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Perfect weather today! Not terribly cold at 6:15 AM today in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Clear skies above and the sea of clouds far below.
We were eating another of Tosha’s fine breakfasts by 7 AM and walking behind Philbet by 8 AM. The terrain rose gradually as we headed straight East toward Kibo. We began breaking a bunch more altitude records for our climbers as the morning progressed. We topped out for the day at 15,200 ft at the Lava Tower, right up against the massive ramparts of Kibo. Our excellent staff had a picnic lunch all set up for us there and so we lounged for some time in the intense sunshine. Then we began dropping altitude as we made our way into the Barranco Valley. Lava tower had taken us into alpine desert zones with little vegetation, but over the two hours of our descent, we came back into a relatively lush zone full of endemic Lobelias and Senecios.
At 3 PM we came into our new home at 13,000 ft. This allowed plenty of time for an easy afternoon of resting and recuperating. We’ve still got an excellent dinner and some star gazing to look forward to… and a big day of climbing tomorrow.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Sam Marjerison, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
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Saturday, July 1, 2023 1:12 AM PDT
Right on schedule, the clouds cleared out and the wind dropped down. First nice day we've had, actually. We used it well. The team made the jump to 17,200' feet. It was tough climbing and the packs got even bigger and heavier when we stopped at 16,200' feet to add yesterday's loads. But we got 'r done. The views were amazing, considering that the team really hadn't seen much of our surroundings yet. We have a forecast of fine weather tomorrow. Perhaps we go up.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
So exciting for you Mitch & your amazing team. Stay strong & know that we are all praying for you!
Posted by: Pam Cashion on 7/1/2023 at 1:24 pm
A really exciting day for everyone! Thinking about you all and hoping it’s a summit!
Posted by: Leslie Vance on 7/1/2023 at 11:08 am
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
Friday, June 18, 2021 - 10:18 pm PT
The team tried to summit today, and as usual we performed like a well oiled machine. Unfortunately we weren’t able to make it to the top due to adverse and unexpected obstacles that again, the team handled exquisitely. We put in a track up to Denali pass and hope to make it up again in the coming days.
Texas taking in oklahoma state
Kevin durant, kevin DURANT, OH KEVIN DURANT…..
Posted by: Digger Phelps on 6/20/2021 at 4:24 pm
Good luck, be safe, and thanks for taking us along!
Posted by: Joe Eley on 6/20/2021 at 4:08 am
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 14,000
On The Map
Good looking group. Special “thumbs up” to you, Greg the barber. Drink lots of water, kiddo, if you want to overtake my 18500 ellie! Good luck to all.
Posted by: Mrs Martin! on 1/9/2013 at 4:39 pm
Hey Mike (and team), have fun with your volleyball and your day of rest. Scenery is great and it sounds like the food is awesome. Uncle Mel
Posted by: Mel Schroeder on 1/9/2013 at 10:43 am
That’s my boyfriend!!!! Maybe one day we can summit up there together :)
Posted by: Cathy on 2/11/2012 at 8:22 am
I’m assuming the weather conditions prevented you all from attempting the summit? I know akbar was really looking forward to it.
Uzma (akbar’s wife)
Posted by: uzma on 2/10/2012 at 3:31 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Today was our second acclimatization hike and a travel day as well. It was another perfectly clear day, about as nice as I have seen here. There is a bit of a haze in the valleys from eruptions and perhaps a bit of an inversion. Despite the haze, we were treated to views of Cayambe all day, from a variety of angles.
We are now relaxing at La Casa Sol and mentally relaxing, with our harder objectives lying ahead. Now we just hope this dry weather doesn’t run out for Cayambe and Antisana!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
Love the updates and pictures!!! All the Best Dustin and Team!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/29/2023 at 3:36 am
Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Josh Maggard
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
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On The Map
Galen,
I wait eagerly everyday for updates, checking the blog multiple times (despite the fact that I have subscribed to notifications). I have also read the blogs of the team you saw come down after their summit as well as the other team who’s also at 14k but started before your team. Reading all of these incredible stories and lush descriptions makes me jelly :( and reminds me of when I camped on top of tajumulco. Looks like there’s a bit of very cold and fierce wind and you may have to wait before climbing to 17k and/or to the top. By my calculations, you have 2/3 days of buffer time so hopefully the winds will die down a bit. Or “if you can hold on. If you can hold on, hold on.” Today I found myself thinking and brainstorming about our travel and it made me happy. I hope to see you soon R
Posted by: Alice on 6/14/2013 at 1:04 am
Keep up the great work everyone!I miss you Michael, have fun and be safe. Love Vien.
Posted by: Vien Vail on 6/13/2013 at 5:22 pm
RMI Guide Billy Nugent talks about the planned summit attempt for tomorrow.
Great news on the change in your weather - may you have a beautiful summit! Best of luck to the team!
Paula & Bill
Posted by: Bill & Paula VanDeventer on 2/13/2011 at 6:34 pm
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Tatum Whatford, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,200'
June 1, 2023, 10:30 pm PDT
We had hopes this morning as the base camp manager said to ready everything and that planes were on the way. By 8:30 several planes hit the runway and stayed to load climbers. They departed and as the clouds edged closer, we were told they were launching planes for us and they were trying to get in. But the snow started and visibility shut down and the planes stopped landing. We kept waiting for the snow to stop and a hole to open, but it didn't come. It is now calm, but snowing prolifically. Midwinter, we would be going to sleep excited about the powder day to come. Here, we beg for it to stop so we can make our way home. But we are in a beautiful place, and we count ourselves warm, dry, and lucky to experience the power of the Alaska Range.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and team
Loving the photos! And wow what a view! Keep climbing Cindee, Amanda and the rest of the team and reach for those stars!
Posted by: Cris Loy on 8/25/2023 at 11:43 am
Wow Cindee! So very inspired by your journey so far, and love the pictures! All the best to you, Amanda, and the rest of your team - keep climbing and have a great adventure!
Posted by: Rupali on 8/25/2023 at 9:36 am
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