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Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Brian,
I hope the weather allows for more progress for climbing today. Stay safe, focus on the destination, but enjoy the journey! We send our love! Inez and Ian
Posted by: Inez Bulatao on 7/16/2012 at 3:38 am
Dr. K.
We are awe inspired by your bravery and sense of adventure! Can’t wait to see you again, best of luck to you and your team. Hang in there, we know you will make it to the top, we are sending you light and love! Have fun in the tent! We love you and miss you! -Track A2 (the best track)
Posted by: Track A2 on 7/15/2012 at 6:53 pm
On The Map
Hi Larry! You bet! Watch our summit video, it was a great day with a lot of fun climbing.Its nice not having to lug a giant pack around all the time. Maybe I will see you in Russia some day.
Keep Climbin’
Posted by: JJ on 7/11/2012 at 10:57 am
Do you do any climbing on this trip? This appears to be much different than Denali.
Posted by: Larry Seaton on 7/6/2012 at 10:45 am
Posted by: Andy Bond, Grayson Swingle, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 - 8:49 pm PT
The weather couldn’t make up its mind today- it was cold, it was hot, it was sunny, it was cloudy, it was clear, it was snowy, it was windy, and it was still. It literally couldn’t make up its mind from minute to minute. This of course necessitated putting on and taking off layers, putting on sunscreen, and opening and closing the vestibules. Our heads are still spinning.
Today was what we called a reverse carry day which means we headed down hill to retrieve our cache from 10,000' and hoofed it back up the hill to camp. Andy called this a rest day. His idea of a rest day is a little demented in my opinion. On the Appalachian trail, we would have called this a Nero day (translation- nearly a zero day).
We also prepped for tomorrow by deciding what we are going to carry up to 14,000' Camp for caching. The strategy is to split our load so no one day is heavier than the other.
Camp life today involved consuming large volumes of food while we still have an appetite which also means we don’t have to carry it. Many of us are finding out that we packed way too much food and are excited when anybody is willing to eat some of it. We also tossed around some deep questions like -if you could go back in any period of history when would it be? My answer was the future, specifically the day we summit this massive mountain. You may have also heard that one member of our team is carrying a hula hoop up the mountain. After a little research project from our followers, we learned that if our team member is successful in hula hooping for 30 seconds on the summit, they will break the record for the highest hula hooping. The current record is on Kilimanjaro at 19,300'. Stayed tuned.
RMI Climber Mary-Beth
David & Mary Marker you two continue to become some of my favorite humans after that research (no surprise since you are the reason why one of my absolute favorite human’s exists).
Steve - of course YOU would take something that could lead to you breaking a world record (which I’m certain you’ll succeed at doing). So go get that summit then celebrate with your hula hoop and then continue onto goal #1. :)
Posted by: Melanee Strootman on 6/23/2022 at 8:26 am
Keep it rolling Hydeco!
Posted by: Clyde on 6/22/2022 at 9:54 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 358'
On The Map
Good luck guys (and gal)! I hope the sooner you get on the glacier, the sooner you get off. :) Stay warm and stay safe.
Stephenie
(Kyle H’s girlfriend)
Posted by: Stephenie on 5/11/2012 at 9:26 am
Fingers crossed the weather cooperates today and you get on the glacier. Here’s to good flying conditions and getting this show on the road! Good luck to the team. XO
Christina D
Posted by: Christina Doren on 5/11/2012 at 9:01 am
Day 1 -
We're all excited to have finally gotten our climb going. After months, and in some cases years, of anticipation of this adventure, day 1 is almost over.
Driving through the lush agricultural zone low on the flanks of Kilimanjaro we finally arrived at the start of our climb, the Machame Gate. Light rain was falling as we debarked the bus that brought us here, but stopped by the time we started hiking. Five hours later we arrived, the group showing strong form on this first day.
Camp had been set up and awaited our arrival, a stark change to what many of us are used to. Following this, tea time and popcorn then a great dinner.
The highlight so far was the wonderful cake that was so carefully brought to camp to recognize Thomas's 20th birthday, accompanied by the excellent singing of our guides as they presented this special recognition of a special person. Thanks Naiman, Tosha, Alfred and the rest of the crew
We're looking forward to going higher tomorrow. To Shira Camp!!!
Day 2 -
Shira Camp!
We walked out of the light clouds and drizzle of Machame Camp forward to gaining some elevation and rising above the rain forest. Although it took a little while we finally broke out of the clouds and into the sunshine we've been missing since arriving to Tanzania.
Everyone crushed our 5 hour hike to camp. The last hour we were treated to our first view of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s summit area. The Western Breach was impressive and allowed us to see the general direction we’ll be climbing over the next few days,
We’re looking forward to tomorrow where we’ll reach a high point of 15,000’ before descending down to Barranco Camp at 13,000’. A perfect day for acclimatizing.
We’ll talk soon from Barranco Camp!
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 17.400'
Yesterday we traveled south through the town of Ambato, where we learned what a 50cm burrito looks like. Despite an exact measurement it’s still hard to imagine. Following a comical lunch we drove through the park, Reserva Producción de Fauna Chimborazo, and continued to La Estrella de Chimborazo where we had a quiet night with delicious food and beautiful views of Chimborazo’s grand south face.
We awoke to a foggy morning and continued to relax in preparation for a difficult 24 hours. Some members of the team practiced crevasse rescue on the porch while other’s just chilled out, enjoying the views and some local wildlife.
In the afternoon we made the two hour trek to high camp and are settled in at our highest sleeping altitude - 17,400’. Tonight we will get an alpine start and hope for good weather on our summit attempt!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
Best of luck for a successful climb and cooperative weather!
Posted by: Karie Seubert on 1/23/2022 at 10:11 am
Climb Strong Team!!! Sending Prayers for Strong Lungs and Legs!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/23/2022 at 3:03 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Ben Ammon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
You are all rockstars!
Posted by: Lois on 9/1/2019 at 11:25 am
Congratulations Jonathan!!!! I am so proud of you!!! <3
Posted by: Joanne on 9/1/2019 at 9:09 am
Posted by: Mike Uchal, Adam Knoff, Zeb Blais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
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
Posted by: Alex Van Steen, Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Carstensz Pyramid
Alex Van Steen Checks in From Gamagai Village
On The Map
Your adventure sounds like a movie! Many thanks for the blog posts since they make it real. Much love to Bill, Katie and Sara.
Posted by: Mom/Grandma on 6/29/2012 at 7:01 am
101 in Atlanta today and no rain. We want to hear from all of you whne possible.
Posted by: Henry on 6/29/2012 at 5:39 am
Cathy: we know that you are disappointed not been able to go all the way!!!! We know you could have made it. But, we are happy that you had a great adventure!!!! Your little soon to be niece/nephew is excited too!!!!!!
Love, Kae and Caroline
Posted by: Kae on 7/17/2012 at 5:24 am
Brian and team, I can only imagine how disappointed y’all must be, but you accomplished far more than most people will ever get a chance at. The experiences and memories of your time on McKinley will last a life time. Plant the flag and take the picture (still a great shot). We are looking forward to your safe return and beautiful pictures. We love you , RB, TB & CB
Posted by: Robin, Tristan and Connor on 7/16/2012 at 8:20 pm
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