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Entries By abby westling


Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Remain at 11,000ft Camp

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - 7:54 pm PT

The forecast was for this weather system to begin to clear out today, and when we got up this morning we were hopeful that the trend was going in the right direction. We could see down below, had sunshine in camp, though it was still plenty windy. We dragged our feet to make sure it kept getting better by making a blueberry pancake breakfast. As we enjoyed that we listened to the wind get stronger and watched the tent get darker as clouds pushed up and we lost the sun. We continued to kick the can and see if we would get a chance to head downhill and grab our cache, but it continued to deteriorate. Eventually we pulled the plug and went to our weather day rhythm of tent hang, reading, cards, etc. Over dinner the sun finally poked back out so hopefully this system is finally moving out and we'll get our shot tomorrow.

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Continue to Hunker Down

Tuesday, May 17, 2023 - 4:07 PM PT

Our team is still hunkered down at 9,400' in a blizzard. At least 2 feet of snow has fallen,with lots of drifting. Visibility is near zero. We're safe and trying to remain positive from the confines of our tents. The weather forecast hints at a break in the storm tomorrow. Our fingers are crossed that things ease up and we'll be able to make some upward progress soon.

We'll keep you posted!

RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

The sun came out today- so I am hoping you were able to climb!  Keep going!  Thinking of all of you!  Sending some serious good vibes toward the mountain!  Be well!  Susan

Posted by: Susan on 5/17/2023 at 7:07 pm

All the Rotarians from Lee’s Summit Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club are cheering the entire Walter team including fellow Rotarian, Scott Crist.  Conquer the mountain….stay the course….get home safely.

Posted by: Elaine Metcalf on 5/17/2023 at 10:38 am


Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather a Storm

Monday, May 15, 2023 - 5:00 PM PT

We've been tentbound all day today in a storm, so not much to report. We delivered delicious breakfast burritos to our climbers in their sleeping bags, and we're all safe and comfortable in our tents. That's all the news to report from the Kahiltna Glacier!

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Hello Scott!  LS Sunrise is all behind you on what sounds to be a very intense journey.
All good things to you and your party and we are pulling for you all.  Hoping the summit is all you dreamed of and worked so hard to achieve.

Posted by: Bob Paradise on 5/16/2023 at 6:11 pm

Plz post breakfast burrito recipe!

Posted by: Brian W. on 5/16/2023 at 10:47 am


Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move Camp in White Out Conditions

Sunday, May 14, 2023 - 7:40 pm PT

Today started out sunny & beautiful but it didn't turn out that way. Above Ski Hill a full blown arctic blizzard blew in fiercely. Navigating by gps in a full white out, wearing parkas and goggles, we even struggled to find our cache from yesterday. Setting camp was epic, but we did it. So we're safe in our tents now and we'll weather out the rest of the storm here if need be.

Full on Alaska!

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Greetings from Oklahoma!!  A huge birthday shout out to my awesome brother, Scott Crist!!  Hope you’ve had an amazing day.  Prayers for a continued safe climbing adventure and journey to the summit!!  Can’t wait to see pictures from the top!!

Posted by: Danna Littau on 5/15/2023 at 3:17 pm


Denali Expedition: Mike Walter & Team Send Mother’s Day Wishes

Sunday, May 14, 2023 - 10:13 AM PT

Just a quick note this morning to wish all of our mothers a happy day today! We'll check in again from our next camp. 

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Happy birthday, Scott Crist! Best birthday, ever, on the side of a mountain! Wishing you and the team a sunshiny, beautiful day of climbing.

Posted by: Cynthia Anderson on 5/15/2023 at 5:32 am

Wish the team a great adventure. May all luck and good weather be on your side.

Posted by: Susan Losonsky on 5/15/2023 at 3:59 am


Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Cache Gear above Ski Hill

Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 8:12 pm PT

We carried loads of food and fuel up above Ski Hill today, and we're now back at camp. The weather wasn't terribly friendly today, with 10-20' visibility all day. Currently we're enjoying sunshine and beautiful views as the clouds finally dissipated. We're about to eat dinner and cash out for the night. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to move camp higher.

We will be sure to check in again soon.

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Denali Expedition: Walter and Team plan to cache gear

Our team is doing well, getting used to our new home on the glacier. Yesterday we moved from Basecamp to just shy of Ski Hill. It's a bit snowy this morning, but that shouldn't thwart our plans to carry a cache of supplies up to around 9,500'-10,000'

We will keep you posted on our progress. 


Thanks for checking in. 
RMI Guide Mike Walter and team.

Leave a Comment For the Team (1)

If anyone wants a good margarita while they’re up there, don’t hesitate to ask Brett!

Posted by: Brian W. on 5/13/2023 at 11:01 am


Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Caffeinated and On Stand By

Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 11:04 AM PT

Our team is caffeinated, fed, and ready to fly into Kahiltna Basecamp this morning. The morning weather isn't quite cooperating with us just yet, as Basecamp resembles a snow globe. Forecasts indicate an improving trend, so hopefully the clouds dissipate and allow us access today. We will keep you apprised of situation. Until then, it's coffee and standby mode! 

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Wow!  Town is quiet without all of you!  The line at Conscious Coffee is much shorter!  The Natives teach us about seeking wisdom in nature and being open to what she can teach us!  Sending you positive vibes for your journey! Peace be with you!  Keep going!  ~Susan

Posted by: Susan Meskis on 5/14/2023 at 12:26 am

Go Scott go!!!  We are all so proud!

Posted by: Kala Sheedy on 5/13/2023 at 1:14 pm


Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Wait in Talkeetna for Break in Weather

Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 6:33 AM PT

Yesterday was spent milling around the K2 Aviation hangar in our climbing duds, hoping for the word to load the planes. But the weather never cleared, which kept the planes grounded. The forecast keeps trending better, so we'll try again today. 

RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Arrive Talkeetna, Prepare for Expedition

Our team is all packed and ready to go, optimistic that we'll have the opportunity to fly in to Kahiltna Basecamp today. After a full day of packing on Monday, we eagerly awaited a weather window for flying into the Alaska Range, but it never materialized. Instead, we enjoyed another evening in a real bed, with hot showers and flush toilets. This morning we'll be on standby to see if the weather is flyable. The weather trend is improving, so fingers crossed that our next communication will be from a glacier!  We will keep you updated.

RMI Guide Mike Walter 

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Safe hiking! Hope the marshmallow is treating you well and the weather permits a successful climb. Enjoy the coffee and look forward to hearing any updates. Routing for you Aladdin

Posted by: Antonia on 5/11/2023 at 1:58 pm

Brett W, stay up right! Good luck!!

Posted by: Cutis Kerner on 5/10/2023 at 5:13 pm

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