Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Descend to 14K Camp

June 17, 2017

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 16, 2017 11:35 pm PST Well everyone, we hung on as long as we could at 17 Camp. We woke to high winds and blowing snow and waited patiently for them to dissipate. They did not. After dragging our feet in vain, still hoping for some workable weather, we finally began our descent back to 14 Camp. Arriving around dinner time, the team wolfed down what could (hopefully!) be our last Mac and Cheese meal for a while and racked out for what will be a few short hours before we head downhill for this season. While we did not stand on top of Denali this year, we are lucky to have tried and happy to be heading home none the worse for wear. It has been a real treat to all climb together and we will be checking in from further down this beautiful mountain. Wish us good luck and fair winds on the last legs of our adventure, it ain't over yet... RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Waiting to hear you all arrived safely at base camp and are flying back to hot showers and a good meal! Praying for you Steve!
Mike and Pat

Posted by: Mike and Pat Lurakis on 6/19/2017 at 9:48 pm

Steve. A disappointment for sure. What do they say about mountains - getting to the top is optional but getting down is mandatory. Denali denied you the top so be safe getting back down. Safe travels .

Posted by: Keith h on 6/19/2017 at 9:15 am

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Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Pull Heavy Loads up Ski Hill

June 17, 2017

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Gloria Roe

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

June 16, 2017 10:02 pm PST Greetings from Camp 1 on Denali! Today the team took an early morning stroll up the Kahiltna, only mildly inconvenienced by absurdly large packs and sleds packed with all the supplies as food we'll need for the next several weeks. Traveling with so much weight takes some getting used to, and everyone is doing a great job adapting to the new systems in play. We arrived at the base of Ski Hill in a heavy snow fall, but after a much needed afternoon nap the sun came out and we were able to get a good view of our spectacular surroundings. Tomorrow, weather permitting, the plan is to walk uphill some more! With any luck, we'll be checking in from 9,600' tomorrow night. In Horiskey we trust, RMI Guides Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, and Gloria Roe

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I love the red tents against the white. Must be fabulous to look around you!

Posted by: Michelle W on 6/18/2017 at 12:50 am

Pictures are aMazing! Know there are many following you and sending you warmth and good vibes every step of the way!

Big Love to all if you!

Posted by: Ann Cook on 6/18/2017 at 12:40 am

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Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Have Smooth Start

June 15, 2017

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Gloria Roe

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,300'

June 15, 2017 Every once in a while in the mountains, things work out juuust right. Our team woke up today in Talkeetna to bright blue skies, a view of the high one from town, and a scheduled flight in to the Kahiltna Glacier at 9:00 AM. And just like that, after a full breakfast, we found ourselves waving goodbye to the greenery of the Alaskan low country and saying hello to the towering masses of ice, rock, and snow that make up the Alaska Range. The team took full advantage of the clear weather on the flight in to snap photos and marvel at the jaw dropping scenery. And then before we knew it, we were digging in camp at 7,300 feet at Kahiltna Base Camp. We passed a relaxing day snacking, sorting out our gear, and brushing up on glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills. After a tasty burrito dinner, we have finally settled in to our tents to get horizontal before an anticipated early morning push up to ski hill camp tomorrow. Mount Horiskey, here we come! Love to all, RMI Guide Mike Haugen

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Go Glo!
We
Love you
Ma & Pa

Posted by: Mary Ann hickey on 6/18/2017 at 12:34 am

Julian,

Hi Daddy, we are so glad the first couple of days are going well. We hope your sled is behaving itself. we are booked to flightsee Denali on the 4th. We miss you!

Love Karen, Austin ,Lexy & Gavin

Posted by: Karen Sander on 6/17/2017 at 10:06 am

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Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Hanging Tough at 17,000’ Camp

June 15, 2017

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

June 15, 2017 Hello from 17 Camp, this is Jake Beren calling in for RMI's Denali team. We woke this morning to high winds up high and quite cold temps again. So we decided to pump the brakes and cross our fingers for tomorrow. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but we are hoping to give her a go tomorrow. So that's it from 17 Camp, a little bit more of the same, but we're all happy, healthy and hanging tough up here. So we'll give her a shot tomorrow and let you know how it goes. Bye. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from 17,000 ft on Denali.

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Lindsay, it’s unfortunate that you could not summit ... I would still think that the journey to 17K was an amazing experience anyways. There is always another time!

Posted by: Manish on 6/17/2017 at 5:38 am

Cheryl so sorry to hear that you weren’t able to summit but I’m sure this has been a very unforgettable experience. Wishing you a safe trip home and can’t wait to see you.

Posted by: Jo on 6/16/2017 at 4:43 pm

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Have Big Decision

June 15, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

June 15, 2017 Well the mountain is doing it's own thing at the moment. The winds are well more than forecast and the temperatures are chilly. The team is hanging in there and tomorrow will see us to the top or we will start our descent. We're hopeful on our efforts and time spent waiting that we will be rewarded with a trip to the summit of Denali tomorrow! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

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Joe,

Thinking of you and sending good karma. Great accomplishment given all the challenges. Admire you immensely. Cheering for greater heights!

Ann Marie and Bruce

Posted by: Ann Marie and Bruce on 6/17/2017 at 4:48 pm

Awaiting news!

Posted by: SoCal Gunns on 6/16/2017 at 7:34 pm

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Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Being Patient at 17,000’ Camp

June 15, 2017

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

June 14, 2017 Greetings from 17 Camp. Today high winds and low temps provided a combo that will keep us from climbing Denali for another day. But our fingers are crossed that tomorrow may have something better in store for us, so please do the same down in the south land. Hopefully we will be calling you with a little bit different news. For right now the team is doing 17,000' Camp, we are hunkered down, being patient, full bellies, happy, healthy and hoping to go for the summit soon. That's all for now. RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Cheryl just got your text and hope you reach the summit tomorrow. Be careful and my prayers will be with you and your team. Love you.

Posted by: Jo on 6/15/2017 at 9:17 pm

Jim Walker—good luck on the climb to the summit. All of the Guff clan and all of Vineyard Lane is very proud of you. We look forward to hearing all about the climb in detail over some good burgundy at the Chanty. Be safe. Drew

Posted by: Drew Guff on 6/15/2017 at 9:12 pm

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Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Move to 17,000’ Camp

June 14, 2017

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

June 13, 2017 Hello, this is Jake Beren calling in from 17,000' Camp on Denali. The team made it up today, it was pretty windy in the morning but the wind tapered down, and we were able to make it up to camp safely. Now we are snuggled up with full bellies and hot drinks. We are just going to wake up in the morning and see what the mountain offers us. Wish us luck! We need some low winds for our summit bid. We are prepared to spend a few days up here but we are hoping not to. That's all from 17 Camp. Hope everybody in the lowlands is doing well. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren calls in from 17,000 ft with an update.

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Go James!! Mountain man! We’re all amazed and thrilled with your progress! Holy Toledo!
Barry

Posted by: Barry Sternlicht on 7/1/2017 at 4:49 pm

Hey Jim, good to see you and team are making good progress, sending you all the encouragement and success, love from the Morrison’s

Posted by: Paul Morrison on 6/29/2017 at 1:53 am

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Move to High Camp

June 14, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

June 12, 2017 Hello from our new camp at 17,000 ft on Denali! The team had an early start pack up camp and departed around 7 am. The winds picked up on the West Buttress as we neared the first break. The team had some amazing dance moves as we waited an hour or so for the morning winds to subside. The team climbed strong all the way to high camp in optimal weather. We worked for a few more hours to build camp. The climbers crawled in to have a rest as the guides worked to melt snow and tidy camp. We are now eating big bowls of Annie's Mac and cheese with bacon and soup. The hydration and eating up here never stops. Tomorrow with high hopes of good weather and light wind the team will shoot to stand on top of North America. Send us good vibes! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

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Matt - Hoping to hear news of a summit soon! Stay safe. Sending love and good vibes for fair weather!! Daisy and I are trying to be patient waiting for you to get back. We miss you so much!!

Love, Colleen

Posted by: Colleen on 6/15/2017 at 6:32 pm

@ John Gunn and team,

you got this!!! hope it all goes well getting to the tippy top! stay safe and hopeful!!! you’ll be down here sitting around the table telling all your stories and eating a home cooked meal from momma in no time!

love you!

Alyssa

Posted by: Alyssa Gunn on 6/15/2017 at 3:40 pm

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Prepared to Move to 17K Camp

June 13, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

The team was on standby this morning to potentially move up to 17K camp. But the early morning "now forecast" looking out of the tent wasn't as good as we were hoping for with snow and building clouds that ended up developing all day. We once again got to spend the day at 14K camp preparing the rest of our gear to go up to 17 and stretching our legs. Tomorrow morning we hope to move up and that the forecast holds true for a summit bid in the next few days! Stay tuned! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

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praying for a safe summit tomorrow! can’t wait for you to be home and tell all your stories.

-Alyssa Gunn

Posted by: Alyssa Gunn on 6/13/2017 at 9:48 pm

Tym, Tyler, and Team,

You all get an award for patience and persistence! My fingers are crossed for you for 48 hours of good weather. Best wishes, and thinking of all of you. GO TEAM GO!!

I hope you paid your kitty sitter until you return,Tym, or you will have two very hungry felines.

And Tym…Satoshi says, $2779.00

Love Mom and Zeppelin

Posted by: Kristi Kennelly on 6/13/2017 at 6:57 pm

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Denali Expedition: Brent Okita & Team Signing Off

June 12, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

A leisurely, big breakfast of eggs, bacon and hash browns was had after sleeping in fairly late yesterday. When we finally got out of the posh we were surprised to find that planes might be flying soon. Yes, we were keeping an eye on the weather, but it wasn't really that good yet. At first we couldn't really believe it and the team indulged in some leg wrestling antics (which the women handily won).Then we heard the words, "RMI Okita, two Otters are in the air for you".So we went from slow mo to go go as we tore our tents down and packed in a matter of about twenty minutes! I think some folks were motivated to leave. As we brought the last of our stuff the fifty yards to the glacier landing strip we saw the planes come into view. By 1:00 we were in town, unpacking group gear and trying to dry stuff that was soaked from the unseasonably warm temps and rain. We'll not discuss our evening affair in much detail except that the food was good and the libations rather excessive. We're on our way to the airport now, twenty three days after flying on to the mountain. No summit to boast of this time. But looking back on it all, it's the people we climb with and share adventures with that inspires me to live the life of my dreams. Summits may be nice but are somewhat ephemeral. Friendships formed while climbing mountains last a lifetime. Thanks to the wonderful group of climbers with whom I've shared the past three weeks. You're the best! And now they are on their way back to you, with stories to tell and memories to share. Indulge their eccentricities. Should they reach for their pee bottle in the middle of the night or ask for a "swirl" after dinner, don't worry. They'll recover from these mountain habits in time. Thanks for joining us these past three weeks! Goodbye, RMI Guides Brent, Christina and JT

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Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Descend to 14K Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Pull Heavy Loads up Ski Hill

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Have Smooth Start

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Hanging Tough at 17,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Have Big Decision

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Being Patient at 17,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Move to 17,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Move to High Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Prepared to Move to 17K Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Brent Okita & Team Signing Off

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