Entries By nick sinapius
Posted by: Mike King, George Hedreen, Nick Sinapius, Matt Kelly, Ben Stimson, Sam Traylor, Rylee Ericson, Megan Ochalek
Categories: Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The four-day climb stayed at Camp Muir today and were unable to climb due to heavy snow and wind. Gusts were nearly 60 miles per hour overnight.
Way to stay strong up there team!
Posted by: Nick Sinapius, Sam Marjerison, Stella Johnson, Megan Ochalek
Categories: Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The five-day clmib decided to climb their first night at Camp Muir, with much success! The team, led by RMI guide Nick Sinapius, reached the summit around 7am this morning. They are on their descent back to Camp Muir. They have one more night at Camp Muir and will descend back to Ashford tomorrow.
Great job everyone!
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Nick Sinapius, Robert Whyte, David Rathbun, Annie Chapman, Sam Traylor, Dan Harper, Oliver Sperin
Categories: Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,500'
RMI teams led by guides Henry Coppolillo and Nick Sinapius attempted to summit Mt Rainier this morning, but turned around at 11,500', just above Ingraham Flats due to deteriorating route conditions.They returned to Camp Muir and are on their descent back to Paradise. They will be back in Ashford this afternoon.
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Nick Sinapius, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 350'
Monday, June 1st - 9PM PST
Well, we did it. We packed up camp at 14 yesterday morning, and began the trek back down the mountain around noon. We rolled through our old camps, and luckily got to see a few friends along the way. We picked up trash, old CMCs, and a few hugs here and there. We continued through the lower Kahiltna - in a white out, fitting for this trip.
Eventually, around 10PM we pulled our heavy sleds up heart break hill and into base camp again. We enjoyed a midnight dinner, and settled into our tents for (hopefully) the last time.
The following morning we checked in with K2 and hoped to fly. We got lucky, and by 11A the planes were on the ground and we crawled in.
The team is back in Talkeetna and enjoying vegetables and beer for the first time in a while.
-RMI Guide Nikki Champion
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 12, 2026
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Nick Sinapius, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Saturday, May 30th 10PM PST
Today was our final decision day, the final day of no dehydrated meals, the final look at weather before making a decision to head up to 17 camp, or make our way back to the airstrip. The morning started off calm and beautiful, and after a breakfast of eggs and hashbrowns the whole team walked out the edge of the world where we got expansive views of everything below and out for miles. Throughout the afternoon we got more weather information, and the clouds began to build in camp.
The window we were looking for was moving up Sunday, trying to summit Monday, and heading back downhill Tuesday. The more we checked the weather, and the more we heard it appeared as the low pressure pushed out, and the high pressure moved in, high winds were moving in with it. Both the winds and the temperatures (still in the -30 range…brrr) sadly took the Monday summit window off the table.
After much consideration, we are going to have to start making our way back down the mountain and towards the airstrip.
We will check in tomorrow as we begin our descent. These decisions are never easy, and the team put so much effort in. We are proud of everything done up until this point.
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 12, 2026
8/29 - A well deserved rest day! Again, sleeping in and waking with the sun - we enjoyed our final bagel, cream cheese and smoked salmon meal of the trip. Nick was running the stoves, and taking orders, and the morning was leisurely around camp. We spent the day pondering weather, and making a game plan for the coming days. We ate snacks, played some games, and continued to put off walking to the edge of the world. The day wrapped up with Mac and Cheese and some team rounds of heads up. We are continuing to look for a 3 day weather window to move up hill, summit, and return to 14 camp. Let's see what the weather brings!
RMI Guide Nikki Champion & Team
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 12, 2026
Go Karen! The Colorado pod is rooting for you!
Posted by: Rebecca on 5/30/2026 at 3:25 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Nick Sinapius, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Bonjour from 14 Camp!
Sorry, the Canadians are taking over dispatch today. A chilly night left us happy, we slept with our toques and mitts on. We snoozed as best we could and waited for the sun to kiss our tents, giving us a minor reprieve from the chill. We wished for breakfast to be a couple of bacon and eggers but started with oatmeal before heading out for a rip up the fixed lines for some high-altitude poutine or Timbits. Travel was reasonable, as we were expecting a 50-degree sheet of ice worthy of rolling a few rocks or firing a few biscuits. Fortunately, someone spilled a couple of jugs of maple syrup on it, and travel was a bit tackier than expected.
The entire team made it to the top, reaching 16K, and when we unclipped, the clouds parted. The shamrock Sherpa thought he saw a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, and Nick was given his brief moment in the sun. We all enjoyed the stunning views from the roof of North America. After a few snacks, we headed back down a run more suited for a toboggan, back to a sunny camp. We bumped into a couple of fellow Canucks on our descent, shared a couple of “Oh hey, buds,” and the secret Canadian wave. We are now hoping for the storms to stay away, as we have a rest day tomorrow and our ultimate decision on Friday about whether to go up or head out.
We miss you all, and God save the King.
From Nikki’s Champions Group
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 12, 2026
We are all routing for the Shamrock Sherpa (Oliver) back home. It is great to see the mountain and weather is allowing you to progress onward. Sending you lots of love and hugs from Ireland xxxx
Maeve, James, Peter, Emmet
Knowing David is watching over you.
Posted by: Maeve on 5/29/2026 at 9:46 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Nick Sinapius, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - 10:14 pm PT
Ah, a sweet sweet rest day. After a few days of solid work, the team deserved it. We slept in, and spent the morning sharing breakfast scrambles of hashbrowns, eggs and bacon (some soy bacon as well...), before settling into our tents for a few hours. The afternoon was spent working on the skills necessary to tackle the fixed lines tomorrow so we practice running belays, fixed line work, and steep crampon techniques. The weather was in and out, and wrapped the evening up with some more jambalaya and chats about the coming days. After our acclimation day tomorrow, we will be looking for a weather window that safely aligns.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 12, 2026
Love you Candice and Adam! <3
Posted by: Meagan Shultz on 5/29/2026 at 9:14 am
Love you Candice and Adam!!
Posted by: Kate on 5/29/2026 at 7:35 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Nick Sinapius, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 10:27 pm PT
Woke up to bagels
Empty packs down to the cache
Set up for rest day
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 12, 2026
Rooting for you guys!
Posted by: Jeff P on 5/27/2026 at 1:14 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Nick Sinapius, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, May 25th 11:30pm PST
Today was a tough day. We woke up to clear skies, and the signs of high winds at upper elevations. We quickly tore down camp and finally started the move to 14 camp. The first stretch was pleasant, but by the top of motorcycle hill we were met by strong winds the winds only persisted up squirrel hill and across the polo fields, but it was at windy corner where we were met by the worst of the weather. A cloud overtook us, winds increased and visibility decreased, but the team pushed through and gained visibility by the cache site. Eventually, we made it to 14 camp and set up our new home. We wrapped the night up with pad thai.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion & Team
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 12, 2026
Sending you lots of love, strength, determination and wisdom. Epic it is. Incredible you are!
XOX
Mum/Hilary
Posted by: Hilary Foulkes on 5/26/2026 at 8:52 pm
Cheering you all on from Colorado, in awe of each and every one of you. Go team!!
Posted by: Emily Chaplin on 5/26/2026 at 4:06 pm
Congratulations to this brave team on your incredible accomplishments. Reaching the summit is not the only measure of success; it takes tremendous courage, wisdom, and strength to make the difficult decision to turn back when conditions demand it. We are incredibly proud of you and wish you a safe descent. We love you Dad! - Emily, Jeff, Lauren, Jenny, and Andrew
Posted by: Jenny Penner on 6/1/2026 at 1:05 pm
Congratulations on an outstanding effort. True courage is demonstrated when tough decisions are made. So proud of you all. The journey is not over yet, and safe returns to the airstrip.
Love Dad/Bruce
Posted by: Bruce Shultz on 5/31/2026 at 4:52 pm
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