Entries By ben thorneycroft
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 7,800'
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 7:45 pm PT
Snow has been pattering on the tent walls most of last night and all day today. It was an easy decision to sit tight, in the white world that we woke up in. We lingered over breakfast burritos, then spent the day reading, watching movies, stretching, and chatting. Camp was calm and quiet as everyone else did the same. The forecast looks like snow tails off and things get clear tomorrow so we are hoping to make our move to 11,00' Camp in the morning. All in all, everyone appreciated the rest day.
RMI Guides Pete, Nick, Ben, and team
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Denali Expedition May 8, 2025
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 10,200'
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Monday, May 12, 2025 - 12:17 AM PDT
Today showed us the dichotomy of weather in Alaska. After a cold windy walk yesterday, today’s carry to 10,200' was calm and HOT. We had a pretty leisurely start this morning after getting to bed late last night. Folks enjoyed the sleep, and woke up surprisingly (to them) recovered and feeling well. We left around noon and made good time up to the cache site, dug a hole to hide some things in, and then turned back to our home, enjoying the lighter-weight, downhill walk as the light got long. We got back to camp a bit before it went into the shade and plowed through some burritos as a reward. Sounds like we may see snow tomorrow, so what we do tomorrow will be a gametime decision in the morning. We would like to say Happy Mother’s Day and so many thanks to all the incredible mothers in our lives who give us so much support as well and who let us be in this incredible place!
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft, and Team
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Denali Expedition May 8, 2025
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 7,800'
Sunday, May 11, 2025 - 1:19 AM PT
The starting horn sounded! It was a beautiful morning in Talkeetna and the pilots at K2 were psyched to get going. We loaded the planes and were in the air a bit before 10 am. The flight in was one of the best I’ve ever had. As clear as could be, calm, and the pilots made a couple turns and loops to bring the big three (McKinley, Foraker, and Hunter) into profile. Once on the ground, we unloaded everything and watched as the planes climbed back into the sky. That turned out to be a small hiccup, as our cooktent hadn’t made it off the plane. We stalled for a bit as a result and it came back to us via a scenic flight. Reunited, we tossed on packs and left base camp, as heavy as we will ever be on this trip. As we got to the base of heartbreak hill, a decently strong wind greeted us head on We ended up walking into that the whole way, a bit unpleasant but nothing more. It was a small taste of what Alaska can brew up for weather. Now we are tucked into camp at the base of Ski Hill, glad to finally be on the move.
RMI Guides Pete, Nick, Ben, and team
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Denali Expedition May 8, 2025
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
It was a pretty full day, prepping everything for a few weeks of glacier living and making sure we get it right. We started with an orientation from the Park Service this morning, before diving in to unpacking our kits, and repacking them for the flight to base camp, where we will unpack them again, to pack for climbing. It's a lot of shuffling but we're feeling confident that everything is set to go. And everyone was buoyed as the skies were clear as could be all day. These clear days are when Denali (McKinley) shows off, encased in white and gleaming brightly on the skyline. Weather continues to look good for tomorrow, so we are prepped to fly first thing and get this expedition truly underway!
RMI Guides, Pete, Ben, Nick, and Team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition May 8, 2025
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
The team all made it without snags yesterday, and we hit the ground running, packing into the shuttle and heading for Talkeetna. After dinner, we ambled down to the river - the mountains were socked in but the icebergs floating by provided the ambience. The amble then magically led our feet to the doors of the Fairview, for a quick pint and an acoustic rendition of despacito. Then to bed in the arctic daylight. We’ll pack tomorrow and things look good for flights on on Saturday!
RMI Guides Pete, Nick, Ben and Team
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Denali Expedition May 8, 2025
Good luck on this climb of a lifetime!
Posted by: Maxine Hill on 5/10/2025 at 7:47 am
Keep her lit!
Posted by: Sinead on 5/10/2025 at 2:26 am
The climbing team spent a lovely five days on Mount Baker after a sunny day at Mount Erie. Despite the initial cold, rain and high winds, the team prevailed physically and mentally through training and good laughs. The summit wasn't in the cards due to challenging route conditions that didn't lend themselves to safe travel. However, the team kept spirits high and explored crevasses and additional skills high up on Mount Baker. The mountain isn't going anywhere!
RMI Guides Dan May, Ben Thorneycroft and Team!
Posted by: Sam Marjerison, Nick Sinapius, Steve Gately, Hannah Blum, Ben Thorneycroft, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,100'
The Five Day Climb led by RMI Guides Same Marjerison and Nick Sinapius turned at 13,100' on their summit attempt of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team climbed into a cloud camp with low visibility and unstable weather. They are back at Camp Muir and will descend to Paradise soon.
Posted by: Alan Davis, Jackson Breen, Evan Redman, Ben Thorneycroft, Layne Peters, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 8 - 11, 2024 led by RMI Guides Alan Davis and Jackson Breen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. Alan reported a beautiful day on the mountain and a good climb this morning. The teams spent a bit of time on the crater before starting their descent from the crater rim aroun 6:30 am. They are currently heading back to Camp Muir where they will take a quick break, re-pack their gear and continue the remaining 4,500' to Paradise. There program will conclude this afternoon with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations teams!
YAYYY JULIA! We are so proud of you!!! You inspire us everyday and we know you’ve worked so hard for this
Posted by: Adora, Joseph, & Aku on 8/11/2024 at 6:53 pm
Congratulations to the whole team and a huge Thank You to the guides who helped them stay safe and encouraged them along the way! Most people just dream of things they would like to do, but this group persevered and lived their dream. It’s an experience they will never forget! Natalie, Allison, and team members, you are rockstars!!
Posted by: Geri on 8/11/2024 at 6:24 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Joey Manship, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft, Mac Nolde, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 1 - 4 led by RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer & Joey Manship reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 4:30 am today. The teams are currently working their way back to Camp Muir with sunshine and blue skies. They will continue their descent to Paradise later this morning.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Yaasssss! Way to go Jared and team!
Posted by: Julie B on 8/4/2024 at 10:52 am
go Jared! woot
Posted by: Brandon der Blatter on 8/4/2024 at 10:48 am
Posted by: Leif Bergstrom, Sam Marjerison, Calvin Jiricko, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories:
Elevation: 9,200'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz team had a successful week of Alpine Skills Training. Although poor weather kept the team from making a summit attempt, they made the best use of their time on the mountain learning snow ice anchors, crevasse rescue, ice climbing, fixed line travel, belaying and other technical skills needed for future expeditions like Denali or Aconcagua.
Good luck Pete and Brian Hill! All of Louisiana (and a small part of South Carolina) are hoping for a safe and successful climb!
Wishing you the best,
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew James on 5/14/2025 at 11:56 am
Kiss the mountain air we breathe!
Get it fellas. Take her down.
Posted by: JP Love on 5/14/2025 at 6:17 am
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