Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Move to 14,200’ Camp

June 1, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

May 31, 2017 Finally, our string of bad weather is over and summer has come to Denali! Yahoo. Braving the early morning chill of camp at 11,200' we didn't linger in the Posh over breakfast but set about taking down camp after our oatmeal and coffee fix. Everyone did a great job and we were climbing by 9:00am. We did have company on the route, but the traffic was manageable. Unlike our previous climb of the route when we made our carry, this time we ended up walking in just a base layer after it warmed up in the afternoon. What a treat. All that said, the move to 14,200' is always tough. It's just a big jump in altitude for everyone. So yes, we're all feeling it just a bit, but that's normal. The team could not have performed better. We even picked up some of our cache from 13,500'. Tomorrow we have a fairly easy day ahead, which will help our acclimatization to our new home. As the shadows overtake camp, it's starting to get a little chilly. Just a harbinger of the cold that will settle on us tonight. But we're all snug in our tents now ready for the night. Good night from 14,200'. RMI Guides Brent, Christina and JT

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to Camp High Camp Ready for Summit Attempt

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

May 31, 2017 Hi, it's Mike Walter calling on Wednesday May 31st. We had a beautiful day today, and we moved up to the High Camp on Denali's West Buttress, 17200 feet. We got here a little bit after 1pm today and have been setting up camp and resting. Everyone is resting and the weather looks good for tomorrow. So hopefully we'll be able to take a shot at the summit. Everyone is doing well. Hopefully we will be giving you a call from the summit and let you know how it goes. Alright. RMI Guide Mike Walter

RMI Guide Mike Walter checks in from High Camp at 17,200 ft on Denali.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

At the moment with 5/31/2017 imagery you are visible on google earth.

Posted by: Tom Rodger on 9/1/2018 at 11:02 am

SO happy for you David and team! You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Cheers to a summit today! Safe travels down…
AK and Mom

Posted by: Ann Kathryn Scott on 6/1/2017 at 9:43 am

View All Comments

Bolivia Expedition: Frank & Team arrive at Illimani Base Camp

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Eric Frank, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia

When horses eat grass, they shred and tear everything, even the roots. Llamas on the other hand chew to a perfect putting green height. Illimani Base Camp is a massive rolling field, home to dozens and dozens of llamas. So after arriving at base camp this afternoon we found ourselves on one of the largest perfectly manicured fields in Bolivia. And therefore decided that a round of lawn games was required. The only thing we were missing was proper equipment. Nothing a little creativity couldn't solve... Two snow pickets, 18 tent stakes, a dozen moderately round rocks, plus our ice axes and Voilà!, a game of mountain croquette was the highlight of the afternoon. Styles varied, rocks broke in half, and every time a shot looked to go straight it would bounce sideways, but after almost two hours of play we had laughed and cheered our way to a winner. RMI Guide Eric Frank & Team

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

May 31, 2017 Today has been a day of leisure! The team got some much needed rest and we had a long breakfast of chatting and relaxing. The team reviewed some technical skills that we will need for the rest of our climb above here. The guides often refer to the climb up to 11 camp as the approach. This section behind us, we'll pack our cache this evening with our goal being to take the groceries and other luggage up to 14,200 ft tomorrow morning. The heat from the days radiation is intense, and we are currently hiding from the sun. The sleeping bags are out draped over the tents drying, and also cooling the temps inside our 100 sq ft portable homes. Hydration, stretching, and sorting the gear will keep us busy until tomorrow. Hi to all our friends and family! RMI Guide Tyler Jones & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Thanks for the progress updates! I’m sure Matt is wondering how the kickball team is faring without him, and we want him to be fully focused on your dangerous mission, so if you could let me know we have won the past 2 games. We are ranked 7th in the league (of 11) heading in to playoffs next week.

Stay safe & have a great time!!

Posted by: Denise on 6/1/2017 at 11:27 am

Hi John and Team!

Impressed with your progress so far… and love seeing the posts… it looks very very cold! Be safe!

Southwire Groupies

Posted by: Southwire Groupies on 6/1/2017 at 6:43 am

View All Comments

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Reaches Summit!

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Paul Rachele

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir May 28 - 2 June, 2017 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today! RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Paul Rachele led their teams to Camp Muir on Monday and have been working on mountaineering skills. Due to the weather forecast they opted to make their summit attempt today but they will remain at Camp Muir until Friday where they will continue to train. Congratulations to today's Seminar Teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Great Job Team!! Amazing accomplishments!!

Posted by: Jimmy Hoadrea on 6/1/2017 at 5:29 pm

Congratulations guys! Great job, now get off that mountain and get home!

Posted by: Carrie on 6/1/2017 at 12:46 pm

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoying Sunshine at 14,000’ Camp

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 30, 2017 Greetings RMI Denali followers, this is Robby Young with the May 3rd Denali Expedition calling you from Day 26. We are sitting in the sunshine here at 14,000' Camp. We awoke this morning to some cloudy skies, some high winds and snow which delayed our progress uphill just one more day. It looks like the weather is going to be beautiful tomorrow and the next few days giving us our opportunity to finally climb higher on the mountain. We are looking forward to a move to 17,000' Camp tomorrow morning if the weather does in fact allow. Until then, we will talk to you soon. Caio, RMI Guide Robby Young

RMI Guide Robby Young calls from 14,000 ft on Denali.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

The bet was that the Eagles Greatest Hits sold more than 29 million, which it did…I agreed that Thriller sold more.

Also, amazing that you guys summited! Nicely done dudes.

- Mark

Posted by: Mark on 6/7/2017 at 11:54 am

Pretty sure it still isn’t close to Thriller at #1 all time. You can mail me the $50 or send it PayPal. Glad you guaranteed the Eagles was the highest selling all time.

Posted by: Todd on 6/5/2017 at 1:21 pm

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Packed and Ready in Talkeetna

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

May 30, 2017 After a full day packing up, weighing our gear and some serious duffel shuffling we are all set to jet into the Alaska Range tomorrow! Weather permitting we should head in mid morning and take stock of a most beautiful set of mountains. Our fingers are crossed for a grand adventure and we will keep you all posted on our journey. Take care everyone! RMI Guide Jake Beren

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

steve i’m almost jealous! hang tough and godspeed. stay warm!!

Posted by: keith h on 6/2/2017 at 7:51 pm

We love you and wish you and your awonderful safe climb
All the guardian angels are watching over you

Posted by: Mom and Dad zabinski on 6/1/2017 at 11:01 am

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 30, 2017 The weather yesterday evening was a pleasant break in snow showers, but only for a few hours! We had heavy snow over night that wound up only stalling our progress for the time it takes to whip out 100 silver dollar pancakes with blueberries. The morning snow dissipated just as we stuffed the last few items in our packs. We began our climb today in a brisk wind which we welcomed with the hard work of trail breaking. The team did an amazing job getting to our previous high point, where we loaded our personal food and equipment in our sleds. We have "Friends in High Places". Big thanks to our other RMI team lead by Brent, Christina, and JT. They helped us by bringing some of our group food and fuel from our cache yesterday during our storm rest day at 7,800 camp. With the climbing done for the the day, we entered the second half of the work day building camp and a mighty fine job our crew has done. We finished our day with loaded quesadillas and relaxing in the cook house. We are happy to have full bellies and the kit all here ready to rest and acclimatize at camp tomorrow. With weather on our side the team will deliver groceries to 14 Camp on Thursday! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy the Views

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000

May 30, 2017 We woke up to an unexpected foot of fresh snow this morning and unable to see the Buttress above us, let alone many of our camp neighbors. Our initial plans to head uphill became questionable at best, but we crawled out of our warm tents for some breakfast burritos and hoped for a change in the weather. The skies eventually cleared and the sun began to warm the basin, but the winds persisted up high long enough to set our sights on tomorrow. Anxious to stretch our legs, we took advantage of the warm afternoon with a short walk to the "Edge of the World" for some spectacular views of the Alaska Range. The sun brightened spirits and kept folks lingering outside their tents all afternoon to soak it up before dinner. It was a much needed lift to prepare us for our uphill push tomorrow to 17 camp and on to the highest point in North America. RMI Guides Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway, Pete Van Deventer and team

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Excited for Better Weather and Getting Ready to Move

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 30, 2017 Finally we get a break. After nine days of squirrelly, cold, snowy weather the sun broke out just prior to noon. There was an inkling of better weather coming earlier, but nothing definitive. And when it broke, camp went nuts with folks either moving or carrying loads. We opted to stay put, not liking the idea of fighting all that traffic going up Motorcycle Hill and coming into camp at 14,200' late, needing to build camp as the shadows overtake camp and the temperature drops 30 degrees. A couple of folks are fighting small colds, and this warm, easy day is just what the doctor ordered. When we saw rope teams waiting for 30-40 minutes to just leave camp because of the traffic, we felt pretty good about the decision. We certainly enjoyed the day as it became spectacularly sunny and clear. This is the Denali I love and dream of coming back to every year. With the weather folks are streaming into camp and it's as big as I've seen it. But, with just a little luck, we'll be out of here early and moving into a 14,200' camp that has been vacated by the crowds of climbers amassed there waiting for their opportunity to move to 17,200' camp for a bid for the summit. Everyone's dispositions have brightened with the sunshine, which is amazing considering the good cheer among the team even in the poor weather. We'll be talking to you from 14,200' soon! RMI Guides Brent Okita, Christina Dale and JT Schmitt

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Way to go Alex and Tom!! We are rooting for you today getting to 14,000!!! We all wish you well and stay strong from Colorado!!

Posted by: nicole celona-jacobs on 6/1/2017 at 10:14 am

Alex and Tom,
I am so excited for you both, it sounds like your are doing great. Keep up the hard work and perseverance! Warm thoughts!

Posted by: Cindy K on 6/1/2017 at 10:13 am

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

Check Availability

Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Move to 14,200’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to Camp High Camp Ready for Summit Attempt

On The Map

Bolivia Expedition: Frank & Team arrive at Illimani Base Camp

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Enjoy a Rest Day

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Reaches Summit!

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoying Sunshine at 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Beren & Team Packed and Ready in Talkeetna

Denali Expedition: Jones & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy the Views

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Excited for Better Weather and Getting Ready to Move

On The Map

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

Entries from Expedition Dispatches

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches