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Mt. Everest Expedition: Team at Camp 2

April 29, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 21,000'

The team climbed from Camp 1 up to Camp 2 (ABC) today in perfect conditions. They will stick to the rough outline for now spending three or four nights at Camp 2. While at Camp 2 their main objective is taking care of themselves by eating, drinking and resting. Over the next couple of days they will climb towards Camp 3 to stretch their legs and lungs and keeping with the climb high, sleep low philosophy. Everyone is doing well and we look forward to seeing them back in Base Camp in a few days. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

continued prayers with you guys, good luck on stage 3,
love reading your personal “posts”, great stuff. Adam and Owen were asking about you both last night at dinner. God bless.
David

Posted by: david eicher on 5/2/2011 at 10:16 am

Amazing journey. I am so excited that you guys are making such outstanding progress. Thinking of you guys as you climb higher and higher.

Lowndes

Posted by: Lowndes Harrison on 4/30/2011 at 4:05 am

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Mt. Rainier: July 11th Summit!

July 11, 2012

Posted by: Eric Frank, Mike Haugen

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

It is a beautiful day on Mt. Rainier. The Five Day Summit Climb July 7 - 11 led by Eric Frank and the Four Day Summit Climb July 8 - 11 led by Mike Haugen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The teams reached the crater rim around 7:30 a.m. They reported clear skies, great conditions and winds ranging from 0 to none. The Five Day Kautz Climb is descending to Paradise this morning. Their entire team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier yesterday morning. Congratulations to today's summit teams!

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SO VERY EXCITED TO JUST READ THE NEWS!! WE ARE BOTH VERY PROUD OF OUR SON, MATTHEW AND HIS FIANCE, ELLA!! CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE IN THE GROUP, AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE GUIDES FOR LEADING THE ENTIRE BUNCH SAFELY UP ...AND BACK DOWN!! NOW GO AND CELEBRATE!

Posted by: BRENDA & LOTHAR on 7/11/2012 at 10:12 am

Congrats to Scott, Alex and the rest of the team. What a huge accomplishment! Looking forward to hearing all about your adventure. Safe travels back to civilization.
love, Michelle and the entire clan

Posted by: Michelle Rico Wilsdon on 7/11/2012 at 9:53 am

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Mt. Rainier: Stormy Weather Summit

May 20, 2012

Posted by: Brent Okita

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

Despite stormy conditions, a small summit climb team reached the summit today led by Brent Okita. The team did not linger on the summit before beginning their descent at 8:00 a.m. The climbs are back to Paradise and are currently on their way to Rainier Basecamp in Ashford. Congratulations!

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Gary, We are so excited for you! Ian and I love you very much! Ang

Posted by: Angela Rennie on 5/24/2012 at 12:01 pm

Congratulations Brad and Dave! We can’t wait to hear the story….

Love,
Rachel

Posted by: Rachel on 5/20/2012 at 9:08 pm

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Denali Expedition: Parrinello & Team Climb to 13,000’, Return to 11,000’

June 8, 2022

Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - 9:46 pm PT

Welcome back to another fine edition of the Denali blog! Today we awoke to somewhat stormy conditions so we hit the snooze and waited an hour for the weather to improve. Once the sky was looking happy we snarfed breakfast and took off towards the 13k cache garden. The first obstacle was the intimidating hill directly out of 11,000' Camp known as Motorcycle Hill, which was no problem as the team zoomed up it. We then turned the corner and surmounted the famous Squirrel Hill (less long and steep but with more exposure). Next we galloped across the long but flat feature known as the Polo Field! We took our last break at the edge of the infamous Windy Corner, which happened to be windless today! Finally after another hour of walking we were at the cache garden. Luck would have it that we found an empty cache hole! We tossed our excess supplies in it, covered it up and turned down hill. In the blink of an eye we were back at 11,000' Camp relaxing till dinner time. Tomorrow should the good weather continue to hold we’ll move to 14,000' camp!

Thanks for tuning in…

RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the team!

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Focus Changes

July 16, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Another night, another snow storm. This morning as we got the stoves fired and the POSH pit dug out once again, it was clear that our summit chances had slipped away. That was all that was clear... the day was much like the night, clagged in and snowing. We had a team meeting at breakfast and a retreat from 14,200 ft was proposed. Rather than merely waiting for a break in the weather to head up onto the West Buttress, we are now back in the uncomfortable position of having loaded avalanche slopes blocking our ascent. They'd need that tedious and time-consuming process of cooking in the (seldom seen) sun and stabilization and careful evaluation... all over again. And we won't have resources for that if we are to devote a little food and fuel to getting safely down and off the mountain. Folks expressed their disappointment at not getting to see the mountaintop, but also their recognition that we simply hadn't gotten a break from sloppy weather. Something had to give. We are going down, but we aren't exactly finished climbing yet. We still need an easing of the current snowstorm and then we'll need a strong and focused team to negotiate the terrain that took a week of careful climbing on the way in. Perhaps the night will pass without a new storm and we'll be able to begin working toward the airstrip tomorrow. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

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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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Mt. McKinley: Tyler Jones & Team Ready for Flight

May 30, 2012

Posted by: Eric Frank, Tyler Jones

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

Hello! It’s Tyler,Eric and Logan checking in after a long day of work in Talkeetna. Yesterday we had a sunny drive through the Alaskan scenery before arriving in Talkeetna in late evening. This completed a long day of travel from our various home bases to our soon to be new home on the “Great One”- Denali. This morning the team met for breakfast at the Roadhouse Restaurant to officially start the program. After chatting about the day, we walked across the small town of Talkeetna to K2 Aviation. As planes took off and landed around us, the team spread out clothing and equipment in the airport hanger and consulted endless checklists. As we made our final gear selections, the hanger was buzzing with excitement. After an afternoon break for pizza and salad, we all headed to the National Park Service headquarters for an orientation meeting. We chatted about the importance of keeping our impact low as we climb and live in the park for the next few weeks. After the orientation, we spent some time working on rigging sleds, setting up tents and building other skills. At noon the hanger looked like a yard sale; clothing and gear scattered everywhere. By the time we left for dinner, all of our ducks were in a row. We now have duffels and packs neatly stacked in the front of the hanger. We are ready to go and eager to get on the glacier.

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Have an AMAZING and AWESOME experience, Logan!!! Thinking of you and the rest of the team…. Can’t wait to follow the expedition!

Posted by: Lindsay Randolph on 6/16/2012 at 1:51 pm

have a great time
billy k

Posted by: billy and mary on 6/3/2012 at 4:04 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team - Down and Out in Talkeetna

July 18, 2012

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 348'

I'd intended to wake the climbing team at 2 AM for their final day on Denali, but folks were snoring so hard at that hour that it seemed kinder to wait until three. Besides, our camp at 7,800' on the Kahiltna Glacier was blanketed with cloud and I didn't figure the snow surface had frozen up. But at three, the clouds began to flee and the snow got crusty, making sled-pulling and crevasse-crossing vastly easier and safer. We ate a hot breakfast, knocked down the tents and hit the trail at 5:15. There actually was a trail since a West Rib team had gone out the evening before, plowing an easy-to-follow groove in what had then been soft snow. After weeks of telling the team how tricky it could be to get through the lower glacier in mid-July, I was almost embarrassed that our task had become so simple. As we cruised along in the early morning shadows it was something of a surprise to realize that we were finding better bridges and fewer open crevasses than on our way in. The constant snowstorms that kept us from climbing high had greatly improved conditions down low. We made it to the Southeast Fork in just a couple of hours and began a slow walk up "Heartbreak Hill". The last of the clouds seemed to evaporate, leaving us in bright sunshine and giving us excellent views of Mount Hunter and Mount Foraker. By 9:30 AM we were unclipping our carabiners and shaking hands at the "upper strip". Since it was the first clear day over the Alaska Range in some time and there was a lot of flying to be done, we had to wait our turn for a pickup. But waiting was pretty easy in such wonderful conditions... we rolled out sleeping pads and napped, threw snowballs, and nibbled at the last delicacies in what -until then- had been our carefully rationed lunch food. K2 Aviation landed two beautiful DeHaviland Otters at precisely 4 PM. Fifteen minutes later we slid down the runway and off the mountain that had been our home for 19 days. The flight out in perfect summer weather -our first of the trip- was spectacular. A million shades of green dazzled our eyes as we left the mountains and neared Talkeetna. Then it was a few frenzied hours of drying and sorting gear in the hot sunshine. With the chores done, we got to the pleasant and easy hours of celebrating over a fine dinner at the West Rib Pub. And finally there was the obligatory visit to The Fairview where open mike night was already in progress. Our Norwegian teammate, Frode, took the stage and had the big stuffed animal heads rocking off the walls with his thundering rendition of Hootchie Cootchie Man. And that was how our Denali climb ended... Without a summit, but with a lot of laughter and twelve new friends. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Dave Hahn, thank you for the wonderful updates! I could almost hear the “peft, peft, peft” of the team’s steps in the snow. But thank you most of all for guiding the team home safely!

Posted by: Monica on 7/19/2012 at 2:41 pm

Hmmm…

Safe journey, safe homecoming.
Thank you for your posts. This last one
was pretty as a painting.
SOUL, Denise:.

Posted by: denise:, on 7/19/2012 at 7:49 am

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Turn Due to Weather

May 23, 2021

Posted by: Andy Bond, JT Schmitt, Jackson Breen, Taylor Bickford, Matt McEttrick, Cal Smith

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 12,600'

The Four Day Climb May 20- 23, 2021 was turned around at the top of Disappointment Cleaver today due to low visibility, blowing snow and cold temperatures. The teams, led by RMI Guides Andy Bond and Taylor Bickford, returned to safely to Camp Muir and will be descending to Paradise later this morning.

Mongolia: Frank & Team Enjoy Well Deserved Rest Day

July 21, 2019

Posted by: Eric Frank

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mongolia

Today was a rest day for the Mongolia Expedition. After five days off constant movement a little down time was well deserved. We filled the hours by drying and organizing our gear, hiking to a nearby meadow filled with wild flowers and napping in the afternoon heat. Things were low key and each team member enjoyed personal time. A beautiful sunset capped off the evening and tomorrow we will begin our trek back to Ulaanbataar with fond memories of our time in this area. RMI Guide Eric Frank

Mt. Rainier: August 24th Update

August 24, 2011

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Mt. Rainier Four Day Summit Climb led by Pete Van Deventer radioed from the summit at 7:20 a.m. They crested the summit just before 7 a.m. with clear blue skies and calm winds in the crater. It's a gorgeous day on Mt. Rainier! After spending some time enjoying the magnificent views, the teams will begin their descent back to Paradise. Seth Waterfall and the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team checked in from Camp Schurman. The entire team reached the summit yesterday. They spent almost the entire previous night battling a tough storm, but the team managed to overcome the challenge and enjoyed a beautiful climb of the Emmons Glacier. Today they will descend down the White River valley for the final leg of their trip. Congratulations RMI teams!

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Most Popular Entries

Mt. Everest Expedition: Team at Camp 2

Mt. Rainier: July 11th Summit!

Mt. Rainier: Stormy Weather Summit

Denali Expedition: Parrinello & Team Climb to 13,000’, Return to 11,000’

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team Focus Changes

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Tyler Jones & Team Ready for Flight

Mt. McKinley: Hahn & Team - Down and Out in Talkeetna

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Teams Turn Due to Weather

Mongolia: Frank & Team Enjoy Well Deserved Rest Day

Mt. Rainier: August 24th Update

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