Entries By pete van deventer

Mt. Rainier: July 3rd Update

July 3, 2012

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 10,060'

Today's teams were unable to reach the summit due to high winds and new snow. The Four Day Summit Climb led by Andres Marin and the Five Day Summit Climb led by Pete Van Deventer reported consistent winds with stronger gusts and two new inches of snow overnight. At 8:00 a.m. PT the teams began their descent from Camp Muir.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Glad your team made the safe decision. The mountain is not going anywhere hopefully for awhile. Jenelle

Posted by: Jenelle on 7/3/2012 at 12:18 pm

Too bad it did not work out for today, Steve and Chad. Looking forward to your safe return. Take care - G

Posted by: Gretchen on 7/3/2012 at 9:25 am

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Return to Talkeetna

May 30, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

Our whole crew is safe and sound back in Talkeetna! After a successful summit of Denali on Sunday, our crew descended to the 14,000’ camp on Monday. Then, after an early start Tuesday, we hiked out to Basecamp and arrived at the airstrip in the early evening and were lucky enough to have some clear weather to fly off of the glacier and back to civilization. We had a great team dinner last night at the West Rib Pub, and we are all enjoying the comforts of real beds and running water! After 18 great days on the mountain, our expedition is officially over. Everyone is parting ways today, heading back to loved ones back home. It was a great adventure on Denali; climbing with a great team, great weather, and a great mountain, it was hard to beat! RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats to the team and Mike for another well lead expedition. A little quicker than last year :)

Posted by: Jeff Rapp on 5/31/2012 at 2:40 pm

Nicely done folks! Welcome back Rich!

Posted by: Erik on 5/31/2012 at 9:06 am

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Summit!

May 28, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,320'

This is Mike calling down from 17,200 on Denali. We reached the summit yesterday at about 7 p.m. on the most beautiful day I’ve ever seen up here – comfortably warm and no winds! We are cooking up a nice breakfast right now and plan on beginning our descent soon. Looking forward to seeing Billy and team at 14,000' and Brent and team at 11,000'. We plan on making it to 11K today, and then heading for the Kahiltna airstrip on Tuesday morning. Weather allowing, we hope to fly off on Tuesday. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

were are you guys? Hope you had a restful day. ET phone home!!!! Love bob Enjoy the time you have on the mountain. Love you tons mom xoxo (Maile)

Posted by: Ginny and bob on 5/29/2012 at 6:56 pm

Amazing accomplishment-kudos to you Mike and your team! Glad that you made it to the summit safely and with such pleasant weather! So glad your Mom forwarded the news to me.Always happy to hear about your endeavors. All the best to you and your group!
Aunt D

Posted by: Mike Walter and team on 5/29/2012 at 5:16 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Postpone Summit Attempt

May 27, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Pete Van Deventer called and the team is at 17,200' and are positioned for their summit attempt. The weather changed and the winds were high so they postponed their attempt one day. The team will be going for it tomorrow and hope to give us a call from the summit. RMI Guides Mike Walter & Pete Van Deventer

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Now we have to think of you for a whole another day already because of the stinking weather! NOT!!

You know of course that your Mom and I would be thinking of you even if you were not on a mountain such as Denali!

Hope it happens today for you all.. Be safe and I love you Mom.xoxoxo

Posted by: Ginny & Bob on 5/28/2012 at 10:33 am

I’m on pins and needles. Miss you, Rich. XO

Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/28/2012 at 9:31 am

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Ready for Summit Bid

May 26, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Hey guys, this is Mike Walter calling from high camp on Denali, 17,200'. We're all doing great. We are all tucked into our sleeping bags. We moved up here yesterday and rested today. We are hoping for good weather to go for the summit tomorrow, which would be Saturday, May 26th. The forecast is for pretty light winds and some clouds so it is looking promising. We'll give you guy a shout either from up top or back at camp hopefully. Alright. We'll see you. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Mike Walter checks in from 17,200' camp

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Way to go Kyle!!! I am so happy to hear that you reached the summit. I can’t wait to hear all about it! Love you bunches! Christina

Posted by: Christina on 5/29/2012 at 1:40 pm

Congradualations! Awsome Job! We can’t wait to celebrate with you and hear all about it.
Kyle, we LYF

Posted by: Donna & Lloyd on 5/27/2012 at 10:45 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Set up 14,000’ Camp

May 19, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Hey all! Greetings from 14,000 ft. Yesterday was a busy day as several teams including ourselves, packed up camp at 11k and headed for our advanced basecamp at 14k. Temperatures were cool and the sky was bluebird, making ideal conditions for climbing. Windy Corner gave us a little taste with a chilly breeze blowing as we approached. As soon as we rounded it, however, the breeze died and the sun turned on the microwave. Move days are hard work. Not only do you have a long day with heavy packs, but at the end of it you have to spend several hours reestablishing camp. The team did great and we moved into a quite comfortable camp; important because this is where we will stage from and wait for our weather window to head for the summit. Today we will head down to retrieve our cache at 13k, and spend the rest of the day fortifying camp with large snow walls so that we are prepared for a storm. We want to wish Maile a super happy birthday, and we're glad she's up here celebrating it with us! Hasta luego, RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and team

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Happy Birthday Mai!!! We had a cold beer in your honor! Glad you guys made it to 14 camp—looks incredible! Safe climbing! xo

Posted by: Jenny on 5/20/2012 at 7:10 am

Glad you’re having great weather and time. Not so great here (weather wise). Missed Mike at Torch Run today. I ran with CJ this year and Officer Umbs beat us. Furry kids up to their same old tricks and more…

Posted by: Kym on 5/20/2012 at 1:07 am

View All Comments

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

May 17, 2012

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,300'

Hi all! We are back at 11,000' camp after a successful and gorgeous carry to cache gear at 13,500 ft, just past Windy Corner. When we woke this morning it looked like Windy Corner might live up to it's name; banners of snow were flying high off the nearby peaks from a strong north wind. We had a great smoked salmon breakfast and dragged our feet in camp for a bit to see if the wind would die, and it played ball! The carry was warm and calm, and the group moved great, happy to be free of our sleds, and to have lighter loads. The weather forecast is sounding stellar for the next handful of days. We're going to make a game time decision tomorrow morning whether to move to the 14,000' camp or stay one more day at 11,000'. We'll let you know! That's all for now; we're going to crawl into our warm down bags and get some shut eye. RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the crew

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sounds like a great time! Please give my best to Nick.
Pam

Posted by: Pam on 5/17/2012 at 7:35 pm

Keep going.

Posted by: Richard Coleman on 5/17/2012 at 7:06 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Move to 9,600’

May 13, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,600'

This morning we awoke to our first views of the Alaska Range. After sitting out the storm in Talkeetna and flying on with clouds still in the area, we were pleasantly surprised with a beautiful sunny day. Our first big hill of the trip greeted us right out of camp, but even with this challenge we moved well up to camp at 9,500'. The Kahiltna Glacier is in great shape which made our travels nice and fluid. Base camp received 3 feet of snow while we sat in Talkeetna, but this just made for great navigating and smooth sailing for us. As we moved into the steeps of Ski Hill, there was a perfect trough to keep our sleds in line and upright. With our first challenges behind us, we rolled into camp around 5:00 and made a yummy birthday dinner for Carl...61 today!! Now, we're resting up for another big push tomorrow to 11,000' camp. Happy Mother's Day to all of our moms! Goodnight. RMI Guides Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer & Maile Wade

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Team, We wish you GREAT LUCK on McKinley. Be safe. Sara and Bill McGahan

Posted by: Bil McGahan on 5/17/2012 at 3:40 pm

happy birthday carl & best wishes for great weather.
summit on!

Posted by: lars on 5/14/2012 at 6:37 pm

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Spend First Night at Camp 1

May 13, 2012

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,300'

Hey all! Our previous two day's waiting game turned to hustle and bustle yesterday as the skies opened and allowed the planes to fly. Our flights left right after breakfast, and we landed at basecamp, resplendent with a new layer of snow. It's still early in the season, and basecamp was quiet, with just a handful of climbers waiting to fly off, or start their climb uphill. After a couple hours spent packing, rigging sleds, and digging our cache, we were on our way, dropping down the SE fork of the Kahiltna Glacier to begin our ascent up the main fork. The skies quickly closed and it began to snow, obscuring the views and dropping the temperature significantly. We made camp in light snow last night, but this AM woke to sun and clear skies! The plan is to make a move to our next camp at 9,600' today. Happy birthday to team member Carl Devendorf, and everyone would like to wish their moms a Happy Mother's Day! We'll be in touch soon. RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the gang

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Mike M….Following your progress…...and rooting for you!! Wishing you clear skies, good weather and the most magnificant views!!

Posted by: Annette on 5/14/2012 at 11:55 am

Go Mike! Have a great climb. I saw the mountain this morning in the sun on my way to work. Looks awesome. Stay safe.

Posted by: Jeff on 5/14/2012 at 10:06 am

View All Comments

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Enroute to Base Camp

May 12, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 358'

The May 8th Mt. McKinley Expedition led by RMI Guides Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer and Maile Wade is now en route to Base Camp. The weather in Talkeetna was clear this morning and the team headed for the K2 Aviation hanger. Good luck on your expedition!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Stay safe and make every day epic!

Posted by: Erik on 5/16/2012 at 7:07 pm

Go team! Climb safe, climb strong!

Posted by: Drew Tulumello on 5/12/2012 at 9:27 pm

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

See All Rainier Programs

See All Alaska Programs

See All North Cascades Programs

Custom Climbs

Difficulty Guidelines

Mt. Rainier Weather

Your Custom Trip

Entries By pete van deventer

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches