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Today was big in every way. We woke at 11 last night and got climbing at midnight, as planned. It was a beautiful night with a big moon and not much wind. There were plenty of other climbing teams on the move at the same time. It looked like a big Christmas parade with all the headlights. Thomas, our lead guide, did a wonderful job weaving our team through the traffic on the route.
It was progressively colder as we got higher and closer to dawn, so of course we were interested in keeping moving. We took short rest breaks to add more clothing and to take in food and water. It was still dark as we hit Stella Point on the crater rim a few minutes after 6 AM, but the sunrise was imminent. We enjoyed the victory lap along the rim over to Uhuru (the true summit) as morning broke.
The team hit Uhuru at 7:05 AM. We took pictures and gazed around in wonder from the continental high point. By 7:30 we were headed down. About three hours later, we were back in Barafu being serenaded by our staff as they sang a few traditional Kilimanjaro songs. We repacked and ate a great lunch before taking on one of the bigger challenges of the day - dropping another 5,000 vertical feet to reach Mweka Camp.
It would be a rough hike on fresh legs, which ours were not. But by 5 PM, we'd all made it. Life is considerably easier way down here at 10K.Especially with the excellent dinner our team put together. Quality sleep is next.
Best Regards, Dave
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari August 10, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
UPDATE: Recevied 10:30 am PT
Just a quick dispatch this morning. Everything is flowing smoothly and we're busy making progress. We pulled heavy loads to the base of ski hill yesterday in beautiful weather. It snowed a couple inches overnight and it's snowing lightly this morning, but the sun is poking through and we're gearing up to carry a load of gear up ski hill today. Gotta run, lots of work to do! I'll check back in upon our return to let you know how our day shakes out. Mike.
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RMI Guide Mike Walter and team flew to Kahiltna Basecamp on Tuesday afternoon. They built camp and were taking in the views of their new surroundings. They spent the night at Base camp at 7,300'. Yesterday they started the work of climbing Denali, moving from Base Camp to the Base of Ski Hill, 7,800'. To get to Ski Hill the team descends 400' down Heart Break hill (aptly named) and travels over five miles to establish their next camp.
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,000'
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello, Nikki Champion
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,000'
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On The Map
Congrats on your continued progress. I wish you great success as you continue your progress to the summit. I’m doing well and felt immediate improvement as I moved down the mountain. I rested well with no breathing difficulty in Talkeetna. I’m sad I’m not with you guys. I’ll vicariously celebrate thru you!!
Posted by: Jon Hirsch on 7/3/2018 at 3:14 pm
Continued prayers for clear skies and calm winds for your climb higher Tom!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 7/3/2018 at 10:09 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Taylor Bickford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
HI Rich
Cannot get enough of the beautiful shots…hope your cold has left you by now and you are feeling healthy and ready to get this done!
Posted by: Susie and the Kids on 5/31/2018 at 5:21 pm
Ah yes, “rest” days!! I hope the sore feet (Caleb??) are healing, and that the good weather continues. Happy Birthday to Henry June 2nd - you must be “The Old Man of the Mountain” these days?! Love, Mom xxxx
Posted by: Jennifer Huntington on 5/29/2018 at 10:30 am
Posted by: Eric Frank
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
RMI Guide Eric Frank calls in from Mount Shuksan.
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Adam Knoff, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Shishapangma
Elevation: 18,400'
Keep up the great work and progress. I hope everyone is feeling better and acclimating to the altitude. I wish I could see the beauty you wake up to everyday. Enjoy the gorgeous full moon! It must be spectacular from your location!
Xoxo, Trish
Posted by: Trish Deerwester on 9/18/2016 at 4:21 am
Continued success, congrats to all. Safe travels and enjoyable rest. Thinking of you each and every day.
Jane Nelson
Posted by: Jane Knoff Nelson on 9/17/2016 at 6:13 pm
RMI Guide Mike Haugen calls in from the summit of Denali.
On The Map
Congratulations to all! The photos are breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Can’t wait to see all the photos Phil. Love, Jill & Steve
Posted by: Jennifer Garrett on 6/29/2016 at 7:25 pm
Congratulations to the team! Enjoy the accomplishment!
Posted by: David Clemmons on 6/29/2016 at 7:06 am
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Mike Uchal, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
Here’s some poetry for today—your icy, snowy environs led me to read Robert Service (I know, wrong location). Two lines from his poem “Comfort”,about things always looking up:
“Earth so smiling ‘way out yonder,
Sun so bright it dazzles you”
Hope the sun is dazzling you, Brian, and all of El Siete!
Posted by: Judi on 6/16/2015 at 2:26 pm
Okay, that’s hilarious. Lol! Go PSST! LOL! If possible, get it done and get your tushes back down. Step safe. What am I saying?. Your panthers. No problems
Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/8/2019 at 8:58 pm
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