Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 14,410'

The Five Day Summit Climb team led by Kel Rossiter reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team will spend some time on the summit this morning before making their way back to Camp Muir. Congratulations to Today's Team!

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We are cheering from Portland for Mike and the whole gang!
Randa, Leslee, Marianne, Lorena, Tammy, Florence, Kelsey, Sara, Lisa, Jennifer and Cindy

Posted by: Randa on 5/16/2014 at 10:34 am

Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Getting Ready for Takeoff!

May 15, 2014

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

Hi all! The skies are clear, winds calm, and it's a great day to fly to Kahiltna Base Camp. Our team is heading in first thing this morning to start moving towards our objective! We'll check in this evening from the glacier with more news of the day. All the best, and we'll keep you updated on our progress over the upcoming weeks. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Josh Maggard and team

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Stay in 11K Camp as Winds Pick Up

May 14, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Steve Gately

Elevation: 11,200'

Our team is still at the 11k Camp, as winds picked up around midnight last night and continued through this morning. We decided that the winds were too high for our liking, and we took another rest day here at 11k. The winds abated this afternoon and we're optimistic we'll be able to move to the 14k Camp tomorrow. In the mean time, we enjoyed a relaxing day around camp. Extra rest days like these are beneficial for acclimatization and getting strong for the hard work ahead of us. Everyone is doing well, and we're all looking forward to moving camp up higher. We'll keep you posted as always. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

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Steve and team,

I’m sure the wind chills must make for some challenges. Hope the wind abates as expected as waiting around is never fun, especially on a long climb.

Unfortunately the Bruins were eliminated in game 7 against the Habs last night (3-1) so you won’t be missing any Bruins playoff action.

Hike well and be safe.

Dad

Posted by: Bill Gately on 5/15/2014 at 4:15 am

Mt. Rainier: May 14th Summit!

May 14, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Tyler Jones, Chase Nelson, Mike King, Nick Hunt, Ben Liken

Elevation: 14,410'

Camp Muir reported that RMI Guides Brent Okita, Tyler Jones and the Five Day Summit Climb Team reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier at about 7am this morning. The team reported clear skies and absolutely beautiful climb weather. The team has started their descent and are en route to Camp Muir. We expect them back to RMI Base Camp this afternoon. This is the First Summit of the our 2014 summer season! Congratulations Teams!

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

May 13, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Steve Gately

Elevation: 11,200'

Today we saw the first real clouds of the trip, accompanied by a dusting of snow. The clouds cleared out in the afternoon and it turned into a beautiful, but breezy evening. We weren't terribly concerned with what the weather did today, as we took a complete rest day in order to have more time to acclimate to the altitude and recover from the past five days of hard work in the mountains. Everyone is doing well and, if the weather lets us, we'll move up to the 14,200' Camp in Genet Basin tomorrow. The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for clear skies and moderate winds, so we'll just have to see how things play out. We'll keep you posted with our progress. Caio for now, RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

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Steve and team,

Glad to hear that your still on the good side of the weather gods. Hope it holds!

Hike well and be safe.

Dad

Posted by: Bill Gately on 5/14/2014 at 10:10 am

Mt. Rainier: Okita & Team Prepare for Tomorrow’s Summit Bid

May 13, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Tyler Jones

Elevation: 10,060'

Today was another beautiful day. The crew climbed the first leg of the route in preparation for our climb tonight. A couple of us kicked in the route today which goes up the Disappointment Cleaver. The route is in great shape and were all looking forward to the climb. RMI Guide Brent Okita

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Back in Talkeetna

May 13, 2014

Posted by: Leon Davis, Eric Frank

Greetings from Talkeetna! So we made it off the glacier just in time! This morning we woke at 3:30 am to start the 5.5-mile walk back to basecamp. The forecasted storm was slowly creeping in from the southwest and as we walked down glacier in the twilight, clouds came spilling over Mt. Foraker, threatening to shut down visibility. At 11:30 we could hear the mosquito hum of K2's Otter as Randy flew in just below the cloud ceiling and set the plane down on the runway. Forty-five minutes later we were in sandals and t-shirts in downtown Talkeetna enjoying the warm air and flowering fauna. It has been an excellent experience for our folks. As we dry our gear on the lawn, everyone is quietly reflecting on the last six days spent in the Alaska range. RMI Guide Leon Davis

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Take Advantage of the Good Weather to Cache Gear

May 13, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Steve Gately

Elevation: 11,200'

Today we awoke yet again to a beautiful morning, but tomorrow that changes. With a brief disturbance blowing in from the Bering Sea tomorrow we took advantage of the good weather to make a carry to 13,500ft. There we cached gear and food that we will later retrieve and haul to 14,000ft Camp. Everyone was excited to finally strap the spikes on and go climbing and the team did fantastic navigating the new terrain and altitude. With the sun out and clear skies we enjoyed warm temperatures and fantastic views of the West Buttress proper and major features such as the Messner and Japanese couloirs. Tomorrow the team will enjoy their first rest day of the trip as we wait out the weather. All the best from Denali! RMI Guide Steve Gately

On The Map

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Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot…

Check that device of yours for responses from me. I’ve sent ‘em.

XOXO K2

Posted by: K2 on 5/13/2014 at 10:17 pm

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Attempt Kahiltna Dome

May 13, 2014

Posted by: Leon Davis, Eric Frank

Elevation: 8,700'

Hi everyone! Well today we went for Kahiltna Dome and we got higher than any other RMI seminar in recent history. Soft snow and punchy crevasse bridges put a halt on our upward progress close to 11,000 feet. Despite the early start, temperatures never allowed the snow to freeze solid enough to prevent us from dropping into the many cracks that guard the ridge. The guides put the question to our seminar participants about whether it was safe to continue and the entire team made some very rational common sense arguments on the decision to turn back. We do believe these folks are starting to understand their limits while making good decisions, as we hoped this seminar would help impart! We are safe and happy back at 8700' camp hoping to fly off tomorrow if the forecasted snow does not interfere. Good night and see you all soon! RMI Guides Leon Davis and Eric Frank

Mt. Rainier: The 2014 Season Begins!

May 12, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Tyler Jones, Ben Liken, Nick Hunt, Mike King, Chase Nelson