McKinley Expedition: Breen & Team Share Blind Secrets on their Rest Day at 14k
Posted by: Jackson Breen, Lacie Smith, Raymond Holt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Sun 6/7/2026 6:45 PM PST
With all the prerequisite caching, acclimatization, and skills prep compete, we now hunker down at camp 14k to await a weather window. Things look optimistic for Tuesday, so between now and then we snack, rest, snack some more, get beaten by Matt at backgammon (sorry Dad, I’m in deep after losing a 64-point game), nap, chat, read while snacking, snack while reading, stretch the legs, and repeat until dinner time. Pad Thai, let’s go! Make sure to leave room for dessert though.
We did take a break from snacking to learn how to do efficient running belays, which will become critical during our summit day. When temperatures are as low as negative 25, and wind chill potentially doubling that lower, every minute counts.
With conditions potentially deteriorating tonight, we also learned the fine art of digging a snow block quarry and constructing 4 foot high walls to block the wind from flapping our tents all night long. Good to know that if my career in proprietary trading ever stalls I can pivot to high altitiude masonry.
Ray lead construction of a magnificent new bathroom, complete with soaring white marble walls, ergonomically designed toilet platform, gender neutral urinal, and unobstructed views of the summit. If he could just rig up a heated bucket seat I might not poop anywhere else ever again.
After spending the last 11 days and nights together, chatting, laughing and snuggling in our tents (looking at you Alonso) you might think we know everything there is to know about each other. But as I’ve learned today, we all still have secrets.
What follow are blind secrets, one for each member of our team (including the guides). Only I know who wrote each one. After dinner, we will try to match each secret to its owner. For the 12 hundred readers of this blog, wager your own guesses in the comments! Answers will be provided in tomorrow’s post.
1. During college I worked in a sorority kitchen washing dishes in exchange for free food.
2. I once panicked inside a busy IKEA when I couldn’t find my way out and had to go home and sleep for three hours.
3. I once angrily told someone to shut up during a musical only to find out during the intermission that it was a disabled person and her guide, who was explaining the plot to her.
4. I have an MBA, two bachelors degrees and two associates degrees.
5. I listen to “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins before every major life task/event to get myself amped up and in the zone. It has worked time and time again.
6. I learned an instrument in 12 months, which lead to joining and training with the states symphony orchestra for young adults, and played one concert with the LA opera.
7. I used to ride bucking horses at the Friday night rodeo.
8. One of my favorite things to watch before bed is live ‘speed running’, events, which is essentially watching people watching people beat video games really fast.
9. I can touch my elbows behind my back.
10. My ancestors were the only family in the Donnor party to survive without losing a single family member.
- RMI Climber Peter
Comments (7)
Oh Brave Team,
Our wish for you all is that you now feel liberated from the burdensome secrets you have carried all these years. Spilling your guts to almost perfect strangers took courage, and group therapy was obviously a useful tool in facilitating that. In view of the heavy packs you’ve been carrying, hopefully your loads now feel light and lifted.
Ricky, was that you panicking in the IKEA store? Makes me sad to think that might have been you and that I wasn’t there to guide you. Only problem is, I am way worse at directions than you so we would probably both still be secretly living in the IKEA store living on uncooked pasta and butter cookies, and you would not be on the mountain with this impressive group. If it was another of you, you have our heartfelt sympathies in your past plight.
Onward and upward, we wish you safety with every step, warmth, camaraderie and hot chocolate with marshmallows! Thank you to all for looking out for each other!
Posted by: Susan on
What a fun way to get to know more about each other. Such diversity you got there.
I was imagining an igloo you all are building!
Rest and be refresh for the next journey. Stay safe.
Posted by: Tess on
So proud of you, Pattie Flint!!!! You got this girl! Love you, Aunt Adele
Posted by: Adele Leverich on
Getting lost in an IKEA and in a state of emotional exhaustion to proceed to take a 3-hour nap. Incredible! You all are kicking butt. Some nice weather windows for periods of time throughout the week. Keep pushing!
Posted by: Ed DaPra on
Woof…the only one I have a solid(ish) guess on is Jackson’s family surviving the Donner party since the Breen family was one of the families that remained intact through that disaster (thank goodness Jackson has better navigational sense than his ancestors).
Peter, even after knowing you for years I can’t confidently say which on these are you. Maybe the pre-bedtime speed runs? Sorry, bud. I’m a bad friend
Posted by: Beth on
Reading through these updates, I too am thinking what an interesting group of people, which definitely makes for entertaining moments in the “down time”.
#2, I too had a similar experience & have never been back(meatballs just aren’t worth it ; } )
As I read through all the blind secrets I searched for clues that would lead me to my Son and through the art of deduction have come to the conclusion that it has to be #7… ; } oh the things we find out or maybe I’ve blocked this memory.
Carry on Climbers, you’ve got so many people rooting for you and sending good weather vibes. You’ve got this!
Posted by: Mama Holt in CO on
What an interesting group of folks you have there, guys! We know which one Mr Kuhl’s is - so we won’t divulge that secret (our lips are sealed!). We’re especially interested in the identity of numbers: 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10. I laughed out loud at #2 - whoever that is, you are seen and not alone. #3 - I also laughed out loud and then immediately felt guilty (!). #1 - that sounds pretty smart for a poor, hungry college kid. #4 - you must really love school! Also, what did you end up pursuing as a career? Interested minds would like to know. As for #5 - doesn’t everyone?! #6 - I initially read that as “Learned an instrument AT 12 months…” - I thought, surely not? A 1 year old learning an instrument?! Then reread and realized my mistake (doh!). What instrument - and do you still play? #7 - would you do that again?! #8 - which games - and how is that relaxing? #9 - how?? And finally, #10 - TELL ME EVERYTHING! Please, write a book. But first, tell me.
And Peter - I hear the market for high altitude masonry is growing. It’s AI proof, to be sure. And with the opening of the new Serenity Ridge neighborhood, your skills will be in high demand. Well done, you.
Posted by: Team Kuhl on