Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to Camp High Camp Ready for Summit Attempt

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

May 31, 2017 Hi, it's Mike Walter calling on Wednesday May 31st. We had a beautiful day today, and we moved up to the High Camp on Denali's West Buttress, 17200 feet. We got here a little bit after 1pm today and have been setting up camp and resting. Everyone is resting and the weather looks good for tomorrow. So hopefully we'll be able to take a shot at the summit. Everyone is doing well. Hopefully we will be giving you a call from the summit and let you know how it goes. Alright. RMI Guide Mike Walter

RMI Guide Mike Walter checks in from High Camp at 17,200 ft on Denali.

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At the moment with 5/31/2017 imagery you are visible on google earth.

Posted by: Tom Rodger on 9/1/2018 at 11:02 am

SO happy for you David and team! You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Cheers to a summit today! Safe travels down…
AK and Mom

Posted by: Ann Kathryn Scott on 6/1/2017 at 9:43 am

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

May 31, 2017 Today has been a day of leisure! The team got some much needed rest and we had a long breakfast of chatting and relaxing. The team reviewed some technical skills that we will need for the rest of our climb above here. The guides often refer to the climb up to 11 camp as the approach. This section behind us, we'll pack our cache this evening with our goal being to take the groceries and other luggage up to 14,200 ft tomorrow morning. The heat from the days radiation is intense, and we are currently hiding from the sun. The sleeping bags are out draped over the tents drying, and also cooling the temps inside our 100 sq ft portable homes. Hydration, stretching, and sorting the gear will keep us busy until tomorrow. Hi to all our friends and family! RMI Guide Tyler Jones & Team

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Thanks for the progress updates! I’m sure Matt is wondering how the kickball team is faring without him, and we want him to be fully focused on your dangerous mission, so if you could let me know we have won the past 2 games. We are ranked 7th in the league (of 11) heading in to playoffs next week.

Stay safe & have a great time!!

Posted by: Denise on 6/1/2017 at 11:27 am

Hi John and Team!

Impressed with your progress so far… and love seeing the posts… it looks very very cold! Be safe!

Southwire Groupies

Posted by: Southwire Groupies on 6/1/2017 at 6:43 am

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoying Sunshine at 14,000’ Camp

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 30, 2017 Greetings RMI Denali followers, this is Robby Young with the May 3rd Denali Expedition calling you from Day 26. We are sitting in the sunshine here at 14,000' Camp. We awoke this morning to some cloudy skies, some high winds and snow which delayed our progress uphill just one more day. It looks like the weather is going to be beautiful tomorrow and the next few days giving us our opportunity to finally climb higher on the mountain. We are looking forward to a move to 17,000' Camp tomorrow morning if the weather does in fact allow. Until then, we will talk to you soon. Caio, RMI Guide Robby Young

RMI Guide Robby Young calls from 14,000 ft on Denali.

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The bet was that the Eagles Greatest Hits sold more than 29 million, which it did…I agreed that Thriller sold more.

Also, amazing that you guys summited! Nicely done dudes.

- Mark

Posted by: Mark on 6/7/2017 at 11:54 am

Pretty sure it still isn’t close to Thriller at #1 all time. You can mail me the $50 or send it PayPal. Glad you guaranteed the Eagles was the highest selling all time.

Posted by: Todd on 6/5/2017 at 1:21 pm

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Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Packed and Ready in Talkeetna

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

May 30, 2017 After a full day packing up, weighing our gear and some serious duffel shuffling we are all set to jet into the Alaska Range tomorrow! Weather permitting we should head in mid morning and take stock of a most beautiful set of mountains. Our fingers are crossed for a grand adventure and we will keep you all posted on our journey. Take care everyone! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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steve i’m almost jealous! hang tough and godspeed. stay warm!!

Posted by: keith h on 6/2/2017 at 7:51 pm

We love you and wish you and your awonderful safe climb
All the guardian angels are watching over you

Posted by: Mom and Dad zabinski on 6/1/2017 at 11:01 am

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

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 30, 2017 The weather yesterday evening was a pleasant break in snow showers, but only for a few hours! We had heavy snow over night that wound up only stalling our progress for the time it takes to whip out 100 silver dollar pancakes with blueberries. The morning snow dissipated just as we stuffed the last few items in our packs. We began our climb today in a brisk wind which we welcomed with the hard work of trail breaking. The team did an amazing job getting to our previous high point, where we loaded our personal food and equipment in our sleds. We have "Friends in High Places". Big thanks to our other RMI team lead by Brent, Christina, and JT. They helped us by bringing some of our group food and fuel from our cache yesterday during our storm rest day at 7,800 camp. With the climbing done for the the day, we entered the second half of the work day building camp and a mighty fine job our crew has done. We finished our day with loaded quesadillas and relaxing in the cook house. We are happy to have full bellies and the kit all here ready to rest and acclimatize at camp tomorrow. With weather on our side the team will deliver groceries to 14 Camp on Thursday! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy the Views

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000

May 30, 2017 We woke up to an unexpected foot of fresh snow this morning and unable to see the Buttress above us, let alone many of our camp neighbors. Our initial plans to head uphill became questionable at best, but we crawled out of our warm tents for some breakfast burritos and hoped for a change in the weather. The skies eventually cleared and the sun began to warm the basin, but the winds persisted up high long enough to set our sights on tomorrow. Anxious to stretch our legs, we took advantage of the warm afternoon with a short walk to the "Edge of the World" for some spectacular views of the Alaska Range. The sun brightened spirits and kept folks lingering outside their tents all afternoon to soak it up before dinner. It was a much needed lift to prepare us for our uphill push tomorrow to 17 camp and on to the highest point in North America. RMI Guides Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway, Pete Van Deventer and team

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Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Excited for Better Weather and Getting Ready to Move

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 30, 2017 Finally we get a break. After nine days of squirrelly, cold, snowy weather the sun broke out just prior to noon. There was an inkling of better weather coming earlier, but nothing definitive. And when it broke, camp went nuts with folks either moving or carrying loads. We opted to stay put, not liking the idea of fighting all that traffic going up Motorcycle Hill and coming into camp at 14,200' late, needing to build camp as the shadows overtake camp and the temperature drops 30 degrees. A couple of folks are fighting small colds, and this warm, easy day is just what the doctor ordered. When we saw rope teams waiting for 30-40 minutes to just leave camp because of the traffic, we felt pretty good about the decision. We certainly enjoyed the day as it became spectacularly sunny and clear. This is the Denali I love and dream of coming back to every year. With the weather folks are streaming into camp and it's as big as I've seen it. But, with just a little luck, we'll be out of here early and moving into a 14,200' camp that has been vacated by the crowds of climbers amassed there waiting for their opportunity to move to 17,200' camp for a bid for the summit. Everyone's dispositions have brightened with the sunshine, which is amazing considering the good cheer among the team even in the poor weather. We'll be talking to you from 14,200' soon! RMI Guides Brent Okita, Christina Dale and JT Schmitt

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Way to go Alex and Tom!! We are rooting for you today getting to 14,000!!! We all wish you well and stay strong from Colorado!!

Posted by: nicole celona-jacobs on 6/1/2017 at 10:14 am

Alex and Tom,
I am so excited for you both, it sounds like your are doing great. Keep up the hard work and perseverance! Warm thoughts!

Posted by: Cindy K on 6/1/2017 at 10:13 am

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Hope For Break in Weather

May 30, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 29, 2017 Greetings all - this is Robbie Young and Mike Walter with the RMI Denali Team. Today was another day of waiting out some weather here at 14,000' Camp. We had snow and some winds this morning and it's just now starting to improve this afternoon. We're on Day 25 and we are looking forward to hopefully a break in this weather over the next few days to give us an opportunity to summit or at least make an attempt if the weather holds out. If not, we're probably looking at coming down at the same time in the next few days here. Looking forward to our opportunity and look forward to checking in again tomorrow, hopefully in 17000' Camp. Thanks. Ciao. RMI Guide Robbie Young

RMI Guide Robby Young checks in from 14,000ft Camp on Denali.

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Hi Mark - I have been following your expedition on the blog, and thinking of you and the others up on the mountain. Those are remarkable photographs and incredible descriptions of the severe weather conditions. You and the team are pretty damn impressive. I sure hope the weather finally cooperates, but whatever happens you have accomplished something mighty. I will look forward to seeing you upon your return. —Geordie Vining (from Crossfit)

Posted by: Geordie Vining on 5/31/2017 at 5:28 am

Hey Mark, Kev sends me to the blog about every other day to check on your summit progress…for some reason he can manage an RX Murph (we missed you!) but can’t navigate the blog ;) Hoping the weather cooperates for y’all. Catch you on the flip side, H + K

Posted by: heidi + kevin murphy on 5/30/2017 at 8:20 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Waiting for Break

May 29, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 29, 2017 There isn't a whole lot new to report today. The winds started to dissipate late last night into this morning. There were still some gusty bursts that swirled snow into the air, enveloping those unlucky enough to be caught out in them. But as the morning progressed, the air calmed down, and the sun started to break though. Our brief respite of sunshine was short lived, as a 20,000' wall of cloud crept slowly towards us, finally enveloping us and triggering peaceful snowfall. It has snowed lightly for much of the day, but the wind seems to have relented for now, and the forecast seems to show our window appearing in the next couple of days. We'll be excited when it does! RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Jenny and team

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Made it down to base camp Tuesday morning at about 12:05 AM. You may have heard we endured some unexpected weather on the way down. But it looks like everything is starting to change. Sunny skies at Base this morning after almost 2-weeks of less than optimal conditions. Beautiful flight out. I’m rooting for you all!!!. Stay strong and get this done!!!

Joel

Posted by: Joel on 5/30/2017 at 10:43 pm

Thinking of everyone, especially our nephew, Peter Bilodeau. Prayers for safety & success!
With love,
Aunt Ann & Uncle Dave

Posted by: Ann Douglas on 5/30/2017 at 1:22 pm

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Take a Weather Day at 7,800’

May 29, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

May 29, 2017 We woke up this morning to snow showers, moderate winds, and low visibility. Rather than do battle in a storm trying to move to 11,000 ft, we stayed in camp at 7,800 ft and enjoyed our first rest day. After yesterday's successful carry, the team has earned some recovery. We started the day with salmon, bagels, cream cheese, and some lively tunes. It seems like one of the team members has sealed his fate as the resident dj for the remainder of our trip. We followed breakfast with some lounging, napping, reading, and digging. Our kitchen tent is now the best looking one in camp, and maybe the whole mountain. For dinner, we will be dining on a delectable Mac and Cheese, with plenty of bacon thrown in for good measure. It has been snowing for most of the day, but accumulations have been moderate and the wind has bit of a bite. Everyone is feeling strong, and we are ready to move camp tomorrow..... Weather pending! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

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Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to Camp High Camp Ready for Summit Attempt

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoying Sunshine at 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Packed and Ready in Talkeetna

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

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy the Views

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Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Excited for Better Weather and Getting Ready to Move

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Hope For Break in Weather

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Waiting for Break

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Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Take a Weather Day at 7,800’

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