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RMI Guide Billy Nugent checks in from the summit of Aconcagua, 22,841 ft.
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
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
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Friday, June 27, 2025 8:21pm PDT
Blog Denali – Day 19
Bonjour à tous!
Today marks day 19 since we all met in Anchorage, and day 17 on the mountain. Since the first week went so well, many of us believed we’d be off this frozen rock after 15 days... However, Mother Nature had different plans for us. I now understand why Denali has such a tough reputation: the freaking weather!
Today is our 10th day at 14k camp, and the 6th day of weather delay. We’ve endured two snowstorms, and the last one—lasting almost 36 hours—brought 40 cm of fresh snow. Although the weather is finally on our side today, we still can’t move due to avalanche hazards.
Over the past week, no one has summited, and the few teams that made it to high camp were stuck in even worse conditions than we’ve experienced. I’m grateful to our responsible and professional guides for making the decision to stay put.
On a more personal note, this has been one of the hardest weeks of my amateur climbing career. I’ve never waited this long in full winter camping mode, with almost nothing to do. Mornings are cold, and many toes in the team are freezing. On top of that, I feel weaker every day at this altitude. I’ve lost weight and am probably missing plenty of essential nutrients like vitamins and soluble fiber. (Also, the fact that I ran out of food and entertainment played a big role—LOL.)
On the bright side, my amazing team is kindly helping me survive—special thanks to Andrew for the Kindle, Tait for two bags of beef jerky, and Mikaila for letting me use her InReach. I’ve also gained valuable experience for future adventures. I’ve learned about clothing layers (my thin ones suck), baby Nalgene bottles, Leuko tape, pressure breathing, how much toilet paper to bring, glacier travel, gnarly supplements, and more.
Overall, it’s amazing that all 9 team members (and 3 guides) are still here, holding onto hope of reaching the summit. We’re also lucky, in a way, to have a weather window this weekend for a summit attempt. Many teams haven’t even gotten that chance this year.
À ma famille et mes amis, j’ai hâte de vous revoir! J’espère que vous passez un beau mois de juin, plus chaud qu’ici! Même si je manque une partie de l’été montréalais, je profite énormément du plein air, et les paysages glaciaires sont à couper le souffle. J’ai hâte de vous montrer les photos! Évidemment, je suis très stressé pour les deux prochains jours... Envoyez-moi des ondes relaxantes, haha!
Étienne XOX
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition June 9, 2025
Salut Étienne! Sens-tu l’énergie que je t’envoie du lac Temiscouata, Lou aussi t’envoie plein de bonnes ondes alpha. . Une semaine à chilller, une rare opportunité. Le mot chilller prend un autre sens dans ton cas. Évidemment je vous souhaite un départ imminent. Garde le moral et je suis surpris de lire que tu ne sembles plus avoir de brownies! Bonne continuation Étienne et n’oublie pas que nous sommes avec toi et que nous t’aimons. J’admire ton courage…. A bientôt
Posted by: Sylvain on 6/29/2025 at 6:15 pm
Go Mikayla: You’ve got this. Can’t wait to see pictures from the top of the world. Love ya, Grandma
Posted by: Grandma Donley on 6/29/2025 at 12:26 pm
Posted by: Alan Davis, Mike Bennett, Robert Whyte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
Despite a skiff of snow and some much cooler winds, the clouds lifted and we awoke to a peaceful sunrise. We climbed above Camp Muir and enjoyed the sunrise from Ingraham Flats.
RMI Guide Alan Davis
RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team opted to climb Mt. Baker via the Coleman-Deming route after they had discovered rain deteriorated conditions on the North Ridge. The team climbed strong and were 100% to the top, making the best of their days on the mountain.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Tyler Reid
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Ski
Posted by: Billy Nugent, JJ Justman, Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 4,383'
Watching the Discovery Channel broadcast on the Avalanche. Thank you Dave, Mark & team!
Posted by: Susan on 5/4/2014 at 7:13 pm
Dave - We’ve been thinking about you guys every day for the past two weeks. Glad to hear everything is well with you. There will be many more days to climb. Stay safe.
Posted by: James Woodwell on 5/2/2014 at 9:24 pm
Amazing seeing the ruggedness of the mountains. Looks like you are in good hands. Enjoy every day, our family prayers are with you all. Breeze please!
David Eicher
Posted by: David Eicher on 4/5/2011 at 7:59 am
Bill and Sara, I am thinking of you both every day. I love reading about your expedition and I pass them along to my office staff and I brag about you (mostly about Sara, Bill, sorry). You are both really cool.
It is in the low 80’s today here on the posh rock of HHI. Flip flops and shorts….sand and shore, but alas, no sherpas and no excitement…..love to you both. cathy
Posted by: cathy on 4/4/2011 at 7:39 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Good evening,
What a day, what a day! One step closer to the summit! Today started rather frigid. The clear skies made for a cold morning. Our toes and fingers were screaming for warmth. But as usual once the sun hit camp, everything warmed up. The classic freeze or fry. It was a productive day, that started with a refresher on fix line travel then followed by a carry to 16,200'. Getting our gear up there sets us up for a move to 17,000' Camp when the weather looks good. We are going to be patient and wait till it looks good and then go for it. Tomorrow will be a rest day. The team is pretty good at chilling which is good on expeditions. Keep your warm toes and fingers crossed for good weather for us in the coming week!
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
All of us are doing good here but we miss your cute face D
Posted by: Jeannette Arnold on 6/29/2021 at 4:14 pm
Wow—you’re making quick work of formidable “hills”! Motorcycle Hill must’ve been a beast!
Looking forward (I think) to seeing entertaining photos from the Edge of the World… Steven, I hope you didn’t think it would be fun to jump in your photo op—eeks! The “classic freeze or fry” is a new concept for me, and yet another reason to admire Team Smith’s fortitude and determination. 17,000’ camp awaits!
- Pam
Posted by: Pam Singleton on 6/21/2021 at 10:47 am
Hi Uncle Kenny! Hope you’re having a great time in Argentina! I’m having a fantastic semester so far, I got hired as an RA for next year! I’m so excited, and all my classes are great too. Can’t wait to see all the amazing pictures I’m sure you took, have a safe trip back to the US! Love you!
-Natasha
Posted by: Natasha Young on 2/17/2013 at 12:15 pm
Congratulations to you all!!
I hope there was some summit wine.
Rolf
Posted by: Rolf on 2/17/2013 at 6:44 am
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