Entries By mike king
May 8, 2017
Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Alaska Seminar
Elevation: 7,300'
Today was off to an early start! After a quick breakfast, we stretched our legs heading up glacier to the base of Radio Tower and beyond to the cirque at the base of the East ridge of Frances, where we chatted about glaciology, route planning and navigation. Menacing seracs and at times nearly white-out conditions made the teachings come to life. After heading back to camp and a quick break, we learned and reviewed basic knots and hitches to get us ready for session 1 of basic crevasse rescue. We put to use our anchor building tactics from the previous day and spent the afternoon doing basic rescue drills. Cozying up to burritos was a great end to a long day.
RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & team
May 8, 2017
Posted by: Leon Davis, Jessie Poquerusse, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar
Elevation: 7,300'
May 7, 2017 - 8:40 pm PT
Success on day 2 of the Alaska Mountaineering Seminar - Expedition! We started out the day going over the bread and butter of mountaineering, including snow walking, using and traveling with crampons and practicing self arrest. We then progressed into learning about and building snow anchors. After a short rest, the calm morning gave way to snow flurries, which gradually picked up as we learned and began to build a wall or our camp--earning our dinners! Overall, it was a full day of review, learning, and work and we're all happily in bed resting ready for our first jaunt onto the glacier tomorrow.
RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & team
On The Map
May 7, 2017
Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar
Elevation: 7,300'
Some people spend the day after Cinco de Mayo in bed nursing a hangover. We spent it by packing gear, trading street shoes for climbing boots and flying onto the Kahiltna glacier. Our team arrived prepared and by 2 pm we were stomping out camp on the hill overlooking the airstrip. The team worked quickly and here we are ready for bed at 8 pm. Great weather today and great views of the surrounding peaks.
Tomorrow we will begin our skills training and fortify camp for some potential weather moving in.
RMI Guide Leon Davis & Team
The Mexico team is back safe at Sr. Reyes' climbers hostel after a long summit day on Pico de Orizaba. Following our dusty drive down from the hut we spent the evening cleaning gear and packing for our flights tomorrow. This trip flew by and we were fortunate to have great weather, two summits and a wonderful group of climbers. Thanks for following along!
RMI Guide Mike King
February 25, 2017
Posted by: Mike King, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 18,491'
RMI Guide Mike King called in from the Orizaba summit!
"This is Mike King with Team Mexico. We are standing on top of el Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America! Light winds and visibility all the way out to Ixta and Popo. It was a great climb. We will check back in with you when we get back down to high camp."
On The Map
We are currently setting up tents at the Piedra Grande Hut on the lower flanks of Pico de Orizaba. The Team had a very productive rest day in Puebla. Several of them took a city tour while some cruised the markets and town square for people watching and amazing food. The view from our hotel roof was a highlight since all the peaks we have been on and traveling near are visible among the colorful backdrop of Puebla's cathedrals and colorful neighborhoods.
The Team is excited for the summit attempt and looking forward to another beautiful sunset here in Mexico. We will hopefully be checking in from the summit tomorrow morning. Thanks for following along!
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
This is Mike, we had a long descent from the Ixta summit and high camp. Everyone is well and getting cleaned up in Puebla. Tomorrow is a day off to rest, eat tacos and hangout at the beautiful square in historic Puebla. Your loved ones have Internet and cell coverage, hit them up for details on the trip thus far. Friday we are off to Piedra Grande to prep for our Orizaba attempt!
RMI Guide Mike King
Time for huevos rancheros and cerveza, the breakfast of champions.
Congratulations.
Posted by: Art Muir on 2/24/2017 at 1:26 pm
It looks like some awesome scenery! Best of luck! Enjoy the experience!
Posted by: Debbi Ersch on 2/23/2017 at 5:28 pm
February 22, 2017
Posted by: Mike King, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 17,340'
RMI Guide Mike King called from the summit of Ixtaccihuatl (17,340') at 6:15 am PT today. His team was taking photos and enjoying the views from the summit. They will descend to High Camp, pack their gear and continue their descent from the mountain. The team will travel to Puebla later today.
Congratulations to the team!
On The Map
February 21, 2017
Posted by: Mike King, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 15,500'
We are all nestled in at our high camp on Ixta at 15,500ft. The team carried heavy packs while taking in the amazing vistas with a cool breeze keeping the temperature manageable.
We will plan on getting an early start for our summit bid so the team can pack up camp and descend into the rest day and tacos al pastor that awaits us in Puebla. Getting to the top of Ixta is just another step in acclimating for our chance at standing on top of Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America.
Everyone is doing well and sends their best back home.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Go Kierstie and Justin, soak it all in and enjoy the mountains!
Love Dad
Posted by: Scott Cameron on 2/21/2017 at 7:14 pm
February 20, 2017
Posted by: Mike King, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 13,200'
Monday, February 20, 2017 - 5:32 pm PT
The Team continues to enjoy the food and rolling countryside here in Mexico. We are spending the night at the Altzomoni Hut, at 13,200' that overlooks Popo, the neighboring volcano. While today was mostly a travel day between La Malinche and Ixtaccihuatl, we did manage to hike for 2 hours through the lower slopes surrounded by dry bunch grass and a cool breeze.
We spent the afternoon sorting gear and getting ready for our move up to high camp in the morning. Everyone is acclimating well and eager to start our first climb of the trip. The mountain is dry this time of year and we have some high winds forecasted. We will keep our fingers crossed for clear skies and calm winds.
RMI Guide Mike King
Previous Page
Next Page
Looks fantastic! Congratulations. I wish I still had it me to do this.
Posted by: Duncan Mckinnon on 3/5/2017 at 5:01 pm
Awesome!!!!! CONGRATS!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/26/2017 at 2:53 am
View All Comments