Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Reach the Top of North America!

June 29, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Taylor Bickford, Nikki Champion

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,310'

Friday, June 28, 2019 - 8:38 PM PT The wind last night was strong, but it tapered in the morning. And it was crystal clear. We left camp and tackled the Autobahn up to Denali Pass where we were finally greeted by sunlight. Then it was up past Zebra Rocks and into the Football Field. One last climb up Pig Hill and we were on the exposed, corniced summit ridge. Everyone from our team summited today. It was a beautiful and warm summit day with only a breath of wind. Ten hours round trip and we're back at camp getting ready to eat dinner. Tomorrow we'll bump down to 14K and play it by ear from there. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Congrats to Eric and the team on a job well done! Can’t wait for everyone to come down safely and warm up :)

Posted by: Savannah on 7/1/2019 at 10:59 am

Congratulations Eric and team!!! An amazing accomplishment!
With aloha,
The Schusters

Posted by: Annie on 6/30/2019 at 9:36 pm

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Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Rester Day

June 29, 2019

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Friday, June 28, 2019 - 8:01 PM PT The 2nd rest/weather/waiting day was even restier than the first. The team is hanging in there and we really hope to head uphill tomorrow. Here are the individual team members best ways to spend their rest days: Ian - eat, sleep, and be merry Wayne - napping! Zach - reading Kerry - texting colleagues about weather forecast and thinking of family! Meghan - Hosting a 14k ft charcuterie and Gummi bear party outside my tent (eat it now or have to carry it down later). Was a hit! Ann - building a snowman, checking return dates of caches around the camp, thinking if I have enough probiotics to handle the spicy dinners

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Side salad and her meat platters. When is she sharing the wine!?!? Go guys, go!

Posted by: Shannon Henn on 6/30/2019 at 12:32 am

Rest while you can. Cool tent photo! Step safe

Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/29/2019 at 9:54 pm

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climbs 100% on Summit!

June 28, 2019

Posted by: Steve Gately, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Climbs led by RMI Guides Steve Gately and Nick Scott reached the summit of Mt. Rainier shortly before 9:00 AM. Steve reported 100% of the climbers reached the summit! Steve also reported perfect weather and a great climbing route. The teams will spend a little time on the summit celebrating before beginning their descent. We look forward to seeing both teams in Ashford this afternoon. Congratulations climbers!

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Meghan so cool! All that preparation pays off. We can’t wait to hear all about it.

Posted by: Mark Pighini on 6/29/2019 at 7:07 am

YAH!!!!! So proud of you Meghan And your entire team…
Been on pins & needles, so happy to hear that you summited!
In Awe

Posted by: Lori Pighini on 6/28/2019 at 8:58 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hahn and Team Enjoy R & R Denali Style

June 28, 2019

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Chad Gaffigan, Luke Wilhelm

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 10:44 PM PT No alarm clocks this morning. It was a rest day at 11K. Everyone came into the dining tent with smiles around 9 AM, having enjoyed lying in. We stretched breakfast to last a couple of hours as we swilled coffee and chowed down on perfectly constructed breakfast burritos. Some followed that with the first naps of the day, others read, chatted, sorted gear or daydreamed. It was a fine day with mild temps and strong sun. Nobody was sorry to have an occasional cloud throwing shade. We rehydrated and rested. R & R Denali style. There are only about three other teams at 11,000 ft at the moment - the climbing season is tapering off - and so things were quiet and calm. The forecast calls for a few more nice days, which is usually about all one can ask for around here. We will spring back into action tomorrow with the big move to 14 Camp. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Denali Expedition: Haugen and Team Visit the Edge of the World

June 28, 2019

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 9:45 PM PT Not much to report from 14k. We woke up late, ate breakfast burritos for brunch, and relaxed. We did stretch out our legs and walk out to an area called the Edge of the World. As suggested, the Edge of the World is a huge drop of that overlooks the Northeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. We all got our hero shots from this spectacular viewpoint. We are going to spend at least one more day at 14k to see if we can let some wind clear out before we return up high to 17k. It has been so nice at 14k that we feel a bit spoiled! RMI Guide Mike Haugen and Team Siete

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Joan. A tope. Aqui desde las azores marta y yo te damos animos como si estuvieramos juntos en Islandia last year. GO FOR IT and come back save with your family…

Piensa que en barcelona estan a 40 grados celsius!!!!! .

Love you Ana

Posted by: Ana prats on 6/28/2019 at 10:21 am

Wind, wind, go away,
so we can get underway,
any day would be OK,
this isn’t exactly a holiday!

Thinking of you and wishing you calm days. Go Tym! Go Team!!

Love Mom and Zeppelin

Posted by: Kristi Kennelly on 6/28/2019 at 10:03 am

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather Day at High Camp

June 27, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Taylor Bickford, Nikki Champion

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 10:22 AM PT We woke up and fired up the stoves early again today, hopeful for good climbing weather. But the clouds that were lingering above us at 4:30am have descended and engulfed the Denali, including our camp. We are currently back in our tents staying warm and dry. There is near zero visibility with light winds and precipitation and high humidity. Unless things turn around quickly, we'll chalk today up as another day to rest and acclimate. We're hoping for improving conditions the next couple of days. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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What a suspense ! Hope you’re not getting too impatient ! :)

Posted by: BOINEAU Marie-Cécile on 6/27/2019 at 10:13 pm

Sooooo hoping yall can summit today!!!! Best of luck!!! Team Casey!!!!

Posted by: Mindy on 6/27/2019 at 10:05 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Carry and Cache

June 27, 2019

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Chad Gaffigan, Luke Wilhelm

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 11:21 PM PT Our workable weather continued today. Crisp, cool and mostly clear conditions prevailed as we set out above 11,000 camp at 7:15 this morning. Motorcycle Hill was first up, but didn’t take us all that long, just forty five minutes of “duck foot” cramponing up a steep snow slope with a handful of well-bridged crevasses. Next up was Squirrel Hill, a little traversing and some more duck footing, which brought us up to the Polo Field at the west end of the West Buttress. By this point, we were finally out of the valleys... looking up at surrounding mountains has been fun, but now looking out and down at the world from 12 and 13,000 ft is novel and beautiful. Windy Corner wasn’t windy. We took a pleasant rest break there in the mid morning sunshine. Then we put our helmets on and climbed around the corner. A new world opened up to us as we could now see the upper West Buttress and the bulk of Denali’s South Peak up close and personal. At 13,500 ft, we’d reached our target for the day -about four hours above 11 camp. We dug a deep hole in the snow to cache food and gear out of the reach of crafty clever ravens. Enjoying the sunshine and calm conditions, we lingered for about an hour before starting our descent. The track was in fine condition, so walking/climbing down went smoothly and easily. We strolled into 11,000 near two in the afternoon, which as we’ve discovered, is a darn good time for a nap. Clouds came and went throughout the afternoon and evening, there were some light showers, but nothing of great significance from our perspective. We’ll rest tomorrow to solidify acclimatization before making the big jump up to 14 camp. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team

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Following along from sea level and 95 degrees, wishing we were there on the top with you. Good Luck with continued good weather and happy hikers. N & P from Maryland.

Posted by: Sandy on 6/28/2019 at 5:42 am

Thanks David - great being connected! Is that Keir in front of the camera in today’s post walking up hill? Awesome views and blue skies!

Posted by: Rich Green on 6/27/2019 at 10:05 am

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Denali Expedition: Haugen and Team Cache Supplies at High Camp

June 27, 2019

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,000'

Wednesday, June 27, 2019 - 9:55 PM PT Mission successful! We cached gear up at 17k high camp. The morning started out pretty warm (for 14,000 ft in AK). We made our way up to the fixed lines. For our first time up the fixed lines, the group did exceptionally well. We made our way up to the ridge at 16,000 ft and caught some wind. We decided to keep going up since everyone was staying warm and relatively comfortable. Although we never lost the wind, we made our way all the way up to high camp. I think our climbers were too distracted by the incredible climbing along the ridge to care about a bit of a breeze. We said hi to Mike Walter's team at 17k, cached our stuff, and then headed back down to our camp. After a 10 hour day, our climbers (and maybe guides) have earned a well deserved rest day tomorrow. We have been saving a breakfast burrito meal for such an occasion. Goodnight! RMI Team Siete

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Great job team! Proud of you Meghan, ever the motivator in your words and actions!

Posted by: Jerry O'Quinn on 6/28/2019 at 12:04 am

You’re all a bunch of badasses!!

Posted by: Shannon Henn on 6/27/2019 at 10:33 pm

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Mt. Rainier: ALA Climb for Clean Air Update

June 27, 2019

Posted by: Win Whittaker, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,400'

The American Lung Association's Climb For Clean Air Team made a summit attempt of Mt. Rainier early today before low visibility and poor weather forced the team to turn. This team was led by RMI Guides Win Whittaker and JT Schmitt. Each team member commits a year to training and raising funds to support the American Lung Association’s mission of saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The team is currently at Camp Muir and will be heading back to Rainier Basecamp for an afternoon celebration. Congratulations to Today's Team!

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Awesome job CFCA Mt. Rainier Climb Group #1! Thanks for letting Dylan and I join in on your descent from Pebble Creek! Y’all are so inspiring dealing with that insane weather!

Posted by: Leesha on 6/27/2019 at 7:31 pm

Well done CFCA Team! Weather is always a crap shoot! Better to be safe to climb another day! Glad your safe!

Posted by: Julie on 6/27/2019 at 6:23 pm

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Decide to Wait and Watch the Weather

June 26, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Taylor Bickford

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 3:30 PM PT We had hopes of making a summit push today, but as we were gearing up early this morning winds began to increase and a lenticular cloud cap began forming on the summit. So we pumped the brakes to see what would materialize. As it turned out, the cloud cap continued to materialize. Eventually we pulled the plug on the waiting game. We'll use today a a rest day (although the weather is making it unable to climb, it is not too uncomfortable at camp). We're hoping for calmer winds tomorrow so we can give it a go. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

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Sending you all warm thoughts & good vibes!!! Stay smart and strong! And go CK go!!!!

Posted by: Dove on 6/27/2019 at 10:06 am

Trusts you instincts and analysis Mike. Best of luck with the timing and success of the last stretch.
Pieter

Posted by: Pieter Swart on 6/26/2019 at 10:49 pm

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Reach the Top of North America!

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Rester Day

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climbs 100% on Summit!

Denali Expedition: Hahn and Team Enjoy R & R Denali Style

Denali Expedition: Haugen and Team Visit the Edge of the World

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather Day at High Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Carry and Cache

Denali Expedition: Haugen and Team Cache Supplies at High Camp

Mt. Rainier: ALA Climb for Clean Air Update

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Decide to Wait and Watch the Weather

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