Most Popular Entries
Posted by: Mike King, Josh McDowell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
Friday June 13, 2025 10:04pm PDT
One step closer to the summit.
This morning we woke up under surprisingly warm temperatures (for Denali) and started the stoves. After a quick dinner and packing of the essential overnight gear we began our journey out of 14,000’ camp, up towards the fixed lines and onto the west buttress proper. After the steep technical climbing of the fixed lines, we transitioned to the picturesque but Exposed ridgeline that makes up the name of this classic route. Comprised of steep drop offs, and beautiful exposed granite we weaved Our way from 16,200’, to our final destination for the night 17,200’ camp.
Still blessed by sunshine and warm temperatures (again, for Denali). We quickly built our new camp, started water, and settled into our home for the night. Tomorrow is still looking good for our summit Push, and everyone is feeling all the emotions - but primarily excitement.
Our goal is to start climbing at 10am tomorrow before We roll into our long summit day. Hopefully check in tomorrow with the best news!
RMI Guide Nikki Champion & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 27, 2025
Mila and team wishing you good weather and sending lots of energy for the final push ! Enjoy and be safe!
Posted by: Eva McDevitt on 6/14/2025 at 9:32 pm
Mila and the team, wishing you the best weather for the final push!
Enjoy the summit views and have a safe journey back!
Posted by: Sarka on 6/14/2025 at 8:51 pm
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Matias Francis, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, May 30, 2022 - 10:43 pm PT
Today we rested again at 14,000' Camp. The team has been soaking up the rest, eating lots of food and drinking plenty of fluids. Thanks for following along and we will keep you posted on what we end up doing tomorrow!
Thanks,
RMI Guides JT, Matias, Jackson and the RMI team.
Hi JT Schmitt I am your Great Aunt who lives on a farm by Cresco Iowa. Your Granddad Joe is my brother. I am so happy to beable to keep in touch with you way up in the air. I will stay where it is nice and warm. The farming is going good for the farmers around here. Crops all in and growing. I hope to see you in august this year. Hope is works out. Just want to say Hello from Iowa. auntie Joyce PS Be safe you and the rest of the climbers
Posted by: joyce mrachek on 5/31/2022 at 5:28 pm
Rest well. Exciting days ahead!
Posted by: Amy Houston on 5/31/2022 at 8:08 am
Dave and Seth
Greetings from Alaska. Enjoying the blogs. Reminds me of my E days 20 years ago to the day. Good luck and be safe.
Mark
Posted by: mark selland on 4/25/2013 at 10:05 pm
Best wishes on a safe climb. You guys are awesome, BRAVE-to say the least. Blessings for a safe summit.
ABQ Uptown #985 NM/AZ/CO
Posted by: Rachael C. Lujan on 4/25/2013 at 1:30 pm
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Erika Birkeland, Mira Schoeberlein
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
RMI Guide Hannah Smith reported beautiful climbing conditions from Glacier Peak today. The team went 100% to the top of one of Washington's most remote volcanoes. The team spends two days trekking into camps before starting their summit attempt. The team is staying at White Pass Camp to enjoy some well-deserved rest before descending to the trailhead tomorrow.
Congrats team!
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Matias Francis, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guide Mike Haugen checked in via radio at 7:40 am as the Kautz Seminar July 18 - 23 team was just reaching the crater rim. The team did well and climbed strong from their camp at the top of the Wapowety Cleaver. After enjoying the views from the summit the team will descend via the Disappointment Cleaver route. This group met at Rainier BaseCamp on Sunday, July 18 and after two days of off mountain training began their ascent via the Kautz Glacier Route. Their time on the mountain included glacier travel training as well as focusing on techniques required for the current conditions on the upper mountain. The team will conclude their program with a celebration in Ashford later today.
Congratulations to the Kautz Seminar climbers!
Amazing accomplishment Dustin! Can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Rose
Posted by: Rose on 7/24/2021 at 12:48 pm
Way to go Dustin! We are so proud of your accomplishments! Can’t wait to hear about your expedition when you get back to work! Your fans at iMemories!
Posted by: Sheila Beals on 7/23/2021 at 11:56 am
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Josh McDowell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Way to go team! And how spectacular and breathtaking to have such fabulous weather. So impressive to hike such a formidable mountain!
Way to go Kira Thorien. Love you and proud of you. Can’t wait to see the pics.
Mom (Jan)
Posted by: Jan Thorien on 6/3/2019 at 8:33 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Erika Birkeland, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 11:32 pm PT
Things were pretty perfect this morning to take a burn on the fixed lines. When we move to 17,000' Camp, it will be with just the essentials. We'll leave luxury items, switch from burritos to freeze dried meals, and go with the plan to get the job done and get back down to thicker air. Thus, there really isn't much that we can cache between here and 17,000'. Instead of caching, our goal was to climb to to higher altitude to keep the acclimatization process progressing, and to get a chance to see the fixed lines without heavy packs. Our packs were light, the sky was clear, and conditions generally calm. We had a wonderful climb up to 16,200', spent a few minutes enjoying the views, then headed back down.
The fixed lines often spark some anxiety: how hard are they, how steep, we can't stop and take a break?!? After a practice run on them those nerves were quelled. Everybody was happy to get a chance with light packs and feel ready to go again, when we move to 17,000' Camp for the summit push. Seems that there is a bit of wind up high the next couple of days so we'll likely wait that out, and then hit the go button when things calm down again. So rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guides Pete, Erika, Leif, and team
Posted by: Ben Ammon, Alex Halliday
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Thank you to our team leads Ben, Nevin and Grayson for getting us safely up and down. And for the stupid jokes, well, thanks for trying.
Posted by: Dawn on 9/8/2019 at 1:37 pm
Jason? You made it? Watched our amazing lightning storm last night and sent you encouraging thoughts! Congrats.
Posted by: Ruth on 9/8/2019 at 6:54 am
Looking great !
May the mountain gods be with you - we are rooting for you from the couch wishing that we are on the mountain !
Posted by: Vivian on 11/15/2018 at 2:34 am
Be safe!!!!
Posted by: lisa maiser on 11/14/2018 at 5:01 pm
Congratulations to Caleb and the entire crew!
Posted by: Ann on 8/16/2019 at 6:09 am
Great job! We can’t even see the mountain today so glad you got up it! I am excited to see the pictures!
Posted by: Lena on 8/15/2019 at 11:59 am
View All Comments