Entries By jm gorum

Mt. Rainier: Kautz Seminar Makes Summit Attempt

June 26, 2019

Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Ross Morgan, David Price

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,000'

The Kautz Seminar June 23 - 28 made their summit attempt today, they climbed the crux of the route and reached 14,000' between Point Success and the true summit before weather turned them around. RMI Guide Tyler Jones reported a thick cloud cap with snow and cold temperatures. The team will descend to camp and continue their training on the mountain for the next few days.

Mt. Rainier: RMI Teams on Top!

June 22, 2019

Posted by: Casey Grom, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams were walking into the crater rim just before 7:00 a.m. The weather is fairly warm with a cloud deck at 6,400'. They will spend some time on top as they cross the crater rim to Columbia Crest before starting their descent.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats, Alex & Hamilton! Cant wait to see more pics and hear all about it

Posted by: Russ on 6/23/2019 at 5:11 pm

alex and hamilton, i am so very proud of you, and cannot wait to hear about it; love, dad

Posted by: Steve Wrenn on 6/23/2019 at 10:10 am

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Back at 11,200’

June 10, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 11,200'

Monday, June 10, 2019 - 8:05 PM PT We broke down camp quickly this morning. As quickly as anything happens at 17,000 ft. We’re in our tents at 11,000 feet now. It’s a long, hot day getting down here with all of our gear, but we’re one step closer to the airstrip. We’ll take a quick nap here, wake up around midnight, and then walk the rest of the way in the morning, hopefully landing us in position for a flight out around 8am. RMI Guide JM Gorum

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Summit!

June 9, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 20,310'

UPDATE: Sunday, June 9, 2019 - 8:27 PM PT The team is all safely back at high camp. Everyone did an excellent job on the way down. - JM Sunday, June 9, 2019 - 5:24 PM PT This is John Michael Gorum, calling from the summit of Denali believe it or not, at long last and multiple attempts, we made it! Beautiful day, climbing in light layers and light gloves. [We are] taking photos and some snacks on top and about to head back down. I will send an email update when we get back to camp. All right, you'll hear from us later. RMI Guide JM Gorum

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Brit—

Congrats to you for a long, challenging and incredibly successful climb!

We could not be any more happy for you and the other climbers.

GREAT JOB!!

Tom and Becky

Posted by: Tom and Becky on 6/11/2019 at 8:29 am

Congratulations to all the team quite an achievement ;;well done beautiful photos beautiful clear skies ;my French man is right behind you guys they did a gear climb to camp 5 return to camp 4 .monday 10 th June ;so maybey a summit attempt in the next few days ; his satellite connection is not great so i have been following you guys ;;nice job;;;

Posted by: tracy mccall on 6/11/2019 at 1:51 am

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Remaining Team Move Back to High Camp

June 8, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,000'

Saturday, June 8, 2019 - 7:39 PM PT Guess who’s back? We are. We’re back at High Camp. A place I never really thought I would find myself twice over the course of one Denali trip. The Precision Strike Summit Team (PSST) made quick work of the move back up here. We are a well oiled machine by now. Other teams yell various commands when passing anchors on the fixed lines: “stop!” “go!” “climbing!” “what?” “did you say go?” “huh?!” We climb in silence now, like panthers, sure of each others actions without having to verbalize them. We made it to 17,000' Camp and moved right back in to our old tent platforms, so that made things efficient. We’re currently all chilling out in the tents, rehydrating, and waiting for dinner. The views are great, but we’ve already spent four days looking at them, so nobody is terribly preoccupied at this point. Here’s hoping tomorrow is another calm, clear day. RMI Guide JM Gorum

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Gorum and Team Create a Game Plan

June 8, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

At high camp, I had a dream about eating cheesy hash browns and eggs. This morning, that dream became a reality. We ate breakfast burritos, lunch burritos, and dinner burritos. We lived a life of luxury that was not possible at 17,000 feet. We also came up with a plan for the coming days.Tomorrow, half the group will walk out towards base camp and a flight towards Talkeetna. The rest of us will stay here at 14 just in case we have a summit window within the next few days. The forecast is calling for light winds this weekend, which has us hopeful. Regardless of what happens, we will certainly be eating more burritos. RMI Guide JM Gorum and Team

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Love to muh sunshine:)

Posted by: Jennifer Adams on 6/8/2019 at 10:01 pm

Food sounds tasty! I’m glad I won’t be in the tent with anyone who loaded on the beans. Lol! Glad some of you are able to stay and try. Here’s to great weather. Nice photo of excellent ice cutting shelter. Go, go, go! But, step safe

Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/8/2019 at 5:10 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum and Team Move Back to 14,000’

June 7, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

Thursday, June 6, 2019 11:56 PM PT We woke up this morning and looked uphill at the summit again. We watched as winds increased up high. We watched a few teams leave camp and turn around before Denali pass. We looked at our dwindling food. We looked at our rapidly filling poop cans. When we added it all up, we decided that it was time to leave high camp. Four nights at 17,000 feet can seem like an icy eternity, but the team actually managed it quite well. There was nothing in the forecast that made us want to stay any longer, so we left. We’re back at 14 camp now, which seems like a beach resort in comparison. Some folks have decided they have had their fill, and some want to sit it out for a few more days, potentially trying again. Tomorrow we will flesh out our options and make a plan. For now, we are excited for the best nights sleep we’ve had in a while. We’re excited to eat something other than freeze dried food. We’re excited to be able to wear fewer than three jackets to bed. RMI Guide JM Gorum & Team

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Wise choice given the conditions you described. For those who want to try again, I hope you make it. Stay warm, and step safe. What a beautiful photo!

Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/7/2019 at 9:24 pm

Whatever choice you make, you’ve accomplished so much Brittni (and everyone else!). Diligently checking the blog daily; sunny Colorado is rooting for you!

Posted by: Kate Holmes on 6/7/2019 at 7:13 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Make an Attempt at the Summit

June 5, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,200'

Wednesday, June 5, 2019 - 4:43 PM PT Well, if it’s not one thing it’s another. The wind finally died down for us, and we had a beautiful start to our summit attempt. As we neared Denali pass and the top of the Autobahn, thunder started rumbling in the distance. In a matter of minutes we were underneath the leading edge of a 30,000 foot anvil. We tucked tail and ran back to camp, threading through climbers intent on continuing uphill. We can deal with cold, snow, and wind, but the only cure I know for lightning is distance. All in all it was a good day, considering we are all still healthy and happy. We’re going to regroup this afternoon, consider the forecast, and come up with a plan for the next few days. RMI Guide JM Gorum

On The Map

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Sending you all our love from Idaho, Brit and team! Glad you are all in this together :)

Posted by: Kat on 6/7/2019 at 8:23 am

Good luck Kirk, I hope the weather holds out for you.

Posted by: Tony and Carrie on 6/6/2019 at 8:44 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Keep Waiting The Winds Out

June 4, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,200'

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 - 6:16 PM PT Last night was probably the least comfortable night of the trip. We had strong gusts throughout the night that rattled our tents, and kept us all far from sleep. We spent the morning hiding from the cold and sipping on hot drinks. The winds were too high to make a summit attempt. Eventually things calmed down, and we ventured forth into the world. It has turned into quite a nice day up here, with winds near the summit diminishing as well. We’ve had some amazing views looking down at our previous camps and the Kahiltna glacier winding out of sight. The forecast looks promising for tomorrow. Once again, we’ll wake up in the morning and see what the mountain gives us. RMI Guide JM Gorum

On The Map

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Holding you all in warm hug, especially Mogens! I know this mountain has already gifted you all, looking forward to the stories!
Sally

Posted by: Sally on 6/6/2019 at 9:08 am

We’re all in for your humble conquest of goals. Onward and upward, to the summit… Great care!! Scott

Posted by: scott otoole on 6/5/2019 at 1:32 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Wait For Calmer Winds

June 3, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,200'

Monday, June 3, 2019 - 5:49 PM PT When we poked our heads out of the tent this morning, we hoped to see sunny, calm skies beckoning us to climb this mountain. It was definitely sunny, but winds up high were blowing snow into the stratosphere. As much as we hoped to climb today, it was an easy decision to stay put here at 17 Camp. We slept in, reinforced our camp with some big snow walls, told some jokes, and talked about the beach. Fortunately it hasn’t been too windy here in camp. We’ve been able to get out and stretch our legs from time to time, inspect other camps for architectural inspiration, and chat with the neighbors. We can see the tundra from up here, the only green in sight, 15,000 feet below us. We’ll do an early dinner again, and get organized in hopes of climbing tomorrow. At this point it all just depends on what the winds do. RMI Guide JM Gorum

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Good luck, Pops! You’ll be on top of the world in no time!

Posted by: Jillian Ludwig on 6/4/2019 at 12:33 pm

Praying for cooperative weather in coming days. You are strong!! Our new baby BOY is rooting for you too. Go team!!
- Sam, Brandon, and Logan

Posted by: Sam Wolff on 6/4/2019 at 5:52 am

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