Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Summit!
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Josh Maggard
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 20,320'
Update Saturday, May 30th 8:30 pm PDT
Summit day! We decided to do something a bit unorthodox and wake up and leave early without the sunshine. Usually it would make for a really cold couple of hours, but the temperatures have been unseasonably balmy. It had the added advantage of getting us out ahead of several other teams that were heading for the summit also. The deviation worked out perfectly and we had a nice warm morning to walk, with no other teams in front of us. The skies stayed crystal blue all day, and 6 1/2 hours or so later, we were standing on the highest thing around! We had a good half hour on the summit, snapping pictures and taking it all in, before chilly breeze convinced us to head back for camp. We are back with plenty of time to brew up dinner and watch the later teams on their descent. It was a special day and everyone's really excited. It was especially great to have the whole team make it to the top. Tomorrow we turn our sights downhill and start the journey home!
Pete, Robby, Josh and team
Saturday, May 30th 3:32 pm PDT
This is RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer calling in from the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska. We just touched the summit; it's just past after 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Our group and Mike Walter's group summited today in short order. It's a really, really nice day up here--sunny, light winds, and relatively warm as far as Alaska goes. The whole team made it up. It was awesome, Really great day and everybody is excited. [cheers] We'll give a shout when we're back at 17k Camp safely and soon we'll be back in Talkeetna before we know it, heading downhill. Alright, talk to everybody later.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer calls from the summit of Mt. McKinley.
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Comments (29)
Awesome news - congratulations and I look forward to seeing some great summit pictures! Anna.
Posted by: Anna on
Congrats, Brian! All of us back home are very proud of you. xoxo, Karen
Posted by: Karen on
Congrats Brian! Welcome to the top! I had no doubts you get there this time :) Can’t wait to hear the whole story, because like all your campfire stories, I know it’s going to be a good one. Remember-you’re only half-way there ;) safe trip down mate.
Posted by: Jessica on
Yipppeeeee!!!!! You do it Renee!!! So proud of you girly. What an amazing achievement! Congrats to you and the team. You rock. The pom misses you.
Lots of love Sarah xxx
Posted by: Sarah on
Congrats Guys!!! Its been great reliving the adventure following you guys. Special congrats to Brian P!!! Safe travels back down. Would love to chat more but Its 89 degrees here so I’m heading out on the boat. (just saying )
Posted by: Kevin Stitely on
YOU ALL AT TEAM PJR MUST BE AMAZING PEOPLE. SO MANY COMMENTS LEFT TO YOU ALL ITS FANTASTIC TO READ.
WISHING YOU ALL A SAFE JOURNEY BACK TO BASE.
I’M PROUD AS ANY MOTHER WOULD BE OF YOU RENEE.
HOPE WEATHER STAYS WITH YOU FOR LAST LEG OF EXPEDITION.
NAN P WOULD BE SMILING DOWN AT YOU TOO NAISY IM SURE.
LOVE YOU TO BITS. MAMA XXXX
Posted by: Lori on
Congrats Pete, Brian and the whole team!!!! Well done! Enjoy the trip back now.
Posted by: Oscar on
AFTER ALL THIS EXCITEMENT I FORGOT MATT’S PARTNER IN CRIME
CONGRATS TO KEVIN TOO!!!
SO HAPPY FOR THE BOTH OF YOU!! YOU GUYS HAVE TRAINED SO HARD TOGETHER IT PAID OFF…
SEE YOU BOTH IN CHARLOTTE FOR THE HOME COMING.
BE SAFE TEAM PETE ALL THE WAY DOWN
LOVE,
MATT’S MOM TERRI
Posted by: Terri on
CONGRATULATION MATT ON THIS OUTSTANDING FEAT IN YOUR LIFE AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, AS A DAD AND FATHER I COULD NOT BE PROUDER!!
I HAVE WATCHED THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT EACH STEP OF THE WAY YOU AND TEAM PETE KEPT US CLINGING ON EVERY WORD. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET HOME.
LOVE,
DAD XOX
Posted by: Bob on
Congrats to Kevin and Matt!! What a view… So excited that you made it!! Keep pounding those miles it’s all downhill!!!
Posted by: Ornela on
MATT CONGRATS to you and your team for the fantastic climb. What an accomplishment in your life that you will always remember. You will have so many stories to share. Can’t wait to see the pictures that you took. Be safe on the climb down and stay warm. Love you
Auntie Marilyn
Posted by: marilyn collura on
Congrats Matt!! That is one hell of a climb, I am proud of you brother. I can not wait see you and hear all about it when you get back. I have been tracking your group’s progress daily at work. Can not wait see your pictures, Shockabra! Hope your team and you have a safe and quick trip back down the mountain, you’ve played sasquatch long enough!
Posted by: Michael M on
Congrats!!! We are so excited for you and your team Honda! We can’t wait to see all the pictures and hear all the stories.
Have a safe trip down.
Becky & Tony
Posted by: Becky & Tony on
Way to GO!!! What a beautiful view!
Posted by: Donna Metallic on
MATT I WOKE THIS MORNING TO SEE THE BLOG LOST MY BREATH… CONGRATS TO EVERYONE ON TEAM PETE, CHEERS!!!!!!!
MATT SO EXCITED FOR YOU XO CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU, JOB WELL DONE ALL THAT TRAINING PAID OFF ANOTHER ONE UNDER YOUR BELT. YOU HAVE TO BE ECSTATIC, AND TO SHARE IT WITH TEAM WALTER THATS AWESOME.! HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY DOWN. TILL THE NEXT BLOG
LOVE,
MOM XO
Posted by: Terri on
OMG!! WooHooooo!! So proud of you RENEE!! :) :) congrats to you and the rest of your team. Happy and excited for you all. An incredible once in a lifetime experience Have a enjoyable and safe descent and can’t wait to hear from you. LEIGH :)
Posted by: Leigh on
CONGRATULATIONS JON AND FELLOW TEAM MATES ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL CLIMB TO THE SUMMIT. WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN ENDURING THE HIKE. GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE WEATHER ENABLED THE TEAM TO GET AN EARLY START. WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR PICTURES. WISHING YOUR ALL A SAFE JOURNEY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
HUGS, MOM AND AUNTY KAREN
Posted by: Kemai on
YAY! I’m so so excited for you Naiie! I knew you’d make it… I just knew it..I’m incredibly proud of you and your team. The photo looks amazing. Speck says “hi” as I’m typing this message kicking away in my belly… It must know I’m talking to Aunty Naiie, I can’t wait to hear all about it and see all your photos as well as Jordy’s (who timed his flight perfectly so it turns out) love you heaps babe and keep safe on your journey back down the mountain.. Can’t wait to get an email from you xxxx love you heaps, Kath and Cam
Posted by: Kathy on
YAY! I’m so so excited for you Naiie! I knew you’d make it… I just knew it..
Posted by: Kathy on
Beyond awesome!!!! Congrats and safe travels home!
Posted by: Andy Nelson on
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!! huge congratulations to team PJR !! monumental effort in reaching the summit!! So stoked for you all.
Cannot describe how extremely proud of you Renee !! You set yourself a goal and you achieved it. You truly are the POD GODDESS *bows* Be safe on the journey down and can’t wait for you to come back with thousands of photo’s and stories… so so proud of you kiddo :)
An extra special cheesecake will await your arrival at work :)
You ROCK DUVO !!!!
xxx
Posted by: Paul on
Well done Renee and team. Magnificent effort by you all. Safe trip back down. Jordan - hope you took heaps of photos.
Posted by: Glenda on
Totally awesome .....congratulations To RickyBobby and Ericquito!! We are so proud of you! Can’t wait to tell you in person. Perseverance pays off in a big way. looking forward to catching up at the lake. XOXOXO your aunts and uncles in Chicago
Posted by: Maca Mangan Surpless Gang on
Well done Renee & team, we are all so proud of you, have a safe trip back down the mountain. You need to get Jordan out of the breweries!!!!!! Ha!!!!
Love Papa T
Posted by: Steve Telford on
Congrats Maggard! From all your brothers local 4553
Posted by: CHRIS on
Congratulations!!!!!! Well done too all. So proud of you Renee. I saw you all when I was flying over today. You were making you way up to summit. Perfect day up there. Can’t wait to see you Renee. Be safe on way down. Jordy.
Posted by: Jordy on
Congrats!!! So awesome!!! I’m so proud of you Matt. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Xoxo Kate
Posted by: Kate on
Congratulations!!
Posted by: Scott on
CONGRATULATIONS AND CELEBRTIONS RENEE AND TEAM PJR YOU DID IT!!!!!!
SO SO PROUD OF YOU RENEE. IM ECSTATIC TO SEE THE BLOG. I KEPT CHECKING AFTER SEEING MIKE WALTERS TEAM HAD SUMMITED TO.
CANT WAIT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.
TEAM PJR ROCKS!!
LOTS OF HUGS AND KISSES TO YOU RENEE.
MAMA XXXXXXXXXXXX
Posted by: Lori on