Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
Friday, June 18, 2021 - 8:43 am PT
Good morning from Kahiltna Base Camp. We were packed and ready to fly all day yesterday, but the weather wouldn't cooperate with our plans. After playing the waiting game for most of the day, we finally loaded up the two turbine Otters and launched towards the Alaska Range. We arrived at Basecamp at around 6pm and set up shop here. We'll spend the day here today and move to the Base of Ski Hill tonight when the snow freezes back up.
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 10:02 pm PT
Howdy all,
The snow continued through the night and into the morning. A layer of frost coated the under side of the fly. Every time you hit the tent to knock the snow off, the frost fell down onto our sleeping bags. As the sun came out and warmed the tents, the ice melted and the frost turned into little water drops. Due to the snowfall and wet tents, we opted for a rest day to allow everything to get dry. Snow fell most of the day, sometimes while sunny others fully cloudy making for a very white scene. But later in the day the clouds cleared and the views were amazing. Having such great views makes being patient worth it. The temps bounced from chilly to very hot in the tents all day. One could swear it was 100 degrees inside. They say its freeze or fry out here and we can all feel why. Tomorrow's weather looks good, so we will be going to our cache at 13,500' to grab our stuff. Its exciting to be reunited with your snacks you parted ways with at 11,000' camp. Sleeping bags are calling our names.
Till tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Wishing you all the Best Hannah and Dustin!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/19/2021 at 3:32 am
These updates are the highlight of my day, you truly give us perspective on the tremendous feat you have all undertaken and prepared for. Putting it out to the universe for great weather to make the summit happen. The pictures are amazing, keep them coming! I love my Lu, what a golden birthday this is!!!!
Posted by: Daysi on 6/18/2021 at 3:58 pm
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
Thursday, June 17, 2021 1:33 pm PT
This morning we woke up to a foot of new snow and the winds have been blowing 30 mph all day, which is slightly unpleasant but what we expected. There is a lot of strategy in expedition climbing, and this plan is part of that. We got up to 17,000' camp yesterday knowing it would not be possible today, and now we are in position to take advantage of tomorrow’s supposed high pressure.
Send good thoughts our way for good weather tomorrow!
RMI Guides JT, Alan, Kirra and the RMI team.
Vano, when you shotgun a beer at the summit, have you thought about the pressure change and how that beer may just buss everywhere? Please get back to me
-Heater
Posted by: Heater on 6/18/2021 at 5:10 am
Sending good thoughts!
Posted by: Ann on 6/17/2021 at 6:49 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Seth Burns, Connor Mullady, Dan Windham, Stephen Inman, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After several days of high winds and unstable snow conditions, the RMI Teams were greeted with light winds, clear skies and good route conditions. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Dan Windham and their Four Day Climb teams reached the summit of Mt. Rainier shortly after 7 am today. The teams enjoyed some time in the crater getting all the photo ops before descending from the crater rim.
Congratulations to today's teams!
Go Lindsay Kibler and team congratulations!
Posted by: James Newman on 6/18/2021 at 8:29 am
Congrats! Say hi to Lindsay Boo Kibler
Posted by: Steve Kibler on 6/17/2021 at 1:35 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - 9:49 pm PT
Good evening,
We woke today to snowflakes dancing their way to our tent making a pitter patter noise. It was a calm morning with fluffy snow. The clouds rolled in and out throughout breakfast making it a touch and go if we were going to pack up. But then as we finished our cereal and hot drinks, the snow dissipated and blue sky was showing. We broke down camp and hit the snowy trail. Heavy packs and heavy sleds weighed us down but we pushed forward. It was a tough day but we rolled into camp as more snow began to fall. Seeing the tents at 14,000' Camp as we crested the last hill was a marvelous sight. It might as well had been a cheeseburger and beer. Once the camp was established we all crawled into our new home and dried our gear. Some good ole Annie's Mac filled our tummies before we all went back to our sleeping bags for what we all hope to be a great night sleep. As the weather remains squirrely, we will decide what our agenda for tomorrow will be. Could be a back carry or could be a rest day.
Goodnight,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
JULIA JOHANSSON
WE LOVE YIU AND MISS YOU.
Hope you are having an AMAZING EXPERIENCE.! Stay safe and be well :)
Posted by: Abinaders on 6/20/2021 at 7:38 am
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - 8:29 pm PT
We made it to High Camp, 17,200' on Denali. It’s a little blustery but other than that all is good here. Keeping our fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow!
RMI Guide JT Schmitt and the RMI team
Matt - Hopefully your next push will be the summit. Good luck and keep climbing. Best of weather and conditions so you can look down on Ross, Jason and Eli further down the glacier. Congratulations in advance! Gerard
Posted by: Gerard Crum on 6/17/2021 at 8:39 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday June 16, 2021 - 8:30 pm PT
Good evening,
Higher and higher we go! We continued moving gear uphill today. We left camp in the morning and made our way up motorcycle hill. It’s a rather steep hill, very much in your face. But with good cramponing and pressure breathing we made it to the top. Next, we cruised up squirrel hill, across the polo fields, around windy corner to our cache site. Some firm snow made digging our deep hole difficult but the effort is worth it so the ravens don't get at our food. The team is feeling good and looking great. We are all very excited to move to 14k camp tomorrow. There is a weather system possibly hitting the mountain Wednesday night so it will be nice to get out of 11k camp and up to 14k camp in case it produces a bunch of snow. Plus, a new scenery and home will be a fun change as well. It’s the little things that bring you joy on mountain.
Goodnight,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and Team
I’m so exited for the entire team and the tremendous progress you have already made. I wish I could have been there with you Julia and I think about it every day as the memories we shared together from Reiner are as vibrant as if it was yesterday. I love you to the end of the universe and back and the entire family are routing for a wonderful experience out there together with your team. Älskar dig för alltid!! Pappa.
Posted by: Stefan Johansson on 6/16/2021 at 12:40 pm
Happy Anniversary Hector! Lots of love from NY
Posted by: Anna Haring on 6/16/2021 at 11:35 am
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 - 4:50 pm PT
We are enjoying a nice sunny rest day at 14,000’ camp today after our carry to 17,000’ yesterday. We are waiting to see what the weather has in store before we make our next move. All is well here at camp!
RMI Guides JT, Kiira, Alan and the RMI team
Go team go! Hoping for great weather and easy travels!
Posted by: Ellen on 6/16/2021 at 10:12 am
The Expedition Skills Seminar – Emmons left Camp Schurman early this morning heading out for their summit attempt on Mt. Rainer. Due to unstable snow, the team turned at 11,300’ feet. They are heading back to camp where they will spend the remainder of their time on the mountain practicing the alpine mountaineering skills they have been learning all week. The team will descend from Camp Schurman tomorrow afternoon.
Congratulations team!
Posted by: Christina Dale, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,300'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Christina Dale and Dominic Cifelli turned at the top of Disappointment Cleaver early this morning. The team had clear skies above, but due to recent winter-like storms, route conditions on the upper mountian are unstable. The team is in route to Camp Muir and will be descending back to Paradise in the early afternoon.
Congratulations to today’s team!
Praying for safety. Thanks for the update!! Rob, Dad got your postcard today and was thrilled to hear from you. Praying you all make it to the Summit!
Posted by: Marg Millman on 6/22/2021 at 6:25 pm
Miss you Daryl! Looking forward to the updates! Everyone asking about you everyday
Posted by: Katie on 6/21/2021 at 11:02 am
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