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Posts for Mount McKinley from 06/2012

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Staying Put at 14k Camp

Posted by: Mike Walter, Paul Edgren, Mike Hinckley | June 27, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'

We went to bed with clear skies and a forecast for 12-18” of snow overnight. The clear skies persisted overnight and we didn’t get any new snow. There is a lenticular cloud on top of Denali today, indicating strong winds. We’re also seeing snow blowing off of the West Buttress between the top of the fixed ropes and high camp. The current winds and the increased avalanche hazard from yesterday’s foot of snow are keeping us at 14k for another day. The sunny weather at camp today is welcome, and is helping to keep our spirits high. It looks like some better weather is approaching for the weekend, and we’re hoping we’ll be able to take a crack at the summit then. With any luck, we’ll be able to move to high camp tomorrow and be in position for the arrival of the more favorable weather. We’ll keep you posted!

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Resting

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais | June 26, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'

Today is number six on the mountain and the first solely designated to rest.  As discovered on day one of our long journey together, having fun is as necessary as being organized, fit and compatible. 

This morning the gang was allowed to sleep until their natural alarm clock pulled them from dreams of family, beer and showers.  Six inches of fresh snow blanketed our camp here at 11,000 feet so we were all pleased to be staying put.  Once all gathered in our perfectly designed cook tent, two hours were killed flipping flap jacks and drinking coffee.  Now we have moved on to lunch where singing every song to Michael Jackson’s Thriller album has trumped all else.  There is not an unhappy soul in the group.  Mike would like to wish mamma and papa Uchal safe travels on their adventure to Russia and beyond.

RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Cozy at 14K Camp

Posted by: Mike Walter, Paul Edgren, Mike Hinckley | June 26, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

Hello again from 14,200’. It’s snowing right now, and it snowed all last night. There’s only about 6” of accumulation so far, bur more is expected today and tomorrow. The good news is that there isn’t any wind here at 14k, and we’re all comfortable and cozy in our camp. We’re still in a holding pattern, waiting for decent weather to move up to high camp and be in position for a summit bid when the current weather pushes out.

In the mean time, we’re getting plenty of rest here at camp. Everyone is patiently awaiting better weather, although we’re all a little antsy for some exercise and a chance to move higher. We’ll keep you posted…

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Carry to Windy Corner

Posted by: Adam Knoff | June 25, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'

Today we set out to cache our upper mountain supplies above Windy Corner.  As we finished breakfast and packed gear the wind blew snow around camp. Layered up and ready for the weather, we set out anticipating the gales that would greet us at the corner. Constant wind and snow tried to impede us but the crew dealt with the adverse weather like it was a summer stroll. As we pulled up to the fabled Windy Corner the weather was nicer than what we’d walked through to get there. We buried our gear there and pushed back through the nasty weather to 11 camp. Everyone did great and spirits are high.

Tomorrow we rest!

RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Mt. McKinley: Mike Walter & Team Resting at 14 Camp

Posted by: Mike Walter | June 25, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

After a nice evening of sunshine, we awoke again today to light snow and wind, and very limited visibility. Again, this is fine with us as we could use another rest day before moving to high camp at over 17,000’. The weather forecast this morning indicated that we may see some significant snow tomorrow, before this system moves out later in the week.
We’re all enjoying some down time, but we are eager to climb higher also. Patience is paramount as we sit in this holding pattern. We’ll keep you posted with our progress with regular updates. If anybody out there can pull some strings and hook us up with perfect, sunny and warm weather for our summit bid, we’ll buy you a beer when we get back to civilization!
Cheers,
RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. McKinley:  Walter & Team Rest at 14 Camp

Posted by: Mike Walter | June 24, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

We’re having a relaxing day, lounging around in our tents, resting, eating, and sleeping after a tasty breakfast of smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwiches. The weather today started off cloudy and snowing lightly, but currently the clouds have dropped below us and we’re enjoying some sunshine up here at 14,000’. We’re currently in a holding pattern, waiting for a good weather window to move to high camp and make a summit bid. Based on the current forecast, it looks like we may take another rest day tomorrow to let this unsettled weather pass. That’s OK with us, as we are welcoming the rest and time to acclimate further. The weather forecast looks good in a few days, so we’ll hope that verifies.

Until then, we’re in chill mode. We’ll keep you posted with any news from our end.

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff and Team Move to 11,000’

Posted by: Adam Knoff | June 24, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'

Today presented our team with it’s first real challenge.  Early this morning mother nature decide that leaving the weather window wide open was making things a bit to easy for us.  She knew we had plans to move to 11,000 feet so early this morning the wind started blowing, the temps dropped and the world resembled the inside of a ping pong ball.  For a while we were actually debating staying put.  That thought lasted as long as a Luke warm cup of coffee and two hours later we were all heading toward camp 3.  Despite the weather this team performed like a well oiled machine.  We arrived at 11,000 feet in great style and pounded out a great camp.  I am most impressed by everyone’s strength and charisma. 

Talk to you all tomorrow.
RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Mt. McKinley: Jake Beren & Team - Expedition Ends

Posted by: Jake Beren, Elias de Andres Martos, Thomas Greene | June 24, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 348'

A few hours ago we were sitting on the glacier, Heartbreak Hill already a fading memory. Now we are back in Talkeetna, showered and fed and reconnecting with life off of the mountain. Our final day’s walk was truly magnificent, with the light of the solstice in full effect as we marched downhill into thicker and thicker air, gaining strength as we went despite the accumulation of many days of work and little sleep. Waiting a few hours for a flight in the warm sun in the stillness of the Southeast Fork took the title as my best airport experience ever.

Once again we are all happy and healthy, glad to return to everyone back home safely and with an excellent time with friends on The Great One.

RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Cache Above the Fixed Lines

Posted by: Mike Walter | June 23, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'

We’re all in our sleeping bags after a good day of climbing. We carried a cache of supplies to 16,800’, just below Washburn’s Thumb. Everyone did well on their first foray up the fixed lines, and then further climbing up the ridge of the West Buttress. We will be taking a rest day tomorrow, and hopefully be heading up to high camp soon thereafter.

A weak weather system looks to be approaching for the next few days, which is fine with us; we’ll be resting, acclimating, and getting strong for the (hopefully) good weather to follow. We are in position now, and ready to head up to higher ground whenever the weather allows.

We will be in touch again tomorrow.

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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McKinley Expedition: Knoff & Team Carry to 11,000’

Posted by: Adam Knoff | June 23, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount McKinley
Elevation: 9,800'

It is apparent the two previous days of hauling full loads weighing more than a small horse has already made our team stronger.  Yesterday we all felt a bit nackered but ten solid hours of sleep was most revitalizing.

This morning the alarm went off at 6:00 am and we woke to clear skies and cold temps.  The ever constant roar of our stoves means coffee is close providing the needed impetus to crawl out of warm bags and into cold boots.

We then made a smooth carry to 11,000 feet, the sight of our next camp.  With a full afternoon to rest, the team is now learning the invaluable skill of killing time.

RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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