Entries By hannah smith
Saturday, February 12, 2022 4:09 AM PST
Hola Amigos,
We woke with an excitement in the air, today we were leaving the city. After a few nights in Quito it was time for us to head north to our next destination. Bellies full of continental breakfast, we gathered all of our belongings, squeezed into the tiny elevators and stacked our duffels in the lobby to await our driver, Hector.
A two-hour drive through the countryside was a welcome rest from yesterday’s hike. The van winded up cobblestone streets until the road was covered with water from the overflowing lake. We had made it to our activity for the day. It was time to stretch our legs up Fuya Fuya and get our heart rates up. Our bodies are working hard to adjust to the altitudes and be ready for the three volcanos awaiting us. Beautiful views, pretty flora, and mysterious clouds provided great backdrops.
Slippery grass and muddy steps led us to the top where we were greeted by a large group of Deutsch high schoolers. After snatching our summit photo, we made our way back down to the van, some with muddier butts than others. A few team members took the opportunity to take a cold dip in the lake because when at Fuya Fuya why not. Bellies growling, we made it back to town for some pizza before we loaded back in the van, up more steep cobblestone streets to our hacienda.
The hacienda is beautiful with a peaceful presence overlooking the town below. The team enjoyed some downtime before rallying together for some learning. Tonight’s entertainment before dinner was learning about knots and hitches, a building block for when we learn about crevasse rescue. A delicious dinner wrapped up the day before we all went back to our rooms to pack for tomorrow. Tomorrow we head to our first snow covered volcano.
With nerves and excitement surrounding us, we enjoy one final night with Wi-Fi before heading into the mountains.
Buenas noches,
Buenos Dias Bloglandia,
I’m sure many of you out there have been gnawing on your steering wheels and passing up Instagram to check on today’s happenings of the Ecuador skills seminar. Well, wait no longer because the moment has arrived.
Beginning with last nights dinner (food and drink report) the team all gathered around a big table in a classic Ecuadorian restaurant, sharing stories and laughs eventually waiting for Dan’s guinea pig to arrive, his main course. After realizing it didn’t really taste like chicken, we all focused back into our potatoes and meat happy we didn’t follow the adventurous Dan’s lead.
Come morning we all returned to the table for breakfast while preparing for our bus ride to the giant volcano just out of the city where our first team climb would take place.
After 15 minutes of solid Quito traffic we arrived at the trailhead. Except here, as it should be on all mountains, the trailhead is actually the ticket office to the cable car waiting to zip us up the first 3,000 feet so our legs won’t get too tired. No one botched getting into the moving car so we were off to a good start.
With swirling clouds and occasional views of the city thousands of feet below, we all made quick and steady progress up to the 14,000 foot mark. Soon afterwards my GPS began to rock a lady Gaga song as we broke the 15,000 foot barrier, marking the altitude PR for half the team. Thirty minutes later we were all giving high 5’s on the summit of our first real mountain. Pichincha Rucu, 15,300 feet!
The descent was uneventful except for a hummingbird which almost flew full speed into my face but crisis averted due to my lightning reflexes. Maybe that’s exaggerated.
Anyhoo, the team did great and gets the green light from both Hannah and me to climb again tomorrow. I expect the same results barring anything loco!!
If Yellowstone wasn’t enough, give Ozark a try. It will get you through until tomorrow.
I remember the ride. I got sea sick. It sure saved on the legs.
Posted by: JOHN H NEWLAND on 2/11/2022 at 7:18 am
Welcome to day one of the February, Expedition Skills Seminar - Ecuador. From this day forward, you as the blog follower will be stuck to the edge of your seat for the next two weeks, waiting with more anticipation than those waiting for the next episode of Yellowstone. You will hear harrowing tales of long bus rides, lots of food and drink and perhaps some occasional mountain climbing.
Today however, the excitement was kept to a minimum with a brief orientation in the hotel lobby with all team members present, followed by a four hour city tour covering the equator to the north then back to the old town of Quito in the south.
I would say our most adventurous moments came during our visit to the Mitad Del Mumdo, or center of the world, where eggs mysteriously balance on nails if one posses the proper mojo and strange gravitational forces affect raised arms if hailing the sun god. No one seamed possessed by evil spirits so my first impression is every one should climb well.
Beyond that the city blessed us with good weather, good views and nice people. After the tour our weary travelers retired for a quick nap before our first of many group dinners.
Tomorrow we will venture into the mountains for the first time stretching our legs and lungs while quickly breaking the 15,000 foot ceiling on the active volcano, Pichincha Rucu, 5 miles from our hotel. Stay tuned for that report.
Until then, watch some Yellowstone.
Following your posts and wishing all a great climbing trip.
Posted by: Jane on 2/12/2022 at 5:26 pm
Stalking you online with happy memories of 2016 in Ecuador with Adam and team.
Posted by: Lindsay Newell on 2/10/2022 at 4:44 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Seth Burns, Nathan Delmar
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Hey there!
Our Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier team is on the summit. It has been a chilly day but all is good. Clouds are rolling in and it was quite smokey. We are heading down now and will return to Camp for a final night on the mountain. Tomorrow morning after packing up camp, we will head down to the trail head.
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Luke Wilhelm, Tatum Whatford, Augi Fleer, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
From RMI Guide Hannah Smith: The Mt. Rainier summit is not guaranteed but the rising sun is. Gusty winds made for a high point at Ingraham Flats- short of the summit but still challenging. Our team is packing up and heading downhill shortly.
RMI Guide Hannah Smith reported very few other climbers and good weather for their climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier today. Hannah led the Four Day Climb August 8 - 11, the team completed Mountaineering School on Monday and ascended to Camp Muir on Tuesday. Once at Camp Muir, they had a few hours of rest before getting an alpine start for their summit climb today. They reached the crater rim around 6 am this morning under blue skies and cool temps. After enjoying some times on the summit they started their descent from summit just after 7 am. Once back at Camp Muir the team will repack and continue another 4,500' descent to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's Four Day Climb Team!
Well done! Say hi to the mountain for me and my dad
Posted by: Sabrina Harrison on 8/12/2021 at 9:08 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Henry Coppolillo, Seth Burns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
The Mt. Shuksan - Sulphide Glacier August 2 - 5 team reached the summit of Mt. Shuksan today led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith, Henry Coppolillo and Seth Burns.
Hannah reported that the team was having a great day on the mountain with very few climbers on the route and fairly clear skies. The team will return to camp for their final night on the mountain and walk out to the trailhead tomorrow to conclude their programs.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Lauren Macklin, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Mt. Rainier Women's Climb, led by RMI Guide Hannah Smith, reached the summit at 6:30 a.m. The team reported nice weather and good route conditions. They spent some time on top before beginning their descent back to Camp Muir at 8:00 a.m.
We look forward to congratulating the team this afternoon at Raineir Basecamp!
Congratulations to all 9 of you women and especially you Amie. You all put in so much work and are an inspiration to us all.
Thank you Hannah and Tatum for getting them to the top!
Posted by: Craig Oberg on 7/30/2021 at 9:30 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Erika Birkeland, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
The Glacier Peak Climb was on top with 100% of the team! RMI Guide Hannah Smith reported a beautiful day and good climbing conditions.
Well done, team! Passed you on our way down Thursday below White Pass! Cheers!
Posted by: Peter on 7/24/2021 at 4:55 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Devin Guffey, Keeley Rideout, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Mt. Rainier RMI and SheJumps Climb, led by Hannah Smith, reached the summit today at 5:40am with 100% success! They have started their descent from the crater rim and will return to Basecamp later today.
This team humbly crushed the route and completed in style!
Posted by: Number one fan on 7/13/2021 at 11:38 pm
Congrats!!! What an amazing accomplishment!!
Posted by: Kimberly Austin-Ellis on 7/12/2021 at 3:45 pm
Sending best wishes for perfect weather Hannah , Adam and team!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/12/2022 at 2:03 pm
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