Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,400'
Monday, May 15, 2023 - 5:00 PM PT
We've been tentbound all day today in a storm, so not much to report. We delivered delicious breakfast burritos to our climbers in their sleeping bags, and we're all safe and comfortable in our tents. That's all the news to report from the Kahiltna Glacier!
Posted by: Steve Gately, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Steve Gately and Alex Halliday led the Four Day Climb May 12 - 15 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team reported a really great route with good weather. The winds died down partly through their climb and they enjoyed a pleasant morning on the mountain. The teams began their descent from the crater rim around 8:20 am. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break to re-pack and re-fuel. They will then continue the final descent to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Well done!!!
Posted by: Antonia on 5/15/2023 at 9:41 pm
OUTSTANDING NEWS! Giant hugs to Zoe and Rachel and BRAVO to this fabulous group of climbers! Can’t wait to hear the stories and see pics. Love you guys!
Posted by: Jeanie Iida on 5/15/2023 at 1:14 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Tatum Whatford, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Sunday, May 14, 2023 - 9:49 pm PT
The mountain reminded us how strong she is today and have us a good fight. We woke to sun and warm temps in camp and the beginnings of a beautiful day. We packed up camp and started moving uphill again to 11. At first we moved with better vis, views, and a little jump in our step. But as we walked the clouds from yesterday moved back in with a stiff wind and a lot of blowing snow. Quite quickly we had little visibility and following the tracks of previous climbers became quite difficult. But the team was warm, had all the gear we needed to move in the weather, so we marched on with the help of GPS. After a good battle and a longer day than anticipated, we made it to 11,000' Camp. Tents were a welcome sight but the battle wasn't over. We still had a few hours of camp constructing to do before we would be in our shelters. The team worked really well together and rallied it out, and now we are sitting snug In tents and sleeping bags, reminiscing about the day.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
Grateful for these updates. Sounds like a strong group. Sending you all lots of positivity!
Posted by: Chris's mom on 5/15/2023 at 9:28 pm
Thanks for the updates. Good to know that all is well.
Posted by: Louise Kennedy on 5/15/2023 at 6:37 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,400'
Sunday, May 14, 2023 - 7:40 pm PT
Today started out sunny & beautiful but it didn't turn out that way. Above Ski Hill a full blown arctic blizzard blew in fiercely. Navigating by gps in a full white out, wearing parkas and goggles, we even struggled to find our cache from yesterday. Setting camp was epic, but we did it. So we're safe in our tents now and we'll weather out the rest of the storm here if need be.
Full on Alaska!
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Greetings from Oklahoma!! A huge birthday shout out to my awesome brother, Scott Crist!! Hope you’ve had an amazing day. Prayers for a continued safe climbing adventure and journey to the summit!! Can’t wait to see pictures from the top!!
Posted by: Danna Littau on 5/15/2023 at 3:17 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Sunday, May 14, 2023 - 10:13 AM PT
Just a quick note this morning to wish all of our mothers a happy day today! We'll check in again from our next camp.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Happy birthday, Scott Crist! Best birthday, ever, on the side of a mountain! Wishing you and the team a sunshiny, beautiful day of climbing.
Posted by: Cynthia Anderson on 5/15/2023 at 5:32 am
Wish the team a great adventure. May all luck and good weather be on your side.
Posted by: Susan Losonsky on 5/15/2023 at 3:59 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Avery Parrinello, Nick Sinapius, Daniel May, Trevor Katz, George Hedreen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Avery Parrinello and the Four Day Climb May 11 - 14 were unable to leave Camp Muir for their summit attempt due to high winds. Dave reported winds gusting 60-70 mph. The teams waited, ready to climb, for the winds to dissipate, but no such luck.
The teams will return to Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon to conclude their climb.
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 8:12 pm PT
We carried loads of food and fuel up above Ski Hill today, and we're now back at camp. The weather wasn't terribly friendly today, with 10-20' visibility all day. Currently we're enjoying sunshine and beautiful views as the clouds finally dissipated. We're about to eat dinner and cash out for the night. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to move camp higher.
We will be sure to check in again soon.
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Henry Coppolillo, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 7:03 pm PT
A gentle shushhhh of snow falling on the tent woke us this morning. We were the central theme in the snow globe as snow fell quietly and windlessly down. We lingered over coffee and bagel sandwiches letting the day progress. We really couldn't see much, but it was calm, warm enough, and we had a nice camp to return to, so we finally sorted some loads out, loaded packs and sleds, and turned uphill again to go cache. We walked through a milky white world for several hours before we decided that we had done enough, and further walking was going to involve a lot of feel and not much sight. So we dug quite a large hole and left our loads there under the snow to be retrieved in a few days time. The walk down went quite quickly, and after an hour we were back at camp where the clouds were lifting and the sun was blazing at max intensity. We are currently enjoying a short siesta, before a hearty dinner of reindeer gumbo. We plan to pack up camp tomorrow and trade up to an abode at 11,000'.
We'll be in touch.
I’m with you, Mama Goltry! Looks like our daughter is the only female on the trip besides the guides. Quite an adventure but I am looking forward to the “we made the summit and are on our way down” post.
Posted by: Karlyn Sullivan on 5/14/2023 at 8:18 pm
From 94 degrees in Tucson, I am doing my best work with tequila to not think about hubby on a glacier in the freezing cold. But alas, there are not enough margaritas in the world to keep me from missing my mountain man. Reindeer gumbo is right up his alley. Keep on trekking! Enjoy the journey! Can’t wait to see the photos. Mama Goltry
Posted by: Tory Goltry on 5/13/2023 at 9:51 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Our team is doing well, getting used to our new home on the glacier. Yesterday we moved from Basecamp to just shy of Ski Hill. It's a bit snowy this morning, but that shouldn't thwart our plans to carry a cache of supplies up to around 9,500'-10,000'.
We will keep you posted on our progress.
Thanks for checking in.
RMI Guide Mike Walter and team.
If anyone wants a good margarita while they’re up there, don’t hesitate to ask Brett!
Posted by: Brian W. on 5/13/2023 at 11:01 am
Posted by: Taylor Bickford, Seth Burns, Ellison Boord, Erika Birkeland, Nicole De Petris, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Success! The Four-Day climb led by Taylor Bickford and Seth Burns reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 7:45am. They enjoyed a good climbing route and weather during their ascent.
The team will be back at Basecamp this afternoon to celebrate their hard work!
Hello Scott! LS Sunrise is all behind you on what sounds to be a very intense journey.
All good things to you and your party and we are pulling for you all. Hoping the summit is all you dreamed of and worked so hard to achieve.
Posted by: Bob Paradise on 5/16/2023 at 6:11 pm
Plz post breakfast burrito recipe!
Posted by: Brian W. on 5/16/2023 at 10:47 am
View All Comments