EXPERIENCE

See Climbs

Kurt's Climbing Experience

Mt. Olympus, Washington

2017


Elevation: 7,969 ft
Route: Blue Glacier
Leader: Lisa Ripps
Group: Mazamas
Notes: "This climb starts at 500 feet – the lowest start of any climb in my climbing history. "

Mt. Shuksan, Washington

2017


Elevation: 9,127 ft
Route: Fisher Chimneys
Leader: Larry Beck
Group: Mazamas
Notes: "Mt Shuksan is the tallest non-volcanic peak in the Cascades. "

Mount Stuart, Washington

2014


Elevation: 9,415 ft
Route: Cascadian Couloir
Leader: Amy Mendenhal
Group: Mazamas
Notes: " The Stuart massif is figured to be the largest mass of exposed granite in the U.S. "

Mt. Washington, Oregon

2013


Elevation: 7,794 ft
Route: North Ridge
Leader: Bruce Yatvin
Group: Mazamas
Notes: "Perfect weather; great team; good rock – for Oregon. "

North Sister, Oregon

2012


Elevation: 10,085 ft
Route: SW Ridge
Leader: John Godino
Group: Mazamas
Notes: "My first experience being “chased” by a forest fire. Read “Going South on North Sister”. "

Glacier Peak, Washington

2012


Elevation: 10,541 ft
Route: Cool Glacier
Leader: Bruce Yatvin
Group: Mazamas
Notes: "Perhaps the most beautiful climb in the NW. Think, “Sound of Music”. "

Mt. Everest, Nepal

2009


Elevation: 24,500 ft
Route: South Col Route
Leader: Vern Tejas
Group: Alpine Ascents International
Notes: "24,500 ft (summit is 29,035) Reached Camp III at 24,500 ft. Forced to return to Base camp due to frostbite on fingers. "

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

2008


Elevation: 19,347 ft
Route: Normal Route
Leader: Jose Luis Peralvo
Group: Alpine Ascents International
Notes: " We managed to reach the summit in very difficult conditions – wind gusts exceeded 70 mph; visibility was limited. "

El Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

2008


Elevation: 18,850 ft
Route: Jamapa Glacier Route
Leader: Michael Horst
Group: Alpine Ascents International
Notes: "Kurt's second ascent of this peak. Perfect weather and snow conditions."

Ixtaccihatl, Mexico

2008


Elevation: 17,354 ft
Route: Ridge Route
Leader: Michael Horst
Group: Alpine Ascents Internationa
Notes: "Kurt's second ascent of this peak. "

Chimborazo, Ecuador

2008


Elevation: 20,702 ft
Route: El Castillo Route
Leader: Jose Luis Peralvo
Group: Alpine Ascents Internationa
Notes: "With great weather and snow conditions we were able to reach the summit of the highest peak in Ecuador. "

Illimani, Bolivia

2007


Elevation: 21,201 ft
Route: Trail
Leader: Danny Uhlmann
Group: American Alpine Institute
Notes: "Stopped just 40 feet short of the summit due to an impassable crevasse."

Pequeno Alpamayo, Bolivia

2007


Elevation: 17,618 ft
Route: Trail
Leader: Joey Elton
Group: American Alpine Institute
Notes: "Kurt's second climb in the Condoriri Valley."

Huayna Potosi, Bolivia

2007


Elevation: 19,974 ft
Route: Trail
Leader: Joey Elton
Group: American Alpine Institute
Notes: "Great views of Lake Titicacca to the west and the Amazon lowlands to the east. "

Pyramida Blanca, Bolivia

2007


Elevation: 17,159 ft
Route: Trail
Leader: Joey Elton
Group: American Alpine Institute
Notes: "Kurt's first of two climbs in the Condoriri Valley – just two-hour drive from La Paz. "

Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia

2007


Elevation: 16,023 ft
Route: North Face Route
Leader: Bill Allen
Group: Mountain Trip
Notes: "At 16,023 ft, Carstensz Pyramid is the highest peak in the Australasian Continent. Kurt has now successfully climbed six of the "Seven Summits." "

Mt. Jefferson, Oregon

2006


Elevation: 10,497 ft
Route: South Ridge
Leader: Eric Hoem
Group: N/A
Notes: "Awesome views from the top. "

Mt. Rainier, Washington

2006


Elevation: 14,411 ft
Route: Emmons Glacier
Leader: Whit Fellers
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "Great route. Highest peak in Washington. "

Mt. Hood, Oregon

2005


Elevation: 11,239 ft
Route: South Side
Leader: Kurt Gusinde
Group: N/A
Notes: "Kurt's fourth summit of Mt. Hood. "

Mt. Aconcaugua, Argentina

2005


Elevation: 22,829 ft
Route: Vacas Valley Route
Leader: Eric Murphy
Group: Alpine Ascents Intl.
Notes: "At 22,829 feet, Aconcaugua is the highest peak in the Americas. "

Denali, (Mt. McKinley) Alaska

2005


Elevation: 20,320 ft
Route: West Buttress Route
Leader: Eric Remza
Group: Alpine Ascents Intl.
Notes: "At 20,320, Denali is the highest peak in North America. "

Three Fingered Jack, Oregon

2005


Elevation: 7,841 ft
Route: South Ridge
Leader: Rick Posekany
Group: Mazama’s
Notes: "Beautiful weather. Easy rock climb to the top. "

Mt. Vinson, Antarctica

2005


Elevation: 16,067 ft
Route: Branscomb Glacier Route
Leader: Eric Murphy
Group: Alpine Ascents Intl.
Notes: "At 16,067 feet, Vinson is the highest peak on the Antarctic continent. "

Mt. Aconcaugua, Argentina

2004


Elevation: 22,000 ft
Route: Vacas Valley Route
Leader: Willi Prittie
Group: Alpine Ascents Intl.
Notes: "Achieved new altitude high at 22,000 ft. 22,829ft at the summit."

Mt. Elbrus, Russia

2004


Elevation: 18,510 ft
Route: Maly Azau Glacier Route
Leader: Vern Tejas
Group: Alpine Ascents Intl
Notes: "Highest Peak in the European Continent. "

Mt. Baker, Washington

2003


Elevation: 10,785 ft
Route: Coleman-Deming
Leader: Dan Schuster
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "One of Kurt's favorite climbs in the Northwest. "

Mt. Shasta, California

2002


Elevation: 14,179 ft
Route: Hotlum-Bolam Glacier
Leader: Rich Bayless
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "Great climb. Kurt's favorite in California. "

South Sisters, Oregon

2002


Elevation: 10,358 ft
Route: Devil's Lake
Leader: Art Walker
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "Beautiful view of Central Oregon. "

Mt. St. Helens, Washington,

2002


Elevation: 8,365 ft
Route: Swift Creek Trail
Leader: Kurt Gusinde
Group: Independent
Notes: "Great training climb. "

Mt. Kilmanjaro, Tanzania

2002


Elevation: 19,341 ft
Route: Machame Route
Leader: Vern Tejas
Group: Alpine Ascents Intl.
Notes: "Great intro into high altitude climbing. "

Cayambe & Cotapaxi, Equador

2001


Elevation: 19,347 ft
Route: Standard
Leader: Robert Link
Group: Mt. Link
Notes: "Did not summit due to weather. 19,347ft - Cotapaxi. 18,996ft - Cayambe."

El Pico De Orizaba, Mexico

2000


Elevation: 18,491 ft
Route: Jamapa Glacier
Leader: Robert Link
Group: Mt. Link
Notes: "Most challenging climb to date. Awesome views. "

Ixtaccihuatl, Mexico

2000


Elevation: 17,354 ft
Route: Ridge Route
Leader: Robert Link
Group: Mt. Link
Notes: "Great intro into international climbing. "

Mt. Rainier, Washington

2000


Elevation: 14,411 ft
Route: Kautz Cleaver
Leader: RMI
Group: RMI
Notes: "Difficult route. Camped on the summit! "

Mt. Adams, Washington

2000


Elevation: 12,276 ft
Route: South Side
Leader: Eric Hoem
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "Great Northwest climb. Beautiful weather! "

Mt. St. Helens, Washington

2000


Elevation: 9,677 ft
Route: Monitor Ridge
Leader: Eric Hoem
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "Great training climb. Not too difficult. 9677ft prior to eruption."

Mt. Whitney, California

1999


Elevation: 14,505 ft
Route: Trail
Leader: Kurt Gusinde
Group: N/A
Notes: "Highest peak in the lower 48 state"

Mt. Shavino, Colorado

1999


Elevation: 14,229 ft
Route: Trail
Leader: Kurt Gusinde
Group: N/A
Notes: "One of Colorado's 52 fourteeners. "

Mt. Hood, Oregon

1995


Elevation: 11,239 ft
Route: South Side
Leader: Gene Curtis
Group: N/A
Notes: "Always a fun climb. Great weather. "

Middle Sister, Oregon

1989


Elevation: 10,047 ft
Route: Renfrew Glacier
Leader: Cheryl Harris
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "One of the Three Sisters in Central Oregon. "

Mt. Hood, Oregon

1988


Elevation: 11,239 ft
Route: West Crater Rim
Leader: Jim Lathrop
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "Second time up Mt. Hood. Beautiful weather. "

Mt. Thielson, Oregon

1988


Elevation: 9,183 ft
Route: SW Ridge
Leader: Jim Lathrop
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "Fun rock scramble. No snow. "

Mt. Bailey, Oregon

1988


Elevation: 8,376 ft
Route: Hungarian traverse
Leader: Jim Lathrop
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "No snow. Great training hike. "

Mt. Hood, Oregon

1986


Elevation: 11,239 ft
Route: South Side
Leader: Jim Lathrop
Group: Mazama's
Notes: "First climb of glaciated peak. Exhilarating!"
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