Entries By jess wedel
Thursday, August 8, 2924 - 5:11 am PT
Hola!
We left Cusco early this morning, taking a bumpy and winding road into the heart of the Andes. We were all a little queasy from the bus ride but when we opened the door to views of Tukarway (19,499ft) and Salkantay (20,574ft) all was okay. There are no words for the feeling of being surrounded by jagged peaks with glaciers, snow and ice. The views were beyond beautiful.
After a second breakfast, we started our trek. Winding through the valley with mountains reigning above us at every turn. After a few hours we stopped for lunch. We promise not to tell you all because we want you to think we’re hardcore but we did indeed have a 3-course meal seated at a table right in the middle of the trail. Fresh avocado and vegetables, warm soup, followed by mashed potatoes and beef medallions. Okay, okay, okay. I’ll move on, but it was divine.
After lunch we had a steeper climb for a couple hours to our camp at 15,500 feet!! Right at the toe of the Salkantay Glacier. Our tents opening up to the mountain before us, we saw ice falls and avalanches cascading down the slopes. We are all exhausted after little sleep last night and our first big day on the trail.We’re tucked in now with hot water bottles and sleeping bags fully zipped - it’s likely our chilliest night of the whole trek.
Tomorrow we’ll head over Salkantay Pass at nearly 16,000 feet and then descend around the mountain to our next camp.
With tired feet and big smiles,
RMI Guides Jess, Casey and team
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Machu Picchu Trek, August 3, 2024
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Machu Picchu
Hello again everyone!
It was another beautiful day here in Cusco Peru. The team spent the morning visiting several more interesting Incan archaeological site above the city with massive stone structures and panoramic views of the valley.
We then headed to the old town and visit the Sun Temple and then made to the beautiful basilica that sit in the main square of Cusco.
It was another busy day and the team spent the remainder of the day packing up and then headed out for one more fantastic Peruvian fusion dinner.
It’s off to bed we go as tomorrow we head out early for the start of our Trek!!!
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Jess Wedel and the Inca crew
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu Trek, August 3, 2024
Greetings from Peru everyone.
Today the team started our day with a nice hearty breakfast full of fresh baked bread, local jams, fresh fruit, eggs and an assortment of cheese. Happily washed down with more coffee than most of us needed.
We then boarded our awaiting bus and headed into the surrounding mountains and made our way the beautiful Sacred Valley to visit several massive Inca archeological sites. The first stop was to Ollantaytambo, an ancient Fortress with massive stonework, cobblestone roads and massive terraces used for farming. It was incredibly impressive learning about the area and that all the of massive stones were only moved by hand. We then continued up the Sacred Valley to visit Pisac which is another large and beautiful Incan archaeological site that was equally as impressive. After exploring for a while we made our way back to a nearby local market for some lunch and a little shopping.
It was long but wonderful experience and we wrapped up the evening with another delicious Peruvian meal not far from our hotel. Everyone is doing great and excited for what tomorrow will bring.
RMI Guides Casey, Jess and the Machu Picchu crew!
PC: Jess Wedel
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu Trek, August 3, 2024
Hello everybody back home!
You’ll be glad to know all of your loved ones have safely arrived in Cusco.
We spent the day getting settled in at 11,152 feet. Yes, you read that correctly, 11,000 feet! Cusco is located high in the Peruvian Andes. We were welcomed to town by a parade of people — dancing through the streets in vibrant costumes to the beat of drums, trombones, flutes and more.
Everyone has remarked on how colorful and alive this city is and we are all looking forward to learning more of the culture and history in the next couple days before we begin our trek. After a team meeting, we headed out for our first team dinner. Peru is known for their food and so far it hasn’t disappointed.
We’re all back at the hotel now, ready for a good night’s sleep after long travel days. Tomorrow we head to the Sacred Valley.
RMI Guides Jess, Casey and team
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu Trek, August 3, 2024
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Christina Dale, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The All Women's team July 29 - 1 August led by RMI Guides Jess Wedel, Christina Dale and Bailey Servais reached the summit around 5 am today. It's a beautiful blue-bird day. The team is currently on their descent to Camp Muir. They will make a short stop at Camp Muir before continuning down the Muir Snowfield to Paradise later today.
Congratulations ladies!
Posted by: Jess Wedel, Josh Geiser, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
The Mount Baker Easton Team stood on the summit this morning with all climbers!
It was a perfect climb with a slight breeze and some clouds to keep us cool on the way down. We’re back at Sandy Camp watching a beautiful sunset and will walk back out to the trailhead tomorrow morning.
RMI Guide Jess Wedel and Team
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Jess Wedel, Joey Manship, George Hedreen, Bailey Servais, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb June 20 - 24 led by RMI Guides Ben Luedtke and Jess Wedel reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 6:45 am. The team enjoyed clear, sunny skies but a good bit of wind. There were able to spend an hour on the summit and started their descent from the crater rim around 8 am. Once back at Camp Muir the teams will take a short break, pack up their gear and descend the remaining 4.5 miles Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Guys sorry I was too sick to go with you, but boy am I proud of all of you! So nice to have met you all! Best of luck on your new adventures! God Bless until next time! Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Frampton on 6/26/2024 at 10:05 am
Congratulations!!! I’m hoping for the same fortunes in 2 weeks with my son!
Posted by: Scott Redfern on 6/25/2024 at 1:34 pm
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jess Wedel, Charlie Harrison, Will Ambler, Layne Peters, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Five Day Climb reached Camp Muir after what we deemed “the spiciest snowfield ascent ever”. We worked together in high winds and low visibility to stay warm and keep climbing. After a night of higher winds, colder temperatures and more snow, we opted to do some training at Camp Muir. We started the morning with some avalanche basics culminating in digging pits to assess snow instability. The results weren’t promising so as a team we made the safe, but hard, choice not to ascend any higher. The sun came out and we spent the day learning snow anchors, crevasse rescue and taking in the beautiful views from Camp Muir.
We’ll begin our descent to Paradise this morning and conclude our program this afternoon. All in all, this team unified in tough conditions to have an incredible climbing experience.
RMI Guides Andy Bond and Jess Wedel
PC: Jess Wedel
Amazing Experience! Jess, Andy and all the Guides were phenomenal as they kept us safe and maintained High Spirits and PMA throughout a “Ghost Pepper Spicy” day.. Can’t wait to share pics and stay connected! Couldn’t have picked a better group of people for a truly Epic Adventure! Thank you RMI !
Posted by: Doug Thompson on 6/18/2024 at 11:24 am
“The summit is what drives us, but the climb itself is what matters.”
Couldn’t have asked for a better team to be with on a trip, summit or no summit. Hootah!!!
Posted by: Raleigh Hobson on 6/17/2024 at 8:21 pm
Posted by: James Bealer, Jess Wedel, Ben Thorneycroft, George Hedreen, Hannah Billings, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 6 - 9 led by RMI Guides James Bealer & Jess Wedel reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. At 7 am, they were starting their descent from the crater rim.
Congratulations climbers!
Congratulations Team and a shout out to Cary idler! Have a safe trip coming down!
Posted by: Tammi idler on 6/25/2024 at 8:46 pm
Congratulations! It’s an amazing accomplishment and team work!
Posted by: Tammi Idler on 6/20/2024 at 7:49 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,000'
Monday, May 27, 2024 - 9:30 am PT
Yesterday, we got the weather window we needed and on day 20 of this expedition, we stood on the summit of Denali.
What a day it was! We dawned all our gear (every layer! Brrr!) and were one of the first teams on the route. We climbed the Autobahn and took our first break in the sun. Up through Zebra rocks and onward we went. The clouds were below us and the views were beyond beautiful. A little breeze picked up as we crossed the Football Field and looking up at the summit ridge, we thought it might be too windy. But by the time we made it to the top of Pig Hill, at the start of the summit ridge, the winds had died down and we carried on.
Quick photos and celebrations and “I can’t wait to tell my wife! my family! my friends!” sounded among our team. We know we wouldn’t be here without all the support of so many of you at home and we can’t wait to share more stories when we get back.
We’ll begin our descent today - after coffee and hot drinks, we’ll head down to 14,000' Camp, pack up all our gear and try to descend to 11,000' Camp tonight. With hopes to walk to the airstrip tomorrow!
With big full hearts,
RMI Guides Jess, Mike, Michael and the Denali #1 climbing team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
We are so very happy for your success! I’m so happy that our son Nick had the opportunity to go with your group and know that it had to be a journey for a lifetime for everybody involved! The Roberts
Posted by: Kathie Roberts on 5/27/2024 at 2:39 pm
Way to go! Congratulations to all!
Love Spaulding’s!
Posted by: Sharon Spaulding on 5/27/2024 at 12:11 pm
Congratulations to all!
Especially Jen & Isabelle!!
So very proud!
Posted by: Joal Johnson Tolmie on 8/1/2024 at 9:04 am
CONGRATS, HALLIE!!!!!!
Posted by: Siobhan on 8/1/2024 at 8:33 am
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