Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Friday, July 9, 2021 - 12:04 am
It did not seem like it was going to happen today. We woke up groggily to find ourselves in the middle of a small tent village. The remaining teams on the mountain -six guided groups- were now all collected at Kahiltna Base Camp, waiting to fly out. None of us had made the top -the season end was just a nonstop progression of storms. Including the one that cloaked us in cloud and light snow for much of the day. We had already eaten a mountain dinner and were getting ready for another night in tents when airplanes started coming in through holes in the clouds. We packed sleeping bags, tents, pots, and pans… all in an instant and loaded into K2 Aviation’s beautiful Otters. And at 9:30PM we lifted off the glacier and caught the red eye into Talkeetna. Eventually we were out of the snow and ice and rock and flying effortlessly over impossibly green landscapes.
We have got a day left of drying and sorting gear and traveling, but tonight we shower and sleep in beds!
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Posted by: JM Gorum, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The July 8th Four Day Climb team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team climbed above the heavy marine layer to enjoy clear skies and goregous views fromt the top. RMI Guide JM Gorum checked in by Radio, and reported light winds, clear skies, and a great route for climbing.
The team is on the descent and will be back to Camp Muir later this morning.
Congratulations to today’s team!
Great job!! A year extra of conditioning due to the pandemic and original date of hike cancellation was not part of the original plan.
Your persistence and dedication to each other is a terrific testimony to your brotherhood. As a father of two on the climb I couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations to the entire team-mission accomplished!!
Posted by: Peter Allen on 7/9/2021 at 1:25 pm
You guys are awesome! I can’t wait to hear all about this amazing experience from my husband and brother-in-law who are on this hike! Congrats to the team for this accomplishment!
Posted by: Kristen Allen on 7/8/2021 at 10:37 am
Posted by: Alan Davis, Chase Halbert, Augi Fleer, Connor Mullady
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,600'
The Emmons Seminar began their summit bid this morning at 9:30. They were able to reach a height of 13,600' before weather kept them from safely continuing on to the summit. The team is working their way back to Camp Schurman where they will spend the night. Tomorrow morning they will pack up camp and start their descent back to the trailhead.
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 - 3:24 pm PT
The winds are calm and it's snowing lightly at Denali 14K Camp. Our plan is to pack up camp this afternoon and journey down into the thicker clouds, hopefully making it to Basecamp sometime in the middle of the night. We're not overly optimistic that we'll be able to fly tomorrow...the pilots at K2 Aviation tell us that this weather is supposed to stick around until Saturday. If all goes well we'll at least be in position to fly off the glacier if a clearing presents itself.
We'll let you know how it goes.
Brad,
Looking forward to you getting back and hearing about your adventure.
Your friends at Modern.
Posted by: Dave Brown on 7/8/2021 at 11:14 am
Posted by: James Bealer, Abby Westling, Cal Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
The RMI Glacier Peak Climb, led by James Bealer, started at the trailhead on July 5th in high spirits. They hiked through beautiful old growth forest and crossed cold glacial streams. As the team gained altitude, they could see more and more peaks all around them. Finally they reached the top of White Pass and made camp for the night.
Today, July 7th, the team was on the summit! They plan to move their camp back down the mountain a bit today and hike out tomorrow.
Congratulations team!
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14, 200'
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 - 9:30 pm PT
The winds trailed off during the night -at our level, at least- but we got steady snow for most of the day. We sat in place at 14,200 ft. With the continued poor forecast, we are now just looking for a reasonable break in the storms to start moving downward. While it is a tough thing to give up our summit dreams for 2021, it is at least something of an easy call… the mountain simply has not given us an opening. We are still in an amazingly beautiful place, which we remember each time the clouds thin. And we have still got plenty of mountain climbing -albeit of the downward variety- to do before we’re done.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Get down safe, team! Tell Matt it’s 107 at home, so he won’t have to worry about being cold. First beer back is on me.
Posted by: Amanda Heidt on 7/8/2021 at 9:27 pm
Thinking of the team all the way from New Jersey. Have a safe and uneventful descent. Staying strong Dom!
Posted by: Art Cifelli on 7/8/2021 at 6:55 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Taylor Bickford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Taylor Bickford reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. The team climbed into a cloud cap with wind, blowing snow, and poor visibility, so they did not get to spend too much time on top. They are on the descent and will be back at Camp Muir soon.
Congratulations to today’s teams!
Well done! Congrats to Nicholas de Steiguer!
Posted by: Allen deSteiguer on 7/7/2021 at 12:51 pm
Posted by: Andy Bond, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
100% on Top! The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier team led by RMI Guides Andy Bond and Pepper Dee reached the summit of Mt. Baker early today. The team had a great day of climbing with beautiful route and incredible views the entire climb. They settled back in camp at 6,800' where they will re-fuel, rest for the night. Tomorrow they get an early start, pack up camp and descend to the trailhead.
Congratulations team!
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 - 1:00 pm PT
There's not much new to report today. We're still at 14,000' Camp, waiting for an opportunity to head downhill to the airstrip. Unfortunately we're also still in a snow globe. Apparently it's totally socked in all the way to Talkeetna, with rain in town, so all of the planes are grounded a well. We've got plenty of food and fuel, and we're warm and dry in our camp. The forecast is grim, but we're not desperate, and we'll patiently await a change in the weather.
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, July 5, 2021 - 9:50 pm PT
Score one for the weathermen. They weren’t kidding about this storm. It is real. Came in during the night and by morning it was snowing and blowing and we couldn’t see much. There wasn’t any question of moving camp up to 17,000 ft. In fact, we retreated somewhat. Just after breakfast, RMI Guides Dominic and Matt geared up for the toughest of missions. They trudged out into the teeth of the storm to climb up to retrieve our food cache on the West Buttress. Yes, we were proud to have just placed it there two days ago, but now we can’t afford to be separated from those supplies should avalanche conditions set up in the coming days… which seems likely. The guys had hard going, breaking trail in rapidly accumulating snow. At the 16,000 ft ridge crest they were dealing with winds easily in the 50 mph range, the kind that sound like jet engines even from way down here at 14k. We had plenty strong winds in camp, but of course we were in shelter and comfy, warm and dry. Dom and Matt grabbed the cache and bolted safely back to camp in a total of four very difficult hours. But their work significantly eased our ability to meet our new primary goal: riding out the storm.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On the edge of my seat awaiting your next update. Stay safe, all!
Posted by: Susie Lambert on 7/7/2021 at 3:59 am
Kudos to Dom and Matt for their sprint to recover the cache on the West Buttress!
Hope that the storm abates and progress continues toward 17K.
Joe McEttrick
Posted by: Joseph P McEttrick on 7/6/2021 at 9:44 am
Great going and thanks for the daily updates -wow, what a journey. There’s always 2022! Way to go Matt!
Posted by: Margie McEttrick-Maloney on 7/11/2021 at 5:49 pm
Thanks & best to Dave , team leaders for everything & to ur whole team —-Sanjeev felt safe & had loads of fun w/ y’all !!! Even tho he cant wait to share lots of wonderful stories , I know he will miss y’all lots !!!
A thankyou to the lord for bringing y’all down safely , so y’all can return to beds, etc :) !!!
& Cheers to many more climbs & to reaching summits in the future years !!! Godbless & Keep smiling !!!
Sincerely,
Rohan, Courtney, Nora , Niki & Anjalika
Posted by: Anjalika Nagrath on 7/9/2021 at 10:46 pm
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