Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 14,000’ Camp

May 22, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 21, 2017 We had another pretty perfect day for climbing in Alaska, and we made full use of it to get up to 14,000' and dig in a new camp. It was pleasantly warm and light clouds kept it from totally frying us. After maneuvering around some initial traffic on Squirrel Hill, we were able to hit cruise control and roll past our cache from two days ago. Once at 14,000' Camp came the arduous task of digging new tent platforms and a kitchen. Our task tomorrow is to retrieve our cache and build some really, really big walls. It sounds like we've got a stronger weather system headed our way this week, so we'll prep to wait it out. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jenny Konway, Jess Matthews and team

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Wow, Most amazing journey ever!! Good luck for the last but….. Love to the Calvert’s. Hendrik and Natasha.

Posted by: Hendrik Muller on 5/22/2017 at 8:32 pm

Glad to hear all is well. I worry so much about you guys. Stay safe. See you soon.

All my love mom

Posted by: Melinda on 5/22/2017 at 12:48 pm

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Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Fly to Kahiltna Base Camp

May 22, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

May 20, 2017 We were all excited at breakfast with the thought of flying on to Denali today. With cloudy weather in town nothing was certain, so when the flight service greeted us with a big thumbs up, we jumped into action. When we hit the glacier the team climbed like they were born to do it. We had a flawless climb to camp, without any of the hiccups that are just normal as we get our feet wet starting out on a big expedition with the loads we're sporting. This sure made carrying these outrageous loads easier. So now we're in the tents resting up for another big day. The crew is psyched to get up to camp at 9600', and has certainly demonstrated the strength to do it. I'm lucky to be in the company of such a strong, nice bunch of climbers. Talk to you from 9600'. RMI Guides Brent Okita, Christina Dale an JT Schmitt

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Reinforce Camp at 14k

May 21, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

May 21, 2017 We had another chilly day at 14 Camp as the the sun never poked out from the overcast sky. We spent a several of hours reinforcing the snow walls surround our tents in anticipation of a significant upcoming storm. We're planning to hunker down, weather the storm, and hope to have decent weather for a summit push on the flip side. Time will tell... As we were reinforcing our camp, we were joined by the RMI Denali team led by Pete Van Deventer as they moved into 14 Camp. They're busy building camp and adjusting to the thin air up here as I write this. We'll keep you in the loop with how the weather treats us. RMI Guide Mike Walter ...Happy anniversary Kelly!

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Rooting for good weather after this storm…hopefully you all aren’t running our of movie quotes and limericks! Or sriracha…

Hang in there though, as the Dude would say “Strikes and gutters, ups and downs.”

Thom and Todd…hurry back so you all can catch the Preds win the Stanley Cup!

Posted by: Rob on 5/22/2017 at 8:35 am

Mike, David, Todd and Thom, You guys will make it this time. Best wishes! Lei

Posted by: Lei on 5/22/2017 at 6:02 am

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Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Prep and Pack in Talkeetna

May 21, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

May 20, 2017 A visit to the National Park Service to sign in for our expedition followed our team meeting this morning. Good stuff was covered at both get togethers, and set the tone for a safe, fun, and otherwise successful trip. And then the work began, starting with checking the ton of gear we all have, the group gear and food we'll be taking, and packing all this stuff up so we can actually move someplace tomorrow. We certainly couldn't have fit more into the day. As we were working, the clouds of the morning finally gave way to clear skies this evening, just in time for us to enjoy a last dinner together under an Alaskan sun that never really sets. Halibut, reindeer meatloaf and local brews were on order - menu items we'll not see for some time. We're all really enjoying one another's company already, and I look forward to starting our climb in the morning, provided the skies stay reasonably clear overnight. We'll be in touch tomorrow, hopefully from the Kahiltna Glacier. RMI Guides Brent, Christina and JT

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Wishing the team good weather tomorrow.
Wanted the team to know Tommy makes the best pizza!
We love the reports!
Love to Tommy and Alex
Aunt Elisa and Uncle Garrick

Posted by: Aunt Elisa and Uncle Garrick on 5/28/2017 at 5:48 pm

Hello JT,
Looks like you are making great progress! I sent the blog to the entire fam, so we are all checking the blog daily and talk about your progress constantly.

I am so grateful for this blog. It really helps to alleviate the mom worry :)

Good luck to you and all your team. Sounds like you have a wonderful group!

Love you,
M

Posted by: ellen smith eaton on 5/25/2017 at 8:29 am

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Rest at 11,000’ Camp

May 21, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 20, 2017 The 11,000' Camp Diner opened for business late this morning, though still before the sun warmed its patrons' bones. The menu had one question: with or without. Bagels and cream cheese with or without bacon. It turned into a beautiful day, and we got some National Geographic worthy photos of Mt. Foraker and the Kahiltna stretching out below us. Lots of naps, reading, movies, and some time catching up with our good friends and RMI Guides Robby and Lucas from Mike W's team rounded out the day. Tomorrow, back to the grindstone, as we move up to 14,000' and dig in. Everyone is looking forward to the good living of 14 Camp. Until tomorrow, RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Jenny and team

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Keep up the hard work Jordan! Pinnacle is excited for your journey, big climb ahead, we know you can do it! Should’ve taken the dogs ;)

Posted by: Chris Streno on 5/22/2017 at 6:13 am

Great to have a rest day- hope you able to keep warm and get some reserve sleep in the tank. How thoughtful of the climbers to rise early and deliver breaky in bed to the guides - tales from the dreamtime ! Hope the weather holds for the hard slog ahead -safe climbing to you all - with kind thoughts P and V.

Posted by: Philip and Vonne Calvert on 5/21/2017 at 10:02 pm

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Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Arrive Anchorage and Transfer to Talkeetna

May 20, 2017

Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

May 19, 2017 The rain fell as we debarked from the plane after touching down at Anchorage International Airport. With three hours before meeting the team Christina, JT and I reviewed paperwork and plans for the trip. Then, one by one folks started showing up, with everyone gathered well before our 4:30 departure. A good sign of things you come. We had plenty of time to get to know each other while awaiting our shuttle to Talkeetna and I was struck by the ease of conversation between everyone right from the start. Having climbed with most everyone already it was fun to catch up with folks. By dinner time the mood was even looser as we enjoyed a nice meal at the West Rib. Most of the team showed restraint in passing up calls to have 'one' at the world famous Fairview Inn, but for those of us who showed weakness and entered those decadent halls, a proper tradition was upheld. The music wasn't half bad either. It's now time for some rest as tomorrow promises to be quite busy as we prepare for our flight on to the mountain on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to getting that one step closer to the climb we've all been waiting for for so long. Goodnight from Talkeetna, elevation 300'. RMI Guide Brent Okita

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Hanging On for Better Weather

May 20, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

May 20, 2017 We spent today building more snow walls for our camp, and trying to stay warm. Temps stayed cold today as our camp in Genet Basin was in the clouds and snow most of the day. The morning dawned clear though, save for another lenticular cloud on Denali's summit, a not-so-subtle hint of the strong winds above. Our team is hanging in there, but we sure would like to see a change in this weather. We'll keep you in the loop. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Hope you caught a break and are moving up to 17 camp today. Robby, congrats on your new nephew. Good luck all. Art Muir.

Posted by: Art Muir on 5/21/2017 at 10:57 am

From my zen calendar - Your mind is the mountain before you.

Hang in there for better weather!

Love you Papi

Posted by: Giulia on 5/21/2017 at 7:50 am

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy Time at 11 Camp

May 19, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 19, 2017 Light snow overnight made everything quiet and still this morning. Camp was sleepy, as it seems everyone took the opportunity to sleep in. We munched our way through a big brunch of hash browns and eggs, and then trotted back downhill under empty packs to grab our cache. That short trip left plenty of time for naps and some chilling time this afternoon before a quick climbing skills refresher to get ready for tomorrow. We intend to trade sleds and snowshoes for crampons tomorrow and get our cache up to Windy Corner. We'll see if the weather let's us. RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer

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Go Jenny!! How exciting! We miss you and hope you are loving it up there. The pictures are beautiful. Can’t wait to see more. Sending love you’re way.

Big Sis & Fam ❤️

Posted by: Jessica on 5/20/2017 at 9:10 am

The views are amazing! You guys are doing great!

Jan- Delta found your backpack! It never left JFK, they delivered it to Lucja’s apartment yesterday. We miss you! Stay safe!

Joanna

Posted by: Joanna on 5/20/2017 at 8:23 am

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Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Waiting on Weather at 14K Camp

May 18, 2017

Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Well, we woke early once again with optimism that we would be moving up to our high camp today. As we bundled up and crawled out of the tent, we were greeted by big, nasty lenticular clouds (UFO-looking, disk-like clouds that are indicative of high winds aloft) over the big three peaks in the Alaska Range: Hunter, Foraker, and our objective, Denali. We continued with our plan and fired up the stoves and made breakfast. Then we returned to our tents to stay warm as we kept an eye on the winds above. In the end, they didn't dissipate and we weren't able to move camp today. Although we are anxious to move up and have a shot at the summit, the flip side of taking another day at 14k is that we continue to acclimate and get stronger for our eventual summit push. Hopefully we will have that opportunity soon. We'll keep you up to date with our progress. RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Hi Mike, David, Thom and Todd, Just have a good rest. Such a thing wouldn’t happen twice. You guys definitely know how to enjoy the time:) I will keep tracking the progress. Good luck! Lei

Posted by: Lei W on 5/19/2017 at 5:47 am

Robby…..Congrats….you’re an uncle again!!!!! Isaac Robert born Thurs 5/18. See you soon.

Posted by: Mom on 5/19/2017 at 4:45 am

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

May 18, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 17, 2017 We're done with the Kahiltna for now! It's been snowing lightly all day and for most of the day it was hard to tell where the ground ended and the sky began, but we had a good gps track to follow and we plugged our way along. The wind was moving snow around as we got close to Kahiltna Pass, making for some tough trail breaking. With all of that the team did great, hanging tough through a hard day and then rallying and buffing out a nice new abode at 11,000' Camp once we arrived. We've been going hard for three days now, and it's time to spend some time recovering from our big loads, sleds, blisters, etc, while we acclimate and get strong here. Our plan is to make the short jaunt back to our cache tomorrow to retrieve it. Some time in the tents chilling is in order too. RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Jenny and team

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Entries from Mt. McKinley

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Fly to Kahiltna Base Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Reinforce Camp at 14k

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Prep and Pack in Talkeetna

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Rest at 11,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Okita & Team Arrive Anchorage and Transfer to Talkeetna

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Hanging On for Better Weather

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy Time at 11 Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Waiting on Weather at 14K Camp

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

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