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Posted by: Seth Burns, Jackson Breen, Raymond Holt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 348'
Friday, June 6, 2025 - 6:37pm PT
After three weeks in the mountain we flew from Kahiltna Base Camp this morning. While warming our hands with a final cup of coffee at base camp, we got the message that we had all been waiting for. K2 had launched their planes. Thirty minutes later, the distinctive red and white Otters roared over and landed in the snowy white landscape.
While weather kept us from standing on top this time around, we had a resoundingly successful trip. I cannot thank our climbers and my fellow guides enough for all of their work, effort, laughs, determination, and patience during this trip. Until next time,
RMI Guide Seth Burns
New Post Alerts:
McKinley Expedition May 13, 2025
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Josh Geiser, Lacie Smith, Hannah Blum, Layne Peters, Dylan Anderson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 2 - 5 led by RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Josh Geiser reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams enjoyed a bit of time in the crater before starting their descent from the crater rim aroun 7 am. Dave reported sunny skies and a steady SW wind of 30 mph. The teams are on their descent to Camp Muir. Once back at camp, they will pack up and continue another 4,500' down to Paradise. There program concludes this afternoon with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,800'
The jagged, monolithic peaks of the lower Kalithna begin to make themselves visible again.
We have just torn down camp. The anticipation of this moment has been building even greater since our departure was delayed by yesterday’s fog. The midnight sunshine just beyond the horizon still illuminates us deep into the night making the time of 1:55am seem wildly incorrect. We begin to move.
It’s now 3:12am. We’ve descended the hazy 600ft from base camp and sit just beyond the danger of the house-sized seracs looming off the side of Mt. Frances. Directly in front of us as we sit and replenish ourselves with food and drink is Mt. Crosson. Just left of it looms the beautiful Mt. Foraker, its upper half hidden just hidden behind a small cloud system. Our rest comes to an end. It’s time to begin the ever so slightly increasing grade up towards our next camp.
As we move the air is light and serene. Other than the sound of our snowshoes crunching the snow beneath our feet and our sleds sliding, there is no other noise for miles around us. In my left earbud plays Fryslan by Phil Cook. The pattern of our movement becomes hypnotic. My world becomes managing my pace to avoid stepping on the rope in front of me, interspersed with seconds of beholding the ether that surrounds me. To our right, an orange and magenta hue begins to materialize in the Alaskan sky as the sun begins to return from its brief absence beyond the horizon. Looking upward towards it presents our desired destination, veiled in a partially transparent fog, like a bride on her wedding day, Denali appears. It beams with a beauty matched by very few other things in this world.
We continue forward entranced by the sight. The weight of our heavy packs and sleds begin to melt away as we gaze upon the peak. A solemnity fills the moment that feels religious in nature. There is no more music playing in my earbuds. It is just the rhythmic beating of our snowshoes that fills my ears, and this epic sight that fills my eyes. I am totally absorbed. Quickly as this moment came, so it did depart, as again the mountain would hide itself behind an immense fog, abruptly returning us to the physical realm.
Enriched by this experience, we press forward, climbing steeper terrain before reaching a plateau which will lead us to our next camp site. The going is slow and heavy. Chilling cold air pockets move through our path at times. We break one final time before making the final mile push to camp. Upon arrival our guides probe the area upon which we will be building our living quarters for the next couple days (hopefully). We finish just before 9am. Crawling into our sleeping bags for “night,” we adorn the proper attire of sleeping masks to block out the now powerfully shining rays of the sun to spend the day resting for the journey which is set to continue early tomorrow morning once again.
As I now lay in my sleeping bag, my tent mates asleep beside me, I sense a number of emotions within me: satisfaction, anxiety, excitement, connectedness, all of which seem to stem from the same place: a determination to succeed at this challenge as a team. I close my eyes as gentle folk music softly plays in my earbuds once again. “One thing at a time,” I remind myself.
For now, all there is to do is to rest.
RMI Climber Thomas Goossen
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 9, 2024
Seeing this team out there and tackling such challenging terrain is inspiring. We would love to know what drives your every step. I’m sure all will have great stories to share when they return. Can’t wait to hear them. Get them ready.
Posted by: Matt and Maria on 6/18/2024 at 6:25 pm
Beautifully written Thomas!! Your words not only provide a visual but you can almost feel the emotion!! So proud of you!! Wishing you and your mates a safe journey to the top!!
Posted by: Aunty Gwen on 6/17/2024 at 9:08 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
Posted by: Tyler Jones, Bryan Mazaika, Nick Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
On The Map
Matt Hill, Bubbles is wondering if you have seen any shopping carts on Denali. Dwight Schrute says Hi also.
Posted by: Paul Downs on 6/18/2018 at 6:32 am
Thinking of you and the team, constantly, Nicholas!
I know the weather is playing games, but the skills with the song/poem writing are really winning!
Love you so much! We’re so proud of you - always. Always.
XO,
Elisa and the Girlies
Posted by: Elisa on 6/17/2018 at 3:26 pm
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Jessie Poquerusse
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,900'
Posted by: Billy Haas, Mike Walter, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
Chris and team,
Glad to hear your reinforcing that snow wall…Dad and I can only imagine how tough the weather conditions your enduring. We will continue to think good thoughts and prayers…hope the winds calm some so you can start the next phase of your journey.
We enjoy these updates so much…thank you.
Mom and Dad
Posted by: Dave & Melissa on 5/17/2015 at 8:56 am
Got the blog info from LaNette this morning. Will follow your progress. God bless.
Posted by: Richard Wang on 5/17/2015 at 8:26 am
Posted by: Nick Sinapius, Tate Hughes
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise July 31 - 5 August led by RMI Guide NIck Sinapius ended their program on a high today, reaching the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team gathered on Ashford last Thursday to begin their training, check their equipment and pack their packs. The following morning they loaded the van and headed to Paradise. The spent the next four days training on the lower slopes of Mt. Rainier. The team enjoyed nice weather as they learned and practice mountaineering skills to prepare for them for their Mt. Rainier climb and also future mountaineering adventures. Today, with their summit attempt complete, they are now on the descend and will return to Paradise later today. Their program will conclude with a celebration of their accomplishments.
Congratulations to the Paradise Seminar team!
PC: Nick Sinapius
We are settled in at the Cayambe hut and planning to climb tonight. It has been off and on rain and wind throughout the day, but is currently nice. We will see what we get in a few hours when my alarm goes off!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
Congratulations to you all on the incredible experience of a lifetime!!!
Posted by: Carol Yu on 6/11/2025 at 5:10 am
My eyes are teary catching up on the team’s journey. What an experience. I’m sad for ya’ll that the weather didn’t cooperate. But I feel relieved that it sounds like all of you are returning safely and with so many new memories and experiences. Congratulations to you all on the experience of a lifetime!!! Shannon, excited to hear all about it. Way to go ya’ll!!!
Posted by: Emily Pembroke on 6/8/2025 at 6:12 am
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