Entries By dustin wittmier
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Onward and upward!
The team begins its transition into the high alpine, leaving behind the comforts of city life as they begin their first climb of Cayambe. After a casual morning enjoying the Otavalo market, the team drove to the lower Cayambe hut where they sorted gear for the climb and did final fit checks on all the technical gear. After a freshly prepared Ecuadorian dinner, the team is settling in for their last full night of sleep before moving up to the high hut to begin their climb.
RMI Guide Mike Bennett
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Ecuador Volcanoes January 21, 2025
The Ecuador Volcanoes team continued their acclimatization journey yesterday, making an ascent of Ricco Pichincha just outside of Quito. For many of the climbers, this was a new altitude PR (15413’). Today, the team will start their drive toward Cayambe, stopping to do a moderate acclimatization hike around Laguna de Cuicocha before stopping at a hacienda for the evening. Folks are beginning to settle into the trip, getting into the flow of the expedition and enjoying the diverse culture Ecuador has to offer. Meanwhile, excitement grows as the start of the first major climb grows nearer and the team begins to feel more and more acclimatized.
RMI Guide Mike Bennett
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Volcanoes January 21, 2025
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Well, that's a wrap on the entire trip. Our final day also coincided with a 40th birthday party, so we celebrated at La Briciola, a nice Italian restaurant in Quito. We shared laughs as people recounted funny moments from the trip and even had a couple laughs about things that felt more serious in the moment; mountaineering is fun, but can also be stressful.
This trip was a success before we even stepped foot on any of the mountains. Each member of the team prepared diligently and showed up in Ecuador ready to climb, if the mountains would allow safe passage. In the end, all three big mountains allowed such and we had the privilege of visiting three beautiful summits. Had we reached none of these summits, I would be equally proud of this team for all the mental and physical training they accomplished before arriving here. A job well done team.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
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Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Three for three! The seminar team had another successful climb this morning, topping out their last climb of the trip and Ecuador’s tallest peak: Chimborazo (20,561’). Fresh snow and cold temps made for challenging climbing conditions, but the team was rewarded with a calm summit sunrise and spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes. Now off the mountain, the team is enjoying some rest and relaxation at Abraespungo before making the migration back to Quito for a final wrap up of the expedition.
RMI Guide Mike Bennett
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025
Awesome!!! Awesome Dustin and Team!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/20/2025 at 12:01 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 16,564'
Saturday, January 18, 2025 - 3:35 pm PT
We are settled into bed at Chimborazo High Camp. The afternoon was a little stormy, with off and on graupel storms and a few lightning strikes in the distance. However, right now it is only partly cloudy and the mountain peaks out from time to time.
The road has gotten long, and we have done a nice job of adapting to the uncertainty of climbing big mountains in a country with sometimes precarious infrastructure. Challenges have included BUT HAVE NOT BEEN LIMITED TO: bumpy car rides, food-borne illnesses, rapid ascent to high altitude, trying to get a table for 15 weary people to eat lunch and so on.
Now, we face one last mountaineering challenge, and the group is up for it. If the current weather holds, we will make our attempt tonight! However it shakes out, the group can be proud of everything they have learned throughout this trip.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025
Best wishes for Perfect weather and the Strength of Superman to you and your Team Dustin!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/19/2025 at 2:30 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
We have now visited the summits of two big volcanoes on this trip. This morning, just as the sun was rising, the team reached the summit of Cotopaxi. It was absolutely incredible to see the crater and striking ice features at the summit mixed with the early morning colors. As you ascend the route, you are on the north and west aspects of the mountain. We were under a dark sky for most of the climb. As we were nearing the crater rim, first light was upon us and once we crested over it, the golden glow of the sun below the horizon greeted us to the east. It was the perfect reward for all members of the group as each person had to work through a challenge unique to them.
Now we turn our sights to Chimborazo and preparing our bodies and minds to climb, if the mountain grants us the opportunity.
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025
That Is Awesome Dustin!!!! Spectacular pictures!!!! Congratulations to All of you!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/17/2025 at 4:36 am
Looks like a great group of climbers, continued success with Chimborazo!!
Dad
Posted by: Ray Wittmier on 1/16/2025 at 5:52 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
The team got some much-needed rest at the hacienda Casa Ilayaku over the last two days, enjoying sunny weather and local food. Down time was spent lounging out in the sun, reading books, and doing some light yoga. The team also continued to work on their technical skills, dialing in some more rope work. The team spent time learning the fundamentals of anchor construction, rappelling, and belaying techniques. They depart to the Cotopaxi hut today with the intention of climbing tonight.
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025
All the best for Perfect weather, strong legs and big strong lungs!! Climb Strong!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/15/2025 at 10:24 am
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!
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025
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
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
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar January 7 - 21, 2025
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
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
Looking strong ! I’m sure you’re all crushing it under the leadership of Dustin and Mike. Shout out to Mo and Bill. You guys have worked hard for this and I know you’ll have a tremendous experience. Godspeed to the Ecuador team!
-Joe
p.s. Don’t pet the strays…
Posted by: Joseph Mueller on 1/24/2025 at 7:16 pm
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