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Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dominic Cifelli, Matt McEttrick
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Thursday, July 1, 2021 - 10:06 pm PT
Today was a simple one. We got up at 6 AM, ate breakfast and put on our spikes for a short walk down to the cache at 13,500 ft. The team loved the views of Mts Foraker and Hunter. The Tordrillo Mountains were clearly visible to the South. Ravens hadn’t even attempted to break into our well-buried cache. We had it out and distributed for carrying in minutes. Then we walked slowly back uphill with full packs, reaching camp by 10:30 AM. Rest and rehydration was in order as we got out of the strong sun and into our tents. A storm was gradually forming, first with winds up high on Denali, then with a steadily lowering cloud cap. This didn’t prevent us from conducting a brief review of the climbing techniques we mean to employ on the fixed-rope section between 15,000 and 16,000 ft tomorrow when we carry high.
Best Regards,
Saturday, May 20, 2023 - 11:18 am PT
We woke up to snow lightly falling at camp this morning, and slow rolled into a warm breakfast of toasted bagels and bacon. After enjoying a second cup of coffee, we rigged the empty sleds to our backpacks, roped up and headed out from 11,000' Camp down to our cache at 9,900'. Making quick work with empty packs, we arrived at the cache in just under a half hour. We dug up the cache, divvied up the group gear, re-rigged our sleds and traced our steps from yesterday back to 11,000' Camp. It was short, but hard stretch to roll back into 11 Camp. We spent the rest of the afternoon in and out of snow storms, and enjoying the afternoon to recover. After a few hours of down time, we had a festive dinner of beef burritos with salsa verde and then prepared to potentially carry tomorrow. We will see what the morning brings, check in tomorrow!
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 - 1:00 pm PT
There's not much new to report today. We're still at 14,000' Camp, waiting for an opportunity to head downhill to the airstrip. Unfortunately we're also still in a snow globe. Apparently it's totally socked in all the way to Talkeetna, with rain in town, so all of the planes are grounded a well. We've got plenty of food and fuel, and we're warm and dry in our camp. The forecast is grim, but we're not desperate, and we'll patiently await a change in the weather.
Posted by: Steve Gately, Ben Ammon, James Bealer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Cheering for all of you guys and crossing fingers for a great summit weather over the next few days!
Posted by: Anna on 5/28/2019 at 3:49 am
On The Map
Hi Kara,
It looks like you have better weather then we have here in Cleveland.
Be safe and have fun.
I am sending you good thoughts.
Donna
Posted by: Donna on 4/7/2014 at 6:33 pm
So glad to see your smiling faces! The fact that you all are shopping is a great sign!!
All kidding aside,it sounds like this trip has had some very real challenges that you have conquered. Congratulations and a big warm hug to all of you. Can’t wait to hear about this trip. Thank YOU Mark, for supporting the team and keeping all the fans back in the US informed. Your pictures and your blog have been wonderful.
Jill Shepard
Posted by: Jill Shepard on 4/7/2014 at 6:07 pm
On The Map
thank you for diligently posting on your team’s progress. best of luck on your summit bid, and hoping for your safe descent.
Posted by: michelle on 7/9/2013 at 11:10 am
Good luck. Great reading about your progress.
Rachael
ABQ Uptown 985/NM/CO
Posted by: Rachael C. Lujan on 7/8/2013 at 2:47 pm
On The Map
James and the team,
Greeting…glad to see everyone is making safe and steady climbing, having fresh snow overnight, and eating well. Stay strong and enjoy majestic views on the mountain covered with snow. Praying for safe journey. Can’t wait to see awesome pictures!
Posted by: Soonja Choo on 6/4/2013 at 5:02 pm
To James Choo -
Just learned that Walter Glover will be doing the Mt. Rainier 5-day Summit Climb, June 13-17.
-Larry Seaton
Posted by: Larry Seaton on 6/4/2013 at 2:29 pm
We did it!
100% on top!!!
The team has safely descended back to high camp after an 11:30 hour round trip to the “Roof of Africa”.
It was a cold but thankfully calm night into day here in Kilimanjaro. The team did an incredible job of taking care of themselves even when times got tough. I’m so proud of how this team did!
We are exhausted as you might imagine and are just now sitting down to lunch and then we’ll head further down the mountain to our last camp at 10,000ft.
So I’m going to keep this brief.
We’ll share more when we get off the mountain!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili Summiteers!
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari September 2, 2025
Congratulations!!! The Roof of Africa - what an accomplishment! Pass on my best to Dena, Rusty, Stacy, and all the others!!! Impressive team!!!!
Posted by: Barbara Shuck on 9/11/2025 at 9:45 am
Congrats to you all!!! What an accomplishment!!!
Posted by: Marci Meyer on 9/10/2025 at 5:12 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, James Bealer, Mitch Valaitis, Nicole De Petris, Rosie Hust, Miles Watson, Stella Johnson, Nina Bridges
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Four-Day Climb from May 26–29, led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and James Bealer, was unable to make a summit attempt this morning due to sustained high winds and stronger gusts. The teams remained safely sheltered at Camp Muir and will begin their descent to Paradise later this morning.
Keep us updated!! Climb Strong Kevin!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 5/22/2023 at 3:33 am
Love the updates! Such an epic adventure!! Cheering you all on from Seattle!
Posted by: Mary Upton on 5/21/2023 at 10:34 pm
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