Entries By eric frank

Mt. McKinley: Frank & Team Make Camp at 14,000’

June 9, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 8, 2014 - 10:49 pm PT The team broke camp for the first time in three days this morning. We loaded our remaining gear into our packs and made the climb up to 14,000'. Even though the sun bore down on us for the last few stretches, we climbed strong and were in camp by mid-afternoon. As a group we are working on efficiency in building camps. So far we have had plenty of time and warms temperatures to put up tents and get organized. We are very strong and efficient when climbing, but on the upper mountain we can't wast any additional energy setting camps. I'm confident we'll get there. Light snow is falling and we are all tired from a long day. Good night. Thanks for following our progress, RMI Guides Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens the UWR team Andy sends love and hugs to his lovely wife Vivian and kids Jessika, Milli, Jayden, Jaylyn and Devon

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Well,here I am again… 2 blogs in one day.. But I have actually checked for updates about 10 times today! Mom Frank, I just read your message to me, and needed to immediately respond. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You can’t imagine how much your words of encouragement mean to me! John has great respect for the guides and their expertise. He has reassured me numerous times that they are very skilled and safety minded. However, no one but another Mom could ever understand or imagine just how much we worry about our children… Be they big or small! You made me feel so much better!!!! I will try to relax! THANK YOU!

Posted by: Patty Stenderup on 6/9/2014 at 9:52 pm

Praying for safety as you head for the high country. It sounds like you have an awesome team! I don’t normally comment on the blog but it has been fun watching the Stenderup family follow this trip. I just couldn’t resist sending Mom Stenderup some encouragement. Mom Stenderup - I remember the first time my,as you put it, “baby boy” headed up this 20,000+ mountain. I checked the blog what seemed like a million times a day for 26 days. Now I am watching this climb with a little different perspective. You see my “baby boy” has grown into the young man who is the senior guide leading this expedition. From one mountain climber’s mom to another… it’s OK to relax a bit, breathe and enjoy the journey. Your boys are in good hands. Eric and Geoff are both incredibly skilled, smart, mountain savvy, safety conscious, Senior RMI Guides. They are good at what they do. So be encouraged. Like you, I will continue to pray for the team’s safety. GO TEAM! Summit this mountain with style. Mom Frank

Posted by: Kathy Frank on 6/9/2014 at 8:01 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Frank & Team Cache Gear at 14K Camp

June 7, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

June 7, 2014 - 7:33 pm PT The team got busy today by hauling a load of food and personal gear up to the next camp at 14,000'. Everyone performed well and we were able to cover the distance in just over four hours- a great pace. All along the trail, we passed groups who were either hauling gear up to cache or moving camp from 11,000' to 14,000'. It was fun to say "hi" and encourage groups we have met along the way. The small tent city that has surrounded us for the last few days will reassemble up higher as groups ready for a summit bid. Sitting at 14,000' this afternoon, the team got our first good look at the route. We talked through the flow of the climb and got excited. Hopefully, a few more short days will bring us the time to see if all of our preparations are sufficient to get to the top. Thanks for following our journey. RMI Guides Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens and the UWR team

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41John, love from Farmor and also Farfar: You can do it, You can do it.

Posted by: Farmor on 6/9/2014 at 9:46 am

Miss you!!! Hope that you are making good progress!

Posted by: Patty Stenderup on 6/9/2014 at 7:55 am

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Mt. McKinley: Frank & Team Take a Rest Day at 11K Camp

June 7, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

June 6, 2014 - 9:55 pm PT Today was a very productive day building red blood cells. We rested at 11,000 camp. After sleeping in, we spent the morning eating eggs, hash browns, and bacon and drinking coffee. We got to know some of our neighbors and packed for our carry to 13,400' tomorrow. Everyone is feeling strong and ready to keep working up hill. Thanks all for following along with us. RMI Guides Eric, Geoff and the UWR Team Jesse says: Family- John and I have hardly gotten into any trouble. The guides are great and like us. Today we played football and built snow thrones. I'm having such a blast. Kelly- I've been thinking about you. We should check out that cliff house restaurant when I get back. Or maybe that white door place on filmore. I've been thinking a lot about food too. Miss you babe!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

John—good luck on the climb to the summit. We are all rooting for you down below in the low lands. Tyler left your truck at my house and I might use it a little bit to haul some garbage but don’t worry I’ll take good care of it.
Mark Crossgrove

Posted by: Mark Crossgrove on 6/8/2014 at 7:44 am

John - We are thinking about you every day my good man. We have been reading the daily posts as a family and I showed the kids where you are at on the map. Looking forward to seeing your cheery face soon.

The York Family

Posted by: Gary York on 6/7/2014 at 7:05 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Frank & Team Pick Up 9,900’ Cache

June 6, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

June 5, 2014 - 11:57 pm PT We slept in a bit this morning as light snow fell on camp. After a leisurely breakfast of bagels with bacon and cream cheese, we walked 30 minutes down to our cache at 9,900'. After returning to 11K Camp, we rested before building snow walls around our tents. Everyone is doing very well and excited to keep working up. With light snow still falling this evening, we are going to keep watching the weather and take it day by day. Thanks for following along with us. RMI Guides Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens and the UWR team

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It would appear that you have a terrific team climbing with you this year. They need to know that they are in good hands. Your knowledge, understanding and skill on Denali is unprecedented. Your ability to transfer those traits and abilities to provide a great experience to us average climbers can not be acknowledged enough. Your ability to weigh risk and benefit to determine appropriate action or task is exceptional. I have enjoyed following your team so far. Looks like you have some significant weather coming at you over the next few days. Climb safe. JB 2012

Posted by: Jeff Boskind on 6/7/2014 at 9:20 am

Looking good gentlemen!! Thank you for keeping us all up to speed on your astounding progress.

I’m appreciative of being able to live vicariously through you courageous, crazy specimens all the way from sunny California. Proud of you guys…

Rob

Posted by: Rob Lynch on 6/6/2014 at 10:04 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Upper West Rib Team Moves to 11,000’

June 5, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

Today we packed up our camp at 7,600' on Mt. McKinley and began climbing at 8:30 AM under perfectly blue skies. Our team was strong and did very well on the move, despite the hot temps once the sun was high. 11,000' Camp is currently the size of a small town with all the climbing teams that flew on the same day that we did. After setting up our new camp folks enjoyed an afternoon nap before dinner and hot drinks. We are all happy to be here at 11 camp. Thanks for following along with us - The Upper West Rib Team

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Team - I feel a bit of wimp here as I armchair mountaineer along with your great adventure. I’m actually kind of envious of you all in that pristine and beautiful setting. Keep up the good work and enjoy!

Posted by: Lisa Stenderup on 6/5/2014 at 9:53 pm

Mom Stenderup here… My Baby Boy is marching up a 20,000+ Foot mountain and I (with other Moms ) am stressing out!!! However, what can I do at this point?.....,except cheer you on, pray for your safety…and send lots and lots of love ..to ALL of you…because you are a TEAM!!! “One for all , and all for one!”!!!

Posted by: Patty Stenderup on 6/5/2014 at 6:51 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Upper West Rib Team Cache Gear at 9,900’

June 3, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,600'

June 3, 2014 - 7:55 pm PT Wow, it's nearly dinnertime and the team finally has a few minutes to check in. We have had a busy day. Despite a slightly ominous forecast, we awoke this morning to clear skies and no wind. Things looked favorable for us to move some group food up to a higher site. We ate a leisurely breakfast of bagels with bacon and cream cheese before loading up on a four-hour walk up to the cache site. This cycle of carrying gear up high, then returning back to a lower camp to sleep is crucial for our acclimatization. It exposes the body to a new altitude, but gives it time during the night to rest and recoup. We will be repeating this process with each of our higher camps. RMI Guides Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens and the Upper West Rib team

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Awesome!
Keep up your great skills . Keep your warmth and continue strong. Hope the weather continue being nice to you guys. The Rosales Family sends love and good vibes to you guys.

Posted by: L. Rosales on 6/4/2014 at 1:55 pm

We send greetings from the mountains of Western North Carolina and good vibes that your quest goes smoothly and the weather continues to cooperate.
John- All of the family send their love!!

Posted by: Rita and BruceWightman on 6/4/2014 at 2:28 am

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Mt. McKinley: Upper West Rib Team Moves to 7,600’

June 2, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,600'

June 2, 2014 - 9:56 pm PT We woke up early this morning, broke camp and set off down the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. By 7:00 AM we turned to the north and began making our way up the main flow of the Kahiltna, snowshoeing through some of the towering mountains of the great Alaska range. We arrived to the 7,600' camp at the base of Ski Hill at 11:30 AM with a light wind helping to keep us cool during the heat of the day. The afternoon was spent snacking, drinking water, and napping. We just finished a delicious burrito dinner and are enjoying the views over a cup of hot cocoa. Good night everyone and thanks for following along. RMI Guide Eric Frank

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Good luck and good blessings!

Posted by: ben laverty on 6/3/2014 at 5:13 pm

Glad to hear that things are underway and that the adventure has begun!

Posted by: Lara Grossman on 6/3/2014 at 11:21 am

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Mt. McKinley: Frank & Team Fly to Kahiltna Basecamp

June 1, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

The clouds parted long enough for our team to fly onto the Kahiltna Glacier today. We have been packed and ready for this day and now we are ready to climb! Once we are settled in at Kahiltna Base, we'll check in again. RMI Guides Eric Frank and Geoff Schellens

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Hope you guys made it to the landing alright… looking forward to hearing the next update! Keep it real Lt!

Posted by: Luke Gowdy on 6/2/2014 at 8:58 pm

Cheers to a safe landing on the glacier! So begins your great adventure. Happy climbing, guys!

Posted by: Kelly Gunderson on 6/2/2014 at 5:10 am

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Mt. McKinley: Frank & Team Waiting for a Break in the Weather

June 1, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

May 31, 2014 - 11:02 pm PT Not a plane was buzzing this morning when we awoke to dark skies and a slight breeze here in Talkeetna. Today was our fly day, but we are waiting out a hefty storm that has hundreds of climbers waiting on both sides of the Alaska Range. We met at the K2 hangar to wrap up some last-minute packing with high hopes for hopping on a plane; alas, we stayed stuck on the green-side, in Talkeetna along with swarms of anxious climbers. We are all psyched for tomorrow's potential - crouched and ready to jump on a plane at a moments notice. For now, we will continue to exercise our patience, a vital skill that we will need on the mountain. RMI Guide Geoff Schellens

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SO excited for the next update! Love you, John!! Don’t be stubborn up there ;)

Posted by: McKenna Harris on 6/2/2014 at 2:25 pm

THE JOURNEY begins!! Keep your spirits UP.. Be strong , Be smart, Be safe…Be a great team!!!!!. And know that you are loved!!! GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Patty Stenderup on 6/1/2014 at 6:04 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Frank & Team Ready as soon as the Weather’s Ready

May 30, 2014

Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

May 30, 2014 - 7:43 pm PT Hello from Talkeetna, Alaska! The Upper West Rib team arrived in Anchorage yesterday afternoon and shuttled north to Talkeetna, our launch site for the mountain. Right now, this sleepy little town is bursting at the seams with climbers waiting to fly onto the glacier. The skies are overcast and the planes have been grounded since early in the week. Everywhere you look, there are softshell clad people trying to pass the time. Our team was distracted from the constant refreshing of weather websites by plenty of prep work today. After meeting with the National Park Service for a general orientation, we rolled our sleeves up and got right to work. Eight hours later, our bags are packed and we will head to dinner to discuss the only thing on waiting climber's minds... "when will the clouds break?" For now all we can do is relax and know that we are prepared whenever that eventuality comes about. RMI Guide Eric Frank

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There you are!
Hi to all of you.
Im glad to see you guys getting ready to move on.
Thanks for the postings. That’ll be one of the greatest accomplishments. I look forward more updates of your progress. Good luck.
Love you,
Jesse :)

Posted by: L. Rosales on 5/31/2014 at 2:26 pm

Thanks for the visual of your location! Glad that you are safe in Talkeetna. Loved the moose! Thinking of you all constantly! I love you John!!!!!

Posted by: Patricia Stenderup on 5/31/2014 at 7:30 am

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