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Today we had a welcomed slower day. We took a motorboat out to Grey’s Glacier and put on helmets and crampons for a couple of hours of glacier hiking. The glacier is part of Patagonia’s ice field, the third largest in the world. We saw bright blue ice caves, deep pools, a glacial waterfall, and streams of clear water.
Midway through our hike the guides served hot tea of ginger, cinnamon, and honey, plus chocolate bars. What a treat-to hold a cup of steaming tea and gaze out at the magnificent view of water, ice, and mountain.
Particularly satisfying was to look up at the John Gardner pass that we traversed yesterday. When we saw one of the three bridges we crossed, one member of our group commented, “Wow, it didn’t seem that high when I was on it.” It’s astounding to see yesterday’s hike from a completely different viewpoint and to stand in the midst of yesterday’s.
RMI Climber Melissa Earley
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Tatum Whatford, Seth Burns
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Saturday June 18th - 11:52pm PT
The Denali team formed up in Anchorage this afternoon. We flew from Seattle and Frankfurt and Johannesburg and a few other places. Not every single piece of luggage made it through, but we have high hopes for getting it all together soon.
It was cloudy in central Alaska today, but we could see hints of mountains as we drove up toward Talkeetna. We made the traditional stop in Wasilla to round out our expedition food supplies, and then got on board the Denali Overland van once again for the final 90 minutes into Talkeetna. A brief stop at K2 Aviation around 6 PM allowed us to offload gear, and then we checked into our rooms at the Swiss Alaska Inn. The team made the short walk into town to relax with outside beers and pizzas. Town was busy and bustling on this endless summer evening. We went to the banks of the mighty Susitna River to see if Denali was visible, but the clouds stayed put and made us guess at what we were missing.
Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet over breakfast and dive into the details of packing and prepping for our Denali West Buttress Expedition.
Best Regards,
Dave Hahn and Team
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 - 11:26 am PT
Snow and wind moved in last night, so both RMI Denali Expeditions led by RMI Guides Mike Walter & Pete Van Deventer are resting, tent bound at 17,000' Camp. The weather is not violent, but it is miserable outside of our tents with lots of blowing snow. On the upside, it’s pretty warm for 17,200’.
Hopefully tomorrow’s forecast verifies and we’ll have a chance for a summit bid. In the meantime we’re trying to stay warm and dry, hydrated and fed.
Hi Ben!
Hopefully you and your team are sitting on top of the world today! What a courageous and impressive challenge you chose. Looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing your stories. Stay safe!
Pat and Althea
Posted by: Althea Daley on 6/2/2021 at 5:32 pm
Hoping you all made it to the summit today. We can’t wait to hear how it went, especially Alex’s mom!
Posted by: Jackie Woolley on 6/2/2021 at 1:04 pm
Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 10:36 pm PT
Sometimes it’s not so fun to be right. Turns out we were right about the incoming snow storm. We moved to Camp 1 at 7,800' today through continuous snowy weather. The guide team safely navigated us across the Kahiltna, while Eric proved he was a talented linguist by regaling us with stories during our breaks. Tomorrow we hope to cache food and extra equipment above Ski Hill and then return to our camp.
RMI Guides Eric Frank, James Bealer, Jack Delaney and team
Go Heidi!!! We are following along as well! :)
Carol & Huay
Posted by: Huay on 5/22/2021 at 6:00 pm
Elliot
Loving the updates. Stay strong and tap into your tenacious spirit. Our best to you and your fellow travelers.
Love
Mom and Daf
Posted by: Susan and Bert Campos on 5/22/2021 at 9:57 am
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
Elevation: 16,950'
RMI Guide Elías de Andrés-Martos calls in from Gorak Shep.
On The Map
Your posts are great and appreciated. This is one trek I want to do,..and will do. Please keep the posts coming! Have fun and be safe!
Posted by: Deblan on 11/10/2013 at 7:57 pm
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,800'
On The Map
Tim you are half way there. I am sure you are thinking this is no problemo. Keep the calories up to keep the fire burning. Skip
Posted by: Skip on 6/24/2012 at 10:57 am
You’re a long way from Oklahoma buddy! Diane and all the turkeys miss you. Ate one last night!
Posted by: Fanta on 6/23/2012 at 3:02 pm
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Peter Whittaker wraps up the RMI Vinson Expedition
Cindy, Wish i was stuck there with you…doing some skiing!!!!!!!!! I guess you are a bit bummed, but I am sure you are making the most of it. What a great opportunity for you to enjoy an incredible location. Randy
Posted by: randy on 1/21/2011 at 10:15 pm
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Friday, June 11, 2021 - 9:47 pm PT
Today we traded the damp snowy conditions of 11K Camp for the cold dry conditions of 14K Camp and it sure feels good! The team had a long heavy day moving from 11K but everyone performed as we are beginning to expect, strongly.
We had a great dinner of chicken and rice, and are now getting warm in our sleeping bags, feeling accomplished and happy to be up at Denali's 14K Camp.
Tomorrow we plan to back carry and improve camp.
RMI Guides JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci and team
Jack - Glad you and Nick and the crew are safe and still feeling strong. So sad to hear of those that had to be helicoptered out. Really excited every time you ascend to the next camp. Look forward to watching your progress further north!
Posted by: Barb n John The Parents on 6/12/2021 at 6:31 pm
Nick, Jack and team - Keep strong! Enjoy the journey! Looks amazing! Thinking of you. - mom and dad.
Posted by: Nick's parents on 6/12/2021 at 11:06 am
Posted by: Adam Knoff, Lindsay Mann
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
Yup! We are now swimming in Torch Lake after a “forever” winter in Northern Michigan! As we follow you up Denali we can see that the snows have not left all places to date! We hope you get a break in the weather and your journey will be able to move forward. Ken
Posted by: Ken and Kathy Masck on 6/29/2014 at 4:45 am
Happy birthday Wheeler! I hope the weather cooperates!
Posted by: Kenny on 6/28/2014 at 9:33 pm
Good luck to all team members!
Stay safe everyone!
An adventure of a lifetime!
Margaret Nolan
Posted by: Margaret Nolan on 6/20/2022 at 2:04 pm
You Go Jim!
Posted by: Gary Gustafson on 6/20/2022 at 4:36 am
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