Rainier Mountaineering Inc (RMI) Guides Dave Hahn and Melissa Arnot safely returned to Kathmandu after reaching the summit of Mt. Everest last week. Both climbers set records on their climb; Hahn marked his fourteenth summit of Mt. Everest, setting a new record for the most non-Sherpa summits of Mt. Everest, while the climb was Arnot’s fourth summit, setting a new record for the most number of summits for any American woman.
The team departed on their summit bid on May 21, reaching their high camp at 26,000 feet midday on May 24. At high camp they encountered unfavorable climbing conditions and opted to delay their summit bid.
The climbers waited for a day, departing on their summit bid at midnight. They found excellent conditions on Everest South East Ridge, reaching the summit at 9:31 a.m. local time on May 26. “It was a slightly surreal day, as always, hanging out at 8000 meters,” said Hahn.
The team descended to Everest Camp 2 at 21,000 feet that day, reaching Base Camp the following morning. Hahn and Arnot were guiding a team of climbers for RMI Expeditions.
“Hahn's and Arnott's ascent was quite remarkable given the environmental conditions this year, as well as the crowds. Everything had to fall into place at the right time. Dave is the ‘King of Patience!’” said famed American mountaineer and fellow RMI Guide Ed Viesturs.
The team returned to Kathmandu, Nepal on May 29 and are currently traveling back to the United States. Hahn and Arnot are renowned climbers and mountain guides and guide exclusively for RMI Expeditions.
