Mt. McKinley Expedition: Cifelli and Team Rest at 14 Camp
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Sunday, June 23, 2025 - 8:15 pm PT
Another rest day. Right now we are in waiting mode, as the winds have picked up at the summit and we await a break in the weather for our summit push. Luckily, there are few waiting rooms more majestic than 14 camp.
Breakfast is a leisurely affair of breakfast burritos - democratically voted as the best breakfast yet. Then, it’s time for a Hot Girl Walk up and down 14’s Main Street. The fashion is a bit different though - in lieu of Alo yoga matched sets are brightly colored sun hoodies, face shields, and triple boots - but never just down booties. We have standards.
Post fashion walk, it’s time for stretching, hydrating, and a carnival classic: knocking over the cook pot with a snowball. It becomes readily apparent we won’t be forming a Denali softball league anytime soon.
Next up on the agenda is home improvement. Tents must be moved and foundations leveled with caddy-like precision. Hot tip for the golfers out there - get yourself a Denali climber - we are happy to carry heavy bags over hilly terrain, can read the slope on any surface, and are likely broke from funding this hobby.
Since the NPS won’t share the wi-fi password, the rest of the day is a mix of hydrating, reading, card playing, napping, snacking, and reapplying sunscreen. At 7pm the NPS weather report and daily trivia will crackle over the radio - unintelligibly, despite our direct line of sight to their tents.
Post dinner, it’s time for another stroll up and down Main Street, though it’s giving more Fart Walk than Hot Girl Walk at this point. I’ve heard Fart Walks are the new summer wellness fad, so at least we’re trending.
To everyone at home reading this blog, leaving comments, sending messages to our Garmins - you have no idea how much your love and support means everything to us. Thank you.
- Sophia Bishop
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Mt. McKinley Expedition June 9, 2025
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Comments (8)
Awesome job team! Love the updates!
Posted by: Melissa Hoberg on
J’aime bien vous lire Je réalise à quel point tout ça demande du lâcher prise Avec dame nature ,il faut lui obéir Je suis tout simplement impressionnée par vois tous
Bonne continuité
À bientôt
Posted by: Groleau on
Following y’all’s journey from Dallas!! Now all those insta stairmaster videos make so much more sense - wishing you all the best!!
Posted by: Shannon on
Alright team, LFG! Time to get fired up for a summit bid. I’ve been to the top of some of the highest mountains in the world with Mikayla, Myles and your fearless leader and I know you’re going to get there. They don’t call him Dominic Summitfelli for nothing. Doing my good weather dance for you. Good luck!
Posted by: Chris Lind on
Thinking of you and Tait. It’s a heat wave in New York this week, so at least you’re avoiding the subway sauna!
Posted by: Steven Zhu on
I love “but never just down booties”, lol! What is a true hot girl walk without strict standards! I will admit I was evaluating you all’s choice in fun. Once I found myself bartering with a toddler throwing a tantrum… I realized ANYTHING is more fun than this!
Im glad you all are resting safely! I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Posted by: Elle Ray on
I’m hoping for a break in the weather and more breakfast burritos! I anxiously await news each day and love reading about what you all are up to. Besides, my baby girl is on that mountain. You all rest up and get ready for your summit push! Onward and Upward!
P.S. Hey Mikayla, Denali and Denali are rooting for you as well, they just can’t put it into words. I love you woman and so very proud of you, always.
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on
I thought of you guys as I escaped my hot car into my air conditioned gym for my workout. Currently 100 degrees Fahrenheit here in sunny Las Vegas. You got the views, we have the boring gym. Stay well, people, onward and upward!
Posted by: Earl Brunner on