RMI Expeditions Blog
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
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Thursday, May 16, 2024 1:33pm PDT
Just checking in, not too much to report.
Winds at camp ramped up last and are strong and gusty this morning. We're hanging at 11k today and plan to move to 14k on the next good weather day.
RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team
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Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Posted by: Andy Bond, Mike Bennett, Drew O’Brien, Charlie Harrison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,200'
The Five Day Climb led by Andy Bond reached 13,200' on Mt. Rainier. The team turned around due to route conditions. They are back at Camp Muir and will be descending to Paradase later today.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 12:11 am
We are camped at the base of Ski Hill, planning to carry tomorrow.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
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Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 11:01 pm PT
We'd like to start today's blog with a special hello from Jackson to Grandma Carol.
Things looked perfect when we first got out of the tents this morning to carry up towards 14,000'. As we exited the cooktent though the winds had started to crank up high, sending lines of snow skyward. We slowly packed, staring uphill trying to make up our minds. After an hour or two the plumes got smaller, and winds seemed to be calming, so we went for it. Turned out well for us. We had at most light breezes all day, and cruised around Windy Corner to the cache spot, deposited our loads of food and accessories, and cruised back to camp, light as a feather. It was a good days work. We're going to look for our best opportunity to move to 14,000' Camp, weather permitting and that will be the next big step. Maybe tomorrow, maybe after. As with all things, we'll see.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
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Denali Expedition, May 7, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 2:51 pm PT
With our cache established around Windy Corner, our team is resting at 11,000' Camp. It's a bit breezy in camp, much windier up high. A good day to chill.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
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Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Keep up the great work team! waiting on these blog posts daily. So excited for all of you!
Pouliot you are my hero!
Posted by: Tucker G Balam on 5/16/2024 at 11:54 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 7:47 pm PT
We had a stellar day of rest and recovery today at 11,000' Camp. The skies were blue as could be and camp was calm and warm. We waited to leave tents until the sun hit, and lingered over blueberry pancakes and coffee. The midday was time for naps, movies, wet wipe baths, fresh clothes, etc. Then we did a quick hour long practice session of cramponing, arrest, and rope travel practice, before a couple more hours of lounging. We're now properly setup for a carry around Windy Corner tomorrow. Ever higher we go!
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 7, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 8:42 pm PT
We had great weather today and got a cache established up around Windy Corner at about 13,700'. We are all back at camp now. Keeping it brief. Still lots of work to do tonight before we can get horizontal. We'll check in again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
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Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Keep up the great work everyone! There are MANY of us following your adventure. Be safe. Stay warm. Keep crushing it.
Posted by: Bruce Wilhelm on 5/15/2024 at 7:57 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 9:44 pm PT
Hello everyone! It's been a hectic couple of days packing and prepping for flying on today. We arrived at Kahiltna Basecamp following a smooth and scenic ride from Talkeetna. The team spent the day acquainting themselves with life on the glacier and enjoying this beautiful place. Tomorrow we plan to head for the base of Ski Hill. Everyone still smells pretty good and we are feeling motivated to start moving.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
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Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Sending you guys love from Portland. Jazzy says hi, Sarah! <3
Posted by: Hannah on 5/16/2024 at 3:52 pm
Dan!
Way to go snookums, I couldn’t be more proud of you! Keep up the great work!
With Love,
Your Aunt Bon Bon
Posted by: Aunt Bon Bon on 5/16/2024 at 6:21 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Josh Geiser, Sam Marjerison, Nick Sinapius
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
Our team woke to winds high enough to hold you still and push you around. We pushed to first break at Ingraham Flats where we decided that would be our high point. A lot of steep terrain above would not have been fun to be on in any amount of wind. Everyone has been enjoying a bit more rest before making our way back down to Paradise later this morning.
On a bright side, a fox was spotted in camp. It appeared to be healthy and quite quick at running across glaciers.
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Huh. Didn’t even know foxes lived up there ...
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 5/15/2024 at 8:54 am
RMI's May 12th Denali Expedition led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier, Dan May and Lacie Smith have spent the last few days traveling to Talkeetna, Alaska, packing gear and weighing all the gear. They are now at the K2 Aviation hangar and getting ready to fly to the Kahiltna Glacier and get this expedition started.
Good luck team!
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Good luck and Godspeed!
Posted by: Matt Milford on 5/15/2024 at 8:06 am
Hey Dustin! All the best to you and your team!!!
I ll be following you and sending thoughts of blue skies , calm winds and strong legs and lungs!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 5/15/2024 at 3:45 am
Happy birthday Andre !
We are so proud of you and wish you to reach your goals on this trip. Come back safe, we love you.
Logan, Dereck and Veronique xxx
Posted by: Logan, Dereck and Veronique on 5/19/2024 at 6:19 am
Bonne fête André! C’est magique de fêter son anniversaire en Alaska. Profite au maximum!
☀️
Posted by: Lynda Gervais on 5/19/2024 at 5:45 am
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