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Posted by: Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
We had an early start after a windy night to begin our 9 hour day over John Gardner pass at 3,900'. The trail winds through a muddy forest for a few hours before getting into the alpine zone. There was fresh snow on the peaks surrounding us and lots of wind to motivate the group to take shorter breaks and keep moving to stay warm.
We got into the pass with some nice views of the Grey glacier, one of the longer arms of the Southern Patagonian ice field. Once back into the trees to begin our descent the trail gets less than ideal from a knee and feet standpoint. The trail is steep and has large steps that make a measured and rhythmic stride all but impossible. It's just part of the trek, but not the best part of the trek.
We are all in camp, some have gone for showers and some have gone for drinks. We all are looking forward to a good night and day off tomorrow.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,600'
On The Map
Congratulations Shep and Jared!
Posted by: Phil Gore on 6/26/2019 at 6:52 pm
Way to go Jared and Shep!
Posted by: Robin on 6/26/2019 at 6:18 pm
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek and Lobuche
Elevation: 20,075'
So proud of you Michael and Bruce! Love you and miss you dearly Michael. Xoxo
Posted by: Rebekah Holman on 4/1/2019 at 8:50 am
Congrats! This is an incredible and amazing accomplishment! It looks like all those OTF double sessions paid off (Sherry and Ed). Safe travels back to us. Love you guys! xo
Posted by: Colleen on 3/31/2019 at 6:13 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Michael Murray, Bo Torrey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb July 16 - 19 led by RMI Guides Nikki Champion, Michael Murray and Bo Torrey reached the crater rim around 7 am today. They took six hours to climb from Camp Muir to the summit and reported calm winds and clear skies. As of 8 am they were on their descent returning to Camp Muir and then continuing the remaining 4,500' to Paradise. They will conclude their program this afternoon with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations climbers! Way to go Christopher!
Posted by: Jane Green on 7/19/2022 at 3:44 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter, Henry Coppolillo, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Winds and a windy forecast continue to keep us posted up at 14K. Today is a bit breezier, cloudier, and cooler at camp. We're still looking at a potentially improving weather pattern for this weekend, hopeful that wind speeds with subside and we'll be able to move up to high camp. We're about as acclimated to the altitude as were going to get on this expedition. Now it's a matter of good fortune if we get decent weather for a shot at the top. That's always a big "if" when climbing high peaks.
There's not much new to report from Genet Basin. The tents continue to stack up here, joining us in waiting for a climbing window. There are plenty of teams anxious for the opportunity to move higher. We'll keep you posted with any changes, but for now we're still in a holding pattern.
RMI Guides Mike, Henry, Abby and Team
Feeling SO proud of you, little brother. I was thinking that pushing your body to its limits in the mountains might be the easiest part of all this; it’s all the other ways that this trip is pushing you that I’m particularly awed by. You’re amazing. Thinking of you every day and rooting for that wind to settle down so you can go up and get ‘er done!!
Posted by: Rosie Read on 5/27/2022 at 12:48 pm
Hang in there guys. We’re thinking of you and hoping for better weather. The weekend starts tomorrow ,, we anxiously await your next report.
Be safe
Jan Beaudway
Posted by: Jan Beaudway on 5/26/2022 at 4:38 pm
Posted by: Jake Beren, Caleb Ladue, Chris Ebeling, Ben Markhart
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
So very wonderful! What an incredible achievement. All your training paid off! Congratulations!
Posted by: Angie Modelski on 7/4/2017 at 4:08 pm
Awesome job, Andrew! What an accomplishment. Now you can start your own company called Summit Construction or Rainier Construction.
Posted by: Andrew Modelski on 7/4/2017 at 11:11 am
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Taylor Bickford, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Saturday June 4, 2022 6:22pm PT
Today we have our first birthday of the trip! Happy Birthday Cris! To celebrate we woke up early to a speedy breakfast of Honey Nut Cheerios. We planned to walk at 8:30 am, but with such cold temperatures this morning we pushed that back and hour and stayed warm in our tents. Once the sun finally hit 14,000’ camp around 9:30 am we began our journey towards the fixed lines. Running through all the gambit of temperatures we made it to the top of the fixed lines, at 16,200', where we decided to cache our personal and group food for the day. After taking a snack, and water break we made our way back downhill. We rolled back into 14,000’ camp, where it is now lightly snowing, and crawled into our tents.
Tonight, will be a mellow evening of Ramen, and prepping for a few much needed days of rest at 14 camp. The team did great, and we are set up well!
RMI Guides Nikki, Taylor, Emma, and Team!
Following your every move on this big mountain. We are with you all in spirit. Be safe. Stay strong…and try to stay warm. You’ve got this! Happy Birthday, Cris.
Posted by: The Wilhelms on 6/6/2022 at 5:34 am
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
Have fun with Tuck on the trek. He was a blast on Kilimanjaro 2 years ago.
Posted by: Dick Davies on 5/10/2014 at 12:32 pm
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 20,310'
June 14th
The teams made it to the top! We've got a lot to say, but for now it's a late night and we are trying to eat dinner and get some sleep. Everyone pushed hard, and it was a beautiful summit day! About 11-12 hours round trip, primarily filled with sunshine.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 27, 2025
Job well done Mila and team! Glad to see everyone made it safe and sound. Welcome back to “civilization”. Can’t wait to hear all about your adventure and experience.
Kim
Posted by: Kim on 6/17/2025 at 11:57 am
Congratulations all, you did it - what an accomplishment!!! Jarmila, I agree with Tanya’s message - we can’t wait to hear about about the expedition, see all of your photos and celebrate with you upon your safe return back to the bay! WOW!
Posted by: Sarah on 6/16/2025 at 4:34 pm














Team, We wish you GREAT LUCK on McKinley. Be safe. Sara and Bill McGahan
Posted by: Bil McGahan on 5/17/2012 at 3:40 pm
happy birthday carl & best wishes for great weather.
summit on!
Posted by: lars on 5/14/2012 at 6:37 pm
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