Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Kahiltna Dreams

June 21, 2014

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

June 21, 2014 - 8:11 am PT The transition from the sweet smell of blooming cotton woods, green grass, the easy access to showers to a life of arctic surroundings, grinding work and confined tent living comes abruptly! This morning that reality was as large as the towering mountains around us but the team motivated quickly and with resolve to get our grand adventure underway. The mental weight of shouldering a 60-pound pack connected to a 50-pound sled and then hauling it into an arena like the Kahiltna Glacier can be far more intimidating than the actual physical load. Faced with this challenge our team shined! We were thrilled to walk out of Base Camp at 9:30 this morning onto the smoothest most user-friendly trail I have seen in all my nine trips to this glacier. Not only was the trail superb, we had the weather to match. Five hours after leaving BC we arrived at Camp One. At only 7,800 feet the vertical gain was not all that much but the distance was enough under monster loads to assure us this journey will not be an easy one. Tomorrow we will attempt to move again. Stay tuned. RMI Guide Adam Knoff signing off

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Sounds like a day in the making. Best of luck. Fair trails and following winds.
Gary

Posted by: Gary Butcher on 6/23/2014 at 4:56 pm

Looks like day one was a beautiful blue sky day! Hopefully everyone is feeling strong and rested for day two. Good luck to everyone and may the good weather continue.
JH

Posted by: Jerry Hildebrand on 6/22/2014 at 6:06 am

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Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team - Patience Delivers the Summit

June 21, 2014

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

June 21, 2014 - 2:56 am PT Well, you probably heard our summit phone call from earlier today, so this is just the follow-up to that. We had a heck of a day here in the high altitudes of North America, rising from the tents early this morning to cold temperatures, light winds, and high clouds. We decided that it was going to be a day for an attempt, and once we had basked in the sun for a bit we headed over to the shade of the Autobahn. Two hours later we had passed the difficulties of the pickets and the exposure below, and we stepped out around Denali Pass. The weather was still a bit in and out, but the No Troubles crew was moving well so we kept at it. Up steep rolls, over undulating terrain, and higher and higher we climbed. We passed familiar landmarks as the day went on, like Zebra Rocks, Archdeacon's Tower, the Football Field, and finally crested onto the summit ridge in cold wind and clear blue skies. Late this afternoon, we reached the highest point on this continent, and emotions ran high as we hugged, high-fived, and snapped photos. Jake's team came up onto the top just as we were getting ready to head down, and we were thrilled to share that special moment with them. This team has had a full value experience, especially with all the uncertainty and waiting that we've endured. Now it's time for one last hot drink and then into the bag for a much-deserved rest. Down tomorrow, hopefully the weather holds for a flight soon! Cheers, RMI Guides Tyler, Geoff, Garrett and the No Troubles team

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Congratulations!! We were there in ‘96 with RMI in total whiteout. Enjoy the views!!!

Posted by: Keith on 6/22/2014 at 8:55 am

Jennifer - Congrats on your successful climb. Jacob

Posted by: Jacob on 6/22/2014 at 8:21 am

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team are at 14K, Fully Stocked

June 21, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 20, 2014 - 10:08 pm PT Back-carry from Windy Corner to 14K Camp? Mission accomplished. We enjoyed the best weather of the trip today. Morning snow flurries gave way to sapphire skies and gorgeous views of the entire range. Our back-carry only took us a couple of hours to complete so we spent the rest of the day soaking in the grandeur of the Alaska Range. They're calling for over a foot of snow tomorrow so we may end up taking a weather day but the trend is supposedly clearing Sunday through Tuesday. Could be our window? We'll see... RMI Guide Billy Nugent from 14K Camp

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Bruce
Keeping the gym boys up on your progress
Good luck to the summit

Posted by: Edward Gramm on 6/21/2014 at 8:50 pm

Eric,
Good job and make sure you are carrying extra weight in your pack so you have practice when you have to carry mine again :-)

Posted by: Jenny Olson on 6/21/2014 at 7:44 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Haugen & Team Rest Day at 14K Camp

June 21, 2014

Posted by: Mike Haugen

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 20, 1014 - 10:00 pm PT We woke up this morning when the sun hit the tent. It was a cold morning here on Denali so it took us awhile to get out and about. We were on a rest/acclimatization day so we ate, drank, and took care of some chores to get us ready for our cache day up high tomorrow. Our plan is to carry some gear to somewhere between here and 17,000' camp. The actual cache spot will depend on how well we are feeling and what the weather gives us. RMI Guide Mike Haugen Team "The Ocho"

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Was a great day in the Cascades. Too bad you din’t have our weather. View of 3 volcanoes from the top of Bandera

Posted by: Ron on 6/21/2014 at 5:28 pm

Anchorage 30mph winds and poring rain. But better than wenatchee. Miss you, stay warm

Posted by: Gwyn on 6/21/2014 at 4:08 pm

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Mt. Rainier: June 21st Update

June 21, 2014

Posted by: Kel Rossiter, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

At 7:20 a.m. PT the Mount Rainier Four Day Summit Climbs led by Kel Rossiter and Zeb Blais were just about to crest the crater rim. They reported 10 mph winds from the north and perfectly blue skies. Congratulations to today's summit climb teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Just want to acknowledge the great experience we had with our RMI guides. Zeb, Christina and Nick were absolute aces guiding us to the top. They were spot on from the orientation, training and especially through the climb. I can’t imagine a better team and thank them for a great experience. Hope we can all meet up again…

Tom

Posted by: Tom on 7/1/2014 at 5:08 pm

Yay, Daddy! Did you have fun?
Love, Lilia and Nina

Posted by: Nina and Lilia on 6/21/2014 at 10:25 am

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Reach the Summit!

June 21, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

June 20, 2014 - 10:16 pm PT Hello, this is Jake calling from the summit of Denali with our crew. Everyone did a wonderful job today and I'm super proud of how everyone kept it together. We had a little flurry of conditions in the morning and then had just about the most beautiful day you could imagine on top. Thanks to everybody back home for the support. And now we are gonna get down to the business of getting down, so we will call when we get back to camp and look forward to seeing everybody soon, alright. Bye. June 21, 2014 - 2:54 am PT Hello, this is Leon, Katie and Jake just calling in to let everybody know that most of us are asleep back at camp. The rest of us who are not will be shortly. A beautiful climb and we will touch base on our way out of here. Good night. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren calling in from the Mt. McKinley summit!

RMI Guide Jake Beren calls in from high camp after successful Mt. McKinley summit.

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HURRAY, George!! BRAVO - what a celebration - You are a GREAT GUY !!! LOVE YA !~~~ R ‘n L

Posted by: Rosemary and Larry on 6/23/2014 at 12:42 pm

Congrats Jared!

Posted by: James on 6/23/2014 at 6:19 am

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Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team Summit!

June 20, 2014

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

June 20, 2014 - 8:56 pm PT Hi there, it's Tyler and team. We are standing on the summit of North America currently with our team. A little bit in the evening around 8 o'clock [Alaska time]. We are out of the wind on our side and it's sunny, beautiful, and everything is going well. We'll give you a shout and a little dispatch when we get back to safe and sound to our high camp. Hope everyone's well. We're doing great. Thanks for all of the support. Take care you guys. Talk to you soon. RMI Guide Tyler Jones

RMI Guide Tyler Jones call from the Mt. McKinley summit.

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Wow! Wow! Wow! How exciting and what an amazing accomplishment! I cannot imagine the thrill you must have felt at the summit! I will keep all in my prayers for the decent and Jen….I think you should write a book! Love…Karen

Posted by: Karen Pratte on 6/21/2014 at 9:11 am

Wow! Wow! Wow! I can’t imagine the thrill that you experienced reaching the summit! I am so very proud of you…I think you should write a book!!! Be safe on the way down and I will keep all in my prayers! Much love….Karen

Posted by: Karen Pratte on 6/21/2014 at 9:00 am

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Walter & Team Acclimate on Cerro Fuya Fuya

June 20, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 13,986'

After a couple of nice days in Quito, our team packed up early this morning and left the city life for more rural flavors. We traveled north a few hours from Quito to the beautiful mountain lakes of Lagunas Monjanda and went for a great acclimatization hike up Fuya Fuya. The hike consisted of a steep trail through high altitude Andean grassland, or "paramo", followed by a rock scramble to the summit...with great views of beautiful lakes below us. Everyone climbed really well as we made short work of the 14,000'-plus peak. Now we're resting at the tranquilo Casa Sol, watching Ecuador play Honduras in the World Cup. Buena suerte Ecuador! RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Murphy’s Law

June 20, 2014

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,300'

June 20, 2014 - 7:14 am PT Three O Clock PM Talkeetna time. The kids in orange vests that load and unload the planes we were to fly in asked if it was okay to unload the 2,700 pounds of gear weighing down the aircrafts still grounded by ugly mountain weather near Mt. McKinley. Sure we all said. By this time the thought of messing around with gear just to pass the time seemed like a safe plan. The flying conditions were reported to be bad all day so the perceived notion that we would fly at all was dwindling. The forecast for the next few days looked worse so I knew unloading those planes was the best move we could have made. Not more than 20 minutes after our climbing outfits came off and we were literally heading into town for a beer, base camp called, said conditions looked good and if anyone was ready, load 'em up ASAP and get them in! So, off with the jeans and tennies, on with boots and a mild-hurried panic and onto the plane. Forty-five minutes later we were on the glacier! Yeeee haaaa. Everyone is buzzing with good energy and the days to come. Wish us luck on our move to Camp One. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Sounds like you are moving up the mountain. Great start!! Love you Jay and Mary. Mom

Posted by: Susan Lampas on 6/21/2014 at 10:56 am

This is exciting news! We are thrilled to be able to follow this adventure. Good luck to everyone on the team and love to Mary and Jay. Dan and Diane

Posted by: diane roketenetz on 6/21/2014 at 7:41 am

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Mt. McKinley: Beren Calls in after Settling in at 17K Camp

June 20, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

June 19, 2014 - 8:43 pm PT Hello, this is Leon, Katie and Jake up at 17K Camp. We moved today up the Buttress. We dealt with a little wind and a little bit of snow, but the team did super well. We're all buttoned up tight hoping to go for it tomorrow if the weather allows. That's all from 17K, we will be checking in tomorrow. RMI Guide Jake Beren

Jake Beren calling in from Mt. McKinley's 17K Camp.

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Are you there yet? So exited to see Team Tyler on top of the world. Fingers and toes crossed that team Beren is right behind them.

Posted by: Meg Scata on 6/21/2014 at 6:48 am

Chris…GO GO GO!!!!! Thrilled for the smooth journey you are on. May it continue. Prayers for safety and success!!!

Branch

Posted by: Branch on 6/21/2014 at 5:50 am

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Kahiltna Dreams

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team - Patience Delivers the Summit

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team are at 14K, Fully Stocked

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Haugen & Team Rest Day at 14K Camp

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: June 21st Update

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Reach the Summit!

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team Summit!

On The Map

Ecuador Volcanoes: Walter & Team Acclimate on Cerro Fuya Fuya

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Murphy’s Law

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Beren Calls in after Settling in at 17K Camp

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