Expedition Blog | Latest News from RMI Expeditions (2025)

May 23, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

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Tuesday May 23, 2017 3:32pmWe got a little snow overnight, and it's relatively pleasant outside today. The summit is still wearing a lenticular cap today and major storm with snow and extreme wind is forecast to hit us tomorrow. We've fortified camp and we're ready for what it brings. Our hope is that in its wake we will have a shot at the summit. We'll let you know how it plays out.RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team

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Mike and Gang: I remember hunkering down for a week at that very same location just five years ago - stay patient and optimistic. Mike, I wish I were climbing with you again. However, I leave in two months with Pete to take on Elbrus. Stay in touch and keep your team focused and motivated! Prayers and positive vibes your way, team - you’ve got this!

Peace, Lee Hoedl, Fellow RMI Climber (Denali, Aconcagua, Cotopaxi, etc…)

Posted by: Lee Hoedl on 5/24/2017 at 3:03 pm

Following you, Mike. Glad you are all hunkered down - hoping you get your weather break soon. Sure is beautiful there!!

Posted by: Ann Douglass on 5/24/2017 at 5:07 am

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May 23, 2017

Posted by: Eric Frank, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia

Elevation: 12,600'

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May 22, 2017Hello from the shores of beautiful Lake Titicaca. This morning the team fought our way out of La Paz traffic, and made the stunning three hour drive to Copacabana, a small beach town nestled on the Peruvian/Bolivian border. We spent the afternoon learning about local history, dining on fresh caught trout and climbing a small nearby peak to gain an over look of the city. It started raining in the early evening, so we retreated to our lodge for a cozy dinner and an impromptu foosball tourney. We know it all sounds like fun and games, but our bodies are working hard acclimating right now. Starting the trip at over 12,000 feet means that we need to take the time to work into things. We are laying the groundwork to perform well in high ascents later in the trip. Wish us luck!RMI Guides Eric Frank, Caleb Ladue and the Bolivia crew

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May 23, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000

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Yesterday's hard day of work left everyone tired, and nearly everyone slept really hard last night. We woke up late, lingered over a breakfast of pancakes, and then set to work improving our camp. We put up some big walls to keep out the wind, and built a nice covered toilet to keep things comfortable. With the project finished, we ate a quick lunch, then strolled downhill to retrieve our cache. We're in really good shape now, with a well fortified camp and all of our belongings here with us. Now, we wait for our opportunity. We'll be in touch, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway, and team

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Greetings from South Carolina. You can do this…. Think of some place warm. No seriously proud of you and glad your getting the chance to have this great experience. Happy hiking. And to quote the Hunger Games “May the odds be ever in your favor”

Posted by: Crystal's mom :) on 5/24/2017 at 7:47 pm

Jordan,

The next days will be extreme in every way but I know you will get to the top of that hill. May the force be with you!

Grampa

Posted by: Edward Foss on 5/24/2017 at 6:10 pm

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May 23, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 9,600'

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Two days of carrying huge loads is finally over. We have single carried to Camp 2 at 9600' and are ready to start packing lighter loads as we begin the routine of making double carries to get all our gear and food up the mountain.What has impressed me most about this team is not just their strength, but their ability to endure and toil under mammoth loads without complaint. This is a special group.Our weather has been snowy, but not bad enough to keep us in our tents. That said, we did set up our Posh House this afternoon which serves as our cook tent and dining room in one. It's warmth and comfort allow us some fun and social time that provides a really nice balance to our climbing.And what was on the menu tonight? Burritos with all the fixings. Yeah, we eat well up here. We sure as hec deserve it.Ok. That's a wrap for the night. Tomorrow we move to 11,200' camp, if the weather gods allow.RMI Guides Brent Okita, Christina Dale and JT Schmitt

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May 23, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

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May 22, 2017We had a warmer night due to the current snow storm that rolled in last night, a few inches of snow blanketing our tents and gear. Weather days are a breeze when you have such an engaging and talkative group. We enjoyed a casual breakfast with multiple rounds of coffee while the group shared all sorts of conversation ranging from favorite cocktails to the intricacies of interviewing international terrorists. Our day progressed with more snow, Avalanche beacon clinic, naps and skills practice. We are hoping for the weather to lighten up and move camp in the next few days. Until that point the group continues to be eager to learn, laughing often and practicing the variety of mountaineering skills taught so far. To finish the day the team engaged in group snow Yoga and began building a shrine of some sort. Time will tell. RMI Guide Leon Davis

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Aracely (Sally)—much love from the walking trail across from Bradford. I’m still walking up and down that hill without you. No snow here. Enjoy!!!

Posted by: Debra Solomon on 5/23/2017 at 6:41 pm

A big cheer from those at sea level! Hope the gear is holding up, the boots comfy enough and the sleeping bags cozy. In the next update can you give a quick summary of the next several days plan. To Sally meet you by the tree! Tell Patty Cloud Computing won the Preakness.

Posted by: Gary Mouradian on 5/23/2017 at 8:26 am

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May 22, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

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May 22, 2017We're just checking in from 14,000' Camp again. We're all doing well here, hopefully waiting for a decent weather window in order to try to go for the top. We had some snow last night and today, and winds were strong up above us. It looks like a very strong storm is set to move in here in a couple days, bringing a lot of snow and extreme winds. We're hoping for better weather in its wake.In preparation of the next storm we spent more time today reinforcing our walls. We should be all set to weather the storm. We'll keep you posted.RMI Guide Mike Walter

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May 22, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

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May 21, 2017We had another pretty perfect day for climbing in Alaska, and we made full use of it to get up to 14,000' and dig in a new camp. It was pleasantly warm and light clouds kept it from totally frying us. After maneuvering around some initial traffic on Squirrel Hill, we were able to hit cruise control and roll past our cache from two days ago. Once at 14,000' Camp came the arduous task of digging new tent platforms and a kitchen. Our task tomorrow is to retrieve our cache and build some really, really big walls. It sounds like we've got a stronger weather system headed our way this week, so we'll prep to wait it out. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jenny Konway, Jess Matthews and team

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Wow, Most amazing journey ever!! Good luck for the last but….. Love to the Calvert’s. Hendrik and Natasha.

Posted by: Hendrik Muller on 5/22/2017 at 8:32 pm

Glad to hear all is well. I worry so much about you guys. Stay safe. See you soon.

All my love mom

Posted by: Melinda on 5/22/2017 at 12:48 pm

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May 22, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 7,800'

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Expedition Blog | Latest News from RMI Expeditions (13)

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May 20, 2017We were all excited at breakfast with the thought of flying on to Denali today. With cloudy weather in town nothing was certain, so when the flight service greeted us with a big thumbs up, we jumped into action. When we hit the glacier the team climbed like they were born to do it. We had a flawless climb to camp, without any of the hiccups that are just normal as we get our feet wet starting out on a big expedition with the loads we're sporting. This sure made carrying these outrageous loads easier.So now we're in the tents resting up for another big day. The crew is psyched to get up to camp at 9600', and has certainly demonstrated the strength to do it.I'm lucky to be in the company of such a strong, nice bunch of climbers.Talk to you from 9600'.RMI Guides Brent Okita, Christina Dale an JT Schmitt

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May 22, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

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May 21, 2017After a brisk wake up, we stretched our legs by heading up glacier to the base of Radio Tower, east of camp. Threatening seracs and a maze of crevasses thwarted our progress further towards Radio Tower, so after a brief lesson on glaciology and safe glacier navigation, we quickly adapted our itinerary to the conditions and headed to the base of the northeast ridge of Mt. Frances instead. A thinly veiled sun and intermittent clouds provided an eerie ambience to our travel. Once at the basin, we donned crampons and practiced up and downhill climbing and cramponing techniques, a helpful review. A well-deserved downhill walk back to camp and a long-sought after dinner wrapped up another excellent day out in the hills with a most energetic and engaged team.RMI Guide Jessie & the AMS-E crew

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Patty,

Your adventure at the top of the world looks awesome! The pictures are incredible. You and Sally sure found snow! Enjoy every moment! Missing you very much but am really happy for you! I look forward to reading the updates every day. Your spirit for adventure is inspiring. I love you!
John

Best wishes for safe travels to all of the team on your Alaskan journey!

Posted by: John Kudla on 5/22/2017 at 7:11 pm

Truly amazing. I cannot wait to hear ALL of th Epic Adventures that come out of this trip! It will take many miles of running to cover everything and I am looking forward to every sentence and every mile! Be safe about everything! Hugs and love to all xoxoxo regina, the “other” bffmg

Posted by: Regina on 5/22/2017 at 11:49 am

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Mt.Rainier: Four Day Summit Climbs Enjoy Beautiful Day on Top

May 22, 2017

Posted by: Kel Rossiter, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

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RMI Guides Kel Rossiter and Solveig Waterfall led their Four Day Summit Climb May 19 - 22, 2017 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Kel reported mostly clear skies with very lights winds. The teams began their descent from the crater rim around 7:20 am and will return to Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise. They will end their day with a celebration of their accomplishment at Rainier BaseCamp.Congratulations to today's Summit Climb teams!

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