Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest at 14,000’

June 22, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Happy summer solstice from the land of the Midnight Sun! Our team had a pretty relaxing day today; it started with a leisurely breakfast, then we went back to Windy Corner to retrieve our cache, and then we relaxed all afternoon. The two hour round trip to Windy Corner was a good leg stretcher. And the relaxing afternoon sure felt good also. This afternoon we welcomed Jake Beren's team back to 14k after their successful summit bid. It was good to see the whole team in good shape after their climb. And it was a pleasure to have water waiting for them and to make them bacon quesadillas as they repacked their backpacks and rested here. They continued their descent to 11k, and are planning to be at the airstrip tomorrow. We are planning on taking a rest day here at 14k tomorrow, in order to be strong for our carry up high above 16k. We'll be in touch again tomorrow... RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Kristina and Mike,

So glad the trip is going well. It is amazing to see all the snow and think of the cold while we hit 89 today and it is dry, dry , dry. Enjoy your rest day and thanks for the updates.
Missy

Posted by: missy prudden on 6/22/2012 at 8:46 pm

For someone that lives in snow country, you guys have a lot of snow
It sure seems incredible, hope every one is well and all continues to go well.
Matt, This has to be the high light of your life. All Take care, climb safely
Thanks so much for the updates. Don Pennington

Posted by: Don Pennington on 6/22/2012 at 5:44 pm

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: The Team’s First Venture to Altitude

June 21, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,500'

Woke up today to blue skies and a bunch of climbers eager to get the adventure started. We had a quick breakfast in the hotel cafe and then the team met up with Jaime, one of our local guides, before we set out in taxis for a ride up the teleferiqo (gondola) to a perch high above the city. The skies were clear, affording us an awesome view of Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and the Illinizas. After taking in our surroundings we started our training hike that eventually took us up to the summit of Rucu Pichincha at nearly 15,500'. The team felt great and was moving incredibly well considering that most of us had come from very close to sea level in the U.S. just a couple days prior. Unfortunately, we were socked in the clouds on the summit but shortly after beginning our descent we emerged from a higher cloud layer and again had the opportunity to enjoy sweeping views of the mountains and the sprawl of Quito. We hopped in a colectivo van for a ride back to the hotel and most of us took a quick siesta before heading out on the town for another team dinner, this time at La Boca del Lobo. We even enjoyed some pretty awesome views of the urban wildlife on our walk back from the restaurant. The crew hit the sack pretty early tonight tired from today but also in preparation for another early start tomorrow as we head out of Quito and begin our journey towards our first big objective, Cayambe. Will check in again tomorrow, RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Move to 14,200’

June 21, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

We had great weather today and the team climbed strong, moving our camp up to 14,200'. We are now well established on the upper mountain as we continue to acclimate. Tomorrow we will make a quick trip back to Windy Corner to retrieve the cache of supplies that we carried up there two days ago. We recently spoke via radio with RMI Guide Jake Beren and their team as they were descending the summit ridge after a successful summit. Congratulations to the team! We look forward to seeing them tomorrow when they descend from high camp. That's it for now. Time for some shuteye. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Sasha

All the best. It is fantastic that you are now on the high part of the mountain. We are looking at the magnificent pictures on the website. It must be an incredible experience to be at that altitude getting close to the top of the world. We look forward to the stories. Keep safe.

Love Dad, Mom, Brooklyn and Spencer

Posted by: charles selby on 6/22/2012 at 7:22 am

Best wishes from Colorado. Kobi is loving life here in Cdale with his buddy Bayou!

Posted by: Wesley Reynolds on 6/22/2012 at 5:46 am

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Mt. Rainier: June 21st Summit!

June 21, 2012

Posted by: JJ Justman, Kel Rossiter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: Summit

The Four Day Summit Climb teams led by JJ Justman and Kel Rossiter reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier today. JJ reported good, but cold weather with calm winds. The teams are enjoying the views from the top and will make their way back to Camp Muir shortly. Congratulations to today's teams.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

A most excellent trip! We gelled as a team early and JJ, Josh and Gilbert were awesome. Look forward to climbing with you guys again. No one legged midgets though, please.

Posted by: MIKE PROBSTFELD on 6/25/2012 at 8:38 am

Thanks to JJ, Josh and Gilbert for a great & fun trip and JP for getting the whole shootin match organized! Great way to start the summer of 2012

TVH

Posted by: Thomas Harmon on 6/24/2012 at 9:15 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Reach Summit!

June 21, 2012

Posted by: Jake Beren, Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

Hello, this is Jake calling from 17,000’ camp on Denali after what was an unbelievable summit day. The team is back in camp safe and sound. We are having some dinner before turning in for a very well earned night’s sleep. Everybody did fantastic today, we had perfect conditions. It was a really beautiful climb. I’ll give a little more information after we get down. Just know that everybody is safe after a wonderful day here in Alaska. Alright, that is it for now. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in after the team's summit day.

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Bob, one more peak under your belt! What a huge accomplishment! All your training and determination is paying off. The girls and I are at the lake and we had spotty communication, but I was following your progress daily, sometimes multiple times daily! Keep your balance on that descent and don’t come down the mountain faster than you should!! ;-)

Kathy

Posted by: Kathy Spinks on 6/22/2012 at 8:11 am

We are SO impressed! Congratulations! Roger and Charlie

Posted by: Charlie Hewson on 6/22/2012 at 3:01 am

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Nugent and Team Enjoy The Sights in Quito

June 20, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 9,350'

Hi everybody and welcome to the first installation of many dispatches from this summer's Ecuador Volcanoes program! The team finally met each other as a complete group this morning for breakfast after several hectic laps between the airport and hotel late last night. Team members were trickling in gradually through the night and the crowds of Ecuadorians awaiting family members made for quite a scene. Actually, it was more like a zoo with a traffic jam outside. Fortunately, Jaime and Victor (our expert locals) were incredibly helpful in scooping up our climbers and adept at navigating the melee. Anyway, after a decent breakfast and getting to know each other a bit the team headed out for a day cruising around Quito as full-fledged tourists of the sight-seeing variety. With the majority of the city situated at over 9,000' we have actually already begun our acclimatization process. After a long day of travel just to arrive in Ecuador, it was nice to have a day to just cruise around and get comfortable. The city tour hit up lots of old colonial and contemporary sights including religious, governmental, and culturally significant buildings. We climbed the rickety catwalks high in the Basilica and caught tremendous 360 degree views of this huge metropolis of more than 3 million citizens and later went to the exact geographical equator where we played around with the strange forces the earth's rotation creates uniquely on the middle of the planet. The equator museum also had a cool sort of natural history museum with a collection of flora and fauna and anthropological relics from Ecuador's various regions. We're talking giant anaconda and boa skins, real human shrunken heads, and a gnarly, preserved amazon candiru - look it up... The team had fun getting to hang out in a casual atmosphere and we aim to keep the fun going as we begin some of our physical activity tomorrow with a training hike up on Rucu Pichincha, a volcano right above the city where we will hopefully hit nearly 16,000'. That should help jump start the acclimatization followed by a night's rest at relatively lower altitude in Quito. Well, headed off to dinner with the crew, more to come as the situation develops, RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Have a save climb! Hope the weather is cooperative and you get great views the whole way.

Posted by: Oscar on 6/21/2012 at 9:17 pm

Have gun you guys. Be safe

Posted by: chris fisher on 6/20/2012 at 7:00 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Hangin’ in the Hangar

June 20, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

After a delicious Roadhouse breakfast and stories from the world famous Fairview Inn pre-party, the team has been busy sorting gear for the trip. The weather is beautiful right now and we're prepping to fly onto the mighty Kahiltna tomorrow morning. Until then we're enjoying solid earth under our feet, the smells of lush green plants in our noses and hearty meals in our bellies. Cheers from the RMI Knoff, Uchal and Blais team. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Lookin good Uncle Gords!!! Best o’luck to you all! Trackin your every move from Boston.

The Reisers

Posted by: Petah Reisah on 6/23/2012 at 1:54 pm

Joyce says Hi from VL. She had 6 to serve today. Remember what she said about you gettin up that slope!
BE SAFE!

Posted by: YETI on 6/22/2012 at 8:25 pm

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Mt. Rainier: June 20th Summit!

June 20, 2012

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: Summit

Both Four Day Summit Climb teams made it to the Summit of Mt. Rainier today. Lead guides Jason Thompson and Andres Marin reported beautiful weather with light winds of about 0 – 8mph and plenty of SUNSHNE. The teams were in light gloves and two clothing layers, as they climbed. They are now en route back to Camp Muir and we expect them back at RMI Basecamp in Ashford this afternoon. Today is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year…get out and enjoy!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Jon, Following your journey and as nervous as your mother. Have fun but most important be safe
JoAnn

Posted by: JoAnn Ingram on 6/21/2012 at 4:51 pm

Hi Jon! Yes ... it’s your Mama. I hope you are having an AMAZING journey. Please be safe and smart, as I know you will. I miss you so much and will breathe when you are back in Knoxville! Love you so much!

Posted by: Paige Conley-Smith on 6/21/2012 at 9:16 am

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Ready for Summit Bid

June 20, 2012

Posted by: Jake Beren, Elias de Andres Martos

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Greetings from 17,000’. Our team is at camp doing great and tucked into their sleeping bags with an absolutely beautiful evening here on Denali. We are going to cross our fingers for good weather tomorrow and with any luck, we’re gonna give it a shot. So, wish us the best weather. Our team is doing great, very strong. Hopefully we will go take a shot at it tomorrow. So that is all from 17,000’. We are ready to launch… RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from 17000 feet on Mt. McKinley

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

WHOOOHOOOO im so excited! I’ve been thinking about you everyday and I can not imagine how lucky I am to have such a badass dad.
Your so close to your pie! :)
Go for it!!.. and dont whimp out hah. Sleep well!
Love
Sarina.

Posted by: Sarina on 6/20/2012 at 11:10 pm

Good luck guys. Maybe you already hit the top or at the top now?? The suspense grows…..
Drum roll please.

Posted by: dave on 6/20/2012 at 7:26 pm

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

June 19, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Hi guys, this is Mike checking in from the 11k camp on Denali. All is well. We decided to spend another day here at 11,200' instead of moving up to 14,200' today. We are spending the day resting, eating, and getting more acclimated to the altitude before venturing higher. We are hoping to move up to 14k tomorrow, weather pending. Until then, we're enjoying the sunny, hot weather and just lazing around. Hopefully our next dispatch will be from higher ground. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sasha

We are hanging on news of your great adventure. Your aunt is loading the Blog at the Renoir so that you will have a vastly expanded fan club amongst the geriatric set. We hope to see you in some pictures sent back from your team with a large smile on your face. We are all thinking of you and wishing you all the best.

Love Dad, Mom, Brooklyn Spencer and Daisy.

Posted by: charles selby on 6/20/2012 at 8:30 pm

Stan-
Is that a cumulonimbus w/anvil I see? Whoa! Stakes will be handy! Keep your eyes on the Summit! Oh, longest day of the year is today—extra daylight! See you tomorrow, love me

Posted by: Betsy on 6/20/2012 at 7:43 pm

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest at 14,000’

On The Map

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: The Team’s First Venture to Altitude

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Move to 14,200’

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: June 21st Summit!

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Reach Summit!

On The Map

Ecuador Volcanoes: Nugent and Team Enjoy The Sights in Quito

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Hangin’ in the Hangar

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: June 20th Summit!

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Ready for Summit Bid

On The Map

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

On The Map

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