Entries from Alaska
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 - 4:50 pm PT
We are enjoying a nice sunny rest day at 14,000’ camp today after our carry to 17,000’ yesterday. We are waiting to see what the weather has in store before we make our next move. All is well here at camp!
RMI Guides JT, Kiira, Alan and the RMI team
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Sunday, June 13, 2021 - 9:25 pm PT
Greetings,
Excitement is high as we made it to 11K Camp today. Before waking to break down camp and hit the snow highway, we got a chance to congratulate Mike King and team on their successful expedition as they made their way to the airstrip. Its easy to let your mind wander to what luxuries they will get while we pull heavy sleds with heavy packs. But we have to stay focus because our journey has just begun. Part of the excitment of today is knowing that this was our last day hauling all our gear at once. From here on out we will begin doing carries which will lessen the overall weight on our bodies. Today is also exciting because we get to settle in for a few days, which I like to call nesting, creating a cozy home. Tomorrow morning we won't have to wake early and break down camp but instead we will enjoy a well desereved rest day. Relaxing, recovering, eating and sleeping is the name of the game for tomorrow.
Talk to you all tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Looks amazing - well done to all the team !! Stay safe. These updates and pictures are just brilliant to see and get, thank you for sharing. We miss and love you loads Hollie and Shane. x x x
Looking forward to more pictures
Posted by: Kelly, David Kyla, Cameron & Cole on 6/15/2021 at 7:35 am
BJ - I am so impressed with your accomplishment and I wish you and your team the very best and safest trip going forward. I miss you and I love you tremendously. Take good care of yourself. Anna Geigle
Posted by: Anna Geigle on 6/14/2021 at 7:21 pm
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Sunday, June 13, 2021 - 3:34 pm PT
Today we enjoyed a full rest day at Denali 14K Camp. Everyone is feeling nice and dried out and rested. The weather is gorgeous and is supposedly going to be nice for us to carry above the fixed lines tomorrow!
Stay tuned,
RMI Guides JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci and the RMI team
We are sending positive thoughts to everyone for a successful climb to the summit! Stay safe, strong and positive!
Posted by: Barb n John The Parents on 6/15/2021 at 8:52 pm
Great progress! The scene looks simply amazing. Be honest, how much “up your gas” have you taken so far? :) Good luck and be safe.
-Powder Hound
Posted by: Greg on 6/15/2021 at 2:43 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,600'
Saturday, June 12, 2021 - 9:15 pm PT
Hello all,
The team has made it a day closer to the summit. Ski hill was a leg burner first thing this morning. It has been the most sustained uphill thus far, but the team walked strong and arrived to camp in good style. Clear skies and lots of sun made for a very toasty afternoon. It can be easy to forget how cold this mountain gets when you feel like you are sleeping on a tropical island, baking in these tents. As the evening progresses the temps will drop, and the cool brisk air will be a welcomed feeling as we cozy up in our sleeping bags.
Tomorrow we move to 11k camp. It is an exciting move because we will spend at least three days there. No more wake, move, sleep repeat. It’s always fun to settle into a camp and make it home for more than a day.
Goodnight all,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and Team
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Saturday, June 12. 2021 - 7:51 pm PT
Today we back carried to our cache at 13,500, which was a great way to get a little exercise. We now have all of our supplies up with us at 14 camp and are ready for a full rest day tomorrow!
The weather is beautiful, hot and sunny during the day, albeit quite cold at night. We truly are in the land of extremes. Our camp looks dialed and clean, our team is working as a well-oiled machine.
All the best from 14 camp and hope everyone is well!
RMI Guide JT Schmitt and the RMI Team
So enjoying watching your trek from afar. Would take a bit of that coolness - quite hot and humid here in MO.
Posted by: Melody Reardon on 6/13/2021 at 9:01 am
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Friday, June 11, 2021 - 9:47 pm PT
Today we traded the damp snowy conditions of 11K Camp for the cold dry conditions of 14K Camp and it sure feels good! The team had a long heavy day moving from 11K but everyone performed as we are beginning to expect, strongly.
We had a great dinner of chicken and rice, and are now getting warm in our sleeping bags, feeling accomplished and happy to be up at Denali's 14K Camp.
Tomorrow we plan to back carry and improve camp.
RMI Guides JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci and team
Jack - Glad you and Nick and the crew are safe and still feeling strong. So sad to hear of those that had to be helicoptered out. Really excited every time you ascend to the next camp. Look forward to watching your progress further north!
Posted by: Barb n John The Parents on 6/12/2021 at 6:31 pm
Nick, Jack and team - Keep strong! Enjoy the journey! Looks amazing! Thinking of you. - mom and dad.
Posted by: Nick's parents on 6/12/2021 at 11:06 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 7:22 pm PT
Hello everyone,
We woke this morning goal oriented and optimistic. We knew if we wanted to fly we had a lot of chores to get done to be ready when the pilots said it was time. As we packed our duffels and packs and rearranged gear we all kept a hopful eye on the clouds above, hoping they would clear and give us the window we wanted. Unfortunately our patience did not pay off and our window for flying closed. But the day was not lost as we are now ready to try to tomorrow. So with dinner time approaching we will enjoy hopfully one last dinner at a table and fly in the morning.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith & Team
Fidel says, “I love you!” All of Wellsville is cheering for you. Love you lots.
Posted by: Anna Haring on 6/11/2021 at 6:59 pm
Pulling for you all and the weather to clear up so you can get in there! Also, I swapped my Rainier 4 day for the Aug 30th 5 day. Hoping one or both of you are guiding it. Be safe and good luck!
Posted by: Shane Summers on 6/10/2021 at 8:56 pm
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 - 1:54 am PT
We’ve been working quite hard to do our due diligence to get all moved to Denali's 11K camp before the forecasted storm moved in. And today we did just that. As we were returning from our cache at 9,800' the storm hit in full force, but that was no issue for us as we had a fortified camp built and now have all our supplies with us at 11K camp.
We are currently hunkered in our tents listening to the wind blow and the snow pile up. We are all eagerly anticipating a much deserved rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guide JT Schmitt and the RMI team
Pulling for all of you to get where you need to be! And remember, the sooner you fall behind, the more time you’ll have to catch up! (Sorry, stupid parent joke) Jack, just pretend you don’t know us.
Posted by: Barb and John The Parents on 6/10/2021 at 6:49 pm
Watching your progress and hoping for good weather and safe travels!
M
Posted by: Ellen on 6/10/2021 at 6:14 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Monday, June 7, 2021 - 2:31 pm PT
We got some more snow last night and woke again to calm and clear weather. After yesterday’s trip up the fixed lines we figured another night at Denali's 14K Camp would help people acclimate and sleep better before moving to high camp at 17,200’. We are expecting a low pressure weather system to roll in this evening. If it does then we will likely be at 14 for a few more days. If it doesn’t appear then we will likely move up to high camp tomorrow. Time and weather will tell. Until then, warm tents and some card games will keep us occupied. The team is healthy and happy but looking forward to moving up. Thanks for following along.
Sounds like a great vacation to me at 14k! Thanks for the updates Mike. Good luck and good weather ahead to all!
Posted by: Darcy Murnaghan on 6/8/2021 at 2:06 pm
Not exactly my idea of R&R conditions, but it sounds like from Mike that the weather is primo for your climb. Getting excited about the summit! Best to Rob and team.
Tita and Artie
Posted by: Martha Sabom on 6/8/2021 at 12:41 pm
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Sunday, June 6, 2021 - 3:43 pm PT
We got an early start from Denali's 14K Camp. The route up to the fixed lines was in the cold shadow of the mountain. This let the team feel how cold their toes and fingers will be on summit day. We climbed up the fixed lines that allow us to access the West Buttress of Denali. The weather was clear and calm at the top. We got some pictures and decided to cache there and head back to camp instead of dealing with descending traffic later in the day. Another active rest day has us enjoying warm tents and sport eating to decrease the amount of food weight we down carry. We’ll likely rest tomorrow and see what the forecast says about a move and summit attempt mid-late week.
Please send our best to Rob. We are following along the trip and enjoying all the updates and pictures. What an amazing trip! We can’t wait to hear all about it when Rob gets home! Safe travels up- Manuel & Melissa
Posted by: Melissa Zuniga on 6/7/2021 at 8:30 am
I wish I was on your team Tom!!! Climb Strong Buddy!!! Take in every Incredible memory!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/7/2021 at 2:33 am
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Go team go! Hoping for great weather and easy travels!
Posted by: Ellen on 6/16/2021 at 10:12 am
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