Entries from Mount Rainier
May 4, 2019
Posted by: Robby Young, Andy Bond
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Summit Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Robby Young and Andy Bond reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Andy reported clear skies, light winds and cool temperatures. The route is in great condition, the team took just under five hours to reach the summit.
Congratulations to today's team!
April 29, 2019
Posted by: Brent Okita, Bryan Mazaika
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,000'
What a few days it's been. After a productive and fun day at our climbing school on Saturday we were excited about the perfect day we had yesterday for our hike up to Camp Muir. At times it was almost too hot as the sun's radiation backed. But we all persevered and made it to Camp Muir doing well.
Unfortunately, today we received some bad news when the guides kicking in the route discovered a crevasse preventing forward progress up to the higher reaches of the mountain. That, coupled with some not insignificant avalanche hazard from a couple of unexpected evening snow storms has forced us to temper our ambitions for the summit this go around.
While disappointed, the team was understanding and in full agreement that getting down safe and sound was our priority.
While a handful of folks opted to descend to the comforts of life at sea level, the rest of us explored the upper mountain as much as we could and had a great day enjoying the glaciers and crevasses of
Mt Rainier. Later, as the now normal afternoon snow storm continues to dump snow at Muir here, we're passing the afternoon and evening talking about mountains, climbing and the tall tales that take root in such firmament.
We're planning on an early departure tomorrow morning when we hope the skies will have cleared and the sun will shine on our descent.
See you soon.
RMI Guides Brent Okita, Dustin Wittmier, James Bealer and the team
April 19, 2019
Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The storm hitting us at
Camp Muir originated in the tropics and we wouldn't have been surprised to see palm fronds waving in the breeze given how unseasonably warm it is up here. Yes, it's still snowing, but just. And for being at 10,000' that's warm!
We started our day discussing numerous topics in the Bunkhouse, but ventured out by mid morning. Equipped though we were with full on Gortex storm gear it took less than an hour for the moisture in the cloud enveloping our world to permeate the vaunted membrane of our rain gear.
But we persevered and got some great training in, developing our expertise in handling running belays and evaluating snow stability through studying snow pits. Lunchtime found us back inside, thankful for the plywood protection of our bunkhouse and trying to dry out our external layers through our bodies natural internal combustion. It does work, but slowly.
There was plenty to talk about through the afternoon, and when queried whether anyone wanted more outdoor training a decided no was the response. A smart group!
The evening culminated with war stories of Everest and beyond.
Now that we're back in our old sleeping bags the weather gods are unleashing a tempest like no other. All we can hope is that this big bad storm is blowing itself out. Dreams of a pleasant descent tomorrow morning might allow some well deserved sleep tonight.
Goodnight from Camp Muir.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
April 17, 2019
Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,000'
Everyone is doing great on day four of our
seminar. A hard day up to Muir was followed by a full day of training on Tuesday in increasingly challenging weather conditions.
Today dawned sunny but quite windy. As forecasted, the winds stayed strong throughout the day. Not being one to let a little wind get in the way of some great training, we did have to moderate our plans to cope with the 40-45 mph sheets of blowing snow that swept thru Muir all day.
Sticking close to camp allowed us to bail back to the bunkhouse for the occasional break. There were no complaints about not getting out on the glacier for the day. An earlier exploration by Mike and me proved the winds were just as strong out there as at camp.
Anchors, crevasse rescue, fixed rope work and rappelling filled the day completely. And for the evening: mountain medicine and mountain weather is on the docket.
We're looking forward to another good day of training tomorrow, though we might have to deal with another little storm to keep us honest.
Alas, I'm afraid a summit bid has been shelved due to the increasing avalanche hazard up high. We're safe here at camp, and that's how we'd like to keep it.
All for now.
The crew at Muir
April 16, 2019
Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
RMI Guides Brent Okita and
Mike King are back on Mt. Rainier along with climbers on the
Expedition Skills Seminar - Winter. The team gathered at Rainier BaseCamp on Sunday for a day of technical training, gear checks and packing. With clear roads on Monday morning they headed for Paradise and made the push all the way to Camp Muir. Today the team trained near Camp Muir with cramponing, rope travel and ice axe arrest practice while Brent and RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli kicked in the route above Camp Muir and investigated the current conditions. The team will continue training this week with the hope of making a summit attempt before their return on Friday.
October 1, 2018
Posted by: Brent Okita, Bryan Mazaika
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Bryan Mazaika spent a stormy night at Camp Muir. They woke very early in the morning to blowing snow and whiteout conditions that forced the team to go back to bed for a few hours. They woke up again for breakfast, and the skies started clearing. The team decided to make the best of the morning and are going for a walk to Ingraham Flats so that they can see the upper mountain. This is the final climb of Mt. Rainier for our 2018 season, they will enjoy this views from the flats before heading back to Paradise.
Congratulations team!
September 30, 2018
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The
Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams reached the summit! They topped out at 8:38 am on a pleasant weather day. The teams are currently working their way back to Camp Muir and we look forward to congratulating them this afternoon at Rainier Basecamp.
September 29, 2018
Posted by: Christina Dale, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climbs led by RMI Guides Christina Dale and JT Schmitt reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 7:15 am PT today. Christina reported some wind, but a beautiful day on the mountain.
Congratulations team!
September 27, 2018
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Adam Knoff
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After learning cramponing, rope travel, ice axe arrest and crevasse rescue skills, to name a few, the
Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir made their summit attempt today. The teams have been training at Camp Muir since their arrival on Monday.
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer and
Adam Knoff lead their teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning on a beautiful, clear and windless day. They will enjoy the views, give hugs and high fives and take a few photos before beginning their descent from the crater rim. They will return to Camp Muir for their final night on the mountain. Tomorrow they will descend to Paradise and return to Rainier BaseCamp for a celebration and wrap up of their week together on the mountain.
Congratulations to today's teams!
September 24, 2018
Posted by: Christina Dale, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,100'
The
Four Day Climb September 21 - 24 made a valiant effort in their summit attempt of Mt. Rainier this morning. With cold temperatures and clear skies the teams ascended to 14,100' before being forced to abort their climb due to high winds. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise. We look forward to greeting them at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations. What an accomplishment!
Posted by: Mac on 5/10/2019 at 9:39 pm
Words are inadequate to express how truly proud we are of you and your team on this amazing accomplishment!! Unbelievable you were even able to reach the summit. We are in awe of the feat you and your team achieved. God Bless You!!
Posted by: Uncle Gary and Aunt Roe on 5/5/2019 at 11:53 am
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