Entries from Mt. McKinley

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Weather a Ferocious Snowstorm at 17K Camp

June 27, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

June 26, 2014 - 9:33 pm PT Hey this is Billy checking in from 17K on Denali, again, where we are still pinned down by the weather. Today is our second storm day. We actually had some sort of blue skies and clearing and some hope on the horizon but things closed back in here. They are calling for high pressure to build over the mountain this weekend. If we get up tomorrow and it looks promising, we might take a crack at it or we might be sitting tight until Saturday. Last night was definitely one of the most ferocious storms I have had to battle up here in Alaska. We were definitely up all night digging out tents with feet and feet of snow and very, very strong winds- 70 miles an hour. For our chance for it, we have tons of food and fuel, and we just need the weather to cooperate. And that's all for now. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

RMI Guide Billy Nugent calls in from 17K Camp.

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Keep warm and safe above all. The forecast is much better for the weekend!

Posted by: Monique on 6/27/2014 at 7:21 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Snow Apocalypse

June 27, 2014

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

June 26, 2014 - 6:37 pm PT The entire team woke up at 2 am to a winter wonderland. With wind blowing and snow stacking the team had to wake up, strap on their boots and grab our shovels. What was a nice camp with all tents visible to each other some 30 feet distance, is now a maze of deep trenches leading blindly to six-foot deep pits, each holding a team member's house. Approximately 40 inches of snow fell by morning in camp, completely covering our posh tent. Currently the snow continues to fall. A call on the satellite phone to the rangers at advanced base camp at 14,000 ft told us that five feet of snow had fallen there. Some loose snow avalanches were observed on south facing slopes around camp-- a reminder that winter is still upon us on Denali. We have had mixed results with the accuracy of the weather forecast, however in the extended outlook a high pressure system may be headed our way later this weekend and early next week. It is times like these that test the will and patience of any Denali climber. Thank God for Lindsay's Cosmopolitan magazine. RMI Guides Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann and Andy Hildebrand

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I’ve often thanked God for Lindsay’s superior choice in high quality reading options as well. Hope you enjoyed your snow day and that there was bacon.

Posted by: C59 Tripee on 6/28/2014 at 10:29 am

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McKinley: Hahn & Team Make Final Preparations

June 26, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Ben Liken, Sean Collon

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

June 25, 2014 - 11:35pm PT A rainy and grey morning in Talkeetna didn't stop our team from a seven o'clock breakfast meeting at Talkeetna's great Roadhouse. We were primed and ready for our important orientation at the Talkeetna Ranger Station at 8:30. Our climbers were honored to have Roger Robinson himself give the presentation. Roger has been climbing Denali and rescuing Denali climbers for close to four decades now. Then it was out to the K2 Aviation hangar where we spread out our gear and got down to the nuts and bolts of figuring out exactly what to bring on the climb and what to leave behind. It took much of the afternoon to sort gear and to get it all weighed, inventoried and ready for flying. So it became an "indoors" day, which was just fine. Rain kept falling and there was precious little flying going on out at the normally bustling Talkeetna Airport. The team got together finally for what we hope will be our last dinner in town for some time. It was a fine feast, but we'd just as soon be on climbing rations when supper time rolls around tomorrow. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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Good luck to all for a fabulous and safe climb. Only 3,994,000,000,000 nanometers to the top!

Posted by: Geoff Clark on 6/27/2014 at 9:02 am

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Send Poetry from 11,000’ Camp

June 26, 2014

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

June 25, 2014 - 10:42pm PT Here I sit in my tent Wondering where the day went A rest day at eleven camp for the team With people in and out of their dreams Mike Haugen and troupe passed through Delivering a pee bottle to Adam -- woohoo! For breakfast we had chocolate and pb pancakes (booya!) While we watched the snow flakes. For now the wind is pretty strong, and hopefully we won't have to shovel all night long. RMI Guides Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann and Andy Hildebrand

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Tell Dave Schick he is drinking too much water… :)

Hope the weather cooperates for a nice summit bid.

Best,
Jack

Posted by: Jack on 6/27/2014 at 9:38 am

Hope all is going well and the Team makes the camp today!

Love to my sis! And all my best to the team!

Posted by: Carolyn on 6/27/2014 at 8:52 am

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Report from 17,000’ Camp

June 26, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

June 28, 2014 - 10:27pm Hey, it's Billy calling in from 17 Camp on Denali. Today was not summit day for us. We woke up to some inclement weather that's been steadily working all day with winds gusting near 70 miles an hour or so. We build up pretty solid, fortified camp and everyone's sitting tight and holding on. Winds from the storm are supposed to give way to nicer weather in the next couple of days so we're just sitting tight with our fingers crossed. We'll call and check in tomorrow, to let you know if we got up there. That's all for now.

Billy Nugent checking in from 17,200' Camp on Denali

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Eric: 70mph winds…OUCH…flapping tent syndrome….use the ear bud skull cap combo to keep from going insane! Trust tomorrow things calm down. U.P.

Posted by: Paul on 6/26/2014 at 4:03 pm

Been checking the blog nonstop to see if you guys had made any progress! Not to worry, keeping our fingers crossed that the weather clears up and you will be able to make a successful summit bid! Keep up the great work! Miss you Dad and Michael! xoxo

For any of you soccer fans up there: the Men’s US soccer team advanced to the knockout round about an hour ago (despite a loss to Germany). #MURICA

Posted by: Katie Freedman on 6/26/2014 at 11:32 am

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Mt. McKinley: Dave Hahn & Team Arrive in Alaska

June 25, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Ben Liken, Sean Collon

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 248'

June 25, 2014 - 12:26 am PT And so it begins... The last RMI Denali team of 2014 took shape today in the Anchorage airport. We assembled, seven climbers and four guides from around the world lugging about 23 or 24 giant duffel bags of cold weather gear. The team took a ride with Denali Overland, our shuttle service to Talkeetna. The three hour trip was broken by a stop for provisions in Wasilla, but then we powered on up the Parks highway to our Talkeetna turnoff. We had pretty good views of the Chugach Range as we left Anchorage but the Alaska Range stayed mostly hidden under cloud. There were some scattered rain showers to see, and a Bald Eagle or two, but no moose this time. We were in Talkeetna by 8:30 PM and getting settled into the comfortable Talkeetna Motel not much later. The big work of preparing to fly onto Denali begins in the morning. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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It’s going to be an incredible journey for all of you! Sending tons of positive energy, love, peace and light your way! :)

Posted by: Ivonne Mosquera-Schmidt on 6/26/2014 at 10:12 am

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Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Move to High Camp, Ready for Summit Bid

June 24, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

June 24, 2014 – 7:51 pm PT Hey it’s Billy and team calling in from High Camp here at over 17,000’ on Denali. Our crew moved up today from the 14,000' Camp. We enjoyed a nice walk and good temps up on the West Buttress, made our way up the ridge line in and out of the clouds all day. And as we were building camp at 17,000’ the clouds parted. We are enjoying blue skies and relatively calm winds. If it looks anything like this tomorrow morning we are going to try and take a crack at the summit. So, wish us luck and we will check in tomorrow, go or no go. Alright, that is all for now. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Hey Bruce and Michael. Good luck on your final ascent to the summit. I hope you have great weather for the vista at the top. Wave those Duke flags once again, and take plenty of pics! JBF/Mom

Posted by: Joyce Freedman on 6/25/2014 at 8:58 pm

Hey Bruce, Michael and team,
Sending you well wishes for a successful climb to the top! You are ready so go own it.
Kathy

Posted by: kathy on 6/25/2014 at 7:53 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Making Progress

June 24, 2014

Posted by: Adam Knoff

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

June 24, 2014 - 8:12 pm PT Today we encountered the second oxymoron of the trip. The first, albeit not mountain related was not seeing the sun in the longest day in the norther hemisphere, hence the sunless solstice. Today's oxymoron was more exciting, helpful and might I say unexpected. At 13,500 feet there is a crucial feature of Mt. McKinley's West Buttress Route that one must pass to gain access to Advanced Base Camp at 14,200 feet. This storied gateway is called Windy Corner. There have been many a harrowing epic here where sleds have been known to take flight like kites, ropes bend outward like giant crescent moons and rumor has it a climber was even flash frozen like a walking tuna when hit by a fridges gust. For us the corner was breathless! Last night I had decided to make a carry of unneeded equipment and food up around windy corner because a snow storm is projected to pay a visit for the next few days. Despite having put our bodies to the test for the last four days without rest, this move seemed wise as to prepare the team to move up given our next nice weather day. Everyone's training has proven adequate and we are now in a great position for the days to come. We expect one or two more days here at 11,000 ft. Before making our next move. Everyone is happy and healthy. Climb on. RMI Guide Adam Knoff & Team

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It is truly amazing what you have all accomplished so far. You’ve worked hard to earn your life “above the clouds”. Sending you strength as you dig deep on your journey to the top. Love to my guys - david, alex and evan and your new climbing family.

Posted by: Amy St. Angelo on 7/4/2014 at 6:56 am

Looks like it’s getting a little steep :(

Posted by: Jerry on 6/25/2014 at 7:21 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff and Team Move to 11 Camp

June 24, 2014

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

June 23, 2014 - 11:54 pm PT We woke up to a beautiful day at 9,500 on Mt. McKinley enjoyed breakfast and broke down camp in record time. We had a smooth carry to 11,000 and conveniently found some old tent platforms that needed minimal work to make hospitable. A major highlight to our new camp is an unbelievable toilet with a real lid donated by Tyler Jones and his crew on their way off the mountain, it's the simple things in life. We are hunkering down for the night looking forward to a rest day tomorrow, however with a potential weather system coming in we might delay our rest day and make our carry to windy corner early before the weather changes. We will make our final decision in the morning when Adam can communicate with the mountain. Hasta mañana, RMI Guides Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann and Andy Hildebrand

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Look forward to your blogs daily. Sounds like everything is going well. Best to the team and guides. You guys are amazing.
JH

Posted by: Jerry on 6/24/2014 at 6:18 pm

Brother Dave, Alexander, Evan and Team,
We’re rooting for you in Minnesota! Stay safe and warm. We’ll follow the blog daily!

Posted by: Dianne Sullivan on 6/24/2014 at 2:04 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Haugen and Team Resting at 14,200’

June 23, 2014

Posted by: Mike Haugen

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

June 23, 2014 - 7:31 pm PT We decided that today would be a great day to do some more acclimatization at 14,000' on Mt. McKinley. Instead of carrying our gear higher we decided to rest today and then retrieve our gear on our move to 17,000' tomorrow. The team is feeling strong and we are feeling very positive about a good summit bid once we get into position at seventeen. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather for us for a few days! RMI Guide Mike Haugen and Team "The Ocho"

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I see from the other teams that the weather is really bad. I hope you all are dug-in and holding out safe and warm.

Posted by: James on 6/26/2014 at 7:47 pm

Hoping the weather will hold and you guys make it.Weather in Virginia is lovely.

Posted by: Ron Holt on 6/24/2014 at 8:03 pm

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Entries from Mt. McKinley

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Weather a Ferocious Snowstorm at 17K Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Snow Apocalypse

On The Map

McKinley: Hahn & Team Make Final Preparations

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Send Poetry from 11,000’ Camp

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Report from 17,000’ Camp

Mt. McKinley: Dave Hahn & Team Arrive in Alaska

Mt. McKinley: Nugent & Team Move to High Camp, Ready for Summit Bid

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Making Progress

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff and Team Move to 11 Camp

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Mt. McKinley: Haugen and Team Resting at 14,200’

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