Entries By Brent Okita

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climbs led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Walter Hailes reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Brent reported clear and warm conditions. The teams are enjoying some time on the summit. They will return to Camp Muir later this morning and then continue their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Teams! Happy Independence Day!

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Congratulations !!!
I knew you could make it.
We are so proud of you & love you

Posted by: Sookie on 7/4/2014 at 3:51 pm

CONGRATS, Jeff & team!! Amazing feat - I’m so proud of you, hon! What a way to celebrate the 4th!

Posted by: Grace Roh on 7/4/2014 at 9:13 am

Mt. Rainier: June 29th Summit!

June 29, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis

Elevation: 14,410'

The Mt. Rainier Summit Climbs led by Brent Okita and Leon Davis crested the crater rim at 7:35 a.m. Brent reported 25 mph winds and the cloud deck was at 9,500’. The teams spent some time on the summit before beginning their descent at 8:40 a.m. Congratulations to today's summit climbers!

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Good jobs guys! That is so cool. Glad to
hear you had good conditions. Can’t wait
to see some pictures.

Posted by: Harvey Kruckenberg on 6/29/2014 at 11:52 am

Way to go guys! Can’t wait to hear about it!

Posted by: Dawn Kruckenberg on 6/29/2014 at 11:31 am

Mt. Rainier: June 24th SUMMIT!

June 24, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike Uchal, Christina Dale, Seth Waterfall, Mike King, Robby Young

Elevation: 14,410'

Early this morning the Four Day Summit Climb led by Brent Okita reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. Brent reported clouds above and winds 20 mph, and some new snow on the mountain. The team has started their descent and are now en route back to Camp Muir. The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons Team led by Seth Waterfall reached the summit via the Emmons route at 11:50am this morning. The will spend a bit of time on the summit before starting their descent. Congratulations to Today's Teams!

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Good job NS fellas! Hope you have some good snaps to show us - looking forward to you coming home :)

Posted by: Megan on 6/24/2014 at 6:53 pm

Well done Andrew and crew. Suggest you take the elevator on the way back down. I guess you are the next guy to climb the mast.

Posted by: Herbie on 6/24/2014 at 5:48 pm

Mt. Rainier: June 20th SUMMIT!

June 20, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Solveig Waterfall, Mike Soucy

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Mike Soucy was 30 minutes from the crater rim at 7:40 am as reported by Camp Muir. Camp Muir reported calm winds, and clear skies. The team will spend a bit of time on the summit before starting their descent. The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons spent a misty afternoon practicing crevasse rescue and ice climbing skills on the Emmons Glacier near Camp Schurman The spent the evening in camp, having dinner, relaxing, and celebrating an exciting, strenuous and very windy climb to 13,200' yesterday. The team is descending from their camp this morning and will return to Ashford this afternoon around 3:30 pm. Congratulations to Today's Teams!

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Looking good guys!!!

Posted by: Sarah on 6/22/2014 at 2:48 am

GO TEAM!!

Posted by: Jan Hejl on 6/20/2014 at 11:08 pm

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Grounded

June 7, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

June 7, 2014 - 7:23 pm PT The past day and a half have been a whirlwind. Awakening early at 14,200' the skies had cleared spectacularly, a very nice change from the snowy weather we had getting to camp. With new snow on the ground climbing back down to 11,200' camp was easy. We picked up our cache and visited with friends and some fellow guides before heading down glacier to Basecamp. Because the glacier was in great shape we could travel during the day without needing to get on to a nighttime schedule to walk when the snow is cold and crevasse bridges stronger and safer. Six hours later we were at the airstrip on the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. An hour later the great pilots at K2 had landed and were whisking us back to civilization. It was a rush to get in a shower before the restaurants closed. But we made it and gorged on some wonderful food and cold beverages. A visit to the infamous Fairview Inn to celebrate our trip led some to hydrate to excess into the wee hours of the morning, but incredibly all made it to breakfast at 8:00. And now we've split up and are going our own ways. Part of the team are going fishing and enjoying this great state some more, while the rest of us are flying home. Leah, Nick and I are among those going home, opting out of fishing this time so we can see our loved ones, and take a well deserved rest. Thanks for following along on our great adventure. See you next year! RMI Guides Brent Okita, Leah Fisher and Nick Hunt

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Down from 17,200’

June 6, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

Elevation: 14,200'

June 5, 2014 - 11:00 pm PT We broke camp early today given our usual plan for getting down towards Basecamp and hopefully off the mountain in another day or so, but today not all went to plan. Some equipment malfunctions and mostly general fatigue has us camped again at 14,200', getting recharged for our walk back to the airstrip and closer to a burger, beer, and you. The forecast looks good for walking down the Kahiltna so we're all hopeful. Hope to see you all soon. RMI Guides Brent, Leah and Nick

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So excited that mission Denali is almost completed. Great Team and great Guides!!! Hope tonight will be your last night in the snow. Love to Daniel and the entire Team.

Mom & Rob

Posted by: Lena Akerman on 6/6/2014 at 9:57 pm

Sitting between the dogs, drinking a martini while Blair cooks. We are very excited for you and the group! Take care and be safe.
Debbie and Blair

Posted by: Debbie Okita on 6/6/2014 at 4:01 pm

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Back in Camp

June 5, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

Elevation: 17,200'

June 5, 2014 - 1:44 am PT We're all safely back in camp, horizontal and happy at 17,200' on Mt. McKinley. And to no small degree exhausted. It was a perfect day: sunny and calm with never more than a 5-10 mph wind. But mostly calm. A lot of other climbers were taking advantage of the good weather too, but traffic was nicely spread out. Tomorrow is another big day as we descend to 11,200' camp to retrieve our cache and get on to a night time schedule. All for now. It's cold and I too am ready to get horizontal. Goodnight from RMI Guide Brent Okita

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Hey Rick Popp!
Fantastic my friend!! I buy the beer and you tell me all about the summit. I talked to Dan on Wednesday and he was watching you to. Looks like you have many others watching this adventure of yours as well. Safe travels till you get home. Scott

Posted by: Scott DeWaard on 6/6/2014 at 6:49 am

Yay Steve!!! and team - congrats - Now come home and climb!!

Posted by: Team Fairway on 6/6/2014 at 5:55 am

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Summit!

June 4, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

Elevation: 20,320'

June 4, 2014 - 7:43 pm PT Hi, this is Brent from the RMI Okita McKinley Expedition. I am super psyched to report that we just summitted Denali about an hour ago, about 5:30 [Alaska time] this evening under perfect conditions. Minimal wind, hardly anything, and clear, blue skies. Everyone did a great job getting up to the summit. Was a fantastic effort by everybody. Right now, I'm calling down from the Football Field. We wanted to get off the summit, because there are a bunch of other climbers coming up and we wanted to get out of the crowds, as they say. Now we're back on the Football Field, taking a little break before heading back to camp. And everyone's doing super well. I'll give an update on our progress when we get back down to Camp 17 in a little while. All you friends and family who are listening, you guys should be awfully proud of these folks. They did a great job today. Alright, talk to you later. Bye Bye. RMI Guide Brent Okita

RMI Guide Brent Okita calls in from the descent of Mt. McKinley's summit.

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Leah, thank you for taking our picture on the summit.

Brent, as one of your former clients on a skills seminar I just wanted to say thank you for teaching me the skills to allow me to summit Denali. It was an honor and privilege to meet your team on the football field and share the summit with you all.

Great job team RMI!

Posted by: Dan Crouch on 6/10/2014 at 5:25 am

Congratulations to the entire team. JOB WELL DONE. Continued safe travels in your entire journey home. Godspeed to you all.

Posted by: Mark DiLucca on 6/6/2014 at 8:45 am

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Going for the Summit

June 4, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

Elevation: 17,200'

June 4, 2014 - 9:30 am PT Just spoke with RMI Guide Brent Okita and they are leaving high camp for their summit bid. His words on the weather this morning: “Massively glorious day on Mt. McKinley!” Good luck to the team as they ascend to the highest point in North America!

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Miss you Daddy Love you, cant wait to see you again

Posted by: Kaylee on 6/4/2014 at 10:20 pm

Fantastic!! What a thrilling accomplishment for the team! Your sisters send y’all a salute from a view of the ‘teeners’ in Co

Posted by: Deb on 6/4/2014 at 7:22 pm

Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Reach 17,200’ Camp

June 4, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher, Nick Hunt

Elevation: 17,200'

June 4, 2014 - 12:53 am PT The winds have finally abated now that we're in our tents here at 17,200 ft Camp. For much of the day we we're climbing head on into the breeze, making for an uncomfortable climb to camp. But we're psyched now. Tomorrow promises to be a great day, and given the fact that we had to ascend less than 1000' we should be in good shape. It was unfortunate the Buttress was so windy because it was such a beautiful climb and day. Wish us luck with the weather and perhaps our next chat will be from the summit. Good night from chilly 17,200' camp. RMI Guides Brent, Leah and Nick

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God Speed and Good Luck to Brady O’Mara and his fellow adventurers. The Cheltenham Farrell’s

Posted by: Farrell Family on 6/4/2014 at 10:03 am

Good stuff! Hoping you awoke to a beautiful, windless, snowless day and are making your way (carefully)to the summit right now. Lots of prayers and good karma are with each and every one of you. I want you all safely delivered to Talkeetna and several icy cold pitchers of beer…after you shower. Good luck! We love you, Brady…and your tent pal, Bruce.

Posted by: Jane O'Mara on 6/4/2014 at 7:51 am