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After discussing our options over dinner last night we decided that walking up the Kahiltna Glacier from Base Camp to see what starting a West Buttress climb might feel like. So this morning we started our day a little earlier than we have been to try and beat the heat we have been seeing every afternoon. And it did the trick, we took a cool breeze in the teeth all day that meant we had to climb in a couple of jackets. We sitting in camp at the base of ski hill now taking a respite from the sun.
By popular request we are instituting a daily stoke meter, to share with the world the level of excitement the team is currently feeling. We'll be using a numeric scale that corresponds to a specific level of stoke, defined as follows: 0-2= no stoke. 3-5= semi-stoke. 6-8= stoked. 9-10= TOTALLY STOKED! Today's stoke meter is a healthy 6, which is pretty nice after the climb.
Stay tuned for more updates from the team!
RMI Guides Gabriel Barral and Garrett Stevens
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
July 2, 2023 - 4:16 am PT
Summit!!! On a fine day. A little bit of a long one though -fifteen hours round trip. We got tangled with a couple of other guided parties. Those other teams were breaking trail, so it is tough to fault them for being slow. We were on top at 8:30 PM and back to 17,000' Camp just after 2 AM. The weather was very nice, but it wasn't the warmest day on top. Most of us had on all the clothing we had.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Congratulations Mitch!!! Such an inspiration at, dare I say, 61!
Safe travels back down and thank you to ALL the team for keeping making it happen.
Posted by: Marcelle Flowers on 7/3/2023 at 12:57 pm
Well done team! Cheers to a tremendous accomplishment. Special props to Dustin and Sam for their guidance on Rainier last month. Safe travels my friends!
-Joe
Posted by: Joseph Mueller on 7/3/2023 at 7:51 am
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
I wondered who those people in the picture were, and why the banner said 2003, now I know… Wonder what happened to our picture? What a great trip!!!
Posted by: Jen on 7/20/2012 at 12:49 pm
Congrats to you all!!
The image from 2003 brings back some fond memories
Posted by: Stu Allen on 7/16/2012 at 9:21 pm
Posted by: Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, June 13, 2022 - 10:37 pm PT
Hmmm how does one keep entertained while waiting for good summit weather? Well let me tell you! You start the morning as usual with the most important meal of the day, breakfast! Then the team rallies, gears up and heads to “The Edge of the World”! Whooo spooky! What’s the edge of the world you’re thinking? Glad you asked! It’s an epic cliff on the extreme edge of camp that looks 6,000 feet down to the valley floor. So pretty cool and obviously we took a bunch of hero shots of ourselves looking awesome. Then we wandered around the perimeter of camp, took a quick look at the crevasse formerly known as the “Poop Crevasse” (we now remove all our waste from the mountain instead of throwing it into the glacier). After that scenic detour it was more hanging about camp. Some of the team built snow lounge chairs to catch some rays. A handful of the team learned to play the best four person card game of all time, Euchre! The evening was capped off by the invention of a new cocktail, a mix of hot water, Swiss Miss hot chocolate powder and Fireball whiskey. It was deemed “The Backcountry Boyfriend” because it keeps you warm at night. Indeed it ‘twas a productive day here at 14,000 feet. Camp is in shadow now and we’re all tucked into our down sleeping bags, cozy and warm.
Goodnight, sleep tight and don’t let the ice worms bite!
RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the team
P.S. Google ice worms! They’re real!
GO Team Go!!! Ya’ll are So close now!!! It’s a mail biter being on this side of it all…Michael- this is Your time to pull out all the stops kiddo! You got this!! Love you molto! Hugs and kisses to All team members and a Big lick from Oliver! Alicia
Posted by: Alicia Becker on 6/15/2022 at 8:40 am
I bet Jack was all in that poop crevasse. Get it Jack.
Posted by: Jamie Fisher on 6/14/2022 at 10:04 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 358'
To my son Brian, Have a safe and happy climbing adventure! I am keeping you and the team in my daily prayers. (Inez read the blog to me, and it sounds like an exciting trip!)Love always, Mom
Posted by: Mom Bulatao on 6/30/2012 at 3:20 pm
Good Luck everyone!!
Tell Dr. Kelliher his A-Track students are sending him (and the whole team) love!
We will be tracking the journey
=)
Posted by: Jenni Lentenbrink on 6/28/2012 at 10:50 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, George Hedreen, Bailey Servais, Mitch Valaitis, Evan Redman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb teams reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 7:45 am today led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Dustin Wittmier. Dave reported very pleasant climbing conditions for the morning. After enjoying some time in the crater the teams will descend to Camp Muir for the second and final night on the mountain. Tomorrow they will descend the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise and conclude their program at Rainier BaseCamp.
Nice work team!
Congratulations to you all! Proud of you and your hard work!!
Posted by: Chrissy M. on 7/31/2023 at 11:36 am
Congratulations!! So proud of the hard work this crew has put in! Incredible grit and dedication, y’all rock!!!
Posted by: Angela Govila on 7/31/2023 at 9:31 am
Posted by: Mike King, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Mike King and Grayson Swingle reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 5:30 am. The team climbed with light winds, and a hazy sky due the wildland fires burning across the western states. They are currently descending and should be back at Camp Muir soon.
Congratulations to Today's Team!
Excellent trip! Thank you Camille, Grayson and Josh for a safe and successful climb.
Posted by: Greg Smith on 8/6/2021 at 5:32 pm
Great trip! Thanks so much, Grayson, Camille, and Josh!!! (And Mike!!!) Epic adventure and another life goal accomplished. Thanks for keeping us safe.
Posted by: Joe Plenzler on 8/6/2021 at 10:56 am
JJ checks in as the team prepares to start their summit bid.
On The Map
Good luck John! Have fun!
Posted by: Monica on 7/27/2012 at 7:46 pm
Way to go, Elsie and Char! Can’t wait for news from the summit. The Fitches say Bravo.. Love to you both, MPB
Posted by: Margaret Bemiss on 7/27/2012 at 11:57 am
Billy Nugent checks in on the 4th of July.
We are so happy to read this update and we hope you all are doing well. We send our good wishes to the whole team and our love to the Crown Prince of Hungary! Go Daddy! Be careful Daddy! When are you coming home? We hope you like the mountains! We miss you! We love you! Don’t forget to take pictures!
Posted by: Maddy and Gabriel's Mom on 5/26/2022 at 8:10 am
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