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Posted by: Brent Okita, Leon Davis, Lindsay Mann
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 358'
RMI Guide Abby Westling and the Emmons Seminar June 25 - 30 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They reached the summit around 6:30 am on a beautiful, clear day. After several days of training and climbing the team put it all together to reach the top. The team will return to Camp Schurman today for their last night on the mountain. They will descend to the White River trailhead tomorrow afternoon and make the drive back to Ashford.
Congratulations Emmons team!
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Thursday, June 23, 2022 9:41 pm PDT
We made the big move from 8,000 to 11,000 ft today. This was on mostly familiar terrain for us, of course. But the unfamiliar parts brought us into a whole new world. We set out at 5:30 AM from the base of Ski Hill in perfect conditions for mountain climbing. It was cool, shady and calm and the snow surface was frozen up nicely. We cruised right on past our food and fuel cache from yesterday and reached the head of the 46-mile long Kahiltna Glacier. What remained was a little steeper terrain on a feeder glacier, but we managed that hard work without any trouble and pulled into camp at 11 AM. Things had clouded up a little, which was a good thing, keeping the sun off us as we did the hard pull into camp. It was nice to be greeted by Andy Bond and his RMI team, enjoying their rest day at 11K. We set into the hard work of building a new camp at a new elevation. The clouds began to fade, and we were stunned at the beauty of our surroundings. Whereas the scenery from within the valleys has been great, now that we are getting up a little, we can start to see out. The glacial ice surrounding us is endlessly fascinating with giant walls and towers pitched at impossible angles. We napped away the intense sun that came with the afternoon. Dinner in a new camp with a new view was excellent.
Tomorrow we’ll go back down for our supplies.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Posted by: JJ Justman, Joe Horiskey
Categories: Guide News
Thank you for taking the time to extend our students’ learning. It was great hearing their excitement and discussions after you signed off. You did a great job connecting with them.
Posted by: Lori Casalvieri on 11/19/2015 at 3:15 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Eric Frank, Mike Haugen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Congrats Lindella and team. We are so proud of you!Mom and Dad
Posted by: Linda Smith on 8/4/2012 at 9:20 am
Congrats to Mike on 100!! I was there on the summit with him and our team had an incredible climb together. Thank you to our amazing guides and to my fellow climbers for a great four days on the mountain.
Posted by: Cindee Teer on 8/3/2012 at 9:12 pm
On The Map
Hi Jeff & team, I look forward to reading the blog everyday, sounds all good from here. I’ll bet you are getting to know one another & know who you’re on the mtn w/keep the postive feedback coming. I hope you are sleeping well,I could just picture you taking a shower from you water bottle. Love always, take care mum
Posted by: Norene Kimes on 1/15/2012 at 12:25 pm
Larry,
Hang in there, be safe and have fun!
Posted by: Holly Seaton on 1/14/2012 at 8:01 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Mike Bennett, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
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Friday, June 20, 2025 10:02pm PDT
You must go up to go down, and go down to go up.
The team started the day with a simple yet efficient breakfast of cereal and coffee before donning their crampons, roping up, and beginning their walk out of camp at roughly 8:30 a.m.
The climb out of 14 Camp quickly gains elevation, built up by rolling slopes that offer brief stretches of reprieve before reaching the base of the fixed lines. A steep and icy headwall, the fixed lines provide both access to the upper mountain and a formidable challenge to anyone seeking passage. Installed each season by climbing rangers and maintained by guides, the fixed lines serve as a two-lane highway to Denali’s flank—the West Buttress.
The team made great progress, gaining elevation quickly as they found a rhythm in the often awkward and unfamiliar technique of fixed-line travel. After nearly 1,000 feet of “jugging” up various rope sections, the team broke through to the ridge, rounded a corner, and found shelter at the base of the Buttress—the high point for the day. Sheltered by rocky outcroppings, the team took a well-earned break while the guides collected gear to be left behind and dug out a cache.
Once the gear was stashed, the team turned and began the quite different, yet equally challenging, descent down the lines. Using arm wraps and steady footwork, they made their way down in a timely and stylish fashion.
Good snacks, a cozy tent, and the promise of a rest day awaited them upon return to 14 Camp.
RMI Guide Michael Bennet & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition June 9, 2025
Such an amazing experience and kudos to the climbing rangers and guides who install and maintain the fixed lines (had to look up what that is). 14,200 ft!! All your hard work and preparation is paying off and we cannot wait to hear more and see photos.
We’re all so proud of you, Mikayla and team!
Love,
Tante Mary
Posted by: Mary McKinley on 6/22/2025 at 1:14 am
Hi dad -
It’s me wells. I’ve been missing you so much. I love you. I’m proud of you for doing hard work. It’s good that you’re okay. I’m about to go to bed, but I wanted to leave a quick comment. And I love you.
Love wells
Posted by: Wells hal on 6/21/2025 at 10:01 pm
Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Megan Budge
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
On The Map
Cheryl just got your text and hope you reach the summit tomorrow. Be careful and my prayers will be with you and your team. Love you.
Posted by: Jo on 6/15/2017 at 9:17 pm
Jim Walker—good luck on the climb to the summit. All of the Guff clan and all of Vineyard Lane is very proud of you. We look forward to hearing all about the climb in detail over some good burgundy at the Chanty. Be safe. Drew
Posted by: Drew Guff on 6/15/2017 at 9:12 pm
On The Map
Heidi and David. Excited to follow your daily progress.
Look forward to hearing that you have reached the summit
and accomplished your objective! All the best! Stay safe and
be strong. XOXO Dad
Posted by: Craig Berkman on 2/18/2012 at 8:53 pm
Great to follow your amazing advendure through the blog and photos! Hope today’s ascent exceeds your expectations and that the Roof Of Africa was as phenomenal as it sounds. See you when you return home. Safe travels and have fun!
Posted by: Romy Mortensen on 2/18/2012 at 2:33 pm
DAD! This is awesome, I can’t imagine what your seeing and experiencing. Best wishes and Happy Xmas to you and the team.
One thing you always told me was “Lean into the spear.” Remember that when times get tough! love you so much and I am proud of you ...Love Bridy:)...
Posted by: Britany Fitzgerald on 12/21/2011 at 5:46 am
Richard: We are watching and reading every day…keep up the good work, sounds like you are all doing great. Hang on in those winds. mom
Posted by: Linda Robertson on 12/20/2011 at 9:01 am
Congratulations to all of you. Amazing accomplishment!
Posted by: The Parella Family on 6/18/2012 at 5:41 am
12 Days At 17.2k has to be some kind of record! What tenacity & an epic climb.
I leave Tues for my turn—have to be honest, hope we’re not stuck up at high camp that long—but you all have paved the way.
TM
Posted by: Tim McLaughlin on 6/17/2012 at 10:26 pm
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