Entries By jack delaney
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
We got a nice wake up call from the park helicopter flying in cool and calm air. Sun hits the tents around 7:30. Our team was anxiously awaiting coffee & breakfast, which is a good sign that they are acclimating well, good appetites are what the guides want to see.
Some took naps, showers and did crosswords. The Grajales team here at Plaza Argentina has been incredibly helpful and supportive. The blue skies with scattered clouds continue to dominate the horizon, new snow from earlier in the week is melting and the warm tents make for some excellent downtime.
We will head out for a walk towards the base of Ibanez in the broad and flat drainage that once held a massive glacier. Tomorrow we’ll move to Camp 1 and begin our 8-10 days up high. Fingers crossed for clear skie when we want to move and snow when we have rest days. High camp has been dry so the possibility of carrying water to 19,600’ for 13 people weighs heavy on the guides….especially their lumbago, pun intended.
Thanks for following along.
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,400'
Today was our first real day of climbing and the first real test for the group. We carried loads from Basecamp up to Camp 1 at 16,400', an altitude record for some of the group. This day was used to help the group acclimatize and help split up the weight we carry up to our first camp. The weather was ideal, with beautiful clear skies and a light breeze. We made good time uphill and even more efficient on the downhill. We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon rehydrating and replenishing calories.
Tomorrow is a rest day for the team and we are anticipating some unsettled weather over the next few days.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guides Dom, Jack & Mike
We’re excited to hear about your upcoming weather pattern and what that will mean with your schedule. Weather here is off, all we have is ice right now, can’t walk, snowshoe, or ski.
Good thing you’re remote right now, Alison, everyone is dropping like flies here. Matt caught some crud. A few days later Caleb came down with it (they overnighted with Dad at Grampie’s camp), and now Willa has it.
Pups are holding down your office like champs.
Grandad is being awarded on March 4th at the annual Welsh Society in Philadelphia for all of his work on their history and for the association, over the years!
Stay safe and well! Love, Momma & Dad XOXOXO
Posted by: Momma & Dad on 1/4/2023 at 5:49 am
anticipating next camp: How do llamas and their cousins ford glacial streams? Or do mules do it for you?
As ro “downhill”, explain please. Up and down each one of you, more than once?
Posted by: Renate Lellep Fernandez on 1/3/2023 at 8:30 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Monday, January 2, 2023
Aside from the to be expected issues from sleepy at 14,000' feet for the first night of the trip we are all enjoying a rest day at Plaza Argentina.
Lots of packing and sorting on the guides end and the climbers too.
The meals continue to impress here at Grajales’ basecamp. The remainder of the day will have to team taking a short hike and enjoying the hours of sun on camp. Apologies for some of the delays in these, had a mistyped email address for yesterday’s post. Thanks for following along.
Michael & Steven Roy…safe climbing!!
Posted by: Gerald Roy on 1/4/2023 at 5:22 am
Hi Ali! Great to see you in person, wow technology is amazing! Nearly better reception than at our home in Woodland!
Sounds like you’re really get up high into elevation, so glad the weather has been holding pretty well. I’m sure a bit of snow won’t bother you, you’ve got the gear.
Wander & Gracie play every day, well Wander plays, Gracie lies on the floor and lets her!
We still have the tree up. I’m going to try to hold out taking it down until you are home, it’ll be good to have help, but that’s a long way out and we may have nothing but branches without needles if I stick to this plan, haha.
Sending our love and cheers to everyone in your camp! XOXOXO Momma & Dad
Posted by: Momma & Dad on 1/3/2023 at 12:10 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Sunday, January 1, 2023
It was clear cold night, the stars shone like diamonds in the Andean sky. We awoke early in order to beat the heat of the day that was surely on its way with the rising of the sun. The days trek began with an icy cold crossing of a glacially cold stream. It was a painful but effective way to remove any last trace of sleepiness from the group.
Today is our greatest elevation gain of the trek to reach Plaza Argentina Basecamp. Gaining 3,600' of elevation is no joke when you’re starting from 10,000', but the team was well fed and ready to start the New Year right. We styled it. We enjoyed sunny skies, cool temps, and stunning vistas as we made our way up the Ralincos Valley and into Basecamp by midday.
We are playing dice & eating pizza. Some are napping and journaling. Regardless it’s been a good afternoon in the sun to dry out gear and tomorrow morning is a rest day.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guides Jack, Dom & Mike
Enjoy foloing you along. Do well -Be well And Safe.
There in 2012 w/ Pete + Gabi + Gilbert.
Walter
Posted by: Waltero Glover on 1/3/2023 at 7:12 am
Keep up the good work. We love you!
Posted by: Emily on 1/2/2023 at 2:34 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'
Aconcagua team reaches Casa de Piedra. Yesterday we had a nice overcast four hour day into Pampa las Lena's. This has been a windy and rainy trip so far. We had a nice asado last night and to celebrate New Years. We'll enjoy a quiet/unstaffed camp. We are hopeful that the rain holds off for tomorrow as we head to Plaza Argentina basecamp.
RMI Guide Mike King
Happy New Year! Glad the weather has changed for you.
Wander is missing you but had a few good runs at the Cary trails. XO Momma & Dad
Posted by: Momma on 1/1/2023 at 11:29 am
Happy New Year!! Took the tree down today- pine needles everywhere haha! Missing you, Alison! Xoxo Lydia, Matt & Wilhelmina
Posted by: Lydia on 1/1/2023 at 11:26 am
Posted by: Alan Davis, Jack Delaney, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
Our Mt. Shuksan seminar tagged the top of Mt. Shuksan this morning. After many days of training in the rain, the team awoke to clear skies for their climb. The previous five days were spent learning about rope travel, weather patterns, avalanche safety, snow and ice anchors, etc. RMI Guide Alan Davis reported great route conditions and a top out time of 9:30am.
The team is back at the trailhead and will enjoy some good food and drink before starting their journey home.
Nice work climbers!
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Roland Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Tuesday, September 5, 2022 8:10 am PDT
SUMMIT!
RMI Guide Jack Delaney called in at 8:10 am PDT from the summit of Mt. Baker. The team climbed via the Easton Glacier route. The early morning temperatures were cool, but great for climbing! The team is on the descent and will be back at their high camp at about 6,800' where they will spend the night, and plan to descend early tomorrow.
Congratulations Team!
Monday, September 5, 2022 5:06 pm PDT
Greetings from the team with the two tallest guides at RMI!
We hiked into Sandy Camp on the flanks of Mt. Baker yesterday. The hike in was slightly overcast but great temperatures for hiking with a heavy pack. Once we got to camp we quickly set up tents as the overcast clouds had become dark and threatening. Lucky for us the rain started as soon as we moved into our tents. The rest of the night was spent hunkered down inside our nice dry tents except for a brief lull in the rain that we took advantage of to boil water for dinner. This morning we awoke to dry weather with partly sunny sky's. Today we'll practice all the mountaineering skills necessary for our ascent of Baker starting in the wee hours of the night this evening!
RMI Guides Jack, Roland & Team
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Seth Burns, George Hedreen, Jenna Burkey, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,300'
The Four Day Climb August 28 - 31 led by RMI Guides Avery Parrinello and Jack Delaney were unable to summit today. Climbers reached 12,300, the top of Disappointment Cleaver, before deciding to turn back due to unfavorable route conditions and warm temperatures. The teams were back to Camp Muir just after 7 am. They took some time to repack before beginning their descent from Camp Muir back to Paradise. We expect the groups to be at Rainier BaseCamp in the early afternoon.
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise Reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier after a week of training on the Paradise Glacier. RMI Guide Jack Delaney and Team spend three days on the Paradise glacier learning various alpine mountaineering techniques before making their way to Camp Muir for their summit attempt via the Disappointment Cleaver Route. The team had clear skies, calm winds, and beautiful views on the upper mountain.
Congratulations Team!
We had an early wake up this morning at Winay Wayna so our Porters could catch an early train home after their impressive work the last 3 days. We let camp clear of the other trekking groups and began our hike to the Sun Gate at the top of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary around 5:45 am. Overcast skies kept the early day cool and as the team descended into Machu Picchu taking in the stellar vantage point. Since the pandemic, the way people are routed through the site has allowed for less crowding and more time in the different points of interest. We got some sun to make the pictures pop and provide context to the intricate terracing that makes this site so unique. Our Peruvian guides Marco & Jaime gave a nice 2 hour tour and history lesson. We are at the hotel in Aquas Calientes for some R&R. Tomorrow we'll return to Machu Picchu for some more wandering around and possibly a hike up Huyna Picchu depending on the weather and how people's leg/feet are feeling. Regardless, it will be a nice morning to wrap up this trek before catching a train back to Cusco.
Thanks for checking in.
Awesome Mike!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 8/16/2022 at 6:34 pm
So excited to have this blog to follow your journey Alex! Uncle and I read it every morning. Lifting you all up in prayer. Can’t wait to hear all about your adventure in February! Much Love!
Posted by: Kim Peltier on 1/5/2023 at 9:13 am
It sounds amazing and it must be incredibly beautiful. Take it all in for the rest of us….
Thanks again for updates….
Posted by: Dee on 1/4/2023 at 3:39 pm
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