Abbreviation RMI Region served Worldwide | Type Mountain Guide Owner Peter Whittaker | |
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Services Guided Mountain Climbing Membership American Mountain Guides Association Founded 1969, Ashford, Washington, United States Headquarters Ashford, Washington, United States Founders Lou Whittaker, Jerry Lynch Profiles | ||
RMI Expeditions, also known as Rainier Mountaineering Inc. (RMI), is a mountain guide company based in Ashford, Washington. It leads mountaineering trips on Mt. Rainier and the Seven Summits as well as ski mountaineering and ice climbing trips. The company was founded in 1969 by Jerry Lynch and Lou Whittaker.
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RMI is owned and operated by Peter Whittaker, the son of Lou Whittaker and the nephew of Jim Whittaker, who was the first American mountaineer to successfully reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Peter Whittaker has been at the head of RMI since the late 1990s.
Accreditation
RMI is accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). AMGA accreditation certifies that client education in essential mountaineering skills is a primary focus of the mountain guide company.
Guided mountain climbing
RMI Expeditions leads mountaineering trips on Mt. Rainier, the Seven Summits – Mt. Everest, Aconcagua, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Vinson Massif, and Carstensz Pyramid. The company also guides in the North Cascades, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru.
RMI Expeditions Guides
RMI Expeditions guides include Peter Whittaker, Dave Hahn, Melissa Arnot, and Ed Viesturs.
Awards
In 2014, RMI was named “Best Outfitter” by Outside Magazine in their 2014 Travel Awards.
Charity work
Since 1988, RMI has supported the American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific through the Climb for Clean Air fundraiser. During the annual charity climb, RMI guides lead fundraiser participants on a guided trip to the summit of Mt. Rainier. Between 1988 and 2014, RMI has raised $4.4 million for the ALA. In 2009, RMI guides Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker led a charity climb on Mt. Rainier with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former Seattle Seahawks Coach Jim Mora, and former Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke. The mountaineering trip raised $400,000 for United Way of King County in Washington State.
Also in 2009, RMI founded the Responsible Climbing Initiative. This arm of the company supports environmental organizations through monetary donations.
RMI is a partner of the Leave No Trace program of the Center for Outdoor Ethics. Leave No Trace partners raise awareness of outdoor ethics.
First Ascent
In 2009, Eddie Bauer and a group of RMI guides worked together to design a line of technical outdoor clothing called "First Ascent".