Entries By mike bennett
January 13, 2025
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 18,997'
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier checked in this morning to let us know the team reached the summit of Cayambe with 100% success.
The team will make a stop for lunch before continuing to their next hacienda, Casa Ilayku. The team will enjoy a well deserved rest day tomorrow.
Nice work team!
Sign Up For Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025 Emails
January 11, 2025
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 11,800'
To catch up anyone following along with this trip, we are now at the lower hut for Cayambe. We are nearing the end of our dedicated acclimatization portion of the trip and preparing to start making attempts on big mountains. Yesterday, we did one more warmup hike circumnavigating Laguna Cuicocha. It is a beautiful lake hike, located within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. HIking around the lake, the terrain is undulating with a few long hills, but all on well-maintained tread. As you move through different elevation bands, you observe a variety of different flora, which interestingly includes the wild Taxo, a passionfruit-esque plant. In the photos, it is the bell-shaped plant with an orange-ish flower. Our lovely hike was followed up with a relaxing night at the Intiyaya Residences, where the scrappy hacienda dogs put on their best show and try to earn some people food.
Today, we left the hacienda and are now at the lower Cayambe hut, following a stop at the Otavalo market and a cafe for lunch. The market is always quite the spectacle, especially on a Saturday, which is dubbed "market day" - the day that the greatest number of vendors bring goods. The normal textiles, jewelry and art are on display and in addition, on Saturdays there are a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and breads. It made for a nice day experiencing Ecuadorian culture before turning our focus to Cayambe. We now are reviewing some skills on the grass outside the hut and will very soon watch the sun set on the western slopes of the mountain.
Thanks for following along from wherever you are! We are all feeling ready to go climbing and having a great time so far.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
Sign Up For Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025 Emails
Wishing you all safety, good weather and joy as you tackle this first mountain. Don’t underestimate my old man. He travels at his own pace, but he’s a beast.
Posted by: Lisa Banov on 1/12/2025 at 5:10 am
Hey Dustin!!!
Sending you and your team best wishes for Perfect weather!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/12/2025 at 2:39 am
January 9, 2025
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 15,354'
The Ecuador Seminar team got to shake off the final bit of jet leg today, with the main focus of the day being acclimatization. Many of our team broke altitude records today during our hike to the summit on Rucu Pichincha (15,354’). A moderate hike, the team gained around 2500’ through grasslands up to the rocky, scrambly summit. The rest of the day will be spent resting and relaxing, allowing our bodies to adapt now that we’re back at lower elevations. We plan to culminate the evening with a nice team dinner at a local restaurant and perhaps a soak in the hotel hot tub. Tomorrow, the team heads to Laguna Cuicocha, our next acclimatization hike before heading to the Caymbe hut. Spirits are high and the team is stoked to get on their first major objective.
RMI Guide Mike Bennett
Sign Up For Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025 Emails
September 12, 2024
Posted by: Mike Bennett, George Hedreen, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After a full week of training at Camp Muir, the Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir team reached the 14,410' Summit of Mt. Rainier. Cooler fall temperatures allowed RMI Guide Mike Bennett and Team to climb during the day and they stood on top at 1pm today. They are on the descent and will be back at Camp Muir where they will spend another night. The team will return to Rainier Basecamp tomorrow afternoon.
Congratulations Team!
September 1, 2024
Posted by: Mike Bennett, Sam Marjerison, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
Our Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier Climb August 30 - 1 September led by RMI Guides Mike Bennett, Sam Marjerison and Bailey Servais reached the summit yesterday in beautiful conditions. The team returned to camp an enjoyed some rest after their alpine start. Today the team descended to the trailhead and completed their program.
Nice work team!
PC: Mike Bennett
August 25, 2024
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Mike Bennett, Seth Burns, Calvin Jiricko, Rosie Hust, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Although Paradise remains in a bit of a cloud this morning, it is sunny and clear above Camp Muir. The Five Day Climb August 21 - 25 led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Mike Bennett reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams found a bit of new snow on the upper mountain but the route was in good shape and the weather is beautiful, so they had a great climb to top. They started their descent from the crater rim around 7:20 am. They will return to Camp Muir for a quick break and continue down to Paradise. Their program will conclude this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Jeff Miller and team we are super proud of you ! What an accomplishment to achieve in your life ! Way to lead the wolf pack ! Gus has the drinks ready !
Posted by: Gus on 8/25/2024 at 8:34 am
Congratulations!! Way to go team!!
So proud of you Jeff ❤️
Posted by: Jaimie on 8/25/2024 at 8:33 am
August 19, 2024
Posted by: Seth Burns, Mike Bennett, Nicole De Petris, Margo Kerr, Will Ambler, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day climb with Seth Burns and Mike Bennett made a sunset climb of Mt. Rainier. The team enjoyed a great route, and beautiful sunset on their way to the top. They plan to depart Camp Muir around 10am.
Congratulations Team!
Looks like the summit view was way better yesterday than the day before. Guess the delay was so everyone could have the awesome view! Congratulations!
Posted by: Chris Bruns on 8/19/2024 at 12:15 pm
August 14, 2024
Posted by: Mike Bennett, Erika Birkeland, Arianna Drechsler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,541'
RMI Guide Mike Bennett and the entire Glacier Peak Team Reached the 10,541' summit yesterday afternoon. After the summit they returned to high camp, packed up and moved their camp down to White Pass and plan to descend to the trailhead today.
Congratulations Team!
August 8, 2024
Posted by: Daniel May, Mike Bennett, Erika Birkeland, Will Ambler, Mac Nolde, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Dan May and Mike Bennet led their Four Day Climb August 5 - 8 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Skies are clear with a light breeze. The teams were able to spend some time in the crater before starting their descent from the crater rim around 7 am. They will return to Camp Muir, take a short break and then continue down to Paradise.
Nice work today teams!
July 31, 2024
Posted by: Steve Gately, Mike Bennett, Nick Sinapius, Tom Skoog, Evan Redman, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 27 - 31 led by RMI Guides Steve Gately, Nick Sinapius and Mike Bennett, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning at 5:15 am. The team is currently around 13,000' on their descent. The weather is clear and calm. The teams will return to Camp Muir, then take a bit of time before continuing the remaining 4.5 miles down to Camp Muir. They will conclude their program this afternoonw with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Way to go Sam! We are so proud of you.
Posted by: Linda Freed on 7/31/2024 at 12:30 pm
Congratulations to the team and high fives to Ashley and Orville.
Posted by: Patty Christensen on 7/31/2024 at 11:38 am
That is a Spectacular picture!!! Congratulations to You and your Team!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/13/2025 at 3:16 pm
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