RMI Expeditions Blog

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Receive a Foot of Snow at 14,000 ft Camp

May 16, 2016

Posted by: Billy Haas, Blake Votilla, Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 15, 2016 - 10:35 pm PT The day started with our camp above the clouds deck and good views of Mt. Hunter and Foraker. After breakfast we headed downhill with empty packs to retrieve our cache at 13,700'. After a fifteen minute walk downhill and an hour back to camp, we are all set with all of our gear at 14k. After we returned to camp, the clouds lifted and it began to snow. It snowed all afternoon, with about a foot of accumulation. As I write this dispatch from my sleeping bag tonight, there is blue sky above us. Hopefully the snow is done and tomorrow we can climb. We're hoping to carry a cache of supplies up above the fixed ropes tomorrow, up above 16,00'. We'll touch base again tomorrow to let you know how it goes, thanks for following our trip. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Absolutely beautiful pictures. Glad for all information. Cheers to the team.

Posted by: Donna on 5/16/2016 at 4:57 pm

Hi Rogan and team, well done, it’s been marvellous following your trip. Congrats so far!

Rogue your beautiful wife is fine, the op looks as if it was really successful and by the time I fetched her she had already walked and climbed stairs with the crutches. In fact she could probably climb Denali with a bit more practise!

You are well past the halfway mark, according to the map, one more stop and then the summit. Never give up! Ever! I didn’t with Wfm and that was also really difficult.

You trained so hard, you are quite capable of reaching the summit, your Angels are with you!
I’m so looking forward to seeing all your photos.

I suppose you know that 4 guys reached the top of Everest, the first in two full years!

I wish the blue skies remain, you must be sick of snow by now? Focus on the wonderful scenery, not seen by many, it’s such a privilege you are experiencing.

Hope you all have a great climb tomorrow, it will be different by the looks of things. Good luck and vasbyt!
Love you so much, mom xx

Posted by: Daphne Carew on 5/16/2016 at 1:36 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Check in from 11,200 ft Camp

May 16, 2016

Posted by: Jess Matthews, Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

May 16, 2016 - 1:31 am PT Howdy to everybody from 11,200 feet! We had a great move up the Kahiltna, experiencing every type of weather along the way: smoking hot sun, thin clouds that turned on the microwave, thicker clouds that cooled us off, snow with wind, and finally snow without wind. Despite all of that, our travels were very smooth, and we walked into camp in the late afternoon. Move days are a lot of work; not just the climbing, but once at camp, we have to construct a whole new camp with platforms, walls, and kitchen. All told it's a lot of digging and a lot of snow to move, but this crew's teamwork was exemplary, and with a couple of hours of pounding away, we have a solid new place to call home for a few days. We'll say hi tomorrow, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Jess Matthews and team

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Well done team ,looks like ur making good progress moving on up to ur next plattoe it looks awesome from up there the team looks like they r enjoying this venture be safe, keep us all posted, ur friends from “The Downs"xo

Posted by: Joe&Patty; on 5/17/2016 at 3:20 am

Good job! You’ve got a lot of people rooting for the team from Denver! That’s a lot of snow. I guess you better get used to it! Keep on trekking and good luck. I know the team can accomplish its goal!

Posted by: Jamie on 5/16/2016 at 7:57 pm

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Alaska Seminar: Team Begins Their Training

May 16, 2016

Posted by: Leon Davis, Megan Budge, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

May 15, 2016 - 9:39 pm Greetings from base camp, This morning we were not greeted with the sunny cloudless skies, but a low cloud ceiling. The precipitation fell as snow but behaved like rain once on the ground. That did not stop us from fortifying camp with snow walls which the team dispatched of quickly. It's a fast hard working crew we have here. A few folks ran some crevasse rescue drills in the fog while the rest of the team did some training around camp. Tomorrow we plan to explore the southeast fork and try to climb something while getting some real field immersion training. Rain or shine we will be getting some real Alaskan expedition training in. That's a goodnight from us here in midnight sun country. RMI Guides Leon Davis, Mike King & Megan Budge

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Fly onto Kahiltna Glacier

May 15, 2016

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Megan Budge

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Seminar

Elevation: 7,300'

Saturday, May 14, 2016 - 11:47 p.m. PDT Good evening friends and family! Today our Alaska Mountaineering Seminar - Expedition flew onto the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier in unseasonably warm temperatures. Talkeetna is experiencing temperatures that are 20 degrees above average and it's hard to wait around dressed in climbing clothes. But things are all good here in the mountains. The Cliff Hudson Fly In was going on in Talkeetna today so we were able to experience various aircraft showing off their abilities in honor of the late bush pilot Cliff Hudson. It was very exciting to share the same airport with old WWII planes and newest bush planes. Stay tuned for more seminar stories... RMI Guide Leon Davis and team

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer and Team Enjoy Rest Day

May 15, 2016

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 10,400'

Saturday, May 14th - 3:32pm PST We put our intention to move to 11,000' on hold today and decided that after a couple of big days with big loads, a rest day was in order. A leisurely wake up and breakfast led to naps and lunch, which led to more naps, photography sessions, and dinner. All together, the perfect rest day. Tomorrow, we'll wake, pack up this lovely camp, and make the move to 11,000'. This has been a great home but everyone is excited to move on and check out some new scenery. We'll check in tomorrow. Best, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Jess Matthews, and team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Go Hitesh!!! We’re with you in spirit!

Posted by: Purvi on 5/16/2016 at 2:38 pm

Looking good team! Keep on keepin’ on!

Posted by: Chris B on 5/15/2016 at 10:47 pm

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to 14,200’

May 15, 2016

Posted by: Mike Walter, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Saturday, May 14th - 2:57pm PST Hey Guys, This is RMI Guide Billy Haas checking in for the May 3rd, Mike Walter, Denali, West Buttress expedition. We are currently comfortably camped at 14,200 ft after making the move up today from our previous camp at 11,000 ft. We experienced hot, but ideal conditions on the mountain today for our move. Calm winds and blue skies made for a pleasant climb around Windy Corner, allowing us ample time to establish our new camp here in Genet Basin. Tomorrow we hope to reclaim our cache of food and supplies at 13,500 ft, and look forward to positioning ourselves for our eventual move to High Camp. The team is in great spirits and excited to be in a new camp, and we are all looking forward to the light back carry day tomorrow. Cheers, Billy

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Die fotos is indrukwekkend. Bly koel. En druk die gidse vas teen ‘n sneeuman as hulle woer-woer speel.

Kyk nie na die spits nie. “one step at a time”. Maar, wie sal dan beter weet as jy my ou Duifie. Mooi dinge.

Posted by: Ken on 5/17/2016 at 10:29 am

Hey Rogz - keep climbing - been thinking about you a lot since our last chat.
It was a long day but home safe and sound. Don’t give up - keep going and Go Large - never give us - love you and miss you xxx

Posted by: Melanie on 5/16/2016 at 9:22 am

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Mt Rainier: May 15th Update

May 15, 2016

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 12,300'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Tyler Jones and Ben Liken reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver before winds and weather forced them to turn. Tyler reported several inches of fresh snow on the upper mountain. The team is back at Camp Muir and will be starting their descent to Paradise shortly. Congratulations to today's Team!

Mt. Rainier: May 14th - Summit!

May 14, 2016

Posted by: Casey Grom, Kel Rossiter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

Our Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Kel Rossiter Reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported moderate winds of 20 – 30 MPH and a bit of light Snow. The team was able to spend a brief amount of time on the Crater Rim before starting their descent. The team is en route to Camp Muir and will be back at Ashford Basecamp this afternoon. Today also marks the 200th Summit of Mt. Rainier for our lead Guide Casey Grom. Casey has been a guide with RMI Expeditions for over ten years, and has successfully reached the top of many peaks all over the world including Mt. Everest. Congratulations to Casey on a very successful climbing career, we look forward to sharing many more summits with you!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations to the team and to the guide for his superior performance on such a grueling mountain. Climbing it one time is a dream of mine.

Posted by: Kevin Stone on 5/16/2016 at 11:44 am

Congrats! Just curious, were ladders required or put in place over crevasses?

Posted by: Amanda on 5/15/2016 at 12:21 pm

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DENALI EXPEDITION: Van Deventer and Team Move to Kahiltna Pass

May 14, 2016

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Robby Young

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 10,400'

May 13, 2016 - 6:02 PM PST Progress in the mountains comes in small, incremental pieces. Today that meant moving 17 days of food and fuel, as well as the bulk of our lunch food, up to 10,400' at Kahiltna Pass. It was an impressive pile that went into our cache hole, and will make our loads much friendlier tomorrow for our anticipated move to 11k camp. It was a warm day, scorching even, when we lost the light down glacier breeze, but everyone did great, and cruised the return trip with empty packs and sleds. We had a sumptuous meal of quesadillas, and now everyone has crawled into sleeping bags to escape the chill that happens as soon as the sun drops below the mountains, reminding us that this is still May in Alaska. We'll let you know what adventures we find tomorrow. Thanks for following RMI Guides Pete VanDeventer, Robby Young, Jess Matthews, and Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Keep up the good work guys, and keep sending the pictures. It inspires those of us who want to do it.

Thanks

Posted by: Kevin Stone on 5/16/2016 at 11:56 am

Hi Lisa looks like ur making good progress on this adventurous climb, just to drop a line the Downs was tough yesterday with 25-30 mph came home in 36 though hit it real solid 2 birdies one on 18 for 78 not trying to rub it in but letting u know the Downs is calling u, everyone is asking for u so I’m filling them in on ur tough journey. Bill was asking for u as was Tom Sepp and the crew anyway be safe and climb on.

Posted by: Joe&Pat; on 5/16/2016 at 3:11 am

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Resting at 11,000 ft Camp

May 13, 2016

Posted by: Billy Haas, Blake Votilla, Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 13, 2016 - 3:11 pm PT We're here at 11,000' resting and acclimating for our move to 14,000', which will hopefully happen tomorrow. The weather is great right now, and we expect that to persist through at least tomorrow. Hopefully our next correspondence will come from 14,000'. Conditions and weather are good, and we are well rested, acclimated, and eager. We're ready to make the move! RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Rogan, you must be well acclimatised by now so hopefully you can start your climbing tomorrow once again. That’s what you trained for isn’t it? I wish you good luck with the weather and the climb.
We are having late drizzly rain today, we are gratefull for this rain as I think it will be our last till next summer, temps have dropped to 18 but will rise again when the wet front moves on.
I hope you are well and enjoying your snacks, thinking of you every day, am so proud of you, always have been. Love you stukkend, mom xx

Posted by: Daphne Carew on 5/14/2016 at 2:34 am

Hi there kid Adelle..still resting i see. Move the butt and get up the mountain. Onwards and upwards i always said when i last climbed Everest.. Kids are fine and chubby. Dean is playing guitar like a dream. There is a lot of talent in that little soul. Kaela is studying a lot and has tests coming up so we shall see. Very much like her mamma in that you cant tell her anything. And i have so much to tell!!! Anyways we look forward to the blog everyday. Please thank the bloggers for the families left on Mother Earth. Enjoy your time and bring me a Yeti back. There should be one around the next corner. Bring Jaco a Unicorn….you just never know. Actually just bring yourself back. Love you SOOO much! ME.

Posted by: Maureen on 5/14/2016 at 2:03 am

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RMI Expeditions Blog

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Receive a Foot of Snow at 14,000 ft Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Check in from 11,200 ft Camp

On The Map

Alaska Seminar: Team Begins Their Training

Alaska Seminar: Davis & Team Fly onto Kahiltna Glacier

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer and Team Enjoy Rest Day

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to 14,200’

Mt Rainier: May 15th Update

Mt. Rainier: May 14th - Summit!

DENALI EXPEDITION: Van Deventer and Team Move to Kahiltna Pass

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Resting at 11,000 ft Camp

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