Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Return to Talkeetna

May 30, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

Our whole crew is safe and sound back in Talkeetna! After a successful summit of Denali on Sunday, our crew descended to the 14,000’ camp on Monday. Then, after an early start Tuesday, we hiked out to Basecamp and arrived at the airstrip in the early evening and were lucky enough to have some clear weather to fly off of the glacier and back to civilization. We had a great team dinner last night at the West Rib Pub, and we are all enjoying the comforts of real beds and running water! After 18 great days on the mountain, our expedition is officially over. Everyone is parting ways today, heading back to loved ones back home. It was a great adventure on Denali; climbing with a great team, great weather, and a great mountain, it was hard to beat! RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats to the team and Mike for another well lead expedition. A little quicker than last year :)

Posted by: Jeff Rapp on 5/31/2012 at 2:40 pm

Nicely done folks! Welcome back Rich!

Posted by: Erik on 5/31/2012 at 9:06 am

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Summit!

May 28, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

This is Mike calling down from 17,200 on Denali. We reached the summit yesterday at about 7 p.m. on the most beautiful day I’ve ever seen up here – comfortably warm and no winds! We are cooking up a nice breakfast right now and plan on beginning our descent soon. Looking forward to seeing Billy and team at 14,000' and Brent and team at 11,000'. We plan on making it to 11K today, and then heading for the Kahiltna airstrip on Tuesday morning. Weather allowing, we hope to fly off on Tuesday. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

were are you guys? Hope you had a restful day. ET phone home!!!! Love bob Enjoy the time you have on the mountain. Love you tons mom xoxo (Maile)

Posted by: Ginny and bob on 5/29/2012 at 6:56 pm

Amazing accomplishment-kudos to you Mike and your team! Glad that you made it to the summit safely and with such pleasant weather! So glad your Mom forwarded the news to me.Always happy to hear about your endeavors. All the best to you and your group!
Aunt D

Posted by: Mike Walter and team on 5/29/2012 at 5:16 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Postpone Summit Attempt

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Pete Van Deventer called and the team is at 17,200' and are positioned for their summit attempt. The weather changed and the winds were high so they postponed their attempt one day. The team will be going for it tomorrow and hope to give us a call from the summit. RMI Guides Mike Walter & Pete Van Deventer

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Now we have to think of you for a whole another day already because of the stinking weather! NOT!!

You know of course that your Mom and I would be thinking of you even if you were not on a mountain such as Denali!

Hope it happens today for you all.. Be safe and I love you Mom.xoxoxo

Posted by: Ginny & Bob on 5/28/2012 at 10:33 am

I’m on pins and needles. Miss you, Rich. XO

Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/28/2012 at 9:31 am

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Ready for Summit Bid

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Hey guys, this is Mike Walter calling from high camp on Denali, 17,200'. We're all doing great. We are all tucked into our sleeping bags. We moved up here yesterday and rested today. We are hoping for good weather to go for the summit tomorrow, which would be Saturday, May 26th. The forecast is for pretty light winds and some clouds so it is looking promising. We'll give you guy a shout either from up top or back at camp hopefully. Alright. We'll see you. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Mike Walter checks in from 17,200' camp

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Way to go Kyle!!! I am so happy to hear that you reached the summit. I can’t wait to hear all about it! Love you bunches! Christina

Posted by: Christina on 5/29/2012 at 1:40 pm

Congradualations! Awsome Job! We can’t wait to celebrate with you and hear all about it.
Kyle, we LYF

Posted by: Donna & Lloyd on 5/27/2012 at 10:45 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Enjoy Another Rest Day

May 24, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Hey all, One more rest day here at 14,000'. The weather isn't bad, actually really warm for May, but it wasn't perfect this morning so we decided to take one more day of rest. We took the opportunity of a break in the clouds after breakfast to head out to the Edge of the World for some spectacular photos. Just outside of 14 camp, the Edge of the World is where Genet Basin falls away 5,000' to the NE fork of the Kahiltna. The views are spectacular, and we were able to see our first camp at the base of Ski Hill, as well as the climber's track heading up the glacier from Base Camp. It was great to have a chance to stretch our legs, and with our impending summit attempt, the stoke meter is a solid 8 today. Everyone is getting amped up to head high, but with that comes a little bit of nerves for everyone knowing how much effort is just around the corner. Wishing everybody well, over and out from 14,000' RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the gang

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Hi Mai sounds like all is well way up there. Town is good and going up to the lake with Bob this weekend for some sailing should be fun. I know you are ready for the summit so have fun and please be safe. I miss you tons I will keep my finger crossed that the weather is perfect and that all will be good. Love you xoxo Mom

Posted by: Ginny on 5/25/2012 at 4:00 pm

Can’t help applauding you and your team again, Rob. Your pluck and spirits do our hearts good.

Posted by: Pamela on 5/25/2012 at 12:56 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest at 14,000’

May 23, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

We spent today resting at the 14,000' camp on Mt. McKinley, getting stronger for our impending move to high camp (17,000'). The weather today was pretty mild for this time of year, with light snow showers throughout the day. The weather forecast looks pretty good, with similar weather on tap for the rest of the week. Everyone is doing well, and we'll likely take one more rest day here at 14,000' before moving up to high camp. We'll keep you posted. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

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sending well wishes and weather your way.

Posted by: Kym on 5/24/2012 at 8:04 am

Miss talking to you Nick! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
Pam

Posted by: Pam on 5/23/2012 at 6:57 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Cache Supplies at Washburn’s Thumb

May 22, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Today was a crucial day for us to get in position for a summit bid. We carried a couple of days of food plus some personal gear to the bottom of Washburn's Thumb at 16,800'. This cache is an integral part of the strategy of climbing this mountain. Once in place, we can wait for a weather window to move up to camp at 17,000' and then summit. It now becomes a waiting game for us as we need a good forecast for a string of a few days. It was also a great day for us to practice our climbing skills because the real climbing on Denali starts above 14,000'. We got to practice using the fixed lines up to 16,200' to attain the West Buttress. From there, we were greeted with beautiful views and climbing on a thin, rocky ridge. The buttress is the namesake of the route, the reason people come up this way. It requires great attention, but affords amazing climbing and vistas. Everyone did a great job with these 2 new challenges. We even had some members of the group attain new personal high marks! Stokemeter

Now, we're back at camp ready for some rest. We are playing the waiting game now, holding out and hoping the mountain will give us the weather window we need. But the forecast looks pretty good, and we're patient, stubborn, and well prepared. 14K Camp is a great place to get strong, and with a rest day tomorrow we definitely won't be getting out of sleeping bags until the sun hits us. Bringing back an old feature to the blog: the stoke meter is all the way up at a 9.5 right now! RMI Guide Maile Wade and the southside dwellers of 14K!

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You are in good hands. Keep listening to Mike, make good choices and be safe.

Posted by: Diana on 5/23/2012 at 5:50 pm

Kyle, you are an amazing and wonderful boyfriend. Thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers and the sweet note. It definitely made me cry! We are all rooting for you and are so proud of you. Juliana asks me everyday where you are. Even my friend Dan says how inspired he is. On to the top! Hurry home! Love you! Stephenie

Posted by: Stephenie on 5/23/2012 at 7:28 am

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team at 14,000’

May 21, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Hello everyone from the 14,000' camp on Denali. We're taking a rest day today, in order to acclimate and get strong for our forays up higher on the mountain. After a breakfast involving lots of coffee and the universal favorite--bacon, we spent some time finishing off our snow walls at camp. The rest of the day was spent preparing gear for caching up high on the mountain tomorrow, as well as lounging around, reading, and eating. We're planning to carry supplies up high on the West Buttress tomorrow, in preparation for our move to high camp and subsequent summit bid. We'll be in touch again soon. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Rich, thinking of you every moment. Go get ‘em. XO

Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/21/2012 at 4:30 pm

Hi Mike M!! Still rooting for you….and all your team!! Following your trek on the blog! Kick butt and take names!! Can’t wait to see the view from the top!

Posted by: Annette on 5/21/2012 at 2:12 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Retrieve Cache and Build Comforts at 14K Camp

May 19, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

We had a great, mellow day today at the 14k foot camp. After going back to our cache at Windy Corner, we spent the rest of the day building snow walls around our camp to protect us from any wind. We also spent time making our cook tent more comfortable, as well as creating a luxurious bathroom (the little things make a big difference up here!). Now we're getting ready to feast on some tasty chicken quesadillas, with fresh veggies (to be honest, the fresh veggies froze on day one of the trip...but they are thawed out now, and they will be delicious). We're planning to take a full rest day tomorrow, in order to acclimate and get strong for carrying supplies up high on the West Buttress. The weather has been nice and sunny with virtually no wind, and we hope that it persists as we prepare for moving up to high camp and on to the summit. Thanks for all the blog comments. We'll touch base again tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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HI Mai, I hope you had a spectacular Birthday! It is amazing that I can follow you on this incredible adventure via the lovely internet. Be Safe. I Love You - Jill

Posted by: JILL CARR on 5/21/2012 at 8:24 pm

How lucky for you all to have the great views and weather to enjoy on a rest day! At 14k no less. Mai would you consider taking a love grown wrapper to the summit (if you should be so fortunate)? I think Maddy would appreciate it. Hi Mike!
Cheers, B&R

Posted by: Bob & Ruth Wade on 5/21/2012 at 8:06 am

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Set up 14,000’ Camp

May 19, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Hey all! Greetings from 14,000 ft. Yesterday was a busy day as several teams including ourselves, packed up camp at 11k and headed for our advanced basecamp at 14k. Temperatures were cool and the sky was bluebird, making ideal conditions for climbing. Windy Corner gave us a little taste with a chilly breeze blowing as we approached. As soon as we rounded it, however, the breeze died and the sun turned on the microwave. Move days are hard work. Not only do you have a long day with heavy packs, but at the end of it you have to spend several hours reestablishing camp. The team did great and we moved into a quite comfortable camp; important because this is where we will stage from and wait for our weather window to head for the summit. Today we will head down to retrieve our cache at 13k, and spend the rest of the day fortifying camp with large snow walls so that we are prepared for a storm. We want to wish Maile a super happy birthday, and we're glad she's up here celebrating it with us! Hasta luego, RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and team

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Happy Birthday Mai!!! We had a cold beer in your honor! Glad you guys made it to 14 camp—looks incredible! Safe climbing! xo

Posted by: Jenny on 5/20/2012 at 7:10 am

Glad you’re having great weather and time. Not so great here (weather wise). Missed Mike at Torch Run today. I ran with CJ this year and Officer Umbs beat us. Furry kids up to their same old tricks and more…

Posted by: Kym on 5/20/2012 at 1:07 am

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