RMI Expeditions Blog
RMI Guide Abby Westling and the Emmons Seminar June 25 - 30 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They reached the summit around 6:30 am on a beautiful, clear day. After several days of training and climbing the team put it all together to reach the top. The team will return to Camp Schurman today for their last night on the mountain. They will descend to the White River trailhead tomorrow afternoon and make the drive back to Ashford.
Congratulations Emmons team!
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - 10:39 pm PT
Our climb yesterday earned us a well deserved rest day. After sleeping in we were awoken to some delicious extra cheesy breakfast burritos. This was followed by a musical production of “These Boots Were Made For Climbing” by the soon to be famous Denali 10 (look for us on TikTok). Stay tuned for our upcoming show “Dancing on Denali”, which will include some tasteful nude scenes as well. The rest of our day was spent relaxing as we look forward to beginning our summit push either tomorrow or Friday.
RMI Climber Mark Kulow
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Michael Murray, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - 9:41 pm PT
We celebrated Tibor's birthday with a storm day and a no-bake cheesecake. Familiar weather to us, clouds and snow with winds aloft kept us confined to 14,000ft Camp. We slept, we ate, we dug snow and cut snow blocks. We talked and we read... we passed time. Looking forward to going climbing again when the storm quits.
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Lacie Smith, Charlie Harrison, Evan Sather
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz June 23 - 28, 2023 checked in this morning from the summit crater. After two days of training at Rainier BaseCamp and Paradise the team headed onto the mountain. With several days to train and ascend, the team launched their summit attempt this morning, reaching the crater before 7 am. After enjoying some time on top, the team is now on their descent. RMI Guide Mike Haugen reported a beautiful day with light winds. The team will return to Paradise later this afternoon and be transferred back to Rainier BaseCamp to complete their program.
Nice work team!
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Tatum Whatford, Emma Lyddan, Cal Seeley, Ben Thorneycroft, Will Ambler
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb teams led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Tatum Whatford reached the summit this morning. Joe reported a stormy night at Camp Muir and a cloudy ascent but a clear morning with light winds as they were descending from the crater rim. The teams started their descent from the crater rim a little before 7am today. They will return to Camp Muir for a quick break and then continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 28, 2023 - 9:28 pm PT
We set out on our quest to get a load of supplies onto the West Buttress but the weather deteriorated steadily as we climbed. At 15,400 ft we decided to turn. We set a few personal altitude records, but it was just short of the fixed rope section we had been hoping to climb today. We returned to camp in light snowfall. The afternoon became a quiet napping contest in the tents. We'll try again when we get a break in the storm.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - 8:25 am PT
The morning started out cold, crisp, and clear. Excitement was in the air - today we were climbing.
We ascended the steep snow up to 15,700. For some, each step was a new highest altitude ever climbed, while for others the thin air was all too familiar. Looking up, we could see the two ropes poking out of a steep slope of blue ice and wind blown snow. Looking down, through the clouds that had rolled in, glimpses of our camp could be seen far below. One by one, we attached ourselves to the fixed lines with ascenders. Initially cautious and unsteady, we soon found our footing and got into the groove - one duck step after the other. Nearing the top, the wind had picked up, and it was decided around 16,100 to descend back to camp - our mission of acclimatizing and experiencing the fixed ropes accomplished. Heading down the lines was exhilarating; facing downhill with one arm ensnared around the rope, we leaned forward and let gravity do the work. Relaxing in camp the rest of the day, we all felt prepared and ready - hopefully awaiting our chance to climb higher in the coming days.
RMI Climber Alex Smith
Amazing, so so incredible. Go Alex and team, go! Stay safe and warm.
Posted by: Cristian on 6/28/2023 at 6:19 pm
Gooooo uncle Alex! Hope you packed some Dan Dan noodles for the summit! Xox
Posted by: Liz and Max and ollie on 6/28/2023 at 5:35 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, June 26, 2023 - 10:47 pm PT
We continue to wait and be patient as less then ideal weather hangs onto Denali. Another breakfast of bagels and locks was well received by the team and has helped to keep spirits high. Waiting and being patient is an often overlooked skill necessary for expeditionary climbing. Our team is leaning wholeheartedly into this. After more rest the afternoon was filled with fixed line training In preparation for our continued ascent. Hopes are high for an opportunity to carry and climb above the fixed lines.
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Michael Murray, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, June 26, 2023 - 9:44 pm PT
As expected, the weather was still a little "off" today, with lots of cloud and some wind up high, but it was definitely improving. We took it easy this morning but got in a training session in the afternoon, reviewing techniques we hope to employ tomorrow when we go for a carry, attempting to put supplies at 16,200 ft. This evening, some of the high cloud finally cleared out and the team got to see mountains Hunter and Foraker along with a magnificent view straight up at Denali.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Hey Dustin And Dave,
Hopefully those clear skies come down by you guys and your team!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/28/2023 at 3:39 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Sunday, June 25, 2023 - 10:07 pm PT
Storm day at 14k. Snow and cloud all over camp and thankfully just an odd gust of wind every now and then. But all day long we could hear the wind ripping across the ridges up high, sounding like Niagara Falls. We ate long slow meals, took long naps, moved some snow blocks around and read some books.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Bummer….Sending prayers for clear skies and no wind !!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/28/2023 at 8:08 am
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