McKinley Expedition: Luedtke & Team Take Rest Day due to Winds
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,000'
Received Monday, June 15, 2026, - 9:10 pm PT
Denali Team #7 Dispatch for Sun, June 14:
The team slept in after a productive three days and despite a few inches of snow over "night" got suited up and excited for a quick back-carry day. And then the winds picked up.
As visibility tanked and the winds and snow became more sustained, we went into a holding pattern.
The hours slipped by and weather continued unabated. We slowly transitioned into a rest day, passing the time wíth books, movies, conversation and rather competitive games of Monopoly Deal; Ben did eventually win one.
Blowing snow turned to sunny skies as we devoured burritos and got excited over a favorable forecast for the next few days.
Back to work!
RMI Climber Matt Gates
