Entries By daniel may
August 10, 2023
Posted by: Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,100'




The team had a fine day of climbing to reach Barranco Camp at 13,100 feet. When we woke and ate breakfast at Shira Camp this morning, there was a mean looking lenticular cloud on the summit of Kilimanjaro. It looked like it would have been a very difficult day to summit. Luckily, we had different plans for the day. We set out at 8 AM walking toward Kibo (the central peak) and gaining altitude gradually. Before too long we passed 14,400 ft and shattered the previous high altitude records for everyone on the team. We cruised right on up to the Lava Tower at 15,200 ft and rolled down the other side to where our amazing chef Benson had prepared a picnic lunch for the team. By this point the clouds had cleared and we had full views of Kibo’s ice fields and massive cliff faces just above. We got walking again after lunch and made fine time hiking down into the gardens of Barranco Camp. At 3 PM we cruised through the last of the Giant Senecios and into our camp. We switched to relaxing with tea time followed by a nice dinner in our colorful dome tent. Tomorrow we take on the great Barranco Wall.
Best Regards,
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August 8, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Tatum Whatford, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
RMI Guide Mike Walter checked in to say the Mt. Shuksan - Fisher Chimney August 6 - 8 team reached the summit and have completed their descent back to the trailhead.
Nice work team!
July 28, 2023
Posted by: Daniel May, Charlie Harrison, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'

The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier Team led by RMI Guide Dan May reached the summit at 9:30 am. The entire team stood on top! The team is back at camp where they will celebrate, re-fuel, and have a full night sleep before descending to the trailhead tomorrow.
Congratulations Team!
July 23, 2023
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Joe Hoch, Devin Guffey, Daniel May, Tom Skoog, Ben Thorneycroft
Categories:
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 20 - 24 led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Joe Hoch, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They reported pleasant conditions with lighter winds than expected. The teams will return to Camp Muir and enjoy the afternoon and their final night on the mountain. Tomorrow the teams will descend to Paradise and return to Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations on achieving such a huge goal, Helene Scalliet!! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to hear all about it.
Posted by: Terri Nichols on 7/23/2023 at 5:10 pm
July 20, 2023
Posted by: Daniel May, Nikki Champion, Will Nash
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'

The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Dan May watched the sunrise from Ingraham Flats today. Due to route conditions the team was unable to safely climb higher. They are on the descent from Camp Muir to Paradise.
July 15, 2023
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Abby Westling, Daniel May, Nick Sinapius, Ben Thorneycroft, Will Nash
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb July 12 - 15 led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier & Abby Westling reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Dustin reported sunny skies and winds from the west at 20 mph, which was less than forecasted. The teams were leaving the crater rim just after 7 am today for their return to Camp Muir. Once at Muir they will have a short rest before continuing 4,500' down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbing teams!
Aislinn and Ali,
Congratulations on your successful climb! Elation at Elevation 14,410.
We are so proud and happy for you❤️❤️❤️
Posted by: Mom/Shane and Dad/Stanford on 7/16/2023 at 10:00 am
July 12, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita, Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Sam Hoffman, Mitch Valaitis, Raymond Holt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Brent Okita & Dustin Wittmier led their team of climbers to the summit of Mt. Rainier. The Four Day Climb team July 9 - 12 enjoyed a beautiful morning on the mountain with a nice route and 15 mph winds. The teams were on Columbia Crest at 7:30 am and began their descent from the crater rim just after 8 am. The teams will return to Camp Muir for a short break to repack and refuel before descending the remaining 4,500' to Paradise.
Congratulations team!
If I had one word to describe the RMI team it would be professional. They really took good care of our team and let us enjoy the experience. A top notch crew I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone considering a Rainier summit in the future. Thank you ALA for all your support as well! Climbing for a purpose (other than bagging a peak) is really special and I’ve been happy to support your cause. Thank you team, you really made it enjoyable and it was a pleasure to be part of this group that is forever connected by this amazing experience!
Posted by: David Lamp on 7/20/2023 at 12:48 pm
Such an awesome experience! Thank you to our guide team and to all of the other climbers who worked hard out there. From the guides to everyone climbing with with ALA, you all made this such a memorable experienced. Climb on y’all!!
Posted by: Jonathan Mack on 7/15/2023 at 9:56 am
July 6, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Like we’ve said before, the weather hasn’t been in a good mood here in Alaska. Keeping with that trend, was the dramatic ending to our long and hard-fought expedition. As we resigned ourselves to sleeping yet another night on the glacier, we got the call that planes were in the air.
Hopeful, salad eyed, and smelly we packed our stuff and waited for our return trip home. Then the rain started. As we stared down the southeast fork of the Kahiltna, we could only hear the buzz of the planes and the patter of the drops on our coats. Muttering “ cmon, cmon” as if to plead with Mother Nature to abate and let the clouds lift. We willed the weather to let up just enough for the pilots to pull off a landing and high tail it out of there.
We slept in beds last night, took showers, and celebrated like it was going out of style. We can’t wait to see our friends and family soon. Thank you all for following along and cheers to another great, successful expedition on Denali. See you next year!
RMI Guides Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Dan May and Team
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July 5, 2023
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 12:55 am PT
The team woke up to snow and wind distorting the shapes of the tents we call home for the last 21 days. We hit snooze and hoped for the best. While I wouldn’t say the best ever came the allure of Roestis, showers, and beds pulled us out of our sleeping bags and into the fray. From 11,000 ft to the base of Ski Hill was a near total whiteout. We persevered through the wind, moisture, and visibility to reach basecamp at about 6pm, but conditions didn’t allow planes to come and land. We’re hopeful that tomorrow we’ll be back in civilization.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, June 11, 2023 Emails
Yay! Mission almost accomplished! Such an amazing group you are
Posted by: Kim on 7/5/2023 at 8:53 am
Sunday, July 2, 2023
While it hasn’t been unlike Denali to act up at inopportune times. Today was a low blow. We descended from High Camp today under mostly clear skies and on top of tired legs. We were awarded new views from the West Buttress that were previously shrouded and the team descended fast and well.
At 14,000' Camp we took a good break and then kept the train going. Clouds were billowing, wind was picking up, and snow was falling as we passed Windy Corner, which once again held true to its name. A storm was coming. We’re in that storm right now, hoping for it to abate and to get off the mountain we’ve called home for the past 19 days.
We’re hopeful, but not too optimistic we’ll be able to walk to the airstrip tomorrow.
Wish us luck.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, June 11, 2023 Emails
Wishing you luck with the weather and praying you’ll be walking to the airstrip tomorrow!!! You are a brave and amazing team. I can’t wait to read tomorrow’s post! Love you, Alex!!!
Posted by: Kim on 7/3/2023 at 8:36 pm
I salute each and every one of you for your patience and determination on this climb that has been full of challenging weather. Stay safe. You’re in the home stretch!
Posted by: Doreen on 7/3/2023 at 2:07 pm
Dave D. and team…WOW…what a spectacular day for all and the photos are amazing! Keep up the great climbing and God’s Blessings to all! Love, Bev
Posted by: Bev Kittleson on 8/11/2023 at 5:00 pm
We are watching every day….Mommy….Love you. Elsie and Emmett
Posted by: judy reiner on 8/11/2023 at 8:10 am
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