Entries By mike walter
May 28, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,200'
May 27, 2023 8:44PM PT
The weather was spectacular today: sunny with very light wind. We took advantage and moved to high camp at 17,200'. Six hours of climbing and another few of building camp and we're all situated. After hydration, lots of calories and some rest, we're hoping to try for the top tomorrow, weather permitting. Fingers crossed!
Mike
May 26, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Friday 5/26/2023 3:15 PM PT
Clouds and light snow are making a perfect atmosphere for a lazy rest day here at 14k.
Strong winds high on the mountain are occasionally visible through breaks in the clouds. The warmth of our tents is conducive to lazing, reading, listening to music, and occasionally drifting off into a dreamy state of consciousness.
Meanwhile, we're hoping that favorable weather allows us an opportunity to climb higher and push for the summit soon.
Until then, we're embracing the tranquility of the mountains.
Mike
Go Team! Make it happen! It’s going to be epic!!! You got this!!!! Perseverance and Patience….goal in sight! Hoping for some solid blue sky and perfect climate!!! Cheers from Talkeetna!!! Susan
Posted by: Susan on 5/27/2023 at 9:39 am
May 24, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - 8:23 pm PT
We had a wonderfully serene rest day today. It started with a prolonged breakfast scramble brunch, transitioned to hours of lounging, and culminated in a few hours of practicing fixed rope travel and running belays. Now we're fixin' for a burrito dinner. Tomorrow we hope to establish a cache up high so we're ready to make a summit bid if and when we get a good weather window, which could come in as little as a few days. The forecast is promising, but we won't hold our breath at this altitude.
We're taking it day by day.
Rich, Happy Birthday! I hope you can get my wish on this way! Good luck for all of you! Dia
Posted by: Dia on 5/25/2023 at 12:09 pm
May 23, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, May 22, 2023 - 7:55 pm PT
The weather was gorgeous today. We retrieved our cache from Windy Corner, so we're all set here at 14,000'. The rest of the afternoon was spent resting and socializing in the sun. Meanwhile, the guides excavated a palacial cook/dining tent for the team. Our plan is to review fixed rope travel and rest tomorrow, taking advantage of another day/night to acclimate to the altitude, and then establish a cache up high on Wednesday. A little weather might move in Thurday, but we're optimistic for a good window for a summit push this weekend.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Sending bro’ support from Tucson to Emmo from Pete and Lisa. Remember your increasingly dilapidated 60 something bud’s are living vicariously through you. Makes us proud just to know you are up there.
Posted by: Pete Eckerstrom on 5/23/2023 at 10:05 pm
May 22, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, May 22, 2023, 9:33am PDT
Burdened with heavy packs, we climbed the 3000' to Genet Basin, our new home. Climbing conditions were excellent; weather ranged from warm and sunny to cold and breezy to snowy pea soup. Five hours after leaving our 11k Camp we arrived at 14k Camp, then had another few hours of building camp, melting snow, and making dinner. This morning is beautiful and we will go back to Windy Corner to pick up our cache. Lots of resting and eating will ensue.
RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team
Could someone just let us know which expedition Scott Crist is on (don’t need any other details) but we would like to follow the blog for that particular trip he is on. He asked me to follow it before he left and after the 2-3 day delay when they could not get on the mountain.
Thanks, Doug Mitchell
Posted by: DOUG MITCHELL on 5/22/2023 at 2:34 pm
Making great progress now !
Posted by: Kim H on 5/22/2023 at 1:58 pm
May 20, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
Saturday, May 20, 2023 8:36am PDT
We kept the proverbial ball rolling yesterday and established a cache at 13,700', above Windy Corner. The weather was remarkably hot Yesterday, a marked change from the previous two weeks we've been in AK. The icy slopes of Squirrel Hill & Windy Corner were mostly Slushy by the time we descended them in the afternoon. And today we are back to some snow and wind. Bizzarro.
Anyway, we're resting and acclimating today, with hopes of moving camp up to Genet Basin at 14,200' tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team
So stoked to see you all moving up and being able to make progress in your weather windows! Great work team! Climb on!
Posted by: Rae Anglen on 5/21/2023 at 6:32 am
Well done, team! Strong work! You have braved some serious conditions! Alaska! So impressive! Keep going! If you hear some noise in the distance- it’s probably me cheering for all of you from a Talkeetna! Keep climbing! You got this! Cheers! Susan!
Posted by: Susan on 5/21/2023 at 1:37 am
May 19, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
Thursday, May 18, 2023 10:40pm PDT
The weather finally cooperated with us, and we were able to make the move to 11,200'. Everyone did great pulling heavy sleds. We're currently cozy in our tents and looking forward to a good night's rest. If the weather is nice tomorrow, we're hoping to put a cache In above Windy Corner. We'll let you know what we find tomorrow.
RMI Guides Mike, Abby, Emma & Team
Yayyy!! Some progress, hope the weather is good for you all again today.
Posted by: Kim on 5/19/2023 at 12:27 pm
Great Scott, that is a lot of snow
Y’all got this !
Posted by: Kim H on 5/19/2023 at 11:07 am
May 18, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,400'
Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 8:31 am PT
Yesterday's weather started out looking pretty decent, but it shut down pretty quickly and we were forced to remain tent bound. This morning is much nicer and we should finally be able to move to 11,200' Camp. We'll check in again soon, hopefully from up higher.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Yayyy! Good weather God’s have arrived, hopefully for a few days
Posted by: Kim on 5/18/2023 at 9:41 am
May 17, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,400'
Tuesday, May 17, 2023 - 4:07 PM PT
Our team is still hunkered down at 9,400' in a blizzard. At least 2 feet of snow has fallen,with lots of drifting. Visibility is near zero. We're safe and trying to remain positive from the confines of our tents. The weather forecast hints at a break in the storm tomorrow. Our fingers are crossed that things ease up and we'll be able to make some upward progress soon.
We'll keep you posted!
The sun came out today- so I am hoping you were able to climb! Keep going! Thinking of all of you! Sending some serious good vibes toward the mountain! Be well! Susan
Posted by: Susan on 5/17/2023 at 7:07 pm
All the Rotarians from Lee’s Summit Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club are cheering the entire Walter team including fellow Rotarian, Scott Crist. Conquer the mountain….stay the course….get home safely.
Posted by: Elaine Metcalf on 5/17/2023 at 10:38 am
May 16, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,400'
Monday, May 15, 2023 - 5:00 PM PT
We've been tentbound all day today in a storm, so not much to report. We delivered delicious breakfast burritos to our climbers in their sleeping bags, and we're all safe and comfortable in our tents. That's all the news to report from the Kahiltna Glacier!
Hello Scott! LS Sunrise is all behind you on what sounds to be a very intense journey.
All good things to you and your party and we are pulling for you all. Hoping the summit is all you dreamed of and worked so hard to achieve.
Posted by: Bob Paradise on 5/16/2023 at 6:11 pm
Plz post breakfast burrito recipe!
Posted by: Brian W. on 5/16/2023 at 10:47 am
Hope that weather window is wide open and today’s the day! Go Team Go! Brett, Enjoy the view and bask in your achievements! Can’t wait for you to share your adventures with us.
PS Game 6 of WCF is Monday VGK leads 3-2.
Posted by: Dianne on 5/28/2023 at 11:30 am
YES!!! Let’s go, no storms and make it to the Summitt!! Great job by everyone.
Posted by: Kim on 5/28/2023 at 8:05 am
View All Comments