Entries from Mt. McKinley

Mt. McKinley: Mike Walter & Team Waiting on Weather

June 30, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

This is Mike checking in from high camp on Denali. The weather is playing games with us today, but the forecast remains excellent. We had contemplated a summit bid upon awakening, but a lenticular cloud cap kept alternately forming then dissipating throughout the morning, and we decided to hold off. It has been quite windy in camp, but high pressure is forecast to dominate the next several days. Our well rested team hopes to go for it tomorrow. All is well and we will be back in touch with an update tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi David,

We’re awaiting the good news that you and the team have reached the summit. Hoping for sunny skies and a safe and successful climb to the top and back down.

Lynda and Rick

Posted by: Lynda and Rick on 7/1/2012 at 8:15 pm

David, we are pulling for down here in rainy portland. be safe and have fun. Sue D

Posted by: sue dimin on 6/30/2012 at 8:04 pm

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Mt. Rainier: June 30th Summit!

June 30, 2012

Posted by: Mike Haugen

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: Summit

Our Four Day Summit Climb Teams Led by RMI Guides Mike Haugen and Gabriel Barral reached the top of Mt. Rainier today. The teams reported light winds, and favorable weather. The teams were able to spend some time on the summit and are now en route to Camp Muir. Congratulations to today's teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats Kelly, Brian, (and possibly Jen)! :)

(Btw, the category of this blog should be changed to Mt. Rainier)

Posted by: -shae- on 6/30/2012 at 3:33 pm

Boo-Yah! Happy Birthday, LB! Hope everyone on the team made it and the trip back is gravy! Congrats to everybody!

Posted by: tyre on 6/30/2012 at 2:55 pm

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Mt. Mckinley: Mike Walter and Team Prepare for Summit Bid

June 30, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

Mike Walter called and checked in on Friday night at about 9:50 p.m. There were some clouds and winds on the upper mountain so the team decided to take a rest day at 17,000' camp. They have had nice weather at camp and a good rest. Mike reported an awesome forecast for today with sunny skies and light winds, so they plan to make their summit attempt. The team is excited and ready to go. Good Luck Team!

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

DZ and Team hope weather holds and you have an excellent summit, be safe. Remember Raindeer Sausage the Road House and Summit Burgers/Beers at the West Rib when back down in Talkeetna.
John V.

Posted by: John on 6/30/2012 at 12:49 pm

Glad to read the weather is co-operating for a summit
attempt. I’ve been keeping everyone updated here at MMC. Dr.P sends his best wishes to #1. Be safe.

Posted by: Nancy on 6/30/2012 at 10:35 am

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Part 2 Saying Hello

June 30, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

We apologize to Mike and Nelson's family's for missing their hellos. Here they are saying hi to their followers. Nelson: Mom, Dad, I'm having an absolute blast. I love it up here. Thank you so much for making this happen. I'm feeling great and getting excited for the imminent summit push. Tomorrow (weather permitting) we'll get to the top of the fixed lines and up onto the famed West Buttress. Long story short, I'm having a great time. Thank you so much. To everyone else who I told to follow the blog (probably a good 3 people or so) this place is way sweet. Wicked fun. Big Rik--you need to get up here sometime, it's fantastic. Lynn--of course I'm winning and writing lots. I'll have plenty of stories for you all. It's cold, fun, and badass. Love, Nels Hi Susan, Mel, Hannah, family and friends! Thanks to everyone for your posts. Your thoughts mean so much. I'm having a great time, staying warm, and the guides make sure we eat very well. After being snowed in today, we'll hopefully move to high camp in the next few days where we stage our attempt for the summit. Miss you all! Love Mike

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Tim,

Been following the team’s progress—sounds like yet another awesome adventure! As promised—important news down here: Colorado continues to burn, Obama-“care” passed, and basically Repub’s and Dem’s still hate each other’s F’ing guts. Oh, almost forgot the most important news dominating the papers/internet: Tom Cruise and his wife are getting a divorce. Just goes to show you—we are still a bunch of collective idiots to care about that crap down here. So, PLEASE, march on! Live the dream for the rest of us shmucks! Be safe and know you’ve got your fans rooting for you—and, your entire team’s good fortunes. And, remember, Warrior II photo on top! And, take it easy on your team-mates up there—you CAN control that gas of yours—stop using the altitude as an excuse! Little Bro.

Posted by: Dan McLaughlin--aka, Little Bro on 7/1/2012 at 4:43 pm

Hey,
Oz is on his way to Georgia with the Barteks! I’m trying to stay out of the Raleigh heat—high today of 104! Boone sounds way better with a predicted high of 92.. Doing some work around the house and checking your weather and for updates..
Hope to hear from you soon!
Stephanie

Posted by: Stephanie on 7/1/2012 at 10:12 am

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Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team on the Ice

June 30, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,300'

What a difference a day makes. Things didn't seem a whole lot better, first thing this morning. Talkeetna was still a little dim and grey with low cloud lurking as we headed out to the airstrip. It took a few hours of waiting for things to come around. Our pilots figured out a clear path in to the Kahiltna, despite a fair amount of lingering clouds hiding the mountains. What we were able to see was stunning and spectacular, as if to make up for all that was hidden. Unbelievably steep and immense mountains began to pop up all around us as we entered the heart of the range. Glaciers, snow and random ice seemed to hang on every possible flank. The K2 pilots did their normal perfect approach and landing with the big ski equipped DeHaviland Otters. We'd taken off from town at 11:30 AM and we were unloading gear on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna 35 minutes later. At basecamp it was intensely sunny and warm with no wind whatsoever. The cloud cover evaporated and we were treated to grand views of Mount Hunter, Mount Foraker and even Denali on occasion. We built camp and began reviewing glacier travel techniques. There was plenty to get done and we worked throughout the afternoon and evening at divy-ing loads and getting rigged for an early morning move to camp at 7,800 ft. What we could see from the planes backed up what we've been hearing from other climbers... conditions on the lower glacier are excellent. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Mark, great going!
Watching as I prepare to head into 120 degrees of the Mojave Desert. Send some ice!
Jan

Posted by: Jan Wilson on 7/2/2012 at 5:57 am

Sounds amazing. Enjoy. Thinking of you

Posted by: Carolyn on 6/30/2012 at 6:53 am

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Say Hello from 14K Camp

June 29, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

This is the June 19th Denali expedition sending love from 14,000 foot camp. We received a foot of fresh snow last night distracting us from our scheduled plan of carrying loads to the top of the fixed lines at 16,200 feet. Because of this unexpected delay we are resting today fending off climbers soliciting food to lighten their loads for the descent. We have decided to pass the phone to let each team member send a personal hey to friends and family. This one goes out to my wife Birgen and son Liam. I have only tried to spoon Uchal twice thinking of you. He elbowed me both times. I miss you as much as ever and can' t wait to get home to you both..... DG here. Miss and love you all. Doing great up here and everything is rock steady. Hugs Oz and see you soon. Can't wait for you to join me. It's Chris. Special thanks to all of you who posted messages and words of encouragement on the blog. It means a lot and gives me some extra fuel for the push up the peak. Nickie - I love you so much and can't wait to see you again after a successful trip. Cheers! This is Michael U. I hope all is well back home and abroad! I miss and love you all so much. O Sorry for leaving you to care for the new K-9. Grace, HB, Samer, Charlotte, Lulu, and the rest of the family - I can't wait to see you when I get home. Greetings from JJ, amazing group of guys, amazing mounting and truly an experience of a lifetime to be here. Priorities change when life is stripped to the essentials. Peace, joy and love of friends and family take in a new and heightened priority. Please know I am very safe and that my love for you is growing with each step. I miss you all and have many big hugs in store for all upon my return, especially the new love of my life. See you at the wedding if not sooner. Love, John Hello fam & friends--Tim here. It's hard to explain what the top of our continent looks like--truly amazing! Thx for all of your posts, luv sharing them in the "posh" (a funky community eating/gathering area). Great guides & climbing team, we're all looking up at the top now. Love & miss you all--literally dreaming of you nightly--altitude makes for some strange dreams BTW. Thx for covering me during cherry harvest & all the other "stuff." See you in a couple of weeks!!!

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

John, Great to hear all of you are doing fine. We are just home from the “small hills of NC” As we go along in life we do learn more of love, laughter and thankfulness. Blessings to all of you climbing. Jackie and Paul

Posted by: Jackie Winchell on 7/1/2012 at 9:39 pm

What no news fro you Nelson?? I know that you are having a trip of a lifetime. Check in next time the phone goes around. The moms in KC (that would be Mrs. G and me) are worried :-) Can’t wait to see you ... and the amazing photos. I would definitely be up for Killi next year. Lots of love, Mom

Posted by: Jennifer Collet on 6/30/2012 at 5:40 am

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Mt. McKinley: Dave Hahn and Team Waiting in Talkeetna

June 29, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 358'

Update at 12:12 pm PST: The team is flying into basecamp! The weather cooperated for flights and we expect to hear from the team once they are settled on the glacier. 12:00 am PST: The plan was for us to get started with our Denali expedition today. We needed good mountain flying weather. We had high hopes, but as it turned out, we also had low clouds. It was on the dark and rainy side if things as we finished breakfast and walked out toward the airstrip in Talkeetna. During the course of the day, the cloud cover would lighten here and there and we monitored alternating reports that it was getting better or worse now and again at our intended basecamp on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier... But in the end, the upshot was that conditions never really got good enough for our pilots to risk flights into the range. The team took the delay without great concern, we passed the time hanging at the hangar, playing ping pong, listening to music and catching up on email and current events. We enjoyed fine Talkeetna meals at various restaurants and we took advantage of the comforts of one more day of civilization. Into the mountains tomorrow. Possibly. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Cathy.

Enjoy each day. Be safe.

Love you, Mom

Posted by: Dorothy Roberts on 6/30/2012 at 6:57 am

Cathy,

I hope the weather clears and you can be on your way. Have a great adventure.

Alan

Posted by: Alan Greener on 6/29/2012 at 9:57 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Reach 17,000’ Camp

June 29, 2012

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,000'

Mike Walter called at 12:00 a.m. Friday morning and reported that he and the team had reached 17,000’ Camp on Mt. McKinley. They had a nice day of climbing with light snow and no wind. They rolled into camp at about 5:00 p.m., and are now resting. The team may take a rest day at 17,000 but if everyone is feeling good they might just go for the top. Good Luck Team!

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

May not sleep tonight, too excited!!!!

Posted by: sarah Zeps on 6/30/2012 at 1:39 am

Delighted you had the chance to move onward and upward, well done team! A promise of beer, the weather cleared…tricky, isn’t it??!
Continued success for all,
liz

Posted by: liz weller on 6/29/2012 at 8:00 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team at 14K Camp

June 28, 2012

Posted by: Mike Uchal, Adam Knoff, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

After a few snowy days at our 11K camp, we hoped for some kinder weather for our move to 14,000'. We all agree we got too much of a good thing. Yesterday's move validated the old mountaineering saying that "you either freeze or fry." Wednesday morning was clear, but quite cold at 11K. We ate our warm breakfast, anxiously awaiting the sun to warm our tents before we packed up to move. The cool morning climb up Motorcycle Hill quickly turned into a sweltering overly sunny slog through the Polo Fields and around Windy Corner which lacked the then desired wind of which it got its name. After refueling and rehydrating the well-oiled machine we pulled into camp 4 (14,000') at 5 pm. We were welcomed by our other RMI team, light snow, and many other climbers at this small makeshift alpine village. Today (Thursday), we returned to Windy Corner to retrieve our cache of food and equipment in much of the same weather conditions as the day before. We are now resting back at 14,000' awaiting our possible carry up the fixed lines to 16,000' tomorrow. To our many fans out there who are leaving messages on our blog, rest assured they have reached us! Tuesday night over dinner we passed the iPhone around for all to read the kind words from friends and family. Keep them coming! Until tomorrow, RMI Guides Mike Uchal, Adam Knoff, Zeb Blais, and our team at 14,000' Stay classy lower 48!

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi to Mike R and fellow climbers. I am soo amazed by your courage, strength, and perseverance, you should be very proud of yourselves as I am of you Mike!I luv reading all the messages including the other teams as well, Its absolutely unimaginable to me, what you must be experiencing. Enjoy what you can. Thinking about you. Love Cheri

Posted by: Cheri on 6/29/2012 at 6:54 pm

Greetings John!

We are all so excited about your amazing adventure! Deann is on the phone with me right now and we are still talking about you! Enjoy your travels!

ONE of you biggest fans! Jo

Posted by: Jo on 6/29/2012 at 3:11 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Dave Hahn and Team Ready in Talkeenta

June 28, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 358'

We've finished one of the more challenging days of any Denali climbing expedition... Packing, sorting gear and generally getting organized for leaving Talkeetna and getting on the mountain. It wasn't all hard work and suffering though, we certainly enjoyed a great breakfast at the Roadhouse. National Park Service personnel at the Talkeetna Ranger Station gave us a warm welcome and Joe Reichert delivered a fine and informative orientation slideshow. Our flight team out at K2 Aviation made us feel right at home in their hangar, which was where we got our food, tents, stoves, ropes, pots, shovels, fuel, snow saws, snow shoes, packs, ice axes, boots, crampons, sleeping bags, etc, etc, and etc. ready. Finally, we'd earned a break and a relaxing dinner at The West Rib Pub. Folks then drifted home early for a last comfy night in the Talkeetna Motel. The plan is for the team to meet bright and early for breakfast and then to hustle on out to the airstrip... If all goes well and the weather is stable, we could be loading airplanes shortly after 8AM and then winging our way toward the Alaska Range. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

To my son Brian, Have a safe and happy climbing adventure! I am keeping you and the team in my daily prayers. (Inez read the blog to me, and it sounds like an exciting trip!)Love always, Mom

Posted by: Mom Bulatao on 6/30/2012 at 3:20 pm

Good Luck everyone!!

Tell Dr. Kelliher his A-Track students are sending him (and the whole team) love!

We will be tracking the journey

Posted by: Jenni Lentenbrink on 6/28/2012 at 10:50 pm

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Entries from Mt. McKinley

Mt. McKinley: Mike Walter & Team Waiting on Weather

Mt. Rainier: June 30th Summit!

Mt. Mckinley: Mike Walter and Team Prepare for Summit Bid

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Part 2 Saying Hello

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team on the Ice

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Say Hello from 14K Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Dave Hahn and Team Waiting in Talkeetna

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Reach 17,000’ Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team at 14K Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Dave Hahn and Team Ready in Talkeenta

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