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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Day 11 on the mountain.
We woke up at the 14 camp once again chilly but not quite as cold as the previous night. Everyone prepares for the day and makes their way to the mess tent. Hot water is ready! Coffee is essential, and then Cinnamon Toast Crunch with powdered milk and warm water. It is actually very good!!
Since coming to 14,000’ Camp, we have been admiring the headwall which directly faces the camp ascending about 2,000’ above. Today is our day to ascend and cache supplies. The headwall is like motorcycle hill on steroids! We made our way up to the bergschrund near the top and where the fixed ropes begin. The first step over the bergschrund was fun and exciting to ascend for most! And then using our ascenders made our way up to the top on the ropes. The incline is probably 60 degrees, and the practice yesterday was very useful, for most of us, it was the first time using these ropes and gear.
We all made it and cached our stuff. Descending was equally perilous but a bit more fun and of course, a lot faster! Wrapping the rope around our arm we just leaned forward and walked down. (I personally really enjoyed that!). We made it back to camp a little tired but excited to have ascended.
This place is incredibly beautiful but also can be merciless. This place has some of the most amazing views I have ever seen and dangerous corners and crevasses. It’s a place where you can simultaneously get sunburn and frostbite. We are constantly taking layers on and off. It can be so cold to have to wear a parka and then in a few hours just a T-shirt. Having the right gear and guidance is so important. We are blessed to have three outstanding guides. Dom, Seth, and Nicole. They are very capable, knowledgeable, and kind of superhuman! So, rest assured to all our loved ones at home, we are in very good hands.
We are also far enough along in this trip to start missing home and in particular our friends and families. For me, I miss my family, my kids Max, Emma, and Sophie mostly. Cannot miss this opportunity to tell you how proud I am of all three of you!!
Tomorrow is rest day, and then hopefully we scale the headwall again up to 17,000’ camp.
RMI Climber Cary Idler
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Denali Expedition June 9, 2024
Congratulations - that must’ve been an amazing feeling and view! Everyone at BJSC is cheering for you! Safe travels to you and the team.
Posted by: Katie Tallman on 6/26/2024 at 6:00 am
Wow! What an incredible adventure! I’m sure the stories and pictures you bring back will be ones you keep for a lifetime. Be safe and happy travels!!
Posted by: Dana on 6/25/2024 at 10:44 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 10:02 pm PT
Howdy all,
The snow continued through the night and into the morning. A layer of frost coated the under side of the fly. Every time you hit the tent to knock the snow off, the frost fell down onto our sleeping bags. As the sun came out and warmed the tents, the ice melted and the frost turned into little water drops. Due to the snowfall and wet tents, we opted for a rest day to allow everything to get dry. Snow fell most of the day, sometimes while sunny others fully cloudy making for a very white scene. But later in the day the clouds cleared and the views were amazing. Having such great views makes being patient worth it. The temps bounced from chilly to very hot in the tents all day. One could swear it was 100 degrees inside. They say its freeze or fry out here and we can all feel why. Tomorrow's weather looks good, so we will be going to our cache at 13,500' to grab our stuff. Its exciting to be reunited with your snacks you parted ways with at 11,000' camp. Sleeping bags are calling our names.
Till tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Wishing you all the Best Hannah and Dustin!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/19/2021 at 3:32 am
These updates are the highlight of my day, you truly give us perspective on the tremendous feat you have all undertaken and prepared for. Putting it out to the universe for great weather to make the summit happen. The pictures are amazing, keep them coming! I love my Lu, what a golden birthday this is!!!!
Posted by: Daysi on 6/18/2021 at 3:58 pm
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Today we left the low elevation sanctuary of Mendoza and began our trip into the mountains. Our first stop? The town of Penitentes where we began the process of packing all of our gear and food for the length of our expedition. Not a small feat by any means. After the bags were packed and weighed for the mules, we enjoyed our last group dinner inside a permanent structure for the next two weeks. Tomorrow our trek to basecamp begins and along with it, our adventure.
Very PROUD of all you men and miss you. How do you eat a elephant ? One bite at a time! Lol
Miss you Daryl
Posted by: Katie on 1/22/2020 at 4:05 pm
On The Map
Very excited for you to get into Base Camp. Casey Grom, leave some chocolate cake for the rest of the team, and watch out for the probiotics!
All my love and warmth.
Posted by: Sydney on 3/30/2015 at 8:22 am
All so us following from home are so excited for the team to reach base camp! Those of us at sea level are living vicariously through you all so absorb everything so you can tell us about it. Be safe. Special thoughts to my sweetheart Tom.
Donna
Posted by: Donna Mann Belt on 3/29/2015 at 6:19 pm
On The Map
Happy New Year to the team. What an exciting way to end 2014 and bring in the new year with a summit ahead of you. Dan, the kids and I love you and are very proud of you. (The B-day boy, Boris) wishes you a successful summit! - cheers!
Posted by: Wendy kolosar on 12/31/2014 at 3:10 pm
Happy New Year Walter! Be safe and enjoy your journey. Hope to run into you again. Thanks for helping me get up Aconcagua…I couldn’t have done it without you!
Posted by: Andy Rodenhiser on 12/31/2014 at 3:09 pm
On The Map
Hi Lil one. Do you have vodka? When in Rome…
Posted by: Stacy on 7/25/2014 at 10:34 am
Hey sis…...proud of you keep up the good work. Just and FYI I will be one of the 50 closest friend of Kristina that will be at the all night kegger
.......don’t tell Kristina because she does not know…....shhhh!! Talk to you soon. Call when you can. I will inform dad of your progress.
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy on 7/24/2014 at 7:12 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Wishing for good weather for the team. Good luck for your summit on Wednesday!!
Posted by: Jon & Lynda Jones on 11/5/2018 at 9:43 pm
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