Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Feeling Strong at 11,200

May 28, 2012

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Today was a good day. The sun peeked thru the clouds timidly at best, with snow spitting occasionally and clouds being more the norm. But that didn't deter us from enjoying another easy day with a thirty minute walk back to the cache we left at 9,500' leading to a pleasant romp back to camp in the early afternoon. With the days work behind us we had only to review some climbing basics with our ice axes and crampons to get ready for tomorrow. It is beginning with the terrain above that the real climbing starts. And we're ready for it. Lighter packs and steeper slopes will be a welcome respite from the slogging done thus far. Our last fresh food meal of burritos revealed that everyone was feeling strong here at 11,200' as the team left nothing uneaten. We'd love just a bit more settled weather for our climb up Motorcycle Hill, Squirrel Hill and Windy Corner on our way to our cache site at 13,600', but I suppose if we just have calm weather we'll be happy. At eight hours round trip this will be our longest day, and our first day of higher altitude, but I know the team is ready for it. We'll leave you with a little poem Lindsay composed: "With sleds in our pack We take the downhill track. Zipping to 9500' for the cache We grab the food stash. Back to 11 we go With light weight sleds in tow. Tomorrow we will carry up the hill And hope to continue our good weather fill" Until tomorrow, RMI Guides Brent Okita, Leon Davis and Lindsay Mann

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Mt. Rainier: May 27th Update

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Tyler Jones

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by Tyler Jones reached the summit this morning! This was our first summit since May 20th. The team began their descent from the crater rim at 9:15 a.m. Congratulations to Tyler and his team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

thx Tyler for the amazing trip. and pls say hi for me to your teammates!

Posted by: Dan Pan on 5/29/2012 at 4:02 pm

Way to go TJ. See you in a couple of days!

Posted by: Larry Seaton on 5/27/2012 at 10:20 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Do Well on Move to 11,200’ Camp

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

With packs lightened down after leaving a cache at 9500', the team made easy work on the climb to 11,200' camp today. Our three and a half hour jaunt was made all the nicer by bluebird skies and sunny warm temperatures. To top things off we moved into a nice campsite that required minimal work. Although its snowing lightly again, we are looking forward to another easier day tomorrow, where we will retrieve our cache from 9500'. That's all from 11,200 feet. RMI Guides Lindsay Mann, Leon Davis and Brent Okita

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Gary, All is well here. It was obvious to us that you didn’t plan the days hike! Only three and a half hours! LOL. We love you and miss you. Angela and Ian

Posted by: Angela Rennie on 5/29/2012 at 6:20 am

Kristen- thinking of you every day! Hope you’re having the time of your life! Only three and a half hours of walking for the day? Is this making Mauna Kea look hard?
Miss you. Be safe and love you!!!

Posted by: Timothy Kelliher MD on 5/28/2012 at 6:13 am

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

A rest day! Yay! We did such amazing things as sleeping in, more turbo tanning, sport eating, walking out to the Edge of the World, more sport eating, fixed line practice, and packing for tomorrow's carry up the fixed lines. Per the norm, the team is in good spirits but perhaps a bit anxious for tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be in and out for the extended forecast so we are planning to stick to our schedule until we are forced to wait. Hoping for a great day tomorrow, once we get this cache in we will be on standby for good weather and hopefully pulling the trigger on our move to high camp and subsequent summit push... RMI Guide Billy Nugent and friends

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Hello GRD from AOMS in Tucson Arizona. We are thinking of you and tracking your progress. Your almost to the top!!! WooHoo!!! Looking forward to the Summit pictures, stories and your safe return!
Enjoy every moment!!! :)

Posted by: Robin Alexander on 5/29/2012 at 9:22 am

Hi Donny. We are so proud of you. The whole family in St Louis is following your team’s progress. Uncle Jim

Posted by: Jim on 5/29/2012 at 5:40 am

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Mt. Everest Expedition: Team Almost to Basecamp

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Melissa Arnot, Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

Update 2:45 pm Nepali time: Dave Hahn, Melissa Arnot and team are 20 minutes from camp, so they are safely through the Khumbu Icefall! I will still keep track of the Sherpa team that is still higher up on the mountain. They need to go back up to Camp 1 either tomorrow or the next day for final loads off the mountain. Until everyone is clear of the upper mountain, I will be here in communication with the Sherpa team. What a Climb! RMI Guide and Everest Basecamp Manager Mark Tucker

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Mark,

Thanks so much for all the updates and a hearty congrats to you, Dave, Melissa, and your team! You may not remember, Mark, but my wife and I met you on Everest 2010 and most recently coming down the Mweka Route on all of our last day on Kili last August. We enjoyed chatting with you.

Best,
Brandon & Kristine Chalk

Posted by: Brandon Chalk on 5/29/2012 at 2:36 pm

Great news! Thanks for the update.

Posted by: jeff d on 5/28/2012 at 4:18 am

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Postpone Summit Attempt

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Pete Van Deventer called and the team is at 17,200' and are positioned for their summit attempt. The weather changed and the winds were high so they postponed their attempt one day. The team will be going for it tomorrow and hope to give us a call from the summit. RMI Guides Mike Walter & Pete Van Deventer

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Now we have to think of you for a whole another day already because of the stinking weather! NOT!!

You know of course that your Mom and I would be thinking of you even if you were not on a mountain such as Denali!

Hope it happens today for you all.. Be safe and I love you Mom.xoxoxo

Posted by: Ginny & Bob on 5/28/2012 at 10:33 am

I’m on pins and needles. Miss you, Rich. XO

Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/28/2012 at 9:31 am

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Mt. Rainier: May 26th Update

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,000'

The Four Day and Five Day Summit Climbs reached Ingraham Flats this morning on their summit attempt. The weather has been unsettled, which resulted in unfavorable route conditions. Both teams are safely off the mountain enjoying their program wrap up with their guides.

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team at 9,500’ Camp

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,500'

Today marked our last day pulling full loads, and I think we're all pretty psyched about that! Our five hour climb began after waking up to three inches of snow and white-out conditions. But such conditions are certainly not unusual on the Kahiltna, and so after a hearty breakfast of fried bagels, cream cheese and bacon we tackled Ski Hill. Pulling huge sleds and shouldering monstrous packs is a given when climbing Denali, but is no small measure of character and sheer physical tenacity of the climber who accepts that challenge. And it is by meeting that challenge today that this team has really demonstrated a strength of will that will serve them well on this trip. Tomorrow begins the time in the trip when we start splitting up our loads and ferrying them up the mountain in stages. We're looking forward to this, but I know that these first two days have only made us stronger, and in the end, better prepared for the demands that lie ahead. We'll move camp up to 11,200' camp tomorrow and finally enjoy setting up a camp where we'll be for at least three days. I think the crew is going to welcome finally being able to build a 'proper' mountain home, replete with protective walls around the tents and enclosed commodes. What an energetic and motivated team. I'm a lucky guide. RMI Guide Brent Okita

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Brent:

Wishing you and your team good luck and a successful trip to the top of Mt. McKinley. Considering the miserable condition of your trip, please stay safe and healthy. We are proud of what you are attempting to accomplish. Keep up the good work!!

George & Fujiko Okita

Posted by: George and Fujiko Okita on 5/30/2012 at 9:17 pm

Phil- Wishing you and everyone a safe and good climb. You definitely have earned it with all the training you have done. Have fun. Stay warm. Carol and Jon Holmquist

Posted by: Carol Rank on 5/27/2012 at 6:53 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Ready for Summit Bid

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Hey guys, this is Mike Walter calling from high camp on Denali, 17,200'. We're all doing great. We are all tucked into our sleeping bags. We moved up here yesterday and rested today. We are hoping for good weather to go for the summit tomorrow, which would be Saturday, May 26th. The forecast is for pretty light winds and some clouds so it is looking promising. We'll give you guy a shout either from up top or back at camp hopefully. Alright. We'll see you. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Mike Walter checks in from 17,200' camp

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Way to go Kyle!!! I am so happy to hear that you reached the summit. I can’t wait to hear all about it! Love you bunches! Christina

Posted by: Christina on 5/29/2012 at 1:40 pm

Congradualations! Awsome Job! We can’t wait to celebrate with you and hear all about it.
Kyle, we LYF

Posted by: Donna & Lloyd on 5/27/2012 at 10:45 pm

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Mt. Everest Expedition: The Team is Resting at Camp 2 on Their Descent

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Melissa Arnot

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 21,000'

After making great progress on their descent, RMI Guides Dave Hahn & Melissa Arnot and team are safely at Camp 2! It was a long day but sleep will be so nice with the thick air of 21,000'. I will continue to send updates as the team makes their way back to Everest Basecamp. RMI Guide and Everest Basecamp Manager Mark Tucker

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Hooray!! # 14!!! We’re so glad for you Dave and look forward to that celebratory MARGUERITA upon return. Its hot , dry, and beautiful in Taos; but we’ve followed you once again on the RMI Blogs and cannot quite believe the number of climbers you have to contend with!! But then you usually wait it out until almost the end of your permit, and are thus successful—we’re so proud of you!!!

Posted by: Jean Richards, Lily Woll on 5/29/2012 at 7:08 pm

Congratulations Dave, Melissa and Team. Dave, please do not ever act your age. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Posted by: John Wayne Rogers on 5/27/2012 at 5:59 am

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Feeling Strong at 11,200

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: May 27th Update

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Do Well on Move to 11,200’ Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

On The Map

Mt. Everest Expedition: Team Almost to Basecamp

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Postpone Summit Attempt

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: May 26th Update

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team at 9,500’ Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Ready for Summit Bid

On The Map

Mt. Everest Expedition: The Team is Resting at Camp 2 on Their Descent

On The Map

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