Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Move to 14,200’

June 21, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

We had great weather today and the team climbed strong, moving our camp up to 14,200'. We are now well established on the upper mountain as we continue to acclimate. Tomorrow we will make a quick trip back to Windy Corner to retrieve the cache of supplies that we carried up there two days ago. We recently spoke via radio with RMI Guide Jake Beren and their team as they were descending the summit ridge after a successful summit. Congratulations to the team! We look forward to seeing them tomorrow when they descend from high camp. That's it for now. Time for some shuteye. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sasha

All the best. It is fantastic that you are now on the high part of the mountain. We are looking at the magnificent pictures on the website. It must be an incredible experience to be at that altitude getting close to the top of the world. We look forward to the stories. Keep safe.

Love Dad, Mom, Brooklyn and Spencer

Posted by: charles selby on 6/22/2012 at 7:22 am

Best wishes from Colorado. Kobi is loving life here in Cdale with his buddy Bayou!

Posted by: Wesley Reynolds on 6/22/2012 at 5:46 am

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Mt. Rainier: June 21st Summit!

June 21, 2012

Posted by: JJ Justman, Kel Rossiter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: Summit

The Four Day Summit Climb teams led by JJ Justman and Kel Rossiter reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier today. JJ reported good, but cold weather with calm winds. The teams are enjoying the views from the top and will make their way back to Camp Muir shortly. Congratulations to today's teams.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

A most excellent trip! We gelled as a team early and JJ, Josh and Gilbert were awesome. Look forward to climbing with you guys again. No one legged midgets though, please.

Posted by: MIKE PROBSTFELD on 6/25/2012 at 8:38 am

Thanks to JJ, Josh and Gilbert for a great & fun trip and JP for getting the whole shootin match organized! Great way to start the summer of 2012

TVH

Posted by: Thomas Harmon on 6/24/2012 at 9:15 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Reach Summit!

June 21, 2012

Posted by: Jake Beren, Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

Hello, this is Jake calling from 17,000’ camp on Denali after what was an unbelievable summit day. The team is back in camp safe and sound. We are having some dinner before turning in for a very well earned night’s sleep. Everybody did fantastic today, we had perfect conditions. It was a really beautiful climb. I’ll give a little more information after we get down. Just know that everybody is safe after a wonderful day here in Alaska. Alright, that is it for now. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in after the team's summit day.

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Bob, one more peak under your belt! What a huge accomplishment! All your training and determination is paying off. The girls and I are at the lake and we had spotty communication, but I was following your progress daily, sometimes multiple times daily! Keep your balance on that descent and don’t come down the mountain faster than you should!! ;-)

Kathy

Posted by: Kathy Spinks on 6/22/2012 at 8:11 am

We are SO impressed! Congratulations! Roger and Charlie

Posted by: Charlie Hewson on 6/22/2012 at 3:01 am

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Nugent and Team Enjoy The Sights in Quito

June 20, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 9,350'

Hi everybody and welcome to the first installation of many dispatches from this summer's Ecuador Volcanoes program! The team finally met each other as a complete group this morning for breakfast after several hectic laps between the airport and hotel late last night. Team members were trickling in gradually through the night and the crowds of Ecuadorians awaiting family members made for quite a scene. Actually, it was more like a zoo with a traffic jam outside. Fortunately, Jaime and Victor (our expert locals) were incredibly helpful in scooping up our climbers and adept at navigating the melee. Anyway, after a decent breakfast and getting to know each other a bit the team headed out for a day cruising around Quito as full-fledged tourists of the sight-seeing variety. With the majority of the city situated at over 9,000' we have actually already begun our acclimatization process. After a long day of travel just to arrive in Ecuador, it was nice to have a day to just cruise around and get comfortable. The city tour hit up lots of old colonial and contemporary sights including religious, governmental, and culturally significant buildings. We climbed the rickety catwalks high in the Basilica and caught tremendous 360 degree views of this huge metropolis of more than 3 million citizens and later went to the exact geographical equator where we played around with the strange forces the earth's rotation creates uniquely on the middle of the planet. The equator museum also had a cool sort of natural history museum with a collection of flora and fauna and anthropological relics from Ecuador's various regions. We're talking giant anaconda and boa skins, real human shrunken heads, and a gnarly, preserved amazon candiru - look it up... The team had fun getting to hang out in a casual atmosphere and we aim to keep the fun going as we begin some of our physical activity tomorrow with a training hike up on Rucu Pichincha, a volcano right above the city where we will hopefully hit nearly 16,000'. That should help jump start the acclimatization followed by a night's rest at relatively lower altitude in Quito. Well, headed off to dinner with the crew, more to come as the situation develops, RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Have a save climb! Hope the weather is cooperative and you get great views the whole way.

Posted by: Oscar on 6/21/2012 at 9:17 pm

Have gun you guys. Be safe

Posted by: chris fisher on 6/20/2012 at 7:00 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Hangin’ in the Hangar

June 20, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

After a delicious Roadhouse breakfast and stories from the world famous Fairview Inn pre-party, the team has been busy sorting gear for the trip. The weather is beautiful right now and we're prepping to fly onto the mighty Kahiltna tomorrow morning. Until then we're enjoying solid earth under our feet, the smells of lush green plants in our noses and hearty meals in our bellies. Cheers from the RMI Knoff, Uchal and Blais team. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Lookin good Uncle Gords!!! Best o’luck to you all! Trackin your every move from Boston.

The Reisers

Posted by: Petah Reisah on 6/23/2012 at 1:54 pm

Joyce says Hi from VL. She had 6 to serve today. Remember what she said about you gettin up that slope!
BE SAFE!

Posted by: YETI on 6/22/2012 at 8:25 pm

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Mt. Rainier: June 20th Summit!

June 20, 2012

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: Summit

Both Four Day Summit Climb teams made it to the Summit of Mt. Rainier today. Lead guides Jason Thompson and Andres Marin reported beautiful weather with light winds of about 0 – 8mph and plenty of SUNSHNE. The teams were in light gloves and two clothing layers, as they climbed. They are now en route back to Camp Muir and we expect them back at RMI Basecamp in Ashford this afternoon. Today is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year…get out and enjoy!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Jon, Following your journey and as nervous as your mother. Have fun but most important be safe
JoAnn

Posted by: JoAnn Ingram on 6/21/2012 at 4:51 pm

Hi Jon! Yes ... it’s your Mama. I hope you are having an AMAZING journey. Please be safe and smart, as I know you will. I miss you so much and will breathe when you are back in Knoxville! Love you so much!

Posted by: Paige Conley-Smith on 6/21/2012 at 9:16 am

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Ready for Summit Bid

June 20, 2012

Posted by: Jake Beren, Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Greetings from 17,000’. Our team is at camp doing great and tucked into their sleeping bags with an absolutely beautiful evening here on Denali. We are going to cross our fingers for good weather tomorrow and with any luck, we’re gonna give it a shot. So, wish us the best weather. Our team is doing great, very strong. Hopefully we will go take a shot at it tomorrow. So that is all from 17,000’. We are ready to launch… RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from 17000 feet on Mt. McKinley

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WHOOOHOOOO im so excited! I’ve been thinking about you everyday and I can not imagine how lucky I am to have such a badass dad.
Your so close to your pie! :)
Go for it!!.. and dont whimp out hah. Sleep well!
Love
Sarina.

Posted by: Sarina on 6/20/2012 at 11:10 pm

Good luck guys. Maybe you already hit the top or at the top now?? The suspense grows…..
Drum roll please.

Posted by: dave on 6/20/2012 at 7:26 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest Day at 11K Camp

June 19, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Hi guys, this is Mike checking in from the 11k camp on Denali. All is well. We decided to spend another day here at 11,200' instead of moving up to 14,200' today. We are spending the day resting, eating, and getting more acclimated to the altitude before venturing higher. We are hoping to move up to 14k tomorrow, weather pending. Until then, we're enjoying the sunny, hot weather and just lazing around. Hopefully our next dispatch will be from higher ground. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sasha

We are hanging on news of your great adventure. Your aunt is loading the Blog at the Renoir so that you will have a vastly expanded fan club amongst the geriatric set. We hope to see you in some pictures sent back from your team with a large smile on your face. We are all thinking of you and wishing you all the best.

Love Dad, Mom, Brooklyn Spencer and Daisy.

Posted by: charles selby on 6/20/2012 at 8:30 pm

Stan-
Is that a cumulonimbus w/anvil I see? Whoa! Stakes will be handy! Keep your eyes on the Summit! Oh, longest day of the year is today—extra daylight! See you tomorrow, love me

Posted by: Betsy on 6/20/2012 at 7:43 pm

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Mt. Rainier: June 19th Summit!

June 19, 2012

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Mark Falender, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: Summit

Our Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by Mark Falender and Solveig Waterfall reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The teams reported light winds, few clouds, and very pleasant weather with the sun peaking through every now and then. The teams are now en route back to RMI Basecamp in Ashford. Mike Haugen and the Expedition Skills Seminar team also reached the summit of Mt. Rainier via the Kautz Route and reported similar conditions. They are headed back to their high camp at 10,800' feet and will finish their week of training on the mountain and return to RMI Basecamp tomorrow afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

I was part of the 4 day summit climb on June 19 with Mark & Solveig. What a magical day it was and I feel extremely privileged to have been part of it. Thank you guys so very much for your guidance, expertise and support. This has truly been one of the greatest challenges of my life and I will cherish it for a long time to come. I have taken so much away from this experience - the challenges that this mountain presents, especially the Cleaver, had me digging deeper than I ever had to attain success. Mark, Solveig, Sean, Geoff and Levi - you guys are all rock stars!! RMI can and should be very proud of you. I was sad to see the program end. Hopefully, I will link up again with Mark for a climb up Grand Teton!

Thank you again very much!
Ben Elliott

Posted by: Ben Elliott on 6/21/2012 at 2:19 am

Hey Hans ....... GREAT JOB. Blue sky’s 365 !!! Gotta love it. xoxo Love and hugs greta

Posted by: greta hardwick on 6/20/2012 at 9:18 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Plan to Move Up

June 19, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Our team had a great day today, putting in a cache at 13,700' at Windy Corner. We returned to a day time schedule, and enjoyed a warm and sunny day today. The weather is beautiful here at the 11,000' camp tonight; there is blue sky above, clouds below, and no wind. We're all in our sleeping bags and looking forward to a good night's rest. If the weather is good tomorrow morning we are planning to move our camp up to 14,200'. We are feeling ready and are looking forward to the challenge of tomorrow. That's it for now...time to get some zzzz... RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Move to 14,200’

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: June 21st Summit!

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Reach Summit!

On The Map

Ecuador Volcanoes: Nugent and Team Enjoy The Sights in Quito

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Hangin’ in the Hangar

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: June 20th Summit!

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Ready for Summit Bid

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest Day at 11K Camp

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: June 19th Summit!

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Plan to Move Up

On The Map

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