise team!
July 21, 2019
Posted by: Andy Bond, Grayson Swingle, Cal Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
RMI Guide Andy Bond and team reached the summit of Glacier Peak in the North Cascades this morning! The team said it was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky! The team will return to camp tonight and make the hike to the trailhead tomorrow.
Congratulations climbers!
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Fingers crossed for your climb today (Saturday)
Cheers from Indiana!!
Lovely photos!
Posted by: Kathy on 10/19/2019 at 6:44 am
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