Mt. McKinley Expedition: Cifelli & Team Make move to 11,000’ Camp
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 11,000'
Received June 15, 2025 - 12:04 pm PT
June 14, 2025
Today is day 6 since we first met at Anchorage airport.
After waking it at 2 AM and taking all my strength to get out of my sleeping bag in the cold night (the worst part of the day for me!), we climbed from camp 1 to camp 2 and made our biggest elevation gain yet, 1000m, with moderately heavy bags and sleds. It was quite the workout! | arrived with a small headache, hopefully not related to altitude because it's what scares me the most. When you arrive at camp, you do not just install your tent and call it a day, you have to shovel the hell out of that place to build your toilets and dining tent. We try to help the guides but they are doing a tremendous job.
Once again, I was impressed by the power of the elements, the sun is so strong at this latitude in summer and it reflects on the snow everywhere so you're literally cooking. That's why we have walked at "night" up until now (it's never really dark). We haven't experience the other hazards of nature yet, such as bad weather, extreme cold or high altitude. The mountain imposes respect. Despite that the harder is yet to come, I think the group has a good start!
Considérant le contexte géopolitique actuel, je suis également soulagé de bien m'intégrer en étant le seul Canadien dans un groupe 100% American (although one was born in Ireland and is very comedic). I don't feel that they want to invade my country, they are rather very friendly. Ceci dit, personne n'a encore osé mentionner celui-dont-on-ne-doit-pas-prononcer-le-nom lo!! Salutations à Samu, maman, papa et mes amis, hâte de vous revoir! On se croise les doigts que tout se passe bien!
RMI Climber Etienne
P.s. Joyeux anniversaire et bonne fête des pères papa!
Comments (6)
Tait & Sophia - the DSPE team is rooting you on! Stay strong, stay warm, and keep your focus. We can’t wait to hear about your adventure when you get back!
Lita, Nicole, Megan, Becky, Elizabeth, Sarah, Eli, Elle and Farrukh
Posted by: Lita M on
Tait & Sophia - the DSPE team is rooting you on! Stay strong, stay warm, and keep your focus. We can’t wait to hear about your adventure when you get back!
Lita, Nicole, Megan, Becky, Elizabeth, Sarah, Eli, Elle & Farrukh
Posted by: Lita M on
Fingers crossed the altitude stays kind to you all, Stay strong, and safe! Rooting for you Mikayla - Love Mack
Posted by: Mack Thompson on
I’m sure the mountain demands respect and I’m also sure the team is formidable as well.
I’m hoping you’re all feeling strong, Denali/Mt McKinley smiles on you and the weather holds.
btw, what’s for dinner? Will there be more photos?
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on
Wow what an incredible trip. Tait and Sophia, I’m glad to hear your adventure is going well and the weather is cooperating so far. Stay safe and have fun! Tom Z
Posted by: Tom on
Salut Etienne
Bien contente de te lire et d’avoir des nouvelles votre ascension. Je suis quotidiennement vos anecdotes de voyage. Toujours bien interessant. Salutations à tous en vous souhaitant du beau temps et bon temps malgré les gros défis de cette montagne.
Maman xx
Posted by: Denise on