Entries from Expedition Dispatches

McKinley: Walter & Team Wait out Weather in Good Company

May 24, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 23, 2014 High winds aloft again thwarted our plans to move to high camp today. The team enjoyed another rest day, and we have now joined forces with Pete VanDeventer and his team, who arrived a few days ago, and together have built ourselves quite the RMI compound here in the Genet Basin. After breakfast, Mike, Steve, and I made a quick lap down to 11 Camp to dig up our cache and retrieve any usable food items, extra gas, and personal supplies to help us extend our stint on the mountain. We were hoping to get some promising news from the weather forecast this evening, but it sounds like we are going to have to dig our heels in and hang on, as high winds and multiple feet if snow are predicted over the next few days. On a positive note, we scored some brownies and oreo's from a descending team, and thankfully Mike's frozen Kindle came back to life. We are now all happily entertained campers (and snackers) at 14,000', prepared to ride out this weather system! Small miracles.... RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

We hope you get out soon. Nicky and Bob must be chafing at the bit. good luck!

Posted by: Frank Haasbeek on 5/25/2014 at 5:12 am

Steve and Team,

Got a little worried when I saw no update this morning. Glad to hear all is well and you have combined groups.

Hope things clear before “tent fever’ has everyone grabbing their ice axe!

Hike well and be safe.

Dad

Posted by: Bill Gately on 5/24/2014 at 2:28 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Okita and Team move to Camp 1

May 24, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,500'

May 23, 2014 - 11:11pm PT We awoke to wonderfully beautiful skies and not a hint of wind. What a nice reprieve to yesterday's gauntlet with the persistent cold breeze that hit us head on all day. It was with this nice weather that we started our climb to our next camp. We knew that our loads would be heavy, but Ski Hill always manages to humble even the most fit of climbers. But try as it might to torture us with it's deceptively constant grade, the team managed well and arrived at 9500' with energy left over to build camp and get settled. Our dinner of soup and burritos will hopefully sustain us for our next push: 11,200' camp. Thankfully, today was the last of the huge loads we'll be carrying as we plan on caching food, fuel and some personal gear here. We'll pick this cache up the following day and bring it up to our camp at 11,200'. It'll be nice to get to 11,200' where we'll finally be settled at the same camp for a number of days. That's the news from the Kahiltna Glacier these days. Cheers, RMI Guides Brent, Leah, Nick & Team

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Mt. Rainier: May 24th Summit!

May 24, 2014

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Ben Liken, Sean Collon

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb Team led by Adam Knoff reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at about 7:00am this morning. Adam and Team reported great climbing conditions with light winds and clear skies above 6,000’. We expect the team back to Ashford Basecamp this afternoon. Congratulations to Today's teams!

Alaska Seminar: Davis and Team On The Move

May 23, 2014

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,880'

May 23, 2014 - 7:18 pm PT Our first night away from the airstrip here at 7,800' and it's under beautiful clear blue skies. The winds above 14,000' are moving hard but here it is calm. We walked 3.5 hrs north on the Kahiltna Glacier to the base of Ski Hill and occupied some vacant sites. All told a pretty relaxing afternoon after adjusting to our pack & sled loads. Tomorrow we will gain 2,000' to our next camp at 9,800' which puts us near the base of Kahiltna Dome's east ridge. Good night friends and family! RMI Guide Leon Davis & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Freuen uns über die täglichen Berichte. Wünschen dem Team und insbesondere Katharina weiterhin schöne Tage und viel Erfolg. Beste Grüße aus dem wolkigen Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Papa, Karin & Lexi

Posted by: Joachim Schmitt on 5/24/2014 at 11:39 pm

Grandma (Dorothy) wants to say good luck to you Bob and Nikki, and also to the rest your expedition, and god bless. I also wanted to say climb high, and don’t die, and happy anniversary to you two! It’s a great way for you to celebrate it.

Posted by: Michael Lowry and Grandma on 5/24/2014 at 8:01 am

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Mt. McKinley: Okita and team Fly onto Glacier

May 23, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 7,800'

May 22, 2014 - 11:00 pm PT Our day started great. Breakfast at the Roadhouse again and an early departure from Talkeetna, courtesy of the best air service in town: K2 Aviation. The first hint that conditions were not warm and pleasant came when we landed on some pretty hard snow. Then getting out of the plane we were hit by a chilly wind. But, everyone was excited to be on the mountain and we just put on a few more layers. Our climb to camp went well, though we were challenged the whole day by that irritating and cold breeze. But that sure didn't slow the team down any. Everyone really did well on this ordinarily difficult day with the heavy loads we were sporting. A quick dinner in bed and the team is now resting comfortably in their tents, getting ready for tomorrow and Ski Hill. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Leah and Nick who have been making sure that were all fed and ready for tomorrow. Wish us calm winds and more pleasant travels tomorrow. Goodnight from 7,800' Camp on the Kahiltna Glacier. RMI Guides Brent, Leah, Nick and the whole Team

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

hi Dean and team ..
Seems like your nearing the goal we wish you good weather and soft winds to push you to the top mate .. Proud of you .. Be safe .. See when you get back .. We are keeping a close eye on ya ..
Martin and Karen and the boys .. Xx

Posted by: Martin & Karen on 6/1/2014 at 6:38 am

Dan -

Be safe and good luck!! Keep your eyes open for my very good friend Bob Lowery also on Denali with RMI!

- Will Reed

Posted by: Will Reed on 5/30/2014 at 12:43 pm

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Alaska Seminar: Davis and Team Train near Mt. Francis

May 23, 2014

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

May 22, 2014 - 9:32 pm PT Another pleasant day today, albeit cold and cloudy. This morning we went for a walk out of base camp toward the east ridge of Francis. We passed the large granite face of Francis, and through old icefall debris, up into a small cirque. Great views of Hunter and Base Camp from this small snowy cove. Once back at camp we rigged sleds and packed gear for our departure tomorrow up to Camp 1. The team is excited to venture out and experience another part of the Alaska range. Until tomorrow... RMI Guide Leon Davis & Team

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

May 22, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 22, 2014 - 6:44 pm PT We had grand plans of moving to high camp today, and awoke early to clear skies above and relatively warm temps. We started stoves and began the process of packing sleeping bags and organizing gear, but before the water even had time to boil, a cap began to build on the upper mountain and lenticulars formed over Mt. Foraker to our south west. We watched as plumes of snow, sublimating from the west buttress and 17,000' Camp, began to stream to the south. Better to sit here at 14 camp and drink more coffee, we decided.... Although now we are out of coffee.... The team is in good spirits and we will keep you posted as the situation continues. Fingers aggressively crossed that this weather breaks soon! RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Out of coffee?! That is dire news, indeed. I’ll see what strings I can pull for the weather…

Posted by: K2 on 5/23/2014 at 6:22 am

Good luck Dean and all the team.

Posted by: Sheryl Hawkins on 5/23/2014 at 5:00 am

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Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Check in from 14,000’

May 22, 2014

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 22, 2014 - 6:51 pm PT We've been in and out of the clouds all day here at our 14,000' camp on Mt. McKinley. Despite the clouds and requisite light snow, the solar is pumping, and it feels like we're in a greenhouse. We woke on the later side, giving the sun time to make it to us, and ate another big breakfast of hash browns, eggs, and bacon. Anything to get calories in. After a bit of camp tending, we set out for a quick jaunt to our cache at 13,500'. We retrieved all of our food and personal gear, then turned and headed back for camp. The afternoon was for relaxing, drying sleeping bags and clothes, wet wipe bathes, and general self care and rest. More than likely we'll be resting tomorrow and training for the fixed lines. Thanks for reading, RMI Guides Pete, Robby, and Josh

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

So exciting to read your day to day progress. Vince and I send a special shout out to
Bob and Nicky. What a way to spend your 1st anniversary! Climb high!

Posted by: Deb Manetti on 5/23/2014 at 6:25 pm

Marko, Thinking of you. good luck, wishing you and the team good weather.

Posted by: Larry Dominguez on 5/23/2014 at 5:50 pm

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Mt. Rainier: May 22nd Summit - 100% on Top

May 22, 2014

Posted by: Casey Grom, Elias de Andres Martos, Bridget Belliveau

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The RMI Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir led by Casey Grom and Elias de Andres Martos reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning with 100% of their team! The team reported great climbing conditions and clear skies. The are currently back at Camp Muir where they will spend another night on the mountain and complete their skills training before making their way back to Ashford Basecamp on Friday afternoon. Congratulations to Today's Team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Very proud and excited for all of the members of the Team, but specially for my cousin Niño Frontera. Love you very much ❤ the kids are in wow!!!
Bucket list ✔.

Posted by: Celeste Gomez-Biamon on 5/24/2014 at 6:21 pm

congrats to nino & the team.!Enjoy the moment!

Posted by: herminio frontera on 5/24/2014 at 7:05 am

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Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Move to 14,000’

May 22, 2014

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

May 22, 2014 - 1:55 am We are tucked in tight at 14,200'! It was a beautiful, clear morning, so we crashed our camp along with a few other groups, cached our sleds and snowshoes (no one was sorry to leave them behind), and once more pointed our feet towards Motorcycle Hill. The going was a lot easier today with the trail that we put in yesterday having had a fair amount of traffic. We passed through a once more windless Windy Corner, and headed for 14,000' with everyone moving well under heavy packs. Mike Walter and team were at 14,000' to greet us, and made our move in easy, helping with water, tent platforms, and a kitchen. We definitely owe them a big thanks. We lose the sun a bit earlier here, and the extra three thousand feet definitely makes itself evident in the temperature. No one needed coaxing to crawl into the sleeping bags and call it a day. We are psyched to finally be here, in position to set ourselves up for a summit bid. It's nice to check off another milestone too. We'll let you know what adventures tomorrow brings. RMI Guides Pete, Robby, and Josh

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Chuck and Steve hang tough. Everyone sending there love

Posted by: Charles Floyd on 5/22/2014 at 5:57 pm

Sent O2 this morning. It will be there on June 9th :)

Love you Chuck!

Posted by: Joellen Floyd on 5/22/2014 at 4:56 pm

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

McKinley: Walter & Team Wait out Weather in Good Company

Mt. McKinley: Okita and Team move to Camp 1

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: May 24th Summit!

Alaska Seminar: Davis and Team On The Move

Mt. McKinley: Okita and team Fly onto Glacier

On The Map

Alaska Seminar: Davis and Team Train near Mt. Francis

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

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Check in from 14,000’

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: May 22nd Summit - 100% on Top

Mt. McKinley: Van Deventer & Team Move to 14,000’

On The Map

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