Entries By henry coppolillo
Our team enjoyed the sunrise at La Estancia Eco Lodge this morning. We then toured La Chincana (the Labyrinth) which dates to 800 AD and was a sacred place people traveled to from the Andean Region. Then a walk back to the harbor to catch a boat ride to lunch. It has been another great day here in Isle del Soul.
RMI Guide Andy Bond & Team
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August 6, 2024
Posted by: Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
Elevation: 13,000'
Monday, August 5, 2024 - 5:25 pm PT
It was an early start but not an early exit as we left La Paz this morning. A gasoline shortage in Bolivia left us scrambling to find a spot to fill up our van as we headed to Isla del Sol. After several hours of navigating La Paz and El Alto traffic we finally made it to the highlands with views of the Condoriri mountains and Huayna Potosi. A quick ferry and a failed short cut down a dirt road eventually led us back to the standard route through the town of Copacabana which sits right on Lake Titicaca. Yet another curve ball was thrown our way as a fiesta in the town for the Bolivian independence day shut down our route to the boat that was awaiting us to bring us to the island. After several detours and side roads we finally made it to our private boat that would bring us to the Island of the Sun.
Isle del Sol is a special island for the Andean people as it is the center of creation for them. On our walk from the boat to the Eco Lodge we passed by a pre-Incan Temple, and terraces built in the 1300's for farming. The island itself does not have cars and provides spectacular views of 6,000m peaks that we'll be heading to shortly. It is also a perfect place for us to acclimatize at 13,000' and enjoy the laid back island life compared to the hustle and bustle of La Paz. After an excellent dinner of fresh caught trout from the lake and local beef we are settling in for bed. As I write this we are being treated to views of a massive lightning storm over the mountains, feeling thankful to be here in our comfortable casitas and headed towards the high peaks in a few days when the weather is forecasted to improve.
RMI Guide Andy Bond
PC: Andy Bond
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August 4, 2024
Posted by: Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
Elevation: 11,942'
For most of us, its been quite a journey to make it to Bolivia, as many of us had to deal with cancelled and delayed flights. Most of us arrived early this morning into El Alto at 13,500' with the airport sitting on the plateau above the city of La Paz. Due to the high elevation, (La Paz is the highest capital city in the world!) planes need to land at night with colder air temperatures in order to be able to take off.
After a little bit of sleep and some breakfast at our hotel Mitru Sur, our group went for a ride on the teleferico (cable car) system that travels all over the city of La Paz and El Alto. This allowed us to see some sights without having to put in too much effort as we start to acclimatize to the high altitude we start at here in Bolivia.
We're beginning to pack as we head out tomorrow on Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca (2nd highest freshwater lake in the world) where we will continue to acclimatize at the famous La Estancia Ecolodge before heading into the mountains.
RMI Guides Andy Bond & Henry Coppolillo
PC: Andy Bond
Sign Up For Bolivia Expedition, August 3, 2024 Emails
Thank you, Jessee! Early squirrely is your jam now, (is it too soon?)thanks for covering for me! I am very grateful to be able to breakaway to do those things I think about everyday. I miss the crew but I will be back soon. Keep us at the #1 spot while I’m gone. Send It!!!!
Posted by: Katherine on 8/6/2024 at 3:37 am
We miss you Katherine, I see the planes can only land at night/early morning. But I know bright and squirrely is your MO. Give that mountain hell and come back safely!! Enjoy the trek and some much deserved time off!
Posted by: Jessee Wyld on 8/5/2024 at 12:25 pm
July 23, 2024
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Mike Bennett, Michael Murray, Nick Sinapius, Hannah Billings, Stella Johnson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Peru Seminar
Elevation: 11,300'
The Five Day Climb July 19 - 23 led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Mike Bennett reached 11,300' today before strong winds forced them to switch their ascent to a descent. The teams have returned safely to Camp Muir. They will pack gear and enjoy the morning sunshine from 10,000' before continuing down the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise later this morning. There adventure will conclude this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp.
RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and George Hedreen led the North Ridge of Mt. Baker July 11 - 14 team. The team reached the summit of Mt. Baker on Saturday afternoon. They spent the night on the mountain and will descend to the trailhead later today.
Congratulations climbers!
July 3, 2024
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Joey Manship, Raymond Holt, Mac Nolde
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons reached the summit of Mt. Rainier via the Emmons Glacier mid-morning. The Team dodged the worst of the wind, but it was still quite gusty. They will return to Camp Schurman and finish out their week of alpine skills training preparing for future big mountain adventures.
Congratulations Team!
Way to go team!!!
Posted by: Susan Sherman on 7/3/2024 at 5:20 pm
June 25, 2024
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Henry Coppolillo, Ben Thorneycroft, Robert Whyte, Hannah Billings, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb June 22 - 26 led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Henry Coppolillo took advantage of the clear and calm weather and made their summit attempt today. The entire team reached the crater rim of Mt. Rainier at 7 am on a beautiful day. The teams will return to Camp Muir and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. Tomorrow they will descending the remaining 4,500' to Paradise and conclude their program.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congrats Siri and team!! Amazing!! Can’t wait to see the pictures!!
Posted by: Rahul C on 6/25/2024 at 12:15 pm
Congrats everyone!!!! Amazing accomplishment!!
Posted by: Jon Kingsley on 6/25/2024 at 8:44 am
June 20, 2024
Posted by: Win Whittaker, Henry Coppolillo, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Four Day Climb June 17 - 20 led by RMI Guides Win Whittaker, Henry Coppolillo and Claire Pennell consists of climbers supporting the American Lung Association of Washington and the Climb for Clean Air. The team enjoyed beautiful weather for all of their days spent on the mountain. Snow conditions and potential avalanche danger prevented the group from making a summit attempt. They enjoyed the sunrise from Ingraham Flats this morning along with some additional training. The team is now back at Camp Muir and plan to start their descent to Paradise around 10 am. Their program will conclude this afternoon in Ashford with a celebratory team dinner.
Nice work team!
PC: Win Whittaker | ALA Climbers learning ice axe arrest techniques during Climbing School.
August 18, 2023
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,816'
Live from the Boston Basin, RMI Guide Henry Coppolillo and Team reached the Summit of Forbidden Peak via the West Ridge Route!! The team climbed strong and had a few great days of climbing! Way to Go Team!
August 12, 2023
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, George Hedreen, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,891'
RMI guide, Henry Coppolillo, checked in from our camp this afternoon after their 100% successful climb of Mt. Baker. The team will enjoy a beautiful night in the North Cascades before descending back to the trailhead and heading home.
Nice work team!
Good luck team! Katie Forsyth, I M pulling for you!
Love,
Aunt Kate
Posted by: Kate Graham on 8/7/2024 at 11:47 am
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