Entries from Mt. McKinley

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Carry Above 11 Camp

May 29, 2012

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Awakening early this morning we were surprised at just how warm and windless it was. At first our views were obscured by thick clouds, but moments later we could recognize the faint outlines of the ridges above us and realized that in fact we were at the top edge of a thick cloud bank enveloping the Kahiltna below us. Everyone was excited, and perhaps just a bit anxious about the climbing ahead. After all, we were to face our steepest terrain yet. Now, in our tent after a wonderful meal of pasta followed by blueberry cheese cake, all I can say is how proud I am of how this team climbed today! Everyone handled the loads and the climbing really well. About as well as I've seen. This sure bodes well for later. We really appreciated the early start being over an hour ahead of any other team. It felt like we had the mountain to ourselves, and we did. That is, until we descended and saw the throngs of humanity ascending the slopes we had passed long before. At dinner many in the group reflected on what they saw and asked, "Did we look like that?" referring to the hunched over postures of people battling altitude, steep terrain and a notable lack of technique and training. We were delighted to say, "no, you guys are climbers!" RMI Guides Brent Okita, Leon Davis & Lindsay Mann

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Sounds like you are doing great Gary! Enjoy!

Posted by: Matt Rhoads on 5/30/2012 at 7:12 am

Hey ” AA “, I wonder how the tap in your bedroom it is been abused by extrangers, but been so nice (ME), I am still very proud of all of you ...keep going strong and Good Luck…...I hope you have your car key too ......

Posted by: Paco on 5/29/2012 at 9:39 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Summit!

May 28, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

This is Mike calling down from 17,200 on Denali. We reached the summit yesterday at about 7 p.m. on the most beautiful day I’ve ever seen up here – comfortably warm and no winds! We are cooking up a nice breakfast right now and plan on beginning our descent soon. Looking forward to seeing Billy and team at 14,000' and Brent and team at 11,000'. We plan on making it to 11K today, and then heading for the Kahiltna airstrip on Tuesday morning. Weather allowing, we hope to fly off on Tuesday. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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were are you guys? Hope you had a restful day. ET phone home!!!! Love bob Enjoy the time you have on the mountain. Love you tons mom xoxo (Maile)

Posted by: Ginny and bob on 5/29/2012 at 6:56 pm

Amazing accomplishment-kudos to you Mike and your team! Glad that you made it to the summit safely and with such pleasant weather! So glad your Mom forwarded the news to me.Always happy to hear about your endeavors. All the best to you and your group!
Aunt D

Posted by: Mike Walter and team on 5/29/2012 at 5:16 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Feeling Strong at 11,200

May 28, 2012

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Today was a good day. The sun peeked thru the clouds timidly at best, with snow spitting occasionally and clouds being more the norm. But that didn't deter us from enjoying another easy day with a thirty minute walk back to the cache we left at 9,500' leading to a pleasant romp back to camp in the early afternoon. With the days work behind us we had only to review some climbing basics with our ice axes and crampons to get ready for tomorrow. It is beginning with the terrain above that the real climbing starts. And we're ready for it. Lighter packs and steeper slopes will be a welcome respite from the slogging done thus far. Our last fresh food meal of burritos revealed that everyone was feeling strong here at 11,200' as the team left nothing uneaten. We'd love just a bit more settled weather for our climb up Motorcycle Hill, Squirrel Hill and Windy Corner on our way to our cache site at 13,600', but I suppose if we just have calm weather we'll be happy. At eight hours round trip this will be our longest day, and our first day of higher altitude, but I know the team is ready for it. We'll leave you with a little poem Lindsay composed: "With sleds in our pack We take the downhill track. Zipping to 9500' for the cache We grab the food stash. Back to 11 we go With light weight sleds in tow. Tomorrow we will carry up the hill And hope to continue our good weather fill" Until tomorrow, RMI Guides Brent Okita, Leon Davis and Lindsay Mann

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Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Do Well on Move to 11,200’ Camp

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

With packs lightened down after leaving a cache at 9500', the team made easy work on the climb to 11,200' camp today. Our three and a half hour jaunt was made all the nicer by bluebird skies and sunny warm temperatures. To top things off we moved into a nice campsite that required minimal work. Although its snowing lightly again, we are looking forward to another easier day tomorrow, where we will retrieve our cache from 9500'. That's all from 11,200 feet. RMI Guides Lindsay Mann, Leon Davis and Brent Okita

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Gary, All is well here. It was obvious to us that you didn’t plan the days hike! Only three and a half hours! LOL. We love you and miss you. Angela and Ian

Posted by: Angela Rennie on 5/29/2012 at 6:20 am

Kristen- thinking of you every day! Hope you’re having the time of your life! Only three and a half hours of walking for the day? Is this making Mauna Kea look hard?
Miss you. Be safe and love you!!!

Posted by: Timothy Kelliher MD on 5/28/2012 at 6:13 am

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

A rest day! Yay! We did such amazing things as sleeping in, more turbo tanning, sport eating, walking out to the Edge of the World, more sport eating, fixed line practice, and packing for tomorrow's carry up the fixed lines. Per the norm, the team is in good spirits but perhaps a bit anxious for tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be in and out for the extended forecast so we are planning to stick to our schedule until we are forced to wait. Hoping for a great day tomorrow, once we get this cache in we will be on standby for good weather and hopefully pulling the trigger on our move to high camp and subsequent summit push... RMI Guide Billy Nugent and friends

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Hello GRD from AOMS in Tucson Arizona. We are thinking of you and tracking your progress. Your almost to the top!!! WooHoo!!! Looking forward to the Summit pictures, stories and your safe return!
Enjoy every moment!!! :)

Posted by: Robin Alexander on 5/29/2012 at 9:22 am

Hi Donny. We are so proud of you. The whole family in St Louis is following your team’s progress. Uncle Jim

Posted by: Jim on 5/29/2012 at 5:40 am

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Postpone Summit Attempt

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Pete Van Deventer called and the team is at 17,200' and are positioned for their summit attempt. The weather changed and the winds were high so they postponed their attempt one day. The team will be going for it tomorrow and hope to give us a call from the summit. RMI Guides Mike Walter & Pete Van Deventer

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Now we have to think of you for a whole another day already because of the stinking weather! NOT!!

You know of course that your Mom and I would be thinking of you even if you were not on a mountain such as Denali!

Hope it happens today for you all.. Be safe and I love you Mom.xoxoxo

Posted by: Ginny & Bob on 5/28/2012 at 10:33 am

I’m on pins and needles. Miss you, Rich. XO

Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/28/2012 at 9:31 am

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Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team at 9,500’ Camp

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,500'

Today marked our last day pulling full loads, and I think we're all pretty psyched about that! Our five hour climb began after waking up to three inches of snow and white-out conditions. But such conditions are certainly not unusual on the Kahiltna, and so after a hearty breakfast of fried bagels, cream cheese and bacon we tackled Ski Hill. Pulling huge sleds and shouldering monstrous packs is a given when climbing Denali, but is no small measure of character and sheer physical tenacity of the climber who accepts that challenge. And it is by meeting that challenge today that this team has really demonstrated a strength of will that will serve them well on this trip. Tomorrow begins the time in the trip when we start splitting up our loads and ferrying them up the mountain in stages. We're looking forward to this, but I know that these first two days have only made us stronger, and in the end, better prepared for the demands that lie ahead. We'll move camp up to 11,200' camp tomorrow and finally enjoy setting up a camp where we'll be for at least three days. I think the crew is going to welcome finally being able to build a 'proper' mountain home, replete with protective walls around the tents and enclosed commodes. What an energetic and motivated team. I'm a lucky guide. RMI Guide Brent Okita

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Hi Brent:

Wishing you and your team good luck and a successful trip to the top of Mt. McKinley. Considering the miserable condition of your trip, please stay safe and healthy. We are proud of what you are attempting to accomplish. Keep up the good work!!

George & Fujiko Okita

Posted by: George and Fujiko Okita on 5/30/2012 at 9:17 pm

Phil- Wishing you and everyone a safe and good climb. You definitely have earned it with all the training you have done. Have fun. Stay warm. Carol and Jon Holmquist

Posted by: Carol Rank on 5/27/2012 at 6:53 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Ready for Summit Bid

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Hey guys, this is Mike Walter calling from high camp on Denali, 17,200'. We're all doing great. We are all tucked into our sleeping bags. We moved up here yesterday and rested today. We are hoping for good weather to go for the summit tomorrow, which would be Saturday, May 26th. The forecast is for pretty light winds and some clouds so it is looking promising. We'll give you guy a shout either from up top or back at camp hopefully. Alright. We'll see you. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Mike Walter checks in from 17,200' camp

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Way to go Kyle!!! I am so happy to hear that you reached the summit. I can’t wait to hear all about it! Love you bunches! Christina

Posted by: Christina on 5/29/2012 at 1:40 pm

Congradualations! Awsome Job! We can’t wait to celebrate with you and hear all about it.
Kyle, we LYF

Posted by: Donna & Lloyd on 5/27/2012 at 10:45 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Back Carry

May 25, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Today saw pretty much constant snow all day long. Fortunately, the winds have remained calm and our crew was able to back-carry today despite the precipitation and stay right on schedule. We are now sitting pretty at 14,200' with all of our provisions and fuel. The weather is supposed to remain a little bit squirrelly through tomorrow which will coincide nicely with a well-deserved rest day. We spent most of the afternoon after the back-carry chilling in the posh and sport eating. Good times. The crew is in good spirits and pumped for the climbing ahead! RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Hope your rest day was filled with sleep, laughs, and food. Stay well, think of you all the time and each step you take gets you closer and closer. Roger Hector sends his best and is so darn proud of YOU Elizabeth.As always hugs and love. Mom & Dad

Posted by: Maureen Bartron on 5/27/2012 at 9:34 am

just FYI for those at home—you know that these aren’t specifically photos from this trip or this team. the guides only have sat phones, not an internet connection!

these are just generic pictures of the sections they are currently on…

Posted by: Mchael on 5/27/2012 at 7:43 am

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Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Smooth Sailing

May 25, 2012

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

What a day! Right from the start everything fell in place perfectly. Our last breakfast at the Roadhouse was savored before we made our way to our air service, K2 Aviation, who were great about getting us off the Tarmac ahead of schedule. This set us up to walk out of Basecamp at a reasonable hour, which allowed us to reach camp at 7,800' by 5:30. But the real highlight of the day was just how well everyone climbed and dealt with what is usually a pretty tough day. I'm impressed. I must say, though, that the weather cooperated today too. Warm temperatures, blue skies and calm winds might have had us perspiring just a tad, but I didn't hear much complaining about it. Although some evening clouds formed while we were having dinner, I think we might have a good day tomorrow as we make our way up Ski Hill to 9,500' camp. Talk with you then. RMI Guide Brent Okita

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Entries from Mt. McKinley

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Carry Above 11 Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Summit!

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Feeling Strong at 11,200

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Do Well on Move to 11,200’ Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Postpone Summit Attempt

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team at 9,500’ Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Ready for Summit Bid

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Back Carry

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Smooth Sailing

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