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Posted by: Mike Walter, Steve Gately, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
On The Map
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
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 9, 2024
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
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
The team came to the challenging decision, where part of the team chose to continue uphill and part of the team called yesterday their high point.
For those who chose to continue uphill, you can follow along with their journey on the May 12th Expedition with Dustin Wittmier. For the remainder of the team, we packed up late last night, walked through the night and flew back to Talkeetna mid-morning where we can now enjoy a shower and beer for our hard work.
RMI Guide Nikki Champion & Team
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition May 14, 2024
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000
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On The Map
Greetings from South Carolina. You can do this…. Think of some place warm. No seriously proud of you and glad your getting the chance to have this great experience. Happy hiking. And to quote the Hunger Games “May the odds be ever in your favor”
Posted by: Crystal's mom :) on 5/24/2017 at 7:47 pm
Jordan,
The next days will be extreme in every way but I know you will get to the top of that hill. May the force be with you!
Grampa
Posted by: Edward Foss on 5/24/2017 at 6:10 pm
RMI Guide Zeb Blais calls in from Aconcagua Basecamp.
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
I saw a picture but I could have photo shopped myself in that picture as well.
Posted by: Geoffrey on 9/4/2014 at 6:41 pm
GO STERLING
Posted by: BILL RYCHLIK on 9/2/2014 at 7:16 am
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Stella Johnson, Margo Kerr
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,541'
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Move to high camp
Today, we moved camp from White Pass up to a beautiful spot amongst alpine lakes in Foam Basin right next to the White Chuck glacier. Getting up early, we said good morning to our fellow marmot friends, took in our first official view of Glacier peak, and set up high camp while enjoying lunch. After a short nap, we refreshed our glacier climbing skills, ate some tasty freeze dried meals, and called it an early night. Tomorrow is summit day. We will wake shortly after the sun disappears, but we are filled with excitement and we look forward to all the challenges tomorrow has to bring. Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Team
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The Glacier Peak Team led by RMI Guide Ben Luedtke reached the summit this morning a little after 8:00 am! With what little reception they had, the guides were able to call the RMI office from the summit and share the fantastic news that the entire team had made it to the top. They are now back at camp celebrating their accomplishment, they will spend one more night on the mountain getting some well-deserved rest before they descend back to the trailhead for the conclusion of their trip tomorrow morning.
Friday July 25, 2025
Summit day and walk out
Mountaineering is more than just a sport, a hobby, a vacation, or a summit. Mountaineering is about friendship, comraderie, beautiful views, unforgettable adventures, new experiences, and so much more. Yesterday, and for the entirety of this trip, we accomplished all of that which mountaineering offers. We encouraged each other with heavy packs, pushed one another with words of affirmation, and bonded over the stories of who we are. (And dad jokes). In the end, we summited Glacier Peak, together, as a team on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Some of us walk away with the success of another mountain complete, some of us with the completion of all 5 volcanoes, and some of us completing just 1 of many more objectives yet to come, but we all walk away with the memory of the people we shared it with, the laughs we had, the pains we felt, and the smile of what it truly means to be a mountaineer. Today, we walked out from high camp. Enjoying many a wild berry along the way, we are now basking in the sun that we are glad wasn't there on the twenty some odd switchbacks coming down. Cheers to all for tuning in.
RMI Guides and Team
Steve and Team,
Glad to here all are safely down low. Hope the weather breaks so the bird can get you guys back to some hot showers.
Hike well and be safe.
Dad
Posted by: Bill Gately on 5/30/2014 at 2:50 am
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