Entries By lucas haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,000'

June 2, 2017 Hey guys, it's Mike Walter checking in early Friday morning up at High Camp on Denali. We had a successful summit yesterday in beautiful weather, barely a breath of wind, nott a cloud in the sky, great views. We got to spend nearly an hour on this on top, and everyone returned back to camp safely. We have the stoves fired and we are going to pack up here shortly and start our movement downward and hopefully be back in town tomorrow. We will be in touch and keep you posted. RMI Guide Mike Walter

RMI Guide Mike Walter checks in from 17,000 ft Camp after summit bid.

On The Map

Congrats Mark! Get down safely and enjoy some town life now!

Posted by: Tom on 6/2/2017 at 6:55 pm

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Reach the Summit!

June 1, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 20,310'

June 1, 2017 4:18pm PST We just received news that RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team have reached the Summit of Denali! Congratulations Team!

Your patience paid off! Congratulations!

Posted by: David Clemmons on 6/2/2017 at 9:12 am

Congrats guys! It is the time to drink from the base camp to town of Talkeetna.

Posted by: Lei W on 6/2/2017 at 5:42 am

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Move to Camp High Camp Ready for Summit Attempt

May 31, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,200'

May 31, 2017 Hi, it's Mike Walter calling on Wednesday May 31st. We had a beautiful day today, and we moved up to the High Camp on Denali's West Buttress, 17200 feet. We got here a little bit after 1pm today and have been setting up camp and resting. Everyone is resting and the weather looks good for tomorrow. So hopefully we'll be able to take a shot at the summit. Everyone is doing well. Hopefully we will be giving you a call from the summit and let you know how it goes. Alright. RMI Guide Mike Walter

RMI Guide Mike Walter checks in from High Camp at 17,200 ft on Denali.

On The Map

At the moment with 5/31/2017 imagery you are visible on google earth.

Posted by: Tom Rodger on 9/1/2018 at 11:02 am

SO happy for you David and team! You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Cheers to a summit today! Safe travels down…
AK and Mom

Posted by: Ann Kathryn Scott on 6/1/2017 at 9:43 am

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoying Sunshine at 14,000’ Camp

May 31, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

May 30, 2017 Greetings RMI Denali followers, this is Robby Young with the May 3rd Denali Expedition calling you from Day 26. We are sitting in the sunshine here at 14,000' Camp. We awoke this morning to some cloudy skies, some high winds and snow which delayed our progress uphill just one more day. It looks like the weather is going to be beautiful tomorrow and the next few days giving us our opportunity to finally climb higher on the mountain. We are looking forward to a move to 17,000' Camp tomorrow morning if the weather does in fact allow. Until then, we will talk to you soon. Caio, RMI Guide Robby Young

RMI Guide Robby Young calls from 14,000 ft on Denali.

On The Map

The bet was that the Eagles Greatest Hits sold more than 29 million, which it did…I agreed that Thriller sold more.

Also, amazing that you guys summited! Nicely done dudes.

- Mark

Posted by: Mark on 6/7/2017 at 11:54 am

Pretty sure it still isn’t close to Thriller at #1 all time. You can mail me the $50 or send it PayPal. Glad you guaranteed the Eagles was the highest selling all time.

Posted by: Todd on 6/5/2017 at 1:21 pm

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Hope For Break in Weather

May 30, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

May 29, 2017 Greetings all - this is Robbie Young and Mike Walter with the RMI Denali Team. Today was another day of waiting out some weather here at 14,000' Camp. We had snow and some winds this morning and it's just now starting to improve this afternoon. We're on Day 25 and we are looking forward to hopefully a break in this weather over the next few days to give us an opportunity to summit or at least make an attempt if the weather holds out. If not, we're probably looking at coming down at the same time in the next few days here. Looking forward to our opportunity and look forward to checking in again tomorrow, hopefully in 17000' Camp. Thanks. Ciao. RMI Guide Robbie Young

RMI Guide Robby Young checks in from 14,000ft Camp on Denali.

On The Map

Hi Mark - I have been following your expedition on the blog, and thinking of you and the others up on the mountain. Those are remarkable photographs and incredible descriptions of the severe weather conditions. You and the team are pretty damn impressive. I sure hope the weather finally cooperates, but whatever happens you have accomplished something mighty. I will look forward to seeing you upon your return. —Geordie Vining (from Crossfit)

Posted by: Geordie Vining on 5/31/2017 at 5:28 am

Hey Mark, Kev sends me to the blog about every other day to check on your summit progress…for some reason he can manage an RX Murph (we missed you!) but can’t navigate the blog ;) Hoping the weather cooperates for y’all. Catch you on the flip side, H + K

Posted by: heidi + kevin murphy on 5/30/2017 at 8:20 pm

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Wait out the Storm

May 28, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

May 28, 2017 Today is very stormy on Denali. Poor visibility, gusty winds and cold temps keep us in our tents today. This morning we had a great joint breakfast with the RMI #2 team's guides and climbers. Other than that, not much new to report. Camp is quiet as no one is venturing out in this weather. There hasn't been a summit in nearly two weeks, and only a few teams have ventured up to high camp (17,200', where we cached 12 days ago), and most of those that have returned with frostbite. It has been cold and windy for a while now. It has to change, right? It's coming down to the wire for our team as our food supply dwindles. We still have hope though... RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Hang in there Rue and team!!! I’m doing the good weather dance for you guys here in San Franciso for you.

Cheers,
Cindee

Posted by: Cindee on 5/29/2017 at 4:14 pm

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Continue to Wait for Better Weather

May 27, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

May 27th, 2017 We woke to another day of bitterly cold temps and strong winds above. The weather forecast looks promising for the next few days, so we are optimistic that we will finally get our shot. We're hanging in there and trying to be patient with this long wait. Hopefully it will pay off. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Happy Birthday, David! Lots of folks at lower, warmer elevations wishing you well today. Hope the weather gods give you a present of a break in the storms so that you can ascend that peak! Thinking of all of you…Nancy

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 5/28/2017 at 9:05 am

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Still Patient at 14,000’ Camp

May 26, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

May 26, 2017 When I awoke at the frigid hour of 5 am (temp -23F), I was greeted by a beautiful blue sky above Denali's summit. I layered up, got out of the tent, and fired up the stoves. By the time the stoves came to life, winds picked up and a cap had formed on the summit. It quickly grew in intensity and size, reaching all the way down to ~16,000'. We had hot drinks and breakfast and them retreated to the tents to stay warm as we monitored the situation. The weather continued to deteriorate and now we find ourselves once again at 14,000' Camp waiting for our shot. The forecast still looks favorable, and we have a few more days left to make it happen. We'll stay in touch... RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather Window In Sight?

May 25, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Last night's winds abated in camp, but up high that was not the case. A large, menacing lenticular cloud covered the upper portion of the mountain and wind could be seen blowing plumes of snow off of the West Buttress. But, the storm seems to be on its way out. We are hoping to move to high camp tomorrow or the next day and have a go at the summit. We'll see what the weather has in store, but at least it is improving. From Robbie: Happy birthday Vanessa! RMI Guide Mike Walter

<3 thank you!!

Posted by: Vanessa on 5/26/2017 at 3:58 pm

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Wait Out the Storm

May 24, 2017

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

We're hunkered down in camp today as a strong storm is producing snow and wind over Denali. We can hear the winds howling a few thousand feet above us, sounding like waves crashing on a rocky shore. Here at camp it is windy but not nearly that extreme. Winds here are gusting in 20 mph range, which is not too bad at all. We have big walls built to protect our camp, so our tents are just barely shaking. We expect this storm to persist through tomorrow and hopefully we'll have better weather in its wake with which to make a summit push. Our fingers are crossed! RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team

Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day,
May the luck of the Irish
Shine bright on your way

Best wishes for Saturday’s push to the summit, Love Mom

Posted by: Cynthia Chitwood on 5/25/2017 at 7:34 pm

Well, the water heater has been replaced, the leaking toilet has been repaired, the weather has cooled off so no need for air conditioners or screens, the lawn is freshly mowed, and the sun is shining for the first time in days. Hope that portends good weather on Denali as well. Thinking of all of you hunkering down in your tents. Hope everyone has good reading material!
Nancy

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 5/25/2017 at 5:23 pm