Entries By hannah mcgowan

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 9600'

When the weather reports we receive include the words gentle breeze, fresh winds, and tail end of a typhoon, you know you are climbing in Alaska! We had a great trip from our camp this morning with all of our team members handling these heavy loads like champions! Since we always hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, we fortified our new camp with large snow walls to block some of the winds that may or may not be headed our way. We were so proud of our walls that Rusty even put his civil engineering stamp on them. The weather was very good before a marine type cloud layer brought some new snow and the fresh wind we were told about. It already seems to be clearing up a bit. Meanwhile, we are hunkered down eating Tasty Bites and waiting to see if hurricane Horiskey hits us. RMI Guide Mike Haugen & Super Crew 6

“Mother Nature, please cancel my my subscription”. Thats all I got for today folks! Wishing you better weather. Keep up the GREAT TEAMWORK!

Posted by: Ellen M on 6/17/2018 at 9:24 am

Happy Father’s Day dad (David McCampbell) proud to be your daughter! Be safe talk to ya when you get back down:)

Love you,
Patti

Posted by: Patti Van Lange on 6/17/2018 at 8:42 am

Denali Expedition: Haugen and Team Move to 7,800’ Camp

June 14, 2018

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 7,800'

Thursday, June 14, 2018 - 8:01 PM PT We had a super early start this morning. We were very proud of Super Crew 6 this morning for getting up and packing up with style so we could get on the trail quickly. I gave them a C+ to their face but it was really an A+ effort. I didn't want them getting too cocky right off the bat! We had a great walk up the Kahiltna Glacier through light snow and medium visibility. As we approached camp, the sky started to clear and bit and we have been able to see Denali on and off since then. We are dug in safely and 7,800' and will make an on the fly decision whether to move up to our next camp based on what the weather looks like when we get up at 2 a.m. Keep your fingers crossed for us! RMI Guide Mike Haugen and the Super Crew

On The Map

Great job Super Team! Team “currently only 1/3 ginger” has the fort back home. So Rusty doesn’t feel left out, today we enjoyed a pan flute rendition of “Nothing Else Matters”

Posted by: Marsha on 6/15/2018 at 5:07 pm

Following this adventure with wonder! Go David!

Posted by: Jennifer Baker on 6/15/2018 at 2:33 pm

Denali Expedition: Haugen & Team Arrive at Denali Base Camp

June 13, 2018

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 7,200'

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - 8:54 PM PT The mountain weather was kind to us today. After a hearty breakfast at the Roadhouse in Talkeetna, we made our way to the airstrip where K2 Aviation told us we were good to fly. We hopped into our climbing clothes, did our last minute list checks, and got into the planes. After a phenomenal 45 minute flight over the tundra and into the Alaska Range, we landed on the snow runway that is Kahiltna Base Camp. We spent the day taking in the sights, practicing crevasse rescue skills, and preparing for our long, heavy slog to our next camp at 7,800'. Our plan is to wake up super early and be traveling across the Kahiltna Glacier while all of the snow bridges are very frozen. We also like to travel at night to avoid baking in the heat of the day as all of the white, snowy surfaces reflect sun back up at us. We either freeze or fry in the mountains and the 24 hours of daylight allow us to travel safely whenever we choose based on the temperature. RMI Guide Mike Haugen & Super Crew 6

On The Map

Looks like beautiful weather! Wishing you all a safe and amazing climb, especially you Craig Clark!

Posted by: Carol clark on 6/14/2018 at 8:29 am

Hello Mike, I’m looking forward to following this team up to the summit and back. It was a pleasure climbing with Rusty, Josh and David on Mt Rainier in 2015. I know that they are in good hands on this trip.

Posted by: David Clemmons on 6/14/2018 at 5:15 am

Denali Expedition: Mike Haugen & Team Meet in Talkeetna, Ready to Fly

June 13, 2018

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 348'

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - 9:59 AM PT Our Denali Expedition Team is assembled in Talkeetna and ready to climb! After the last hectic few days of travel and packing, we are loaded in the plane and ready to be on our way to the mountain. We are looking forward to the adventure and challenge we are facing. Wish us luck!!! RMI Guides Mike Haugen, Hannah McGowan and Gloria Roe

Josh,
Just heard from Keith. Fire has been contained and evac has been lifted.
We are all headed out for our helicopter tour! Hope everyone is doing well. Love and hugs!

Posted by: Sarah Levy on 6/15/2018 at 12:48 pm

Hey Glo! So sorry about the blocking situation. I love and admire you and I wish your team safe adventures. What a great weather day to start out.

Posted by: Michelle Weekly on 6/13/2018 at 11:34 pm

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climbs Reach Summit!

June 8, 2018

Posted by: Mike Haugen, Hannah McGowan

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Mike Haugen and Hannah McGowan led today's Four Day Summit Climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier. They reported cold and windy conditions today but not enough to turn them around. They will return to Camp Muir for a quick rest and repack and then will continue down to Paradise. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb teams!

A great experience climbing Mount Rainier with RMI. A great group of mountain climbers and our guides were amazing. Can’t wait to return to the Pacific North West for some more climbing in the future.

Posted by: Paul Dobrzynski on 6/12/2018 at 6:41 pm

Thomas Merrill, Cannot wait to have word of your experience!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: denise wooden on 6/8/2018 at 12:59 pm

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Reaches the Summit

May 24, 2018

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Hannah McGowan

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Hannah McGowan led the Expedition Skills Seminar – Muir to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Hannah reported breezy (~20 mph) and chilly conditions on the summit. The only clouds to be found were the ones hugging the low lying valleys thousands of feet below them. The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir will return to Camp Muir for one more night on the mountain. The team will descend to Paradise and then to Ashford tomorrow afternoon. Congratulations to the Seminar Team!

Holy cow, another summit reached! Congratulations! Andy Uhl, you are an inspiration!

Posted by: Carol Nurse on 5/25/2018 at 8:23 am

Way to go guides and mountaineers! Can’t wait to hear about the trip from Andy Uhl! Dad, we are all looking forward to seeing you soon!!

Posted by: Anna Uhl on 5/24/2018 at 12:49 pm

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Reach the Summit of Mt. Rainier

September 1, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Hannah McGowan

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer and Hannah McGowan led their Four Day Summit Climb teams August 29 - 1 September to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Pete reported light winds and clear skies. The teams enjoyed the views from the summit before starting their descent. Congratulations to today's climbers!

Congratulations, Chris!!!! What an incredible adventure… and an awesome accomplishment.

Posted by: Katherine on 9/1/2017 at 7:30 pm

On our way to meet you! Can’t wait to hear about the adventure :)
ILY

Posted by: Lori/Mom on 9/1/2017 at 12:18 pm

Mt. Rainier: Five Day Summit Climb on Columbia Crest

August 27, 2017

Posted by: Hannah McGowan

Elevation: 14,410'

The Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Hannah McGowan reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 7:30 a.m. The team is celebrating under perfect conditions at Columbia Crest - the highest point on Mt. Rainier. After celebrating, the team will descend back to Camp Muir to rest and refuel before returning to Rainier Basecamp in Ashford later today. Congratulations to the Five Day Summit Climb!

Thank you RMI and your incredible guide team, Hannah, Allen, and JT!
Our guides, combined with the awesome team of Alex, Cliff, Mani, Michael, Jason, Kevin, Melanie, and Brian helped make this an experience of a lifetime! Hannah did an amazing job leading our entire crew. Thank you to everyone!

Posted by: Joe Eley on 8/28/2017 at 8:37 am

Congratulations, Jason! What a perfect day, the view looks spectacular! Great job. I love you! Amy

Posted by: Amy Simon on 8/27/2017 at 10:42 am

Mt. Rainier: August 20th Summit!

August 20, 2017

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Hannah McGowan

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Walter Hailes and Hannah McGowan reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reported clear skies all the way to the top! Congratulations to today's teams!

Mt. Rainier: August 14th Five Day Summit Climb Update

August 14, 2017

Posted by: Hannah McGowan