Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Pack Up and Move to Camp 1

May 10, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

May 10, 2017 - 9:12 pm PT The forecast threatened an 80% chance of more snow but we woke to clear skies. This morning was busy with packing, digging and more packing for our move to Camp 1. We hauled our sleds out onto the main Kahiltna under a hard sun and played leapfrog with a German team. By 5 pm we were cooking dinner outside in great weather. The team suffered under the hot globe with grace and we are going to do it again tomorrow to Camp 2. RMI Guide Leon Davis

Leave a Comment For the Team

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Sit Tight at 11,200’ Camp

May 10, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

The snow has stopped and the storm has passed. We ended up getting 3-4 feet of snow. Today was beautiful with plenty of sunshine and light winds here at 11,200' Camp. We decided to take another rest day today to let the snow settle and reduce the avalanche hazard. We spent the day drying our gear and getting ready for our cache tomorrow. Tomorrow (weather permitting) we will carry supplies up around Windy Corner and make a cache at around 13,700'. Or at least that's the plan. We'll keep you posted. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Rue and Mike,

Following along and wishing you a safe and amazing climb!

George

Posted by: George Nimmo on 5/11/2017 at 10:25 am

Hi Todd, Thom, Dave & Mike,

Watching your progress and hoping for good weather and safe conditions.

All the best

Rogan

Posted by: Rogan Davies on 5/10/2017 at 10:14 pm

View All Comments

Alaska Seminar: Team Enjoys Full Day of Training

May 10, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

May 9, 2017 10:19 pm Today was action-packed as we rotated through a series of skills sessions. Sled rigging, avalanche awareness and practice beacon searches, and a more realistic and elaborate crevasse rescue scenario made for a full day of mountain skills. About mid-day we even had the pleasure of clear skies for the first time in a couple days. Dinner burritos and fruit pie to top it off! RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team

Mt. Rainier: Five Day Summit Climbs On Top!

May 10, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The first program of the 2017 Mt. Rainier season reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning! RMI Guides Brent Okita and Solveig Waterfall led their Five Day Summit Climb teams from Camp Muir to the summit. Brent reported clear skies with windy conditions. Both teams began their descent shortly after 7 am. They will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to the Five Day Summit Climb teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Receive New Snow at 11, 200

May 9, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

May 9, 2017 - 6:26 pm PT Yesterday's light snow increased in intensity over night and turned into a full on powder day today. We woke to dig out the tents around 4:30 am an they were nearly buried again by 10 am. We have received over three feet of snow overnight and it is continuing as I write this. So, we spent the day resting and enjoying one of our favorite rest day activities: digging out camp. We actually needed this rest day, so the snow comes at an opportune time. We would like it to stop though, so we can make our carry to Windy Corner tomorrow. Right now that doesn't seem to be the case, but better weather is forecast for later in the week. Everyone is doing well and enjoying some down time. We'll let you know what tomorrow brings. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Robby,

Given the down time at 11K, hope you found a cribbage partner. Looking forward to seeing your pics when you get back. Good luck to you and the team.

Art
Elevation 644’ !!
Northbrook, IL

Posted by: Art Muir on 5/10/2017 at 10:00 am

Hi Mike, Thom, Todd and David, I am so regret I missed this time. Best wishes for you guys with a good weather window. Dr. David, don’t bend your phone again and shoot some great pictures. I have been thinking what you guy’s schedule this year. I am so jealous!!
Be safe and good luck!!!

Lei from Albany, NY

Posted by: LEI WU on 5/10/2017 at 7:35 am

View All Comments

Mt. Rainier: Okita & Team Ready for Morning Summit Bid

May 9, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,000'

Our acclimatization climb to Ingraham Flats went well today with beautiful weather. What a view of the mountain. Our guide training team went to the summit and prepped the route for us, so we should be in good shape for our climb tonight. Let's hope the wind and weather hold for us. I think it will. RMI Guide Brent Okita

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

WOW! Incredible trip, Sheila! You are an inspiration!

Posted by: Peg on 5/9/2017 at 5:51 pm

Shout to Sheila from James here in Clearwater Beach Florida. One of my favorite mountains seen many of times from a plane or on a clear day when I lived in Seattle. Looking forward to pics and hearing about your adventure.

Posted by: James Whitstt on 5/9/2017 at 3:47 pm

View All Comments

Alaska Seminar: Learning Mountain Skills in the Great Outdoors

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

Today was off to an early start! After a quick breakfast, we stretched our legs heading up glacier to the base of Radio Tower and beyond to the cirque at the base of the East ridge of Frances, where we chatted about glaciology, route planning and navigation. Menacing seracs and at times nearly white-out conditions made the teachings come to life. After heading back to camp and a quick break, we learned and reviewed basic knots and hitches to get us ready for session 1 of basic crevasse rescue. We put to use our anchor building tactics from the previous day and spent the afternoon doing basic rescue drills. Cozying up to burritos was a great end to a long day. RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & team

Leave a Comment For the Team

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Retrieve Cache Below 11K Camp

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

We slept in this morning and then enjoyed a breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and smoked salmon. Then we headed back down glacier to retrieve the cache we left there two days ago. It was a warm day with light snow and no wind. Now that we have all of our supplies with us at 11k, we'll start to strategize our move to the upper mountain. The next move for us is to carry supplies up around Windy Corner and establish a cache at around 13,700'. We're still not sure if that will happen tomorrow or if we will take our first full rest day. Weather will certainly play a role in that decision. We will let you know what we decide and touch base tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

...don’t sleep in too long DWH! love you and am so proud of you! - mom sends her love as well! Prayers for a safe summit AKS

Posted by: Ann Kathryn Hines-Scott on 5/10/2017 at 3:37 am

Beautiful sky! Hope the rest of you got out of your tents to see that glorious sight!

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 5/9/2017 at 6:29 pm

View All Comments

Alaska Seminar: Team Begins Training

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Jessie Poquerusse, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

May 7, 2017 - 8:40 pm PT Success on day 2 of the Alaska Mountaineering Seminar - Expedition! We started out the day going over the bread and butter of mountaineering, including snow walking, using and traveling with crampons and practicing self arrest. We then progressed into learning about and building snow anchors. After a short rest, the calm morning gave way to snow flurries, which gradually picked up as we learned and began to build a wall or our camp--earning our dinners! Overall, it was a full day of review, learning, and work and we're all happily in bed resting ready for our first jaunt onto the glacier tomorrow. RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & team

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to 11,200’ Camp

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

I'm writing this dispatch from our new home at 11,200'. Everyone did great on our move today, hauling our sleds and heavy backpacks up 3,400' from the base of Ski Hill. The weather started as mostly cloudy, then transitioned to white out conditions where you could not differentiate sky from glacier. We flew on instruments most of the day today. There was also snow and drifting snow that made the climbing even more challenging. Everybody climbed strong and came into camp in style. Tomorrow we sleep in and rest a little bit and then head back down to 10,300' to retrieve the cache that we left there yesterday. It should be a much easier day than today. We'll check back tomorrow to let you know how it goes. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear all is well. Keep up the good work everyone, and remember the power of meditation, David!
P.S. The wheelbarrow is now full of gray, moldy peanuts, being nibbled on by squirrels who are sneaking into the garage…what should I do?

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 5/8/2017 at 9:09 pm

Way to go Rue and team!!!! #beastmode

Cheers,
Cindee

Posted by: Cindee on 5/8/2017 at 7:14 pm

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

Check Availability

Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Pack Up and Move to Camp 1

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Sit Tight at 11,200’ Camp

On The Map

Alaska Seminar: Team Enjoys Full Day of Training

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Five Day Summit Climbs On Top!

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Receive New Snow at 11, 200

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Okita & Team Ready for Morning Summit Bid

Alaska Seminar: Learning Mountain Skills in the Great Outdoors

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Retrieve Cache Below 11K Camp

Alaska Seminar: Team Begins Training

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to 11,200’ Camp

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

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches