Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Rest Day at 11,200’

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Taylor Bickford, Nikki Champion

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 9:21 PM PT Our team enjoyed a rest day today, sleeping in and indulging in a cheesy breakfast scramble brunch. The day started out sunny and we were able to dry gear and charge electronics, but by the afternoon it was snowing lightly. Tomorrow we plan to carry a cache of food and fuel to ~13,600' around Windy Corner and then return to our current camp. That's the plan at least. Stay tuned. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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On vacation and did the flight around Denali on this day and saw you guys as tiny dots below. So inspiring and breathtaking! Godspeed to you all and will be watching your progress now back in Texas!

Posted by: Rebecca on 6/20/2019 at 5:06 pm

Thank you for the daily updates. It’s really neat to read about your progress…I feel part of the journey! :) Hi to Casey. Enjoy your experience!

Posted by: Amanda Day on 6/19/2019 at 6:50 am

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Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Make It on the Mountain

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,300'

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 9:01 PM PT Today started out much the same as yesterday. We hurried through breakfast and headed to the airstrip to see what the flying conditions were for the morning. We received an optimistic thumbs down due to fog in basecamp. The pilots told us to be on standby because the weather was on an improving trend. After hanging out for a couple of hours we got the word that we could fly. After an amazing flight over the lush green Alaska terrain and into the stark mountians of the Alaska Range, we were delivered to basecamp safe and sound. We spent the day getting everything organized and ready to move to our next camp tonight. We travel at night in the lower glacier because the crevasse bridges are more firm and the sleds drag much easier when things are frozen. Let's hope the weather keeps improving. RMI Guide Mike Haugen

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The exciting expedition is now underway! Best wishes to all.

Posted by: Kathy Kikendall on 6/19/2019 at 6:24 pm

Wishing the entire team a safe and successful trip, and friendly skies!!

Posted by: Deborah Flinn on 6/19/2019 at 3:44 pm

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Denali Expedition: King & Team Move Up to 17,200’

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello, Dominic Cifelli

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 8:55 PM PT Well, today we finally got out of 14 Camp. We had spent eight nights there and by an early season Denali trip that’s nothing but for us and the weather we have had, it felt like an eternity. Today proved to be no cooler temperature wise, HOT going up the fixed lines and once we gained the West Buttress proper it was some of the figurative coolest ridge walking this group has done. We didn’t get great views due to thin clouds but that’s ok, our entire trip has been good views. We don’t know what tomorrow holds and we could take a rest day if needed. High pressure is building over Denali and we are hopeful to summit tomorrow. Getting to 17 Camp can be a chore, but once you're there Camp must be built, 6 XGK stoves must be managed to make drinking water and hot water for meals. Camp is situated in a glacial depression and we can see the Autobahn which plagues climbers for the first two hours on summit day. This section gets its name from how fast you can get going if you fall and are not clipped into the running belays. Other than a long day, the Team is doing mostly well. It’s normal to not feel 100% here at 17,200’. None of us are living our best lives physiologically, but we are really excited to have a crack at 20,320’. Thanks for the support and blog comments, I’ve been saving them for an alternative pep talk tonight instead of my traditional surly high school gym coach style motivational speech. RMI Guide Mike King

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Go team go! We’re rooting for you Allan and today’s possible summit!!!

Posted by: Bryan C-G on 6/20/2019 at 12:59 pm

Is so amazing what you are doing!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Please send my regards to Boris! We miss him!

Posted by: Laurent Villa on 6/19/2019 at 5:59 am

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Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz Summit!

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz reached the summit of Mt. Rainier via the Kautz route today. The seminar team has spent this last week on the mountain training on snow and ice climbing techniques as well as crevasse rescue. They have enjoyed lectures from their guides, and demonstrations and practice in the techniques of American mountaineering. They are heading back to their camp where they will spend the night on the glacier before returning to RMI Basecamp tomorrow. Congratulations to today's team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations! So excited for each of you. Especially Alek!
What an achievement

Posted by: maureen carroll on 6/18/2019 at 1:31 pm

Congrats team! So wish I could’ve been there! Can’t wait to hear about it!

Posted by: Parker Pavlicek on 6/18/2019 at 1:00 pm

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Mt. Elbrus Ski: Reid & Team Arrive at Base of Mt. Elbrus

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Tyler Reid

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Ski

Today our senses were greeted with cool, fresh, clean mountain air as we stepped out of the van. It was a successful journey today from the big city to the Caucasus Mountains. This morning we had an alpine start followed by numerous airport cappuccinos, a tranquil flight to Mineralnye Vody, and three hours of driving through the Russian countryside. After four days of travel it’s great to finally be here at the base of the mountain. RMI Guide Tyler Reid

Mt. Rainier: June 18th Summit!

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Josh McDowell

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Five Day Summit climb led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Josh McDowell took advantage of the weather and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 9:30 am today. Josh reported warm temperature with winds of about 35 mph. The team will descend to Camp Muir where they will spend another day on the mountain and descend to Paradise tomorrow. Congratulations to today's team!

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Congratulations Tony B on your 1st climb and reaching the summit! So proud of you and happy for you!

Posted by: Dianne Davis on 6/19/2019 at 8:16 am

Lewis… Congratulations on an awesome accomplishment! I hope you enjoyed the Dr. Pepper! Looking forward to hearing all about it

Posted by: Dan on 6/18/2019 at 5:43 pm

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Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team in Holding Pattern in Talkeetna

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

Monday, June 17, 2019 - 11:43 PM PT We were excited to fly up to Denali Basecamp this morning. We hurried through breakfast and headed to the hangar where our gear was organized and ready to go. Even when we got the word that there was too much fog in basecamp to fly, we were optimistic that it would happen today. We waited into the afternoon when we finally got our chance to fly on. We got everyone and all the gear loaded up and headed to the mountain. About halfway there, the pilots could not find a way through the clouds and were not about to poke around in the big mountains without visibility. We thank them for trying and for using good judgment. We are currently in a holding pattern and definitely not flying today. Hopefully tomorrow will be our day! Fingers crossed. RMI Guide Mike Haugen & Team Siete

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Set up at 11,200’ Camp

June 18, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Taylor Bickford, Nikki Champion

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Monday, June 17, 2019 - 10:15 PM PT Today was very productive for our team. We woke at 1am, packed up camp, and hit the trail at 3am. By 8:30 am we had made it to the 11,200' Camp, colloquially known as Camp Three. We set our tents up, had breakfast and coffee, and a few hours of rest, and by 1 pm we were back on the trail headed back down to pick up our cache at 10,000'. By 3:30 pm we were back at camp with all of our supplies. But there was still work to do flattening tent platforms, building a kitchen, and fine tuning camp. Dinner by 6 pm and bed by 7:30 seemed appropriate for today. And tomorrow we earned a rest day. Snow is in the forecast for tomorrow, so we won't be missing anything. We'll touch base again tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

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GO Brendan and Min Wo!

Posted by: Arie Rowaan, Marlene Rowaan on 6/19/2019 at 1:17 pm

We’re all excited Casey and enjoying the blogs. Go team Walter!

Posted by: Cheri Kenney on 6/19/2019 at 12:58 pm

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Denali Expedition: King & Team Weather Day at 14,200’ Camp

June 17, 2019

Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello, Dominic Cifelli

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Monday, June 17, 2019 - 8:40 PM PT Not much to report except that due to some weather and a few extenuating circumstances we took yet another weather/rest day. The forecast is looking good for the remainder of the week. We will plan on moving up to 17,200’ tomorrow. The Team is doing well, we are all anxious to get out of this camp after eight nights. They built an igloo to stay busy and spent a lot of time chatting in the kitchen tent. That’s all from 14, hopefully you’ll hear from us after a successful move day to High Camp. RMI Guide Mike King

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Safe climbing! We’re following your blog and hoping you can get the weather move on up.

Posted by: Stephanie Smith on 6/18/2019 at 4:44 pm

Hi y’all!
EIGHT DAYS?!!! I’ve been without connectivity for 4-5 days. I thought King et al was taking new group up. Okay, weather forecast looks promising. Igloos sound fun. But, it sounds like your turning native. Climb forth and conquer! Lol! Be safe

Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/17/2019 at 9:42 pm

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Mt. Elbrus Ski: Reid & Team Arrive Moscow and Explore City

June 17, 2019

Posted by: Tyler Reid

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Ski

Monday, June 17, 2019 - 4:22 AM PT Greetings from Moscow. Most of us awoke at 4am this morning for no reason. The sun rises early here, which doesn’t help with the jetlag. Today we embarked on a city tour of Moscow that included St Basils Cathedral, the Kremlin, and Red Square’s otherworldly shopping mall. We’re working on rounding up some delayed ski bags and delayed teammates, which hopefully will all be in one place by this evening. So far so good here in Russia... RMI Guide Tyler Reid

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Rest Day at 11,200’

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Make It on the Mountain

On The Map

Denali Expedition: King & Team Move Up to 17,200’

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz Summit!

Mt. Elbrus Ski: Reid & Team Arrive at Base of Mt. Elbrus

Mt. Rainier: June 18th Summit!

Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team in Holding Pattern in Talkeetna

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Set up at 11,200’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: King & Team Weather Day at 14,200’ Camp

Mt. Elbrus Ski: Reid & Team Arrive Moscow and Explore City

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