Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Make Summit Attempt, Turn back due to Winds
Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Alan Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,000'
Monday, June 4, 2018 - 9:27 PM PT
We woke to mostly clear skies, with some visible wind above us. With very cold temps we waited a little to let it warm up and to see if the winds abated. Temps did warm but the winds remain...not atrociously strong, but something to keep an eye on.
Leaving camp at 10:00, along with about 100 of our best climbing buddies, we headed up the "Autobahn" towards Denali Pass. The temps were cold and winds made it chillier. By the time we reached Denali Pass and turned the corner, the winds were in our face, colder and stronger than before. We pressed on, in the hopes that the winds would decrease. But as we gained more altitude, the winds kept increasing and getting colder; it was challenging to stay warm--especially our hands, toes, and fingers. So we turned around at the top of Zebra Rocks (~18,800') and headed back to High Camp. We climbed for seven hours and got back to our tents cold and tired. We'll check the weather forecast to see what our next move will be. Hopefully we will get another chance to go for the top.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
On The Map
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Comments (10)
Champion effort! May you be well rested for another summit run and may she,the Mountain,help make it so. Many Blessings, Hujo and Katie.
Posted by: HUGH DE PENTHENY O KELLY on
You fellas have fun up there. Maybe have Robby eat some more torts and ride him to the top like a rocket ship…. I don’t know, maybe??? Just think about the 8 cases of beer buried at base camp!
Posted by: Todd Hayes on
Shane…we are thinking of you and hope you are doing well. Let us know when you are down and safe. A warm shower and a bed will feel wonderful!!! ..Ken and Dean
Posted by: Dean on
What an amazing journey you have undertaken! We’re anxiously waiting to hear that you made it to the summit and are heading back down and back home! We promise you an amazing meal when you get home Alexander! Can’t wait to see you! Mom and Dad.
Posted by: Joyce Riemer on
Hope the weather cooperates today! Stay safe and carry on!
PK
Posted by: PK on
Hope today is the day! Good luck, love you.
K & J
Posted by: Kathy Nelson on
Hang in there, Tom M and friends! We are all hoping you are able to summit and to remain strong in spirits and body! We will be eagerly awaiting tonight’s blog!
Hugs,
Susan M
Larkspur, CA
Posted by: Susan on
Thinking of you Tom M and Co.
Best wishes for another opportunity to go for the summit.
Stay strong, stay safe.
Hugs
Jacquie
Posted by: Jacquie on
Hello Team and my dear bro’ Joseph!
*Psalm 120 (121)*
A song of ascents.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
With love:
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea Méri on
Keeping my fingers crossed that you’ll get another shot at the summit.
Good luck, and stay safe.
Ralph
Posted by: Ralph on