Entries By jess wedel
RMI Guide Jess Wedel led the four day climb to the summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 7:30am. They reported some notable winds, but otherwise a beautiful morning on the summit. They are on their descent back to Camp Muir and will be back in Ashford this afternoon.
Great work team!
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Jess Wedel, Henry Coppolillo, Matt Tucker, Kat Porter, Oliver Sperin, Oliver Kendall, Edward Barrett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,300'
The Four Day Climb June 14 - 17 led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Jess Wedel were turned around by high winds at 10,300'. The telemetry at Camp Muir is showing wind gusts up to 48 mph. The teams returned to Camp Muir and enjoyed a bit of rest and perhaps a nice sunrise. They plan to descend from Camp Muir around 9:30 am. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Lael Butler, Jess Wedel, Dylan Anderson, Matt Kelly, CJ Rogers, Simon Kearns, Ben Stimson
Categories: Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The four-day climb turned around at Ingraham Flats on their summit attempt this morning due to avalanche conditions. They enjoyed a beautiful sunrise! They will be descending back to Paradise later this morning.
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 348'
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 4:26 pm PT
We awoke in the early morning cold at 11,000 feet to break down camp for the final time. One last descent over familiar terrain back to the airstrip! The first leg of our journey started out with a less than auspicious start - in a cloud with blowing snow. After a couple of hours we popped out of the cloud into blinding sunshine and panoramic views of the Alaska Range! Three hours of scenic glacier travel later we arrived at Kahiltna Basecamp. After checking in with Mary, the lovely basecamp manager, we were in the queue to be picked up by K2 Aviation. The team dug up the cache we had left on day one revealing a wealth of treasure inside, forgotten snacks, beers and bubbly waters! We got organized, relaxed and sipped our beverages until we heard the whine of Turbo Otter engines in the sky. Less than an hour later we were in Talkeetna, a strange and alien place full of greenery and modern conveniences. The final 48 hours from summit to town felt like a fever dream. The trip is officially over with everyone back, safe and sound. Thanks for following our journey dear readers!
Cheers,
RMI Guide Jack Delany and the Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 8, 2026
Thank you team leaders for giving the 11 climbers an experience of a lifetime that will be embedded in their memories forever!
It was a harrowing experience for those of us reading the daily blog, but so appreciated to be kept in the loop. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe in the extreme weather, cold and ice. You had a huge responsibility! Enjoy your time off.. well deserved!
Posted by: Michelle Wyly on 6/2/2026 at 8:27 pm
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 11,000'
Monday, June 1st - 12:45AM PST
Hello blog readers! We awoke this morning to the sun blessing our tents. It took sometime to get our momentum rolling but soon we were headed downhill. The sweet thick air below us was calling our names! We descended the 16k ridge in stellar weather with almost the entire thing to ourselves. Then back down the fixed lines for the final time. Next thing you know we were back at 14k camp! We were greeted with great hospitality from the RMI team lead by Seth Burns. After an hour of so of R&R and repacking, we continued on our journey downward. After 6,000 feet of descent, we were back at our nemesis - 11 Camp but this time on better terms. This time it’ll only be a short layover with a few hours of sleep before we finish our descent to the Kahiltna International Airport where we hope to catch a ride on a Turbo Otter to Talkeetna!
Cheers,
Jack and the Team
(fingers crossed for flyable weather!)
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 8, 2026
Congratulations to you all—your perseverance paid off! Whether you were able to summit or not, you have proven yourselves up to a very difficult challenge, both physically and emotionally. Now hurry safely home, please. Your families miss you! —Love, Mom & Charlie
Posted by: Jen LaRocca on 6/1/2026 at 10:25 am
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 17,000'
On Saturday, May 30th at 8pm, Delaney and team were on the summit of Mt. McKinley!
More info coming soon!
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 8, 2026
Bravo Thomas ! Ta détermination impressionnante et ta préparation très poussée t’ont permis d’aller jusqu’en haut, comme à l’Aconcagua. Tu nous as fait peur mais on avait confiance en toi. Merci aux braves guides et à félicitations à toute l’équipe, même ceux qui n’ont pas pu aller jusqu’en haut. Cette expérience va vous marquer à vie. Revenez sains et saufs. On a hâte de voir les photos et les vidéos.
Papa.
Posted by: Jean-Christophe MICHEL on 6/1/2026 at 12:08 am
Jess - Congrats to you and your team! Amazing accomplishment under extreme conditions! You Rock!
Posted by: Wayne Johnson on 5/31/2026 at 10:17 pm
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 17,000'
5/29 - Today we were able to stretch our legs and enjoy the views of 17k camp. The team used the day to pack and organize and prepare mentally for what will likely be the hardest day of their lives. This rest day was well deserved. Tomorrow we make our attempt at the summit of North America, Denali!
RMI Guide Jack Delaney & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 8, 2026
We are thinking of you all and wishing you much success as you make your summit bid. We trust you will be ready for lots of good sleep and great chow when you make it back to High Camp! Much love to Tina! —Mom & Charlie
Posted by: Jen LaRocca on 5/30/2026 at 5:38 pm
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
Friday May 29, 2026 12:58am PDT
We have ascended to 17 Camp. It is cold and windy but we are all tucked in safe and sound for the night.
RMI Guide Jack Delaney & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 8, 2026
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - 10:59 pm PT
Over the last few days the stars have slowing been aligning for us to take a crack at going all the way to the top of Denali. So today was our final rest day. We made the most out of it with an extended pancake-athon for breakfast. Afterwards the team went about organizing for our move to high camp, followed by practicing for the many running belays we are soon to encounter on our climb and finally snacking and napping. The night was finished off with a pizza party that culminated in the devouring of a delicious cheesecake. I know this sounds surreal but sometimes life is magical at 14,000 feet. Early to bed, early to rise - tomorrow we begin our bid for summit, starting with the climb to high camp at 17,000 feet!
Cheers,
RMI Guide Jack Delaney and the Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 8, 2026
Go Hayley and Team! I’m so proud of all the time and efforts you have put in. Thinking and praying for you often. Praying for success for your summit push.
Posted by: Rachel Miedema on 5/29/2026 at 8:31 am
Hope all goes well. Stay safe! Holding you all in our thoughts.
Sara and Tom Mayer (Joanie’s parents)
Posted by: Sara Mayer on 5/28/2026 at 8:21 am
Posted by: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 11:22 pm PT
Yesterday evening listening to our nightly broadcast weather report via FRS Radio brought to you by the KIA (Kahiltna International Airport) Base Camp manager was a grim affair. It was calling for cold temps, high winds and lots of snow at the 14k elevation band and above. Thus it felt like a minor miracle when we awoke to clear and calm skies! The team was fully prepared to add another storm day notch on their belts but was equally happy to pivot to a more active day!
After a snappy breakfast of granola, dried blueberries and powered milk we geared up to head to the top of the fixed lines! This day trip would consist of gaining 2,000 feet of elevation over a relatively short distance with a little over 500 of those feet on the legendary Denali fixed lines. After the team scooted up the snow booter, we were looking straight up the fixed lines. Hard blue ice underfoot required strong and purposeful crampon work. The thin air of 16,000 feet required deep breathing. Yet our slow caterpillar of ascending mountaineers finally topped out the pale blue ropes of the fixed lines!
We were greeted with panoramic views of the Alaska Range. Our time was limited as the temperatures were cold and the wind was biting. The descent was a fully engaging endeavor down the firm ice but the team did it with style and grace. A relatively short descent down the remaining snow slope brought us home sweet home for a dinner of ramen and an early bedtime. Tomorrow we continue to acclimate and rest so that we are in ideal condition
should we get a chance to climb to high camp and the summit!
Cheers,
RMI Guide Jack Delaney and the Team!
Hello-
If this is the team that includes Sarah, Tyler, Liv and Jonny, please tell them congratulation and I love them. So glad you have these memories
Lori
Posted by: Lori on 6/22/2026 at 9:01 am
Hello-
If this is the team that includes Sarah, Tyler, Liv and Jonny, please tell them congratulation and I love them. So glad you have these memories :-)
Lori
Posted by: Lori on 6/22/2026 at 9:01 am
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