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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 - 9:24 am PT
Day 7 on the mountain and our first official rest day of the trip. A late wake up, a leisurely breakfast, jovial conversations, and a time to rest, recuperate, contemplate, and prepare for what’s next. It was a beautiful day on the mountain, the sun was out with a light breeze to keep us cool, and views of the Alaska range stretching out before us to drink in. We’ve hit that beautiful moment in any grand outdoor adventure. When a group of random people, be it an expedition team or just a group of folks traveling down the trail at the same speed, spend enough time together that individual goals truly become a shared group goal. Not just because we have group food and gear to carry, but because we have become invested in everyone’s success, not just our own. It materializes in many ways, from sharing tips and tricks on the best way to stretch that aching IT band or hip flexor, to creating a team wide charcuterie board from all our snacks, to sharing the extra face wipes you may have that others didn’t bring. That type of camaraderie is so crucial for the team. Bringing much needed levity and support through all the challenges already experienced and the many more still to come. Today’s date holds a special place for me, 7 years ago, I was lucky enough to exchange vows with my wife Sophia (here on the mountain too) promising to always be there for that next adventure, partners in all the crazy things either of us want to do. Today is also a bittersweet day, as Sophia and I will head back down to base camp to head off the mountain, Denali has proven to be every bit as hard and grueling a challenge as has been advertised and cautioned. But we leave happy for the time we have been able to spend on the mountain and the incredible experiences we have been able to have with such an amazing climbing team. We will be watching closely and cheering on everyone else as they continue on this amazing adventure, while we head home and contemplate the next step in our adventure.
Happy anniversary Sophia, I love you dearly.
Oh little darling, don’t you look charming Here in the eye of a hurricane
Real or imagined, what does it matter Look come inside, can I get you to stay
- Hurricane (Johnnie’s Theme) by Lord Huron
RMI Climber Tait Pollard
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Denali Expedition June 9, 2024
Way to go, everyone!
Chandra….FINALLY! 4th time was a charm!
Love you to the mountains & back!
Mom
Posted by: Kari on 8/19/2019 at 8:02 am
Posted by: Casey Grom, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
Elevation: 11,300'
On The Map
On The Map
On The Map
Congratulations team, great work, you should all be proud. Can’t wait to hear all the details. Love Dad.
Posted by: Nick Boekenoogen on 1/18/2014 at 12:04 pm
We are off the grid! Battling through holiday traffic as the bus was continually sprayed with celebratory foam and squirt guns, we made it beyond the hoards. Arriving at Antisana Base Camp was a welcome relief as we showed up to our private camp and pitched tents in the páramo. The mountain was out, and we caught glimpses of Cotopaxi as well. The team spent several hours learning how to rappel safely and added to our knowledge a couple more hitches.
Now we are settled into our tents, waiting for dinner. Tomorrow morning will include more training before we rest in the afternoon in preparation for our climb.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team
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Ecuador Seminar February 6, 2024
That looks so peaceful!! Rest up!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/14/2024 at 4:19 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Chad Gaffigan, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
On The Map
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
On The Map
I’ve been leaving comments for the wrong frickin team!!! hahaha Well, good luck to them too. But Go Meghan!!!!!! Love you and am so proud of you! I don’t know why you do these things, but you do them well. Big kiss Big kiss, little kiss little kiss.
-Vicki
Posted by: Victoria Buchanan on 6/21/2019 at 12:54 pm
Good luck to all! Sounds like you are off to a good start!
Posted by: Cindy Haugen on 6/21/2019 at 12:46 pm
All the best team, enjoy the adventure and every moment of it.
A big hug to Tony.
In bocca al lupo!
Massimo
Posted by: Massimo Monticelli on 6/20/2024 at 12:55 am
Climb faster Double-D McKinley
Posted by: Wild Bill on 6/18/2024 at 2:07 pm
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