Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: Four & Five Day Summit Climbs Reach the Summit!

May 31, 2015

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Walter Hailes

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos & the Five Day Summit Climb Team led by Walter Hailes reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams climbed well with good conditions. As of 10:30 am PT both teams had descended back to Camp Muir. They will continue down to Paradise and then return to Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Teams!

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team at High Camp Gearing Up for Summit Push

May 31, 2015

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Sunday, May 31st 9:45 am PDT Hi there. This is Adam Knoff calling from high camp on Mount McKinley. Yesterday we packed up on a beautiful day at 14,000' and moved to high camp at 17,200'. The team certainly decided that yesterday's move was physically the hardest day of the trip with heavy packs and moving to a new altitude record for a lot of our climbers. We are taking a rest day here at camp today in beautiful sunny weather as we watch a lot of climbers head up the mountain towards the summit. We will be organizing gear and getting ready for our summit attempt tomorrow. The team is feeling great and happy to be at high camp preparing for their shot at the top of North America tomorrow. Wish us well, can't wait to report back. We will talk to you tomorrow. Bye. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

RMI Guide Adam Knoff calls in from high camp on Mount McKinley.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Good luck and stay strong!

Posted by: Patty on 6/1/2015 at 7:57 am

Good luck Team Knoff on reaching the summit tomorrow. Proud of you , Shannon Long, for your drive and determination. Indiana will be anxiously waiting for a full report. Safe climbing and Godspeed!

Posted by: Mark fisher on 6/1/2015 at 6:13 am

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

May 31, 2015

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Lindsay Mann, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

May 31, 2015 - 2:39 am PT Good evening from 11,000 feet! We woke this morning to more sunny skies and warm temperatures. After a casual start to the day and a nice breakfast, we ducked into the tents for a couple hours to get out of the heat. By late afternoon things cooled for more comfortable hiking conditions, so we broke down camp and got on the move! Even though it's been just a few days on the glacier, the team has adjusted well to mountain life and is traveling efficiently. So after a few hours of moving we arrived at camp, quickly put up our tents, and enjoyed a late dinner. Now we're all settled in for the night and it's time to get some sleep! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

DG and Tyler,

Hope you guys are able to enjoy the mountain without me there haha. You dont know how bad I miss that mountain. Play some gigantic twos, find a new friend to eat all your leftovers, build a new Taj Ma-stahl and make sure you get a good rap session in. Wishing you guys great weather and safe travels. PS i hope the other guides arent making tyler read these off.
-Lad (aka Jake Wander)

Posted by: Jake Wander on 5/31/2015 at 8:39 pm

hi Brenda looks like the weather and conditions are all in your favor. Enjoy the journey lol R

Posted by: Richard Larscheid on 5/31/2015 at 11:59 am

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Summit!

May 30, 2015

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

Update Saturday, May 30th 8:30 pm PDT Summit day! We decided to do something a bit unorthodox and wake up and leave early without the sunshine. Usually it would make for a really cold couple of hours, but the temperatures have been unseasonably balmy. It had the added advantage of getting us out ahead of several other teams that were heading for the summit also. The deviation worked out perfectly and we had a nice warm morning to walk, with no other teams in front of us. The skies stayed crystal blue all day, and 6 1/2 hours or so later, we were standing on the highest thing around! We had a good half hour on the summit, snapping pictures and taking it all in, before chilly breeze convinced us to head back for camp. We are back with plenty of time to brew up dinner and watch the later teams on their descent. It was a special day and everyone's really excited. It was especially great to have the whole team make it to the top. Tomorrow we turn our sights downhill and start the journey home! Pete, Robby, Josh and team Saturday, May 30th 3:32 pm PDT This is RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer calling in from the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska. We just touched the summit; it's just past after 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Our group and Mike Walter's group summited today in short order. It's a really, really nice day up here--sunny, light winds, and relatively warm as far as Alaska goes. The whole team made it up. It was awesome, Really great day and everybody is excited. [cheers] We'll give a shout when we're back at 17k Camp safely and soon we'll be back in Talkeetna before we know it, heading downhill. Alright, talk to everybody later.

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer calls from the summit of Mt. McKinley.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Awesome news - congratulations and I look forward to seeing some great summit pictures! Anna.

Posted by: Anna on 6/1/2015 at 5:20 am

Congrats, Brian! All of us back home are very proud of you. xoxo, Karen

Posted by: Karen on 5/31/2015 at 8:17 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team on Summit!

May 30, 2015

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

Update Saturday, May 30th 8:30 pm PDT Mike Walter & team were safely back at camp by 6 pm PDT. They will begin their descent to Basecamp tomorrow. Saturday, May 30th 2:40 pm PDT RMI Guide Mike Walter and team are standing on the summit of Mt. McKinley! Mike reported a strong team and and short-sleeve weather on top. The team will begin making their descent shortly and will send a dispatch when they are back at camp. Way to go team!

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Totally awesome .....congratulations To RickyBobby and Ericquito!! We are so proud of you! Can’t wait to tell you in person. Perseverance pays off in a big way. Looking forward to catching up at the lake.
XOXOXO your aunts and uncles in Chicago

Posted by: Maca-Mangan-Surpless on 5/31/2015 at 6:16 pm

Congratulations Solveig! I can’t wait to see you back in Seattle. Love you lots
TS

Posted by: sigrid on 5/31/2015 at 12:12 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team Cache Some Gear Higher on the Mountain

May 30, 2015

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Lindsay Mann, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,600'

Saturday, May 30th 2:45 am PDT Hello all! We have our gear and groceries moved up to 10,000 feet. Life is good out on the glacier for our team. Today the high pressure over the area made for very hot conditions in the low altitudes so we delayed our departure until the heat subsided late this afternoon. We are doing our best to save energy and avoid getting cooked like lobsters from the sun. Our plan worked great and after a number of hours working our way to the cache site, we quickly dug a large hole to store our gear until after we move the camp up to 11,000 feet. On our descent we enjoyed fabulous evening light while carrying our sled like a turtle shell strapped on our backs. Hot soup and a meal warmed our souls as we settle in for the night. Tomorrow evening if the hot and blue-bird weather continues, we will try to move up to our second camp and gain some acclimatization over the next few days. Stay tuned and we'll have a report when more progress has been made! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: May 30th Summit!

May 30, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Sean Collon, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Mount Rainier Summit Climb team led by JJ Justman topped out on Columbia Crest at about 7:30 this morning. JJ reported great weather and light winds of about 15 – 20 mph. After spending some time on the summit, the team began their descent about 8:20 a.m. Congratulations summit team!

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Check Out the Edge of the World

May 30, 2015

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Friday, May 29th 11:00 pm PDT Expedition life lends itself to improvisation and today gave us the perfect opportunity to think on our feet. Our original plan was to carry a load of group gear to the top of the fixed lines at 16,500' and rest a full day tomorrow. However, a strong high pressure system moved over the mountain, opening the gates to the upper mountain for all of the other teams that have been stuck at 14,000' for days. As a result, camp was extremely active today as well over a hundred climbers woke up early and began a move to high camp. The fixed lines were jammed up all day with climbers, and rather than wait in that line ourselves, our team formulated a new plan. Today became our rest day. We relaxed in the beautiful weather at camp and took an afternoon stroll to the Edge of the World. Guides Adam and Andy, studs that they are, completed the high cache on their own in the evening once the fixed lines cleared up from the folks that were moving up. Our goal tomorrow is to pack up camp early, and move ahead to high camp, putting ourselves in the perfect position to attempt a summit bid in the next few days while the good weather lasts. The team is in high spirits and feeling strong! Goodnight! RMI Guide Nick Hunt and the rest of the team

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Booyah - a high pressure system! Thinking of you all scrambling up those fixed lines. G Barber, you have these dialed! Hats off to the guides for putting your team in a good summit position. Enjoy the amazing views to high camp! xoxo, Ker

Posted by: Kerry on 5/31/2015 at 11:26 am

Wow! You have amazing guides! Looks like the weather is perfect for you guys! Go for it!! Good luck at high camp and on summit day. We’re thinking of you. Take care!

Posted by: Joyce Tocher on 5/30/2015 at 2:47 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Pete Van Deventer & Team Ready for Summit Bid

May 30, 2015

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Friday, May 29th 10:30 pm PDT All according to plan! We woke up early this morning, packed everything up, left a bit of food and fuel in a hole at 14K, and headed up the fixed lines. We had another brilliant, sunny, calm day on the West Buttress, and were in camp at 17K by mid afternoon. A couple of hours of work leveling tent sites and building walls got us set to be here. The forecast looks good for tomorrow, so we intend to head for the summit in the morning. We'll hope to be reporting success tomorrow evening! But now, to bed so that we're ready to go. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Josh Maggard, and team

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Great photos and updates. Very exciting to read. Cannot imagine what the team is experiencing. So much fun. Brian… would love to hear all about the experience once you get back. Best of luck for the next phase. Send photos from the summit.

Posted by: Faisal M on 5/30/2015 at 3:39 pm

THIS IS SO EXCITING.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND RENEE FOR SUMMIT DAY.
YOU ALL DESERVE THIS SUCCESS.
JORDY WILL BE FLYING OVER YOU RENEE SO HOW GOOD IS THAT HEY!!
LOVE AND LUCK TO YOU MY DARLING DAUGHTER.
ALL MY LOVE MAMA XX

Posted by: Lori on 5/30/2015 at 3:31 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Begin Their Summit Push

May 30, 2015

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Friday, May 29th 7:00 pm PDT We woke early to perfect weather, packed up camp and headed to 17K. We have a good forecast and hope to summit tomorrow. We'll be in touch as our summit bid progresses. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Check Availability

Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. Rainier: Four & Five Day Summit Climbs Reach the Summit!

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team at High Camp Gearing Up for Summit Push

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Summit!

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team on Summit!

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team Cache Some Gear Higher on the Mountain

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: May 30th Summit!

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Check Out the Edge of the World

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Pete Van Deventer & Team Ready for Summit Bid

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Begin Their Summit Push

On The Map

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

Entries from Expedition Dispatches

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches