Entries By nikki champion
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,200'
RMI Guide Nikki Champion and her team flew onto Kahiltna Base Camp this afternoon and are all settled in, ready to begin their climb.
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Mt. McKinley Expedition May 27, 2025
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Friday May 30, 2025 -5:06 pm PDT
Well, we got everyone ready. Spirits were high, packs were packed, and the skies were crystal clear in town when we woke up… but sadly, the mountain had other plans. Basecamp was totally socked in.
So we got put on standby, crossing fingers and toes for a break in the weather.
And then we waited… and waited… and waited some more.
Unfortunately, instead of a magical clearing, the weather just kept building, and it became pretty clear that our window wasn’t going to open today. So, we shifted gears—found some lodging in town, went on a few sanity-preserving jogs, and then regrouped for dinner as a team.
Wash, rinse, repeat… and hope Friday brings the goods.
Think clear thoughts!
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Mt. McKinley Expedition May 27, 2025
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 348'
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 7:27 pm PT
We’ve officially made it to Talkeetna! After a long travel day yesterday for most of the team, we all finally met up at the Anchorage airport and started our journey north. A few hours (and some great scenery) later, we rolled into Talkeetna, dropped our gear at K2, and made a beeline for Denali BrewPub. Over burgers and beers, we got to know each other a bit better—swapping stories and sharing what brought each of us to Denali this season.
This morning kicked off our first full day together, and it was a busy one. We started with a deep dive into the packing list, making sure everyone is dialed for the climb ahead. Mid-morning, we took a short walk over to the National Park Service office for our official briefing. We were lucky to have fellow RMI guide Alan Davis—who’s also working for the Park this season—lead our session. Afterward, it was back to the hangar for final packing, sorting group gear, and manifesting everything to get ready for tomorrow’s flight.
The team is looking strong, stoked, and ready to get this expedition rolling. We’re hoping for good weather and an early flight into the Alaska Range tomorrow so we can hit the ground running. Stay tuned!
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
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Mt. McKinley Expedition May 27, 2025
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
The team came to the challenging decision, where part of the team chose to continue uphill and part of the team called yesterday their high point.
For those who chose to continue uphill, you can follow along with their journey on the May 12th Expedition with Dustin Wittmier. For the remainder of the team, we packed up late last night, walked through the night and flew back to Talkeetna mid-morning where we can now enjoy a shower and beer for our hard work.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion & Team
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Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
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Today was a challenging day. We rigged up with half the food and gear to go cache around Windy Corner. We made our way up Motorcycle and Squirrel, and through the Polo Fields but not all the way to Windy Corner. Going to see what tomorrow brings.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion & Team
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Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
Go Uncle Jimmy!!! We are so proud of you! Stay safe and keep climbing that mountain! -Abby, Josh, Carter and Helena
Posted by: Abby Roberts on 5/25/2024 at 10:38 am
Go team Nikki, Go!!!
Posted by: Tracy and Bruce Wilhelm on 5/24/2024 at 1:33 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - 9:44 pm PT
Another weather day in the books. We woke up hoping to carry this morning, but instead were greeted by another morning of strong winds and snowfall. After looking up Motorcycle Hill for a bit, and watching to see if weather improved we crawled back in our sleeping bags and decided it was going to be another rest and weather day. We needed winds to die down a bit to make it around Windy Corner. After camp warmed up a bit, we made some coffee and breakfast burritos and settled into another day of acclimating and resting. The weather broke a bit, and we were able to get the caches reading for tomorrow, practice putting our crampons on and just getting a bit of fresh air. Tomorrow we are yet again hoping for a bit better weather, and the chance to carry.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
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Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
Hi Will and team! Glad you got a small break in the weather and hoping for the best in the coming days. Congrats on your determination and preparation to make the trip - enjoy this adventure to the fullest!
Posted by: Rebecca on 5/24/2024 at 5:15 am
Hey Pops!
Hopefully mother nature chills out a bit and you guys can continue the climb up! Stay safe and we love you
Cody & girls
Posted by: Cody,amanda,addie & ava on 5/23/2024 at 10:40 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
May 21, 2024
Our first real rest day - and our first real weather day. Winds picked up overnight and didn't let off all day. Along with the winds came the snow. We spent all day in our sleeping bags or battling to keep track of our belongings in the snow. We wrapped our first weather day up with some hand delivered burritos, and crawled in bed hoping to carry beyond Windy Corner tomorrow.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
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Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
Stay strong, stay focused. Praying for better weather. We’re rooting for you! Love, Noel and crew
Posted by: Noel on 5/22/2024 at 6:30 pm
Sending prayers of strength and endurance. Amazed to watch your progress and thrilled you got rested for next milestone! Windy Corner here you come! Love to Tim! Teri
Posted by: Teri on 5/22/2024 at 6:01 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - 9:58 am PT
Our first relaxed morning in the books. We woke up with the sun, and had an experimental breakfast of pan fried cinnamon rolls. Update, the experiment went well - and we've got another two cans for higher up the mountain. After breakfast we took some down time and then rigged up the empty sleds to make our way down to our cache. After a quick 40 minute downhill, we were reunited with the rest of our group, and personal food and gear. We rigged the sleds back up now full, and made our way back to camp. Once back at camp, we had a relaxing afternoon and prepped camp for some incoming weather. We wrapped up the evening with some butter chicken, and then crawled in bed looking forward to our first full rest day.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
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Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
We are all rooting for you and praying for you and your crew Jimmy! I check here daily to see where you all are and how it is going. Then I can tell the sisters when they ask about you. Keep up the good work, stay strong, and believe!
Posted by: Sister Michelle on 5/22/2024 at 10:44 am
I couldn’t be prouder Jimmy. Everyone is constantly asking about you and so excited about what you’re doing. You can do it! Open the way! It sounds like you have an incredible group, keep up the good work. -Much Love, Hannah
Posted by: Hannah Peters on 5/22/2024 at 6:02 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Hello from 11,000' Camp on Denali!
After a quick breakfast of oatmeal, we tore down camp and retraced our steps from yesterday. As we worked our way in and out of the clouds and limited visibility we finally pushed past our cache site, and continued to 11,000 ft. Once we rolled into camp, the work for the day wasn't done. We made quick work setting up tents and building camp. After many hours of hard work we finally wrapped up the evening with some ramen as it lightly snowed at camp. Tomorrow we will make the quick jaunt downhill to our cache and get the rest of our gear. Check in tomorrow!
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
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Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
Keep going!! Love to you Tim! Go team!!
Posted by: Teri on 5/21/2024 at 12:40 am
Way to go Pops! We’re rooting for you. We love you.
Posted by: Noel on 5/20/2024 at 8:19 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Saturday, May 18, 2024 - 10:11 pm PT
Another solid day in the books. We woke up to clear skies, and cold temperatures. After a later dinner yesterday, we opted for a Slightly more casual start time. After a quick breakfast of granola and blueberries we packed up about 2/3rds of our group food, fuel, gear, and personal food and started up Ski Hill. After many hours of climbing we ran into Dustin's team digging up their cache around 9,900', and decided that would be a good place to put ours. We unloaded all the gear and food we wouldn't need for the next few days, buried it, and marked it with some wands. Then strapped our now empty sleds to our back and made our way back to the base of Ski Hill. We finished the evening up with the weather and some beef burritos. The plan is to move to 11 camp tomorrow if weather allows. Everyone is doing great on this first few challenging days. Check in tomorrow!
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
Good job on the first part. Sounds challenging. We’re hoping the weather cooperates and things go smoothly for the team. We love you Pops!
Posted by: Noel, Xander, and Nora on 5/21/2024 at 11:30 am
Sounds like a strong start! We are rooting for you and the team! Sending lots of strength & love!
Posted by: Kelly Jeremy on 5/19/2024 at 2:44 pm
Enjoy every moment of it Caroline and remember the butterfly is right behind you.
Posted by: Page Evans on 5/30/2025 at 7:16 pm
Enjoy your climb and return healthy! I wish You best weather to enjoy each of the sights! Care of each other!
Elisabeth
Posted by: Elisabeth Jente on 5/30/2025 at 1:01 pm
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