Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Walter and Team Wait out the Weather

June 3, 2018

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Alan Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Sunday, June 3, 2018 - 2:00 PM PT We woke this morning and looked up at the upper mountain to see a little bit of wind coming off of Denali Pass; something to keep an eye on, but nothing too concerning. Our stoves were stubborn to heat up at this altitude and with these cold temps, but soon they were firing away, working hard to melt our cook pots full of solid ice (which, just last night, were water).The winds of early morning transformed into a menacing lenticular cloud cap that refused to dissipate. We hung around on "stand by" for a few hours, hoping conditions would improve. That never happened and we decided that we would write this one off as a rest day. We're hoping that tomorrow morning will present us with better climbing weather for a summit bid. Stay tuned. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Hi Tom!
I’ve been following your incredible journey!
I’m hoping the weather cleared for your summit bid!
Can’t wait to hear/see (did you bring a camera? :) all about it once you’re home!
Enjoy the last few days with Mother Nature and your climbing pals!
Shannon

Posted by: SHANNON REILLY on 6/5/2018 at 8:19 pm

Hey Mike, Roby, and Alan,
Please let your team member, Joseph know that his wife and kids wish him a Happy Birthday.
Wishing good luck, Tünde, Angela, és Hanna.

Posted by: Tünde Veis on 6/4/2018 at 4:08 pm

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team at High Camp, Ready for Summit Bid

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Alan Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 8:30 pm PT We woke to perfect weather so we fired up the stoves, had a hot breakfast and packed up camp. We were climbing before 9am, headed up toward the headwall en route to 17k camp. The weather was perfect and so were the views. We made it to camp in six hours. And then it took us another couple of hours to build camp, and another few on top of that for us to get dinner made (our stoves are rather anemic at this altitude). If all goes well, we'll try for the top tomorrow. We'll see what the weather throws at us in the morning, but the forecast remains good through mid week. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Heidi and I love you and miss you, Dave!

Hope the sun is shining and you are keeping as warm as you can. We know how much you love the snowy mountains.

XOXO,
Me and Heidi

Posted by: Michelle & Heidi on 6/3/2018 at 1:34 pm

Cheering you on from Peru, Tom, and Team Denali! Looking forward to the summit photos. Then, you ride your sleds back to the bottom, right? :) xox Patty

Posted by: Patty on 6/3/2018 at 11:43 am

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Move Up to 14K Camp

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 7:25 pm PT All is well on Denali at 14,000 ft camp. We climbed for approximately five hours today after quickly breaking down camp at 11,200 feet. The air was crisp all day but we had full sunshine keeping us comfortable. This day on Denali is always tough and today was no exception. Thankfully we are all in camp now relaxing with our boots off resting up for a big tortellini dinner. I am sure it will be an early night to bed and we will enjoy a well earned late wake up in the morning RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Hey Tyler
With you

Posted by: D Dutro on 6/3/2018 at 8:09 pm

Hey Tyler
With you

Posted by: D Dutro on 6/3/2018 at 8:07 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Make a Run up the Fixed Lines

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Taylor Bickford

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 6:56 pm PT We decided that the perfect weather this morning demanded that we go take a run up the fixed lines to check them out, and finally gain the West Buttress. We're sitting through a spell of fantastic weather, warm, calm, and sunny, and the views back over camp were stunning. The fixed lines are often a point of uncertainty, nervousness, and apprehension, right up until we clip in to them and everyone realizes that's it's just the same old climbing that we are all used to. Everyone did a fantastic job and we cruised to the top, took a bit to enjoy the views and breathe some thin air, then headed back down to camp for an afternoon siesta. Tomorrow we'll take one more rest day before we look to make our move to 17K Camp and get our summit push underway. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Taylor Bickford, and team

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Hey Rich and all your teammates…great pictures have been coming our way and we are so pleased you all have had such great weather. Can’t wait to see more!!! Love mom and dad

Posted by: Richard lewis on 6/3/2018 at 2:12 pm

Thinking of you all every day and enjoying these updates! Happy Birthday yesterday to Henry - love to him and Caleb from Gran/Mom (and of course to the rest of the group!)

Posted by: Jennifer Huntington on 6/3/2018 at 8:17 am

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Bryan Mazaika, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 3:23 PM PT Early this morning we broke down camp under perfect conditions! The team climbed remarkably strong and we made great time up to our Camp III at 11,000'. We arrived in mid morning to avoid traveling while in the heat of solar rays and overheating our engines. The crew then built camp in short order now we’re settling in for a mid day siesta. We’re strong, happy and stoked with our performance. Tonight we will have a feast of Annie’s Mac and cheese, then we will try to be up before the sun hits us in the morning for a short back carry to retrieve yesterday’s load of groceries, fuel, and personal luggage. That’s all for now from our new camp and currently the rest and hydration station. Cheers, RMI Guides Tyler Jones, Brian Mazaika, and Nick Scott

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Go Team Jones! Go Shawn! August says that next time he want to go with you :-)
Keep up the great work everyone. Awesome progress up this amazing mountain!

Posted by: Kam on 6/3/2018 at 7:36 am

Yes!! Watching you all move up the map is incredibly exciting. Stoked to hear the team is climbing strong and the conditions ideal. Sounds like the team is climbing with style.

Dave and Team, you are in our thoughts and we are cheering on each step higher!!

Love,
B

Posted by: Beth on 6/3/2018 at 4:55 am

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Rest at 14,000’ Camp

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Taylor Bickford

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Friday, June 1, 2018 - 10:30 PM PT We're falling into the rhythm of Denali. After a big day yesterday, it seemed appropriate to take a rest day and avail ourselves of the comforts of 14,000' Camp. It was a stellar, beautiful day and we rested for most, taking a brief reprieve to practice and train for the fixed lines tomorrow. We'll take our first spin on those and everyone is excited to get on the West Buttress and some exciting terrain! RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer

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Happy Birthday to your mate on the mountain!

Rich hope all is going well! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip when you get back home

Posted by: Susie and the kids on 6/2/2018 at 7:51 pm

Happy birthday to Hank Huntington! -Thomas

Posted by: Thomas Huntington on 6/2/2018 at 11:38 am

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Rest at 11,000’ Camp

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Friday, June 1, 2018 - 9:30 PM PT We had our first rest day of the trip today, and the team certainly earned it. The weather was perfect, with blue skies, and a cool breeze that kept us from baking in the tents. The day went pretty quickly, which is not always the case. We passed most of the time trading stories about our most embarrassing moments, and listening to Finnish heavy metal courtesy of our friendly neighbors. Not much else to report from the mountain today. We'll check in tomorrow, hopefully from our new home at 14,000'. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Brett,
We are so proud of you! Garrett and I miss you but we’re doing great and we’re happy thinking about you, Alden, and Chip on this amazing adventure! We’re sorry we missed your sat call. We love you!!! Xoxo

Posted by: Kate on 6/2/2018 at 9:55 pm

Alden, keep pumping brother. Me and the lady buglettes are behind you and your team 110%.

Bugman

Posted by: Matt Lattig on 6/2/2018 at 6:10 pm

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Cache Gear at 10,200’

June 1, 2018

Posted by: Tyler Jones

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,600'

Friday, June 1, 2018 - 4:58 PM PT Today we awoke to a clear and cold morning in camp and after breakfast we began the hour long climb up Ski Hill. Taking advantage of the brisk temperature, it allowed us to stay cool and good snow conditions had us walking in just our boots. Walking without snowshoes let us set a good pace to our cache site at 10,200 ft. At the cache, we left some group meals, extra personal food and gas that we don’t need for a few days. After burying our gear, we descended back to camp in bluebird skies, sun and incredible views of the Lower Kahiltna glacier. Soon enough however, the heat of the sun had us retreating back down to camp and into our tents for some rest and relaxation after a hard morning. The menu for tonight calls for some quesadillas, which is most often a favorite meal on the mountain! If the weather holds true tomorrow, we hope to make the ascent again tomorrow and move our camp to 11,200'. RMI Guide Tyler Jones

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Team Jones,
It’s exciting to read your blog everyday. Thanks for sharing this advantageous journey with us. Best luck to you guys! Luv you, Lei. Hao

Posted by: Hao on 6/2/2018 at 7:50 am

Good morning Nick and team! Love following along on this adventure. The pictures are beautiful. Praying for great weather and safe travels for all of you! Coeli (Nick’s Mom) XO

Posted by: Coeli Scott on 6/2/2018 at 6:13 am

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Make Move to 14,000’ Camp

June 1, 2018

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Taylor Bickford

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Friday, June 1, 2018 - 12:00 AM PT Basically today could be summed up as everything went exactly as planned. It was incredibly calm this morning with a thin cloud hanging across the Polo Field, that suggested things would get warm. We rocked out of camp, and just kept rolling until we walked into 14,000' Camp around 5.30 to see our friends on Mike Walter's team. We set up camp nearby, a compound of sorts, and now we're diving into sleeping bags, hurried there by the chill air of 14,000' and the sudden departure of the sun behind a ridge. Tomorrow we plan to rest. RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Taylor, and team

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Happy Birthday Henry Huntington! You make it harder and harder for me to wish you a happy birthday, but as you learned long ago, I will track you to the ends of the Earth (and pay $6.00/min—which is $15.75 today) just to wish you a happy birthday! (OK, it was yesterday - but there is the surprise!)—Michael

Posted by: Michael Goldstein on 6/3/2018 at 6:31 pm

Happy birthday Henry. Best wishes for a smooth climb.

Posted by: Matthew burek on 6/2/2018 at 12:26 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Make a Carry to 13,500’

May 31, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

May 31, 2018 - 7:26 pm PT Another beautiful day on Denali, which we started by singing happy birthday to Chip and we finished by making a no bake birthday cheesecake (we can only do so much at 11,200ft). Along with the birthday festivities, we are really enjoying this stretch of nice days as we move higher on the mountain. Today as we carried a big load of supplies to our cache spot at 13,500ft, we all felt the previous four days of hard work. Everyone climbed in good style but it was clear that it is time for a rest day, tomorrow we sleep in, hang out at camp and catch up on our reading and movies. Best wishes from Denali, RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Happy belated Birthday Chip! Looks like an amazing adventure. Go team!
Stay safe. xoxo Leslie

Posted by: Leslie on 6/1/2018 at 5:38 pm

Tyler, great climbing buddy, be safe. Will need to hear details when you get back.

Eddie

Posted by: Eddie Tumminia on 6/1/2018 at 5:23 pm

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Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Walter and Team Wait out the Weather

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team at High Camp, Ready for Summit Bid

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Move Up to 14K Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Make a Run up the Fixed Lines

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Rest at 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Rest at 11,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Cache Gear at 10,200’

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Make Move to 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Make a Carry to 13,500’

On The Map

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