Entries By josh maggard

Mt. McKinley: Beren’s Team at High Camp

June 16, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,200'

Sunday, June 16th, 2013 Holy cow we made it up! Leaving early, we passed RMI 4 at the base of the fixed lines, high fiving as we continued our climb. The team did a remarkable job making it to high camp in fine time. The West Buttress proper is the most fun part of the route and earns the namesake title. We cruised up to our cache at the base of Washburn's Thumb and barely slowed down with the extra weight. Arriving at camp didn't even require a coat once we stopped. The weather is perfect now and all we need is one more day and I'm sure the team will make it to the top. We are ready to outchill weather if it comes, but hopefully we can get one more day of this fantastic weather. Send us all good weather vibes if you please and we will check in tomorrow. RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Sweet they way i read this is you summited on an absolutley gorgeous day. Way to go.

Posted by: Terry Kramer on 6/18/2013 at 1:24 pm

The KEI team is cheering you on. Can’t wait to see the pics. Barbara you are awesome and put us all to shame. We are so very proud f you.

Posted by: Terry Kramer on 6/17/2013 at 9:55 am

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Travel the Fixed Lines to Washburn’s Thumb

June 16, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Saturday, June 15th, 2013 Big day here on Denali. A big congrats to Tyler Jones, Garrett Stevens and crew for a job well done going to the top! We didn't lounge around ourselves and made an early bid for our cache at Washburn's Thumb. The team handled the fixes lines very well and we made great time up to 16,400 feet under perfect climbing conditions. It was a great day to enjoy the views and we relaxed up high before hitting the sauna on our way down. It was HOT and we were sure glad to be on our way back to camp by the time the temperatures peaked. Naps followed our work day and we are tentatively optimistic that we will be able to move higher tomorrow and get in position to put all the hard work and experience to the test in the next few days. Keep some fingers crossed for us friends, we're gonna need some good weather for a few days. Over and out. RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Wonderful news!!
We are sending the good weather vibes from LA to you all!
Thinking of the Team often and wishing you luck these next few days!
~S Brownie

Posted by: S Brownie on 6/16/2013 at 1:51 pm

Peter!

So proud of you and your team! Happy to hear you are safe and still climbing. Miss you and am excited to see you on your safe arrival home! Lots of love.

Xoxo
Chels

Posted by: Chelsea Hall on 6/16/2013 at 12:02 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Enjoy Their Rest Day

June 14, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Friday, June 14, 2013 It sure felt nice for the team to get a little extra time in sleeping bags this morning before an epic pancake and bacon breakfast. Then it was off to practice for the fixed lines and Autobahn just outside of camp. The team is primed and ready for moving up on the mountain, skills sharp and energy high. After a siesta, we will take a stroll over to the Edge of the World and take in the sights nearly 7,000 feet down the NE Fork o the Kahiltna before dinner. Not a bad day up here at all. RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Peter/Dad, Happy Father’s Day from all of us! Love, Nathaniel

Posted by: Nathaniel on 6/16/2013 at 9:38 am

Happy Father’s Day. Hope you are having the best ever. Miss you here. Safe travels to 17,200. x, Bonny

Posted by: Bonny Rogers on 6/16/2013 at 8:17 am

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Retrieve Cache and Race Around for Science

June 14, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Thursday, June 13, 2013 Today we "rested" at camp, but it hardly felt like it. After breakfast we put on some empty packs and boogied down to retrieve our cache at 13,500'. The wind kept our somewhat spirited return trip from being too hot. Once back and rested, we fortified camp with stellar walls for the afternoon. Some of us even found a little time to participate in a high altitude medical study which had us racing around in the name of science. Then dinner and a few songs around the stoves and off to bed. The team impressed everyone around with our hard work and we really earned some down time tomorrow. Maybe there will be some actual rest for this not so weary crew. RMI Guide Jake Beren

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I’m so impressed with all of you! Amazing. Good luck & safe journey up.
Karen

Posted by: Karen Hoffman on 6/14/2013 at 1:40 pm

I take it that Grasshopper will NOT be at happy hour today in McKinney, then. (It was his turn to buy, you know). Safe journeys!

Posted by: Tim on 6/14/2013 at 12:30 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Move to 14,000’

June 13, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 A fine day for a move presented itself to us this morning and we certainly made the most of it. Leaving our 11,000' Camp in the early morning cold is great training for the chill of higher altitude and we made a solid bid before the sun came out in force. It's nearly always hot coming into 14 and today was no exception. We were treated to some real hospitality when we arrived in the form of another RMI Team, led by Tyler Jones and Garret Stevens. Freshly hydrated, we set to work building camp and rebuilding ourselves with a big meal and early night's rest. Tomorrow is a rest day, but I hazard a guess that we will be working in some way most of the day, retrieving a cache, fortifying camp and practicing for the fixed lines. It is exciting to be up here with such a great team! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Galen,
I wait eagerly everyday for updates, checking the blog multiple times (despite the fact that I have subscribed to notifications). I have also read the blogs of the team you saw come down after their summit as well as the other team who’s also at 14k but started before your team. Reading all of these incredible stories and lush descriptions makes me jelly :( and reminds me of when I camped on top of tajumulco. Looks like there’s a bit of very cold and fierce wind and you may have to wait before climbing to 17k and/or to the top. By my calculations, you have 2/3 days of buffer time so hopefully the winds will die down a bit. Or “if you can hold on. If you can hold on, hold on.” Today I found myself thinking and brainstorming about our travel and it made me happy. I hope to see you soon R

Posted by: Alice on 6/14/2013 at 1:04 am

Keep up the great work everyone!I miss you Michael, have fun and be safe. Love Vien.

Posted by: Vien Vail on 6/13/2013 at 5:22 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Carry to 13,500’

June 11, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Josh Maggard, Leon Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 11,200'

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 All these early mornings are sure getting us dialed on working in the cold and will surely pay off up high. Today we led the way out of 11,000 ft camp by a few hours and reaped the reward of hitting the sun at a not-so Windy Corner and putting in our cache at 13,500 ft in still, warm weather. The team did a great job and collectively we avoided baking in the afternoon sun. Now back at camp, the team is relaxing and recovering so that if Mother Nature allows, we can bump camps to 14,000' tomorrow. All we can do now is rest up and hope that Windy Corner lets us through one more time. RMI Guides Jake Beren, Leon Davis & Josh Maggard

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Thinking of Galen and the rest of the team and hoping that Windy Corner is not too windy for your ascent, and that the weather lets you enjoy the mountain at each step along the way. Stay strong and safe. Kathleen and Bill, Arlington, VA

Posted by: Kathleen and Bill on 6/12/2013 at 6:59 pm

James and Others:

It sounds like “Miss McKinley” is making sure you appreciate what you have courageous chosen to pursue (and in due time achieve). Knowing you ... you are enjoying the challenge even more ... while becoming even more aware of your unique adventurous drive, persistence, and stamina! Please help each other stay patient, optimistic and (most importantly) safe. Best of success as you all continue to ascent!

Fred

Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on 6/12/2013 at 12:23 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Team Beren Enjoys Rest Day

June 10, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Josh Maggard, Leon Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 11,200'

Monday, June 10, 2013 It did snow a little bit last night and the cold wind this morning made a camp day a welcome change of pace for this team. We are climbing very well so far, and I'm sure everyone would've done just fine continuing higher this morning. Patience on the big mountain is key, and the recovery day will only make us stronger for the future as we acclimatize and settle in to camp life. After a big breakfast we reviewed some cramponing techniques and ice axe usage. After our mid-morning relaxation session we are going to have a potluck lunch and move to a little rope work and cache digging before dinner. Tomorrow if the weather is workable we will carry towards 14,000' Camp and get a little taste of some real altitude. Everyone sends their best to family and friends back home. Over and out, RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Team Caraccio is thinking of you Mike. You are an inspiration to us all. Love Lori

Posted by: Lori on 6/11/2013 at 4:15 pm

Thinking of you Michael. I love you and miss you!
Vien

Posted by: Vien Vail on 6/11/2013 at 11:13 am

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Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Arrive to 11,000 Camp

June 10, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Josh Maggard

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 11,200'

Sunday, June 9, 2013 Tonight we will sleep well after three big days on the lower Kahiltna. We arrived to 11,000' camp in the early warmth of a new day and made camp easily. A strong performance by the team gives us great confidence in our abilities the higher we move and with a full day of rest tomorrow, we should only grow stronger. The rest day won't be entirely lounging about. We are going to review some tricks of the trade for motion on the upper mountain and ready loads for our carry towards our 14,000' Camp. So with a light snow falling onto our tents and the sound of other teams passing through camp, we say goodnight to our friends and family. RMI Guides Jake Beren, Leon Davis & Josh Maggard

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Looking good, Thanks for the wonderful updates and photos. B Safe and have fun! Kalispell Montana

Posted by: Jay Rocha on 6/10/2013 at 12:06 pm

Getting tremendous vicarious enjoyment from your trip! Keep up the fantastic work!!

Posted by: Nina Baj on 6/10/2013 at 11:43 am

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Mt. McKinley: June 4th Team Beren - Ready in Talkeenta

June 6, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Josh Maggard, Leon Davis

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 358'

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Hello, This is the RMI Mt. McKinley June 4th Expedition. The whole team is here in Talkeetna, Alaska, packed and ready to rock. Today we packed up, checked our gear and sat in on a National Park Service orientation to preview a bit of the upcoming adventure. The team is excited and ready to launch. So far the flying weather hasn't let many folks land these days, but it appears to be stabilizing just in time for us to storm the SE fork of the Kahiltna. With any luck we'll fly out tomorrow morning, so we better get some rest tonight. RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Have fun & be safe - big props from Seattle!

Posted by: Stacey Guerrero on 6/8/2013 at 8:49 pm

Zurich wishes all the best and good luck for the whole team.

Posted by: Tom&Jerry;$ on 6/6/2013 at 12:06 pm

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Entries By josh maggard

Mt. McKinley: Beren’s Team at High Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Travel the Fixed Lines to Washburn’s Thumb

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Enjoy Their Rest Day

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Retrieve Cache and Race Around for Science

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Move to 14,000’

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Carry to 13,500’

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Team Beren Enjoys Rest Day

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Beren & Team Arrive to 11,000 Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: June 4th Team Beren - Ready in Talkeenta

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