RMI Expeditions Blog
Sundy, June 2, 2024 - 10:20 pm PT
Hello readers!
Welcome to RMI's Denali Expedition #5. Today is day 1 of our expedition. The team traveled from near and far to get to Anchorage. Quick introductions and a brief run down over the gear list and we were out the door and piled into a van for our drive to Talkeetna. Before arriving to Talkeetna we made a pitstop in Wasilla to purchase fresh food items like cheese, meats and breads to enjoy on the mountain. We off loaded all our duffels in the airplane hanger for tomorrow's gear check and packing, then made our way to the hotel. Tonight was informal to allow people time to relax or unwind before a busy day tomorrow. Some of the team made their way down to the river and man was it a view. The mountains were out in all their glory. Denali looks so huge, even from a far. What a good start to our trip to have such a spectacular view. As for now we are going to enjoy being in civilization and sleeping in beds. Tomorrow will be a busy day of prepping so we can (fingers crossed) fly onto the glacier on Tuesday.
Goodnight readers,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and Team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 2, 2024
Posted by: James Bealer, Tatum Whatford, Leif Bergstrom, Calvin Jiricko, Layne Peters, Mac Nolde
Categories:
Elevation: 12,300'
June 3: The team started their descent from Camp Muir at 7:30 AM PT today. We expect them to arrive at Paradise around 10 am.
The Five Day Climb May 30 - 3 June led by RMI Guides James Bealer & Tatum Whatford reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver, 12,300', today before deteriorating weather forced them to descend. The team is enroute to Camp Muir. They will spend the night at Camp Muir tonight and descend tomorrow.
Great effort for the team in spite of the awful weather conditions this weekend. Don’t give up hope on a future summit attempt. Took me 3 times before summiting.
Posted by: Neil Schweitzer on 6/2/2024 at 12:11 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Leif Bergstrom, Margo Kerr, Drew O’Brien, Sam Marjerison, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,400'
The Four Day Climb Led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Drew O'Brien reached 13,400' on Mt. Rainier before poor weather forced them to abort and head back towards the shelter of Camp Muir. The team is currently at Camp Muir and will start their descent to Paradise soon.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
Friday May 31, 2024 7:16pm PDT
On Summit!
Saturday, June 1, 2024 12:55am PDT
Returned to 17,000' Camp safely at 10pm and planning to begin descent tomorrow morning.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Sharon and Sarah,
Congratulations On quite the accomplishment. Waiting word from you to come pick you up in Talkeetna.
Hope the descent is going well.
John/Margaret
Posted by: John on 6/1/2024 at 5:48 pm
Congratulations Dustin and Team!!
That is Just Awesome!!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/1/2024 at 12:43 pm
Posted by: Steve Gately, Sam Hoffman, Raymond Holt, Ben Siegel, Ben Thorneycroft, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Steve Gately and Sam Hoffman reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team climbed with clear skies, cold temperatures, and arrived on the summit at sunrise to enjoy the views.
Congratulations Team!
Congrats to all!! Especially Jonathon for making it on his third try. And you ladies rocked it!! Proud of y’all and was happy to be a small part of the experience. There is a bar tab waiting for y’all. Enjoy and safe travels.
Tucker
Posted by: Tucker Graves on 5/31/2024 at 12:31 pm
The Expedition Skill Seminar - Emmons May 26 - 31, led by RMI Guide Seth Burns, Mike Bennett, Will Ambler and Thomas Skoog reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today via the Emmons Glacier route. The team hit the crater rim around 11: 30 am today and due to high winds and big gusts started their descent shortly after. They returned to Camp Schurman around 2:30 pm and will spend a final night at camp. They will start their descent tomorrow morning, getting back to the trail in the afternoon. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp tomorrow afternoon.
Congratulations team!
PC: Tom Skoog and Seth Burns
Strong work team. Props to Mike & the crew. Hope to see you out there in a month!
Posted by: Joe Mueller on 5/31/2024 at 8:45 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dominic Cifelli, Nick Sinapius, Nicole De Petris, Arianna Drechsler, Mac Nolde
Categories:
Elevation: 11,200'
The Four Day Climb May 27 - 30 led by RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Dominic Cifelli reached 11,200ft, Ingraham Flats, today before high winds forced the group to descend. All climbers returned safely to Camp Muir around 4:30 am. They plan to leave Camp Muir at 9 am for their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them in Ashford this afternoon.
PC: Arianna Drechsler & Hannah Smith
Stunning photos!
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 5/31/2024 at 6:48 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 4:15 pm PT
Hello again from 17,000' Camp. The views up here have been rewarding. Our camp is settled above the clouds and other Alaska range peaks. We went to bed early last night with high hopes of getting up for our final summit push. Unfortunately we awoke to less than ideal winds at camp and windy spindrifts on Denali Pass. We started the day with breakfast and hot drinks in our tents to stay out of the elements and have been hunkered down to avoid the cold winds. We’re patient, we’re staying warm and we’re very motivated for another attempt tomorrow!
RMI Guides Lacie, Dustin, Dan and team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Awesome job, Jordan!! We are so proud of you and praying for a safe return!!! Keep it up!!!
Posted by: Dylan and Kat Hunt on 6/1/2024 at 10:46 am
They did it!!! Huge congratulations to the entire team!!!! Love you Skyler!!!
Posted by: Matt Milford on 5/31/2024 at 8:24 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - 9:33 pm PT
We arrived at 17,000' Camp this afternoon and are winding down for the night. Plans to climb tomorrow if winds allow.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Hey Dustin and Team!! Wishing you all the BEST weather for your Summit day!!
PS You all Have an AWESOME guide with Dustin!!!
Climb Strong!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 5/29/2024 at 8:22 am
Yay! hope the winds and weather cooperate for your summit tomorrow. Be safe! Can’t wait to see you soon Chris
Posted by: Christine Riley on 5/29/2024 at 7:48 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Ben Ammon, Josh Geiser, Bailey Servais, Hannah Billings, Layne Peters
Categories:
Elevation: 13,200'
The Five Day Climb May 25 -29 led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Ben Ammon reached 13,200ft on Mt. Rainier today before high winds forced them to turn back. The teams have safely returned to Camp Muir where they may do some additional training and enjoy a final night on the mountain. The team will descend the remaining 4,500' to Paradise tomorrow and conclude their program.
PC: Dave Hahn
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This message is for Meganne Harvey. One of Mackenzie’s shit kids dropped an ice cube down my back today, and I realized quickly this is probably your life 24/7. Anyway you are very missed and I’m sending all the vibes to the team
Posted by: Shane Chase on 6/9/2024 at 8:01 pm
Praying you all have a wonderful enjoyable time. Stay safe Shane.
Posted by: Sonny Digiovanna on 6/4/2024 at 7:34 am
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