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McKinley Expedition: Champion and Team Make it Back to Talkeetna

June 2, 2026

Posted by: Nikki Champion, Nick Sinapius, Rosie Hust

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska

Elevation: 350'

Monday, June 1st - 9PM PST

Well, we did it. We packed up camp at 14 yesterday morning, and began the trek back down the mountain around noon. We rolled through our old camps, and luckily got to see a few friends along the way. We picked up trash, old CMCs, and a few hugs here and there. We continued through the lower Kahiltna - in a white out, fitting for this trip.

Eventually, around 10PM we pulled our heavy sleds up heart break hill and into base camp again. We enjoyed a midnight dinner, and settled into our tents for (hopefully) the last time.

The following morning we checked in with K2 and hoped to fly. We got lucky, and by 11A the planes were on the ground and we crawled in.

The team is back in Talkeetna and enjoying vegetables and beer for the first time in a while.

-RMI Guide Nikki Champion