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Posted by: Dave Hahn, Sam Hoffman, Sam Marjerison, Nick Sinapius
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 10:17 pm PT
Our climbing team came together today. After years of planning and anticipation and training… twelve of us got together in the Anchorage airport and got started on RMI’s final Denali Expedition for 2024. We made it with all of our gear and without flight cancellations… it all worked out. We boarded the Denali Overland van for the big drive up to Talkeetna. The windshield wipers were on for much of the journey and the spectacular mountain vistas were… shrouded, for the most part. We broke up the trip with a stop at the last big supermarkets -in Wasilla- where we rounded out the trip menu with some fresh food for down low on the mountain. We got back in the van then and made it up to Talkeetna by 5:30 PM. Having settled our gear in the airplane hangar, we checked in to the comfortable Swiss Alaska Inn and then made the short hike over the railroad tracks and into downtown Talkeetna. The rain seemed to be keeping the tourists in check so we had a quiet dinner at the brewery and then walked down to the mighty Susitna River to gaze at the water and the clouds (where there might normally be mountains). The team then walked past a few perfectly good bars and watering holes to turn in early and be ready for what promises to be a big day of packing and prepping for the climb tomorrow.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 11, 2024
Posted by: Tyler Jones, Lindsay Mann, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
We miss you so much and can’t wait to hear about your adventure!
Hope you’re kicking everyone’s butt at phase ten and taking lots of pictures!
See you soon!
Love Jennifer, Lila & Owen
xox
Posted by: Jen on 6/12/2015 at 11:24 am
Mark & Dave,
Hey boys, glad to hear you guys are steadily making your way to the top! We are on the blog every chance we get, hoping for the next post on how you guys are doing and Lila love to tell me that “Daddy is hiking in the mountains with Unkey Dave”
Posted by: Jennifer on 6/11/2015 at 8:53 pm
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Sean Collon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Hi Naie & Team,
I bet the night sky up there is pretty incredible huh?
The Kurdish people have a saying, “No friends but the mountains”.
The mountain is your friend too, she will protect you.
Best wishes for a successful climb.
From Jeannie,
currently West Coast of the Southrrn Alps, NZ.
Posted by: Jean on 5/15/2015 at 5:32 am
It sounds like a great adventure! Congrats to Kyle, Paul, and the whole team!
Posted by: Christie on 5/14/2015 at 6:24 pm
Posted by: Billy Haas, Solveig Waterfall, Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
On The Map
Hey Eric - So exciting to follow your adventure. We are looking forward to hearing about it from you in person. Good luck! XOXO Kathy & Casey
Posted by: Kathy Mangan on 5/28/2015 at 9:52 am
Received a surprise cell call from son Eric last night at 10:15pm EST from Camp 2 (9600’) and he sounded pumped. Great to hear your voice my boy!! (No details as call dropped after 10 seconds.) They’re on the move!
Posted by: Alex Alimanestianu on 5/12/2015 at 6:40 am
Chimborazo Summit!
We have now traveled much of Ecuador's "Avenue of Volcanoes", visiting some of the highest mountains in this country and having the fortune to stand on top of a few:
Rucu Pichincha (15,354') - A warm-up hike that often sets a new altitude record for someone on the team
Cerro Fuya Fuya (14,039') - The first agenda item after leaving Quito, another acclimatization hike
Cayambe (18,996') - Wow, the weather almost stopped us and we were the only team to summit that day
Chimborazo (20,561') - A perfect sunrise summit this morning
Tonight, we find ourselves in the city of Riobamba, recovering from a third alpine start within a two-week vacation. As it turns out, even with built-in rest days, that is a demanding schedule. On top of climbing, there are the long bus rides and the never-ending duffel shuffle. Every member of the team has two large duffels full of mountaineering gear and general travel items that are continuously being unpacked, repacked and subsequently toted around. Hacienda and hotel staff always get a chuckle when they see how much stuff we have.
As for last night's climb, the weather worked out perfectly. It has been several days of wind and humidity on Chimborazo, which has been regularly stymying climbing parties' attempts. Even yesterday, right as we arrived at camp the clouds moved in and there was hail off and on for a couple of hours. However, in the late evening the sky cleared and it was a calm, clear night and morning. It was the perfect way to cap a trip that saw us turn around on Antisana for some pretty intense weather. We can go home with a couple big summits and start thinking about our next trips!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
New Post Alerts:
Ecuador Seminar February 6, 2024
Hey Dustin! That is So Awesome! Thank you for the Cool pictures!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/19/2024 at 3:33 am
We called an audible this morning after hearing updated route conditions. The last remaining snow on our summit day has not got a refresh and is firm ice. This traverse would likely shut our summit day down. Instead we decided to go attempt the old Ayoloco route since teams have been using it as a descent route. The team is doing well. We will check in hopefully from the summit tomorrow morning. Until then, rest, hydration and dinner will occupy our afternoon.
RMI Guide Mike King
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024
Hope Jeremy Wallace and friend are on this climb. Congrats to all and have a safe descent.
Posted by: Robert Wallace on 8/24/2019 at 11:33 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Lucas Haaland
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day,
May the luck of the Irish
Shine bright on your way
Best wishes for Saturday’s push to the summit, Love Mom
Posted by: Cynthia Chitwood on 5/25/2017 at 7:34 pm
Well, the water heater has been replaced, the leaking toilet has been repaired, the weather has cooled off so no need for air conditioners or screens, the lawn is freshly mowed, and the sun is shining for the first time in days. Hope that portends good weather on Denali as well. Thinking of all of you hunkering down in your tents. Hope everyone has good reading material!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Hines on 5/25/2017 at 5:23 pm
SOOOOO exciting!!!!! thinking of you all on the way up, and can not wait to see the summit pictures! love you KATIE!!!! mom
Posted by: barbara theiss on 6/13/2024 at 8:39 am
Step by step, all the way to the top! You’ve got this Tony!!
Posted by: Brenda on 6/13/2024 at 8:20 am
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