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Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Today we had much kinder weather than the last few and we enjoyed a nice leg stretcher back to 9,700' to retrieve our cache from a few days ago. We're back at 11,200' camp chilling before dinner. It feels good to reunite with all of our gear so we can prepare for the next stage of the climb, which will be establishing a cache up around Windy Corner. We haven't decided yet if we'll try to get that done tomorrow or the next day. In any case, our bodies are busy producing red blod cells as we adapt to living at altitude. One last note for today: Happy Mother's Day to Jeanne, Liz, Valari, Kristy, Karen, Kate, Dorothy, Tracy, Becky, Megan, Kathie, Fiona, Susan, Angela, Lynda, Veronique, Fatemeh, Joyce, Mary, Betty, Dee Dee, Anne, Sarah, Tania, Elaina, Dione, and Meredith.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
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Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Hi Tim and Jim!
Hope the weather held up, looking forward to hearing about your adventures. It is 11 degrees here in Minnesota, you aren’t missing much! Hope to talk to you soon, have a great climb!
Love, The Kerans
Posted by: Connie on 11/12/2014 at 2:59 pm
Hola, Janet and the team!
It looks like the “Weather Gods” are blessing you all this week.
Safe climbing!
Bill
Posted by: Bill Egger on 11/12/2014 at 7:10 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 13,986'
Today we traded the bustle of Quito for the serenity of the northern Ecuadorian countryside. Life is a little slower here in Otavalo where we are staying for the night. We sat down to dinner, which felt like a family dinner as we are the only party in this hacienda tonight. Even the house dogs joined us at the table, making us truly feel like we're at home.
Our day consisted of several hours of driving and another acclimatization hike, Cerro Fuya Fuya. The weather remained quite dry today and afforded us seldom seen views from the summit. To the north we could see well into Colombia, to our east a clear view of Cayambe and to our south a variety of other big mountains of Ecuador. In fact, it was nice enough that the bus driver took a swim at the lake while we hiked.
Tonight, I'm enjoying literally the best chocolate bar in the world and tomorrow an affogato at my favorite coffee shop near the Otavalo market. Some nice treats before we begin walking up very big hills.
RMI Guide Dustin Witmier
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Hey Dustin!
Those are some beautiful blue skies!! I sure hope you have that for the rest of your trip!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/27/2024 at 3:53 am
Day one of our long awaited Ecuadorian adventure has officially begun. All of the grueling training with unthinkably heavy packs, sweat burned eyes and crippling soreness is finally over and world’s finest mountain climbing team is ready. It’s been a long time coming, a year at least, for this elite team from Chicago, Minneapolis, San Fransico, Philadelphia and other mountain meccas to unite.
Today in Quito, Ecuador our team took an incredible tour of this ancient city impressing the locals with powerful, athletic bus riding skills, strong gravitational resistance and uncanny focus. This is no joke. Our first stop was 20 miles north of downtown Quito at a mysterious place known as… “The Equator”. This unique place has exhibits which make water spin in opposite directions twenty feet from the painted red line, make a seemingly simple DUI test almost impossible and miraculously provide magic nails that somehow can balance an egg, the long way, on their tiny heads. Fortunately, I was able to choose who would be climbing on my rope by each person’s performance and strength. Those who got an egg diploma, didn’t fall sideways to the south and had the strongest upward pull against our guide’s superhuman strength, passed the test.
After our interactive visit to the center of the world, we flexed our bus muscles once again and proceeded 25 miles back into the heart of Quito. The entire ride we were blessed with very rare views of Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Anitsana, three of Ecuadors highest peaks, two of which we are going to climb on this trip. Thankfully I saw no fear in the eyes of my group indicating nerves of steel and complete readiness.
After two hours of enjoying grand vistas of the bustling city, visiting beautiful churches and walking the old town streets, the team made it back to the hotel, not even winded, ready for a power nap. I can’t wait to get on a mountain with them!
For now, all is well, the group is healthy and excited so we will sign off until tomorrow.
It was an epic adventure. Thank you to Billy and team. You guys were amazing. Bridget was amazing to carry another team members backpack plus her own and all of you doing back to back trips to make this possible. This was a lot of work to get prepared for, but would not have been possible without your expertise!!! I am proud to say we went with RMI. A team of truly talented and amazing people. Here are some pics from the summit, plus some from the two trips Peter and I took to Camp Muir in February and May: http://www.mcsheehy.com/Places/United-States/Washington/Mt-Rainier/
Posted by: Matthew McSheehy on 6/16/2015 at 2:57 pm
Congratulations Maura and John!!! So proud of you!! HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY JOHN!!! What a day!!!!
Posted by: Ashley on 6/14/2015 at 1:45 pm
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Mike Uchal, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
Keep the pictures coming. Glad all is going well.
Love
Mom and Dad
Posted by: MaryAnn and Arthur on 6/14/2015 at 11:47 am
Not sure first e-mail got to you. Stay warm, stay safe and have a great time
Love
Mom and Dad
Posted by: MaryAnn and Arthur on 6/13/2015 at 6:57 pm
Posted by: Billy Haas, Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Fantastic job Kev! Congratulations to you and the team and continued success coming down.
Cheers to all! Jeff Logeman
Posted by: Jeff Logeman on 2/5/2015 at 10:49 pm
Congratulations everyone!
Posted by: Ruthie on 2/5/2015 at 5:33 pm
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