Entries By calvin jiricko
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Sunday, June 22, 2025 - 9:30 pm PT
Forecasts weren’t great for today, but when we looked out in the morning, the actual weather wasn’t bad. We packed up and got our spikes on by 8:20AM to begin working up Motorcycle Hill. It was great to be climbing in crampons and using an ice axe again. We took our first rest break in the middle of Squirrel Hill and our second in the Polo Field just under the end of the West Buttress. It was a little breezy, but since temps weren’t very cold it wasn’t at all uncomfortable.
Most of our day was spent in brilliant sunshine with blue sky, while clouds filled in below us. Windy Corner wasn’t particularly windy, and the travel conditions were good, so we made it to our cache target of 13,500 feet in four hours. We did a bit of hard digging to keep our things safe from ravens. After one last look at the great South Peak of Mt. McKinley (our destination) we dropped back around the corner and had an easy climb down to Camp at 11k. The final 30 minutes was in a mild whiteout as we descended into the clouds.
The round trip was a pretty respectable 6 hours and got us back in plenty of time for a restful afternoon while it snowed lightly on our tents. Fingers crossed for moving weather tomorrow as we would like to get to 14k camp.
- RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 11.000'
Saturday, June 21, 2025 - 10:26 pm PT
We woke to clouds and a little wind today, but still got in plenty of solstice sun. The poor weather in the morning actually worked to our advantage. We needed to drop back down to 10,000 feet on the Kahiltna to get our cached supplies and then return up the big hill below 11,000. That hill is in a glacial bowl that can become quite hot with straight out sunshine. We found it to be just right with breezes and cloud cover this morning. We were back up before noon.
We are done with snowshoes and on to crampons for the steeper terrain to come. In the afternoon we alternated between rest and review of climbing techniques for the path ahead. If weather allows we will try to put a cache just beyond Windy Corner at 13,500 ft.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
Pulling for you around the windy corner - go Tony + Team go.
Posted by: jen ostrich on 6/23/2025 at 6:33 am
Keep up the good work! We are routing for you.
Julie and Mike
Posted by: Julie Baron on 6/23/2025 at 5:39 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
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Friday, June 20, 2025 9:59pm PDT
Happy Solstice from 11,000 ft
Today was our longest climbing day of the trip so far. We were up just after 2 a.m., in the shadows of the Kahiltna Glacier. Climbing began at 4:20 a.m. on the now-familiar Ski Hill. It was a cool morning, and the walking was easier thanks to a hard overnight freeze.
The hill steepened as we gained elevation, offering a striking view of the pyramidal granite of the West Buttress towering ahead. The team remained in shadow—a welcome relief—when we paused near our 10,000 ft cache from yesterday.
Leaving the main glacier, we stepped into the sun as we entered the basin below 11 Camp. We made it into camp in just under six hours, then spent a couple more building a secure and comfortable site.
There are a few clouds drifting about, but we expect the sun to stay with us well into the Alaskan night.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
So beautiful and incredible! Keep climbing strong, we are all cheering for you!
Posted by: Lawrence Chan on 6/21/2025 at 1:02 pm
So proud of all of you
Posted by: Jonica Stingl on 6/21/2025 at 12:54 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 8,000'
Thursday, June 19, 2025 9:36pm PDT
We were up and at ’em at 3 a.m., trying to beat the heat. This had us moving up the glacier from our 8,000 ft camp by 5 a.m. First up was Ski Hill—a steeper and longer incline than anything we’ve tackled so far. It was tough, but conditions were excellent after a solid overnight freeze.
It took about four hours to reach our goal: the head of the Kahiltna Glacier at 10,000 feet. There, we dug a deep, raven-proof hole in the snow and cached food and fuel.
The descent was pleasant, with lighter loads and easy walking. The team rolled back into camp at 11:30 a.m. and sheltered in the tents to escape the afternoon sun.
Tomorrow, we’ll move past the cache and camp at 11,000 feet.
RMI Guide Sam Hoffman & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
Go Team! That’s incredible.
Posted by: Pamela Banker on 6/21/2025 at 4:04 pm
Great work team!!! Enjoy!
Posted by: Heather on 6/21/2025 at 11:09 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 348'
Sunday, June 15, 2025 - 10:01 pm PT
It was a long but good day of getting ready to go climbing. The team met for a fine breakfast at the Swiss Alaska. We began by hearing out each other’s motivations and inspirations for taking on such a challenge. We talked over our priorities and strategies and then we got out to the airplane hangar to go through the gear. Breaking up the day, we made a run over to the National Park Service ranger station in Talkeetna to register and receive a presentation on keeping the mountain clean and ourselves healthy. But the bulk of the day was spent at the hangar, listening to trains and airplanes revving up and rattling past as we packed and weighed gear for the climb. We’d finished by early evening and relaxed in town at Mile High Pizza Pie. Either a little luck we’ll load up the planes and go climbing in the morning.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
All the best team! and Rahul on this adventure!
Posted by: Raj Mahalingam on 6/22/2025 at 8:38 pm
Tony, Hope you are having a great experience AGAIN! Thinking of you today….
Posted by: Karl Ring on 6/20/2025 at 6:06 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 348'
Saturday, June 14, 2025 - 11:25 pm PT
Nobody missed a flight and all the bags arrived just fine. They came from Norway and New Zealand and a few places in between. Our team -8 climbers and four guides- got together as planned in the Anchorage airport. We talked gear and logistics briefly before relocating to the curb for our van shuttle to Talkeetna. It was a day of blazing sun and wide open blue sky in Alaska.
We broke up the three hour drive with a stop for groceries in Wasilla and then pushed on to Talkeetna, rolling in at about 6:30 PM. Along the way we had been granted a few breathtaking views of the Alaska Range. Our first stop was the K2 Aviation hangar to drop off the big bags of gear. Next we checked in at the Swiss Alaska Inn. The team then strolled ten minutes through the birch forest and over the railroad tracks to beautiful downtown Talkeetna. The town was bustling with tourists and the odd climbing team. We ate our fill at the brewery and then walked the 100 meter length of town to the banks of the mighty Susitna River. McKinley, Hunter and Foraker shot up into the sky across the river… impossibly high. Or maybe just possible. We’ll see. Tomorrow we get started… packing and prepping in earnest.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
You’ve got this!! Wishing you good weather.
Posted by: Tom Leonard on 6/19/2025 at 10:07 am
Enjoy The Journey to THE TOP. Prayers and thoughts will be with the entire team. Here’s to SUCCESS!
Posted by: Scottie P on 6/18/2025 at 3:18 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Joe Hoch, Celeste Wilson, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais, Tom Skoog, Fitz Elder, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by Dave Hahn and Joe Hoch reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 7:30 AM today!
It’s a beautiful, sunny day with light winds, allowing the team to spend about an hour on the summit soaking in the views and celebrating their accomplishment.
Congratulations to all!
WOOHOO!!!!!
Posted by: T Northrup on 5/24/2025 at 4:08 pm
Awesome job Zach!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 5/24/2025 at 1:31 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Dominic Cifelli, Calvin Jiricko, Bailey Servais, Rosie Hust, Imogen Von Mertens, CJ Rogers
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,700'
RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier and Dominic Cifelli led their Four Day teams May 15 - 18, on an early alpine start from Camp Muir this morning. Unfortunately, high winds forced the teams to turn around at 10,600 feet. Everyone returned safely to Camp Muir. They plan to begin their descent at 9:30 a.m. PT and are expected to arrive back at Rainier BaseCamp in Ashford by early afternoon.
Posted by: Eric Frank, Joe Hoch, Ben Ammon, Calvin Jiricko, Tom Skoog, Hannah Billings
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,100'
Led by RMI Guides Eric Frank and Joe Hoch, the Four Day Climb May 8 - 11 teams reached an elevation of 13,100 feet today before being turned back due to route conditions. They are currently descending to Camp Muir for a short rest and to repack before continuing down to Paradise later this afternoon.
Posted by: Casey Grom, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb May 1 - 5 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Calvin Jiricko. Casey reported strong winds but otherwise clear and sunny.
This is the first RMI team of the season to reach the summit. What a great start!
Congratulations to the today's climbers!
Ser ut til at dere har god kontroll og at værforholdene er ok. Vi følger med dere hver dag fra sommervarme i Hellas.
Posted by: Erik Blaauw Evensen on 6/24/2025 at 4:11 am
With you in spirit, Tony. Praying for good weather!!
Posted by: Tom Leonard on 6/24/2025 at 3:59 am
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