Entries from Mt. McKinley

Mt. McKinley: Haugen & Team Retrieve Supplies

June 21, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Another early wake up to good weather; good weather for Denali anyway. The skies were a bit overcast and light snows were falling but the winds were calm. We did a "back carry" today. This means that we went from our 11,000' camp back down to retrieve our cache at 10,000'. We bury our caches well over a meter deep so the ravens don't get into our food if the warm days melt the snow. Our strong team ascended back up to camp with style and spent another afternoon sport eating in the posh house (cook tent). RMI Guide Mike Haugen

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Jeff the temp has dropped to 80F today and lots of rain. We will probably need to build a fire tonight.

Posted by: Allen on 6/22/2011 at 11:32 am

Ravens, huh? Those things are scary. Meanwhile, I’m stuck out here in 100 degree Walnut Creek with wild turkeys…Thinking about you all.

Posted by: Yashu on 6/22/2011 at 8:35 am

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Mt. McKinley: Haugen & Team at 11,000’ Camp

June 20, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

We left camp this morning on our way to 11,000' camp in okay weather only to end up climbing in white-out conditions. Despite the poor weather, we made good time and arrived in camp mid-morning. We dug in a great camp and spent some time making our cook tent (the posh house) into a kitchen and dining area that would make Martha Stewart proud. We then proceeded to "sport eat" all afternoon and into the evening. RMI Guide Mike Haugen

On The Map

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PATRICK! 11,000’! The PG&E trail is less than child’s play in comparison!

Been keeping up with the blog - looks like you’ve got a great team! I hope all is well! Good job on killing your finals and winning at life.

-Janina

Posted by: Janina on 6/22/2011 at 12:08 am

Nice work mike and team!

Posted by: Sam2 on 6/21/2011 at 6:38 am

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Mt. McKinley Expedition: Beren & Team Take Another Day at 14K

June 20, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Greetings from 14,000’ camp on Mt. McKinley. Part any mountain adventure is reacting to the weather conditions. And today’s weather has us waiting, resting and acclimatizing for another day. The team is getting better acquainted as our conversations are ranging much further today than on previous rest day. Our spirits remain high as we sit here in great shape with our cache already stored above the fixed line. Now we're just waiting for a good weather window to make our move to High Camp at 17,000’ and then a bid for the top. So we are patiently waiting: relaxing, drinking tea, and enjoying each other’s company here at 14 camp. We'll hang tight up here and wait for a good stretch of weather, to go higher. That's all the news from Mt. McKinley and we'll be talking to you soon. RMI Guide Jake Beren and Team

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Dear Vince, How are you all fairing waiting this weather out.? I hope you will be able to start again soon. Serena home from Europe this Sat, i was thinking you would be Sun but that seems not to be. At least I will have one of my beloved crew back with me and the little boys. We are fine, just waiting and watching for news from you. I can’t wait for dinner at The Serbian Crown with our favorite meal and just the two of us….I love you, please be careful, come home to us! Lea

Posted by: Lea Vilasi on 6/23/2011 at 5:43 am

We are wondering if you are climbing today? You have a new future climbing partner-Lilah Anne Uchal, born today June 22 at 11:43 am. 7 lbs and 6 oz. Healthy and ready to go! Good luck to you all, as well as to Lilah!!
Kathy

Posted by: kathy Uchal on 6/22/2011 at 3:30 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Haugen & Team Move to 9,500’

June 19, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 9,500'

We bit off another chunk of the mountain with our move to 9,500' camp today. The weather threatened to close in on us around mid-morning with clouds surrounding us and a bit of snow. Around noon, the clouds cleared and the sun warmed us up as we finished out our day with a hard afternoon of napping. Slow is steady and steady is fast. RMI Guide Mike Haugen

On The Map

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papabear,

I’ve officially posted this blog on my facebook. Prepare for an avalanch (is that word taboo??) of comments/support/love. miss you! we have SO much to catch up on-COME.HOME.FASTER.!

love you!

ps. dying to know how that salmon jerky tastes…

Posted by: Meera on 6/22/2011 at 7:17 am

Hi ashok and sreekanth uncle!

You guys rock !!!!!

Watching your progress all the way from Australia..good luck and will speak to you soon..

Chandru

Posted by: Chandru on 6/22/2011 at 12:11 am

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Mt. McKinley Expedition: Beren & Team Training at 14,000’

June 19, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Hello, this is Jake Beren with the RMI McKinley Expedition. We would like to wish everybody a Happy Father's Day from 14,000 feet on Denali. Today we rested at camp and used the opportunity to practice our fixed line and running belay techniques to get ready for the upper mountain. With the weather system kind of sitting over the mountain right now it looks like we might have another day or two here at our 14,000’ camp. But our fingers are crossed that will be heading up to 17,000’ and then getting our chance at a summit attempt in the not too distance future. So wish us well from down low. Again, Happy Father's Day to all the proud papas out there. We'll be checking in from either here or higher up. Thanks everybody, and will be talking to you soon.

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Hey Barry!OMG! nearly at the summit now babe,ah so proud off ya hun,you & all the team are doing amazing.I am following your every step.So much is happening back here Barry cant even believe it myself, cant wait to tell ya all the exciting news.I’m praying for you everyday day babe Love you & stay stronge, can’t wait to see you. xxx Leah

Posted by: leah on 6/21/2011 at 12:12 pm

Hi John!

Dad & I are keeping in touch with your progress, and hoping all is going well!! “Bo” and “Gim” are getting along fine. Emily is staying w/us, next week!! Hope the weather cooperates for your summit!

Mom

Posted by: clarice Weiss on 6/21/2011 at 8:32 am

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Mt. McKinley Expedition: Jones & Team Return to 11,000’

June 19, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

The crew continues to impress. Today we once again met our goal of arriving back at 11000'. We enjoyed another priceless day climbing down the West Buttress to 14,00' camp to gather our cache and leftover food. The team took a couple hour rest before continuing down to the now thick air of 11000'. Tonight we all contributed the last of our meats, cheeses and bread products for a well deserved greasy fry pan delight. Now for some sleep and one last early start and our final long walk of Kahiltna Glacier to base camp. The weather at Kahiltna International Airport in the morning will determine our true final step in completing this incredible adventure. One last quote for the evening, shared from Lisa at base camp a few nights ago: "The summit is for the ego, the journey is for the soul." What a journey we have had!

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Hi Larry,
What an experience you and the team must have had up there. Can’t wait to hear more about the trip from you.
Congrats to all,
From your proud sis.

Posted by: Debbie on 6/20/2011 at 9:57 pm

Great job to the whole team! Soak up the views on the way down and enjoy the end of the journey. Craig and Josh, so proud of you guys! I can’t wait to see pictures and hear your stories. Big thanks to Tyler and team for keeping up in the loop.

Craig, miss you and see you soon in Alaska! Love Susan

Posted by: Susan on 6/19/2011 at 1:53 pm

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Mt. McKinley Expedition: Beren & Team Check in from 14,000’

June 18, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Hello from our 14,000' camp on Mt. McKinley. This is Mike Uchal, Gilbert, Jake, and team just hanging out after a carry to the fixed lined this afternoon. We made a cache up high and came down to a little bit of weather coming in. So we are going to hold tight for a day or two and see what develops and then hopefully move higher for our summit day. Everyone is doing well, and we will check in again later! RMI Guide Mike Uchal

On The Map

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Hello from your FOAA management team! Hope you are enjoying the challenge of the mountain, and away from the challenges of FOAA-land!
Be safe!
MGL and Team

Posted by: Marie - FOAA TEAM on 6/22/2011 at 8:29 am

David Gee, keep trucking all the way to the top. Get our name on the heaven’s list while you are up there!! Love, Mom

Posted by: Connie Hall on 6/20/2011 at 10:37 am

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Mt. McKinley: Great Day Caching Gear for Haugen’s Team

June 18, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

We woke up early to beautiful skies. Even though the sun never set, it was low enough to cast an orange glow on the large moon that hung over the Kahiltna Glacier. A five o'clock departure ensured solid glacier travel as we headed up to 10,100' to cache some of our gear. We plan to reunite with this gear when we do a ''back carry'' after we establish a camp at 11,000'. After 6 hours of climbing up to our cache and then back down to 7,800' camp, we spent the rest of the day resting and hydrating. We enjoyed some great conversation over Elias' amazing mountain quesadillas before heading to bed. Happy Father's Day to all of our dads! RMI Guide Mike Haugen P.S. Mrs. Chu, Patrick aced his finals! We are so proud!

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Hi everybody I am Elias´s brother, I am writting from Spain.I just would like to said Good luck to all of you! And please be carefull, there are a lot of danger at every step!

enjoy!

Posted by: JORGE DE ANDRES on 6/30/2011 at 1:54 pm

Happy Father’s Day to you all! I’m SO sorry I missed your call, I would have loved to hear the sound of your voice live (the message was nice though). We are all missing you and sending you lots of love. love, best daughter (hehe, the whole team is going to think your family is crazy!)

Posted by: Yashu on 6/19/2011 at 9:39 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Jones & Team Back from Summit

June 18, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

The team woke early to the most incredible weather, no wind, blue skies, and sun on the tents. Although the over night temps dipped to -15F, the sun quickly warmed our group and fired up our motivation for a long day of hard work. By 9:30 we were headed back into the shade of the Autobahn and climbing up to Denali Pass, kicking steps into the soft, steep snow. Our crew set the track for the day being the first out. Two hours of cold shady trail breaking led us back to the sun and our first windless break at 18,300ft where spirits were rejuvenated. We continued to press higher and higher, until we arrived onto the flat plateau of the Football Field where the solar radiation had it feeling more like a day at the beach than 19,500' on Denali. One final grind up Pig Hill and we were on the summit ridge, with only one stretch between our team and the top of the continent. The clear weather gave us hundreds of miles of views in every direction, with only a few scattered clouds way below us to add texture to the breathtaking scenery. A few tears were shed as we climbed the final few feet to the summit, and then it was all smiles, hugs, and mugging for the obligatory summit photos. We stood on top for a half hour or so, and then began the descent back to thicker air and our cozy camp. What an incredible day in the mountains for our team! We're settled in now and planning for a fairly early launch back down the mountain. Our goal is 14k camp and the rest of our gear, then a quick trip downhill to 11k. We're all tired, sore, hungry, thirsty...but ultimately incredibly happy and proud of today's accomplishment. Kudos to everyone on the team, and thanks to everyone out there pulling for us! RMI Guide Tyler Jones

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DEAREST BEN, CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR THE STORIES OF THIS
ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP. SO VERY HAPPY YOU ALL MADE IT
TO THE SUMMIT SAFELY, CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE FEELING YOU MUST HAVE HAD. CONGRATULATONS ONCE MORE. A VERY SAFE RETURN TO ALL OF YOU. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. TE QUIERO MUCHO Y MUY ORGULLOSA DE TI. MA

Posted by: carmen keegan on 6/19/2011 at 4:52 am

Incredible experience you all are having! Congratulations on the safe summit! Reading the updates have been quite enjoyable.

Hope the rest of the trek goes well, Justin and Dad, us here in Columbia are cheering for you.

Posted by: Jacob Halls on 6/18/2011 at 8:03 pm

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