Entries By joe hoch
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Sunday, May 10 11:19 AM PT
As we woke at 3:30am for our summit day, excited with our mostly sunny forecast, a wet cloud settled into camp and over the Squak glacier. Crowds of skiers passed us up into the white-out, but we decided to have another cup of coffee in our tents. The weather will do what it wants on Mt Baker it seems.
And lucky for us, an hour later it decided to grant us a little clearing, and by an hour into our tour uphill, not a cloud in the sky. This added a lucky euphoria to the already stunning views of the North Cascades all the way to Mt Rainier.
It was a solid refreeze overnight, and as we cramponned up a solidly frozen Roman Wall, the question of skiing this steep frozen mogul field weighed on everyone. But we had a wild card up our sleeves.
After our triumphant photo session on Mt Baker’s summit, we clicked into skis and skied directly into the Barbeque Run, straight off the summit into the smoking crater of the volcano. It has a little more east exposure and a little volcanic activity, and was perfect soft carving!
A short skin took us to the top of the Squak Glacier, and as we carved perfect shiny corn snow for the next 4000 vertical feet, the only reason to stop was to give the legs a little break. It doesn’t get much better than 20 minutes of perfect carving snow to camp.
We packed up camp and were treated with a fun session of snow to forest floor to snow patch skiing which had everyone giggling like kids. Doesn’t get much better on Mt Baker!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch & Team
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
'Un clima raro' -strange weather- has been the theme of our Mexico Volcanos trip.
Though it’s the ‘dry season’ we had a full winter ascent of Ixta, and as we pulled into high camp at Pico de Orizaba with a forecast of a clear calm sky, we instead were greeted by a dark cloud deck streaming over the mountain at what we estimated to be 40+ mph. Not ideal for a 18500ft volcano.
But Team Mexican Koala has proven quite hearty and as I poked my head out of the tent at 12am, a clear starry sky and a light breeze greeted me. Classic Orizaba!
We left camp with 6 of 9 climbers (something has been working through the group) and as we fought freezing winds and bone-chilling temps it looked like we would pull off a sunny summit!
Having not had a summit view yet, we spent almost 45 minutes on the Orizaba summit taking in the cloudless sky and expansive views of Ixta, Malinche and a sea of other Mexican volcanos. A perfect end to our week!
Congratulations team Mexican Koala-3 for 3 on summits, and a full week of Mexican adventure!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
After a restful couple nights in Puebla, team Mexican Koala has arrived in Tlachichuca to prepare for our ultimate challenge, 18,500ft Pico de Orizaba!
Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful rooftop of our Hotel Colonial to do some sunset Snow-School Review, then everyone got to explore their favorite culinary adventures.
Reports from the mountain are great route, good weather, and cold!
Wish us luck!
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
Team Mexican Koala was in high spirits on the van ride to Ixta Base Camp. We played “What’s That Song?” to our guide Joe’s epic 80’s playlist, and even managed to get phone reception for a bit to send quick updates to family and friends.
Once we arrived at base camp, the team refueled with soup and chicken tacos, then made our way up to high camp at 14,500 feet. The scenery was unreal, and some of the most beautiful any of us had ever seen-tall yellow prairie grass dotted with pine trees across massive mountainsides, and the Popo volcano belching ash and smoke.
After an alpine start, the team tagged the summit of Ixta, even with Mother Nature throwing us a curveball in the form of a full-on whiteout and a quarter inch of rime ice on helmets, backpacks, sunglasses, goggles, eyelashes, everything……
Huge thanks to our incredible guides, Joe and Bailey, for getting us up and down safely!
Now we’re looking forward to a hot shower and a rest day in Puebla before our summit push on Orizaba.
RMI Climber Matt Hirschberg-Team Mexico Koala
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
Leaving Mexico City, team Mexican Koala - our girl Bec flew all the way from Australia - was excited to tackle our first volcano, Malinche at 14,501.
Our van ride went smoothly and before we knew it we were enjoying the crowd-favorite bbq meat towers at the Malinche cabins restaurant. Our weather was cold but clear, and folks went to bed ready for an early-ish morning.
Alarms went off at 4:30am, and unfortunately Bec’s long trip from Australia had her under the weather. But the rest of them team rallied for her and left the cabins in the dark. At around 13,500’ we walked into a moody mist cloud, and with our army of mountain-dogs, around 11am, we climbed onto the summit just in time for a sun break! 100% for those who left the cabins!
More meat towers yesterday evening and a good night’s sleep and we’re off to Ixta!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
Zane - Remember what to do if it gets too hard!
Posted by: Kevin Andrews on 1/22/2026 at 1:34 pm
Good work team.
Bec stayed off the heavy food stuff and hope the acclimatization kicked in.
Thomas Tank- catch cry- i know i can, i know i can
Best wishes to all
Posted by: Richard on 1/20/2026 at 5:54 pm
Our excited team of climbers met face to face for the first time last night in the lobby of our lovely Hotel Geneve in Mexico City. They have been messaging excitedly on WhatsApp for months, so even the Bills' heartbreaking loss to the Broncos couldn't stifle the excitement (our thoughts go out to Micheal).
After a logistics chat we headed of to the local taco spot. We have a great crew and everyone is excited for our week to come.
Off to Malinche and our first climb!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 17, 2026
May the ground and trek be kind to your feet and knees- happy trekking- Bec’s Dad
Posted by: Richard on 1/18/2026 at 4:43 pm
Good Luck Everyone….looks like a great group!
Rhonda (Zane’s mom)
Posted by: Rhonda Andrews on 1/18/2026 at 4:12 pm
Posted by: Seth Burns, Joe Hoch, Sam Hoffman, Kayanna Hopkins, Oliver Shapiro, Daniel May, Margo Kerr, Brooks Ordway Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
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The Four Day Climbs led by RMI Guides Seth Burns and Joe Hoch walked into the summit crater of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:45 am. The teams enjoyed calm and warm weather on the summit. They are currently on their descent and will return to Ashford later this afternoon.
Congratulations climbers!
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Joe Hoch, Layne Peters, Avery Stolte, Hannah Billings, Stella Johnson, Annie Chapman, Kat Porter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Climbers on the Four Day Climb August 9 - 11 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. They enjoyed a bit of time on the summit and began their descent from the crater rim just after 7 am. Once back at Camp Muir, they will repack and continue the remaining 4,500' descent to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Gosh, what a bunch of studs. I wish I could climb with that A-Team.
Posted by: J.Ranger on 8/14/2025 at 3:01 pm
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Ben Luedtke, Ben Thorneycroft, Mac Nolde, Simon Kearns, Jack Ritterson, Ben Porter, Oliver Shapiro
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
We had high hopes as we left Camp Muir for our summit attempt. But as we crossed the Cowlitz Glacier, a misty rain started, which turned into a stout blizzard at Ingraham Flats.
The team climbed well through the weather, but we started losing the fight to stay dry. We returned to Camp Muir safely.
We will be leaving Camp Muir around 9:30 am for our final walk down to Paradise.
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
PC: Joe Hoch
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Joe Crawford, Bailey Servais, Hannah Blum, Ben Porter, Ben Luedtke, Hannah Billings, Simon Kearns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
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Today, the Four-Day Climb, led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Joe Crawford, successfully reached the summit of Mt. Rainier!
In a fun twist of trail magic, both groups were guided by not one, but two Joes, two Hannahs, and two Bens — in addition to Bailey and Simon, who helped keep things from getting too confusing! With this strong and experienced team at the helm, the climbers were in great hands every step of the way.
The teams pushed through some smokey conditions on their ascent and were rewarded with beautiful clear skies upon reaching the crater. After soaking in the views from the top, the climbers began their descent to Camp Muir, where they’ll pack up before continuing the remaining 4,500’ down to Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations to today’s climbers on an incredible accomplishment!
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Reading this update with tears of joy in my eyes!! I am just SO so happy for you all but especially my awesome husband, Christoph!! I am so very proud of you, you made this dream, 13 years in the making, come true! Ich liebe dich überalles! Du bist meine Liebe meines Lebens
Posted by: Anna Graf on 8/1/2025 at 11:24 am
Best wishes to all on your last trek.Remember the journey is more memorable than summit. Have a safe climb
Posted by: Richard H on 1/24/2026 at 1:33 pm
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