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Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Bailey Servais, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Friday, June 27, 2025 10:38 pm PDT
Dispatch 14.2 – Storm Day 2
As forecasted, today was a better day. It was sunny and calm… and we didn’t go climbing. The guide team felt that the recent snowfall needed at least one good sunny day to settle and reduce the avalanche hazard. As it turned out, all other teams on the mountain came to a similar conclusion—no teams moved today.
We ended up making pretty good use of the day, though. We roped up and took a field trip to the Edge of the World! Since we are camped in the middle of a large glacial basin, it’s easy to forget just how high we’ve already climbed. A short walk to the edge is a quick reminder. It was thrilling today to climb a rock at the edge and look down a few thousand feet to the Kahiltna Glacier—where we camped a while back.
Back at camp, Calvin gave a well-received instructional session on avalanche beacons, and Sam put all his culinary skill into boiling water for our freeze-dried dinner.
We hope to carry up onto the Buttress tomorrow.
– RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
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Mt. McKinley Expedition, June 14, 2025
At breakfast, there was overwhelming consensus that a whole night at 10,000 ft was better than half a night at 15,000 ft. We were rested and we had appetites again and we were talking about showers. But we still needed to get down the final 4000 ft of trail to the Mweka Gate. Our staff pulled out all the stops for a good sendoff breakfast and then we got walking down through the forest. At first the trail was dry and pleasant, but around 9000 ft that changed. It got slick and muddy and treacherous. The forest was beautiful, of course, but we couldn’t look around much because every step required care and concentration to avoid slipping. Cheerful porters balancing great awkward loads came running down the slippery track but we had to tiptoe. That technique worked well though, by 11:00 we were on drier and easier ground coming to the Mweka Gate at 6000 ft. We signed out with the National Park and then rode a short distance to a local shop that hosted our team lunch and farewell ceremony with our staff. It was a cheerful session of dancing and singing. We tipped each and every one of the 44 Barking Zebra staff and tried to express our gratitude for their efforts. After goodbyes and a little souvenir shopping the team boarded the bus for the two hour ride back to Rivertrees Inn in Usa River. Showers at last! After all of that we got together for a celebration dinner out in the garden. The trip isn’t over, by any means, but we are entering a far more comfortable phase as we head toward Safari.
Best regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Wow! What a wonderful experience and incredible journey! Loving your adventure Cindee & Amanda! Can’t wait to see more!
Posted by: Allie Frankie & Tillie on 9/2/2023 at 2:53 pm
Congratulations on this awesome achievement! Can’t wait to see the safari! Woo-hoo!
Posted by: Kasey Oldham on 8/29/2023 at 2:44 pm
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,
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jess… Forget Poppy’s idea about bringing the monkey home for Shorty. Look who’s left with Shorty now. I can see it being the three of us next year when your climbing again. I don’t think so ! Give mom my love and lighten her load for her. Tread on.
Tom
Posted by: Tom on 8/21/2013 at 9:20 am
Chris. And Jess- what an awesome experience!! Thinking about you every day. What a way to celebrate a Birthday! Love you both
MB
Posted by: Marybeth on 8/20/2013 at 5:32 pm
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: JJ Justman, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Great job guys! I have enjoyed seeing the pictures on facebook. Anxious to hear the stories. Congratulations!
Posted by: Jeff Lindmark on 7/20/2013 at 3:36 pm
You guys rock! I never thought I’d see my mom in shorts while in the snow..must have been working hard. Congratulations on summit!
Posted by: Erica on 7/20/2013 at 12:05 pm
The summit group for today June 15 th; so happy for you! You have been on my thoughts and prayers! Sounds like a blessing from The Lord with the great weather and success! Yeah! I am excited for you! Way to go Papa, Kevin, Aaron and SB!
Posted by: Kate mach on 6/15/2013 at 6:19 am
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
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On The Map
Have fun, be safe and come back in one piece Tyson! Love you :)
Posted by: Katherine on 5/15/2013 at 9:21 am
Be safe and enjoy the adventure! Hope the weather breaks a bit - Dan, springtime has finally arrived as we are enjoying some beautiful sunny 80 degree days here in Chicago! Be strong be healthy climbers - onwards and upwards! Love you Dan xoxo
Posted by: Kirsten Weber on 5/15/2013 at 8:27 am
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Stay safe y’all and glad you got to look down at how far you’ve already come. Here’s for clear climbing and good weather!
Posted by: jen ostrich on 6/28/2025 at 1:28 pm
Glad about the weather. Keep smiling.
Posted by: Richard Harmetz on 6/28/2025 at 11:47 am
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