RMI Expeditions Blog

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Receive New Snow at 11, 200

May 9, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

May 9, 2017 - 6:26 pm PT Yesterday's light snow increased in intensity over night and turned into a full on powder day today. We woke to dig out the tents around 4:30 am an they were nearly buried again by 10 am. We have received over three feet of snow overnight and it is continuing as I write this. So, we spent the day resting and enjoying one of our favorite rest day activities: digging out camp. We actually needed this rest day, so the snow comes at an opportune time. We would like it to stop though, so we can make our carry to Windy Corner tomorrow. Right now that doesn't seem to be the case, but better weather is forecast for later in the week. Everyone is doing well and enjoying some down time. We'll let you know what tomorrow brings. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Robby,

Given the down time at 11K, hope you found a cribbage partner. Looking forward to seeing your pics when you get back. Good luck to you and the team.

Art
Elevation 644’ !!
Northbrook, IL

Posted by: Art Muir on 5/10/2017 at 10:00 am

Hi Mike, Thom, Todd and David, I am so regret I missed this time. Best wishes for you guys with a good weather window. Dr. David, don’t bend your phone again and shoot some great pictures. I have been thinking what you guy’s schedule this year. I am so jealous!!
Be safe and good luck!!!

Lei from Albany, NY

Posted by: LEI WU on 5/10/2017 at 7:35 am

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Mt. Rainier: Okita & Team Ready for Morning Summit Bid

May 9, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,000'

Our acclimatization climb to Ingraham Flats went well today with beautiful weather. What a view of the mountain. Our guide training team went to the summit and prepped the route for us, so we should be in good shape for our climb tonight. Let's hope the wind and weather hold for us. I think it will. RMI Guide Brent Okita

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

WOW! Incredible trip, Sheila! You are an inspiration!

Posted by: Peg on 5/9/2017 at 5:51 pm

Shout to Sheila from James here in Clearwater Beach Florida. One of my favorite mountains seen many of times from a plane or on a clear day when I lived in Seattle. Looking forward to pics and hearing about your adventure.

Posted by: James Whitstt on 5/9/2017 at 3:47 pm

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Alaska Seminar: Learning Mountain Skills in the Great Outdoors

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

Today was off to an early start! After a quick breakfast, we stretched our legs heading up glacier to the base of Radio Tower and beyond to the cirque at the base of the East ridge of Frances, where we chatted about glaciology, route planning and navigation. Menacing seracs and at times nearly white-out conditions made the teachings come to life. After heading back to camp and a quick break, we learned and reviewed basic knots and hitches to get us ready for session 1 of basic crevasse rescue. We put to use our anchor building tactics from the previous day and spent the afternoon doing basic rescue drills. Cozying up to burritos was a great end to a long day. RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & team

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Retrieve Cache Below 11K Camp

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

We slept in this morning and then enjoyed a breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and smoked salmon. Then we headed back down glacier to retrieve the cache we left there two days ago. It was a warm day with light snow and no wind. Now that we have all of our supplies with us at 11k, we'll start to strategize our move to the upper mountain. The next move for us is to carry supplies up around Windy Corner and establish a cache at around 13,700'. We're still not sure if that will happen tomorrow or if we will take our first full rest day. Weather will certainly play a role in that decision. We will let you know what we decide and touch base tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

...don’t sleep in too long DWH! love you and am so proud of you! - mom sends her love as well! Prayers for a safe summit AKS

Posted by: Ann Kathryn Hines-Scott on 5/10/2017 at 3:37 am

Beautiful sky! Hope the rest of you got out of your tents to see that glorious sight!

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 5/9/2017 at 6:29 pm

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Alaska Seminar: Team Begins Training

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Jessie Poquerusse, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

May 7, 2017 - 8:40 pm PT Success on day 2 of the Alaska Mountaineering Seminar - Expedition! We started out the day going over the bread and butter of mountaineering, including snow walking, using and traveling with crampons and practicing self arrest. We then progressed into learning about and building snow anchors. After a short rest, the calm morning gave way to snow flurries, which gradually picked up as we learned and began to build a wall or our camp--earning our dinners! Overall, it was a full day of review, learning, and work and we're all happily in bed resting ready for our first jaunt onto the glacier tomorrow. RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & team

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to 11,200’ Camp

May 8, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

I'm writing this dispatch from our new home at 11,200'. Everyone did great on our move today, hauling our sleds and heavy backpacks up 3,400' from the base of Ski Hill. The weather started as mostly cloudy, then transitioned to white out conditions where you could not differentiate sky from glacier. We flew on instruments most of the day today. There was also snow and drifting snow that made the climbing even more challenging. Everybody climbed strong and came into camp in style. Tomorrow we sleep in and rest a little bit and then head back down to 10,300' to retrieve the cache that we left there yesterday. It should be a much easier day than today. We'll check back tomorrow to let you know how it goes. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear all is well. Keep up the good work everyone, and remember the power of meditation, David!
P.S. The wheelbarrow is now full of gray, moldy peanuts, being nibbled on by squirrels who are sneaking into the garage…what should I do?

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 5/8/2017 at 9:09 pm

Way to go Rue and team!!!! #beastmode

Cheers,
Cindee

Posted by: Cindee on 5/8/2017 at 7:14 pm

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Denali Expedition: Mike Walter & Team Carry to 10,300’

May 7, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska

Elevation: 7,800'

May 6, 2017 11:18 pm PST We had a very successful day today, carrying a load of supplies up to around 10,300' where we buried it under a couple meters of snow so that the ravens won't dig it up. Then we returned back to our camp at the Base of Ski Hill (7800') for the night. After a good hot dinner, we've all retired to our sleeping bags for well earned rest. Tomorrow we are hoping to move camp up to 11,200'. We'll let you know how it goes. RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team

Alaska Seminar Expedition: Team Arrives at Kahiltna Base Camp

May 7, 2017

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Jessie Poquerusse

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

Some people spend the day after Cinco de Mayo in bed nursing a hangover. We spent it by packing gear, trading street shoes for climbing boots and flying onto the Kahiltna glacier. Our team arrived prepared and by 2 pm we were stomping out camp on the hill overlooking the airstrip. The team worked quickly and here we are ready for bed at 8 pm. Great weather today and great views of the surrounding peaks. Tomorrow we will begin our skills training and fortify camp for some potential weather moving in. RMI Guide Leon Davis & Team

Denali Expedition: Mike Walter & Team Fly in to Base Camp

May 6, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7800'

May 6, 2017 11:34am PST We had perfect weather yesterday that made for smooth flights from Talkeetna to the Kahiltna Glacier in two of K2 Aviation's ski planes. After a couple of hours sorting gear and digging our Base Camp cache, we donned our backpacks and started pulling sleds en route to our first camp. Beautiful weather continued the entire day and we're now at 7800' at the base of "Ski Hill". After a solid night's rest, we have the stoves back up and rolling for breakfast. Our plan today is to carry a cache supplies (mostly food and fuel) up another couple thousand feet and then return back to this same camp tonight. We'll keep you posted on our progress. RMI Mike Walter & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Mike, Thom, Todd and Dave—

Reflecting daily on your climb and remembering our adventure last year. Wishing you strength, good health and excellent weather during your climb. Eat! Get those calories! Stay strong. It’s is an outstanding achievement, give it your best and come home safe.

From Brussels, Belgium.

“DOK”

Posted by: Kevin on 5/7/2017 at 12:48 pm

Hi Todd, Thom, Dave and Mike.

Following your progress, climb strong and safe. Hope you have fantastic weather this year.

All the best

Rogan Davies

Posted by: Rogan Davies on 5/7/2017 at 8:53 am

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Denali Expedition: Mike Walter & Team Ready in Talkeenta

May 5, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

Thursday, May 4, 2017 7:20 pm PT Well, RMI's 2017 Denali season has officially started. Our team all assembled in Anchorage yesterday and we traveled north to the town of Talkeetna. Talkeetna is quite sleepy this time of year, but it'll be a different story in a few weeks when we return from our expedition. The town will be abuzz with tourists and climbers looking to see the majesty of the Alaska Range. Today was spent at the K2 Aviation Hangar, meticulously preparing and packing our equipment for the next few weeks on the mountain. Tomorrow (weather permitting) we'll be flown on to the Kahiltna glacier by single engine airplanes to start our expedition. It's important that we have our gear dialed before we get dropped off in the middle of the Alaska Range. Every one is stoked for the journey ahead of us. We know there will be a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it will certainly be rewarding. Thanks for checking in. We'll be sending frequent updates, so be sure to check back soon. Hopefully our next dispatch will come from the beautiful austerity of the Alaska Range. RMI Guides Mike Walter, Robby Young & Lucas Haaland

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Safe travels and have fun!! Doing it in beast mode Rue!!! Good luck to you and your entire team.

Cheers,
Cindee

Posted by: Cindee on 5/5/2017 at 7:59 pm

With you in spirit. Hoping for great weather. Cheers.

Posted by: Chuck H on 5/5/2017 at 2:00 pm

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RMI Expeditions Blog

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Receive New Snow at 11, 200

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Okita & Team Ready for Morning Summit Bid

Alaska Seminar: Learning Mountain Skills in the Great Outdoors

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Retrieve Cache Below 11K Camp

Alaska Seminar: Team Begins Training

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to 11,200’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Mike Walter & Team Carry to 10,300’

Alaska Seminar Expedition: Team Arrives at Kahiltna Base Camp

Denali Expedition: Mike Walter & Team Fly in to Base Camp

Denali Expedition: Mike Walter & Team Ready in Talkeenta

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