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Mt. McKinley Expedition: Hahn & Team at Snowy 14,000’ Camp

July 13, 2011

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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Just as the Mt. McKinley weather report predicted, we got six inches of snow last night at our 14,200' camp. There wasn't any wind to go with it though, so the night was an easy one. Most of today was spent "inside the ping pong ball" -in a white world of cloud and falling snow. So most of us passed the time in the tents, sleeping, reading, listening to music or talking about the weather. A high point to the cloudy part of the day was a reading of the comments posted to the RMI blog. We can't bring up a web page, but the comments were cut and pasted into an email for the team and were very well received. Thank You. Finally, around dinner time, the clouds began to clear and we were treated to stunning views of Foraker, Hunter and Denali. Now, at 9:30 in the evening it is crystal clear above and cloudy down below. This clear and dry evening defies predictions but we'll gladly take it. The big hope now is that tomorrow will stay nice and we'll get to move up to high camp. Spencer wishes his Mom a happy birthday from Denali... And his teammates second that. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sending you good tidings for a safe summit Stewart!

Posted by: Gail on 7/13/2011 at 4:31 pm

Spencer, I read this blog every day and just can’t
imagine what you are doing! but then, I just can’t
imagine 99.9% of the things you do! I am just going to
have to live through you, that’s all there is to it.
Russ and I just can’t wait to hear all about it
love to you and best wishes to all on the mountain
Carol

Posted by: Carol Trett on 7/13/2011 at 1:10 pm

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Kilimanjaro: Okita and Team Say Goodbye

August 12, 2023

Posted by: Brent Okita

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

The conclusion of a climbing trip is always a bittersweet affair. We're looking forward to getting back home to loved ones, yet we're sad to end a great adventure with some new friends.

Our last day saw the group split up with Mike and Heidi flying out from an airstrip near our lodge in the park and the Corcorans needing to beat feet for an early flight home. Plenty of animals were seen on this half-day safari, with Mike and Heidi seeing another leopard! Our day rooms at our nice hotel back in Arusha were key for us to be washed and rested for our long flights home.

As I reflect on this trip from the modern Schiltpol Airport in Amsterdam I'm reminded why we do this stuff. Cool adventures, physical challenges of the type 2 fun variety, and most importantly, climbing (and safari-ing) with a special group of folks that I look forward to doing stuff within the future.

Thanks for reading these posts. See you in the mountains!

RMI Guide Brent Okita

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer and Team Spend Another Day at 14,000’ Camp

May 27, 2023

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Henry Coppolillo

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

It was another relatively slow day at 14,000’ Camp. As promised, there were some strong gusts that shook the tents last night into this morning, but the wind settled, and it continued to snow through most of the day. We did laps of camp, socialized, laughed about the army barracks of RMI tents that are now up here as we have four RMI Expedition Teams at 14,000’ camp. One climber asked for street signs, since he got confused, took a wrong turn, and tried to enter the wrong tent.

The team got a solid Start on an igloo, and a couple of folks in camp got rad new haircuts designed for speed. The forecast is giving us some hope that this weekend will give us a chance. We will be up early tomorrow to look uphill and see if things look good enough to launch. If so, our summit push will start.

RMI Guides Pete VanDeventer, Henry Coppolillo, Tatum Whatford and Team

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Watching the weather and crossing fingers and everything else for good news! Can’t wait to hear about the whole grand adventure!

Posted by: Chris's Mom on 5/27/2023 at 4:07 pm

Be safe we love you Brian Goltry

Posted by: Lettie Kirk Goltry on 5/27/2023 at 11:58 am

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Climb Teams Summit on July 3

July 3, 2019

Posted by: Eric Frank, Jess Matthews

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Climb Teams for June 30 - 3 July reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides Eric Frank and Jess Matthews. The teams reported windy conditions and a cloud cap. They began their descent from the crater rim around 8:15 AM. The teams will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb teams!

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YAY!! Congrats to my forever best friend for reaching one of your life long dreams!! I am a super proud wife!!

Posted by: Alina Millard on 7/3/2019 at 2:16 pm

Whoo hoo! Guess 3rd time was the charm. :) Congrats to Kyle and the whole team! Love, Diane and Sasha
PS Someone tell Kyle we are headed to Snow and Bench Lakes Trail- will be back at Paradise by 1 PM.

Posted by: Diane on 7/3/2019 at 10:27 am

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Everest Base Camp Trek: Mark Tucker & Team Arrive in Kathmandu

March 22, 2014

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek

Elevation: 4,383'

Jackpot! Feeling like Mr. T with his A Team. My amazing team and all our gear arrived in Kathmandu. All our boxes are checked, i.e. orientation meeting, equipment check, city tour and it is pouring rain in Kathmandu. Despite the rain, we had way too much fun experiencing the culture today in the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. We took many photos along our journey through the city and are getting to know each other a long the way. Now that we feel ready to embark on our next part of our expedition, we'll sign off for the night and go find some pizza in town for dinner. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

On The Map

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Hi ya’ll from Atlanta! Wishing you safe travels and want my Aunt Susan to know just how proud of her I am!! What an amazing journey on which you all are embarking! I hope one day to do it myself!!!
All the best!

Posted by: Teale Nist on 3/23/2014 at 9:12 pm

Way to go ladies!!!!!! Glad you made it safe and sound. Looking forward to following you through your journey. Hi Susan, be safe.
Debra

Posted by: Debra on 3/23/2014 at 5:37 pm

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Mt. Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Reach High Camp

July 20, 2013

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 15,000'

Mark Tucker checking in from Barafu Camp. We are at the lower camp at about 15,000’ just under the southeast edge of the Kilimanjaro Summit. We have the jungle below and the top of the mountain above and a team that is rip-roaring and ready! We put on a couple of miles today from the Karanga camp. The upper mountain is a bleak zone, but quite beautiful in its own way. We’re going to have a quick dinner and crawl into the tents for about five hours of rest to get us ready for an early a.m. departure. I am happy to report that we are 100% go power with this team. Everybody is getting pretty excited and doing really well. A couple of minor headaches but the overall health and well-being is very very good. We are ready the weather is cooperating we had to puffy clouds in the afternoon not unusual. Last night was beautiful so we are keeping our fingers crossed that we have one of the same. We have a pretty bright moon illuminating our trip so we are in pretty good shape. Talk to you later, RMI Guide Mark Tucker & Team

Mark Tucker Checking in from Barafu Camp

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Visit the Ngorongoro Crater

September 26, 2012

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Today we visited the famous Ngorongoro Crater. It's a 1.2 million year-old caldera full of wildlife trapped by the steep outer walls. We saw more than our share of lions today! So close that the lions were literally under our vehicles. It was moderately hot and the lions cooled themselves in the shade of our cars. We also visited a working Masai village and were amazed at their simple yet hard life that they live. The whole team had a wonderful day and are looking forward to even more safari tomorrow. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Mt. McKinley: Brent Okita & Team Make a Carry

May 26, 2011

Posted by:

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Our day began well as we enjoyed the news of Mike Walter and team reaching the summit the evening before and looked forward to an easy day getting our cache just a few hundred feet below camp. In fact, just hours ago, Mike, Geoff and the crew passed through 14 camp where we cooked up bacon quessadillas for them. They are now at 11,000' camp where they'll rest a bit before making their way to the airstrip to catch the next flight back to burgers, beer and of course, family. The sad part of the day came as some of us lighter sleepers heard helicopter activity in the early morning hours around 3:00 am. This gave rise to concern, but we knew all of our RMI teams were safely back at 17,200'. Tragically, an accident had befallen a team of two on their descent from the summit. One always wonders why and how these things occur. And of course, concern for our loved ones can shoot through the roof as our imaginations get the best of us. I was informed of the accident by the lead climbing ranger as we were once again reinforcing our camp by building walls against the possibility of tent ripping winds. I immediately gathered the team to share the bad news, and to reaffirm our commitment to returning home safe and sound. Of course somber news like this makes us reflective, but it is also contructive in reminding all of us on the mountain of the care each of us needs to practice as we pursue our goals. I, for one, plan on coming home in a week or two, after doing my very best to get a group of climbers who are quickly becoming friends, to the summit of this mountain. So, we carry on in our quest to climb Denali. Tomorrow finds us climbing up the famous headwall fixed with ropes and finally getting on to this routes namesake, the West Buttress. By far, the most beautiful part of the mountain. Check in tomorrow to see how we did! RMI Guide Brent Okita

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We cant wait to hear from you. Please, be smart, take your time, and keep it safe! Love you very much!

Posted by: Marina on 5/27/2011 at 9:16 pm

HW - I am sorry to hear about the latest accidents on the mountain. As Guide Okita wrote in his dispatch, it is also a reminder of how careful one needs to be climbing Denali. You have trained so hard for this, so I just ask you to take care of yourself and each other. I bought BB some new summer clothes and hair clips today and she was so happy. Stay healthy and strong! Love -F

Posted by: F on 5/27/2011 at 7:24 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Review Techniques at Camp

June 27, 2023

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Dustin Wittmier, Michael Murray, Sam Marjerison

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Monday, June 26, 2023 - 9:44 pm PT

As expected, the weather was still a little "off" today, with lots of cloud and some wind up high, but it was definitely improving. We took it easy this morning but got in a training session in the afternoon, reviewing techniques we hope to employ tomorrow when we go for a carry, attempting to put supplies at 16,200 ft. This evening, some of the high cloud finally cleared out and the team got to see mountains Hunter and Foraker along with a magnificent view straight up at Denali.

RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Denali Expedition: King & Team Move to 11,200ft Camp

May 31, 2021

Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Sunday, May 30, 2021 - 9:36 pm PT

I woke to the sound of song birds chirping by our dining tent. That could only mean one thing, that the storm had broken and we’d likely get a nice day to move camp. We woke up at 5 am and we were walking by 8 am. The storm had put 18” of new snow down. Since there were no early risers to break trail, we took that on ourselves. The day was hot and included lots of deep snow. We pulled into 11,200’ Camp at 4 pm. Camp setup, dinner and bed was all the bandwidth we had. Tomorrow we will back carry to 9500’ to retrieve our cache of food and fuel. It’ll feel like a rest day compared the effort put forth today. Goodnight.

RMI Guide Mike King

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Awesome stuff Rob and team! All the best!!

Posted by: Andrew, Alex, Oscar and Anabelle on 5/31/2021 at 10:49 pm

Way to go Abby and team!

Posted by: Mark Westling on 5/31/2021 at 10:09 pm

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