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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
Thursday, June 19, 2025 9:27pm PDT
Today was, oxymoronically, an “active rest day.” Yesterday, we endured a grueling move of 3,200 feet with half our gear and established a new camp at 14,200 feet, so our bodies needed rest. But as any fitness enthusiast or doctor will tell you, it’s important to move a little even during recovery so your gears don’t get rusty.
We woke up to our first frost at 6:30 a.m. A quick granola bar for breakfast, and by 7:30 a.m., we were on the move. Our first task of the day was a back carry. We took a quick 15-minute jaunt down to our cache site at 13,500 feet, where we had stored half of our gear three days ago. Our dutiful guides dug out our belongings, and then we returned to camp in an hour.
We had a leisurely breakfast of pan-roasted bagels with cream cheese and bacon—a method of warming my Tarrytown bagels I’ll definitely adopt upon my return. After a brief respite, our second task at noon was to refine our campsite. Snow walls were built around our tent structures to protect us from high winds, and the bathroom and kitchen structures were spruced up.
The third activity of the day was a mid-afternoon refresher on how to walk along fixed lines with an ascender. By dinner, many of us were questioning whether we had experienced “active rest” or rather “restful activity.”
This location has me, a psychiatrist, reflecting on the psychological challenges people have spoken of during this trip. Retracing your steps on a back carry day can be a bit of a mind trip. Above us looms the steep hill that the fixed lines run along, rising 2,000 feet to the ridgeline of the West Buttress. It harkens to the long journey ahead.
However, two things keep me inspired and motivated. The first is the story of Barbara Washburn, who was the first woman to summit Denali in 1947. While at Camp 2, I read her memoir The Accidental Adventurer, which recounted her pioneering journeys. I tell myself that if she could accomplish so many feats with initially little experience and training, surely I can dig deep and find that grit too.
The second is remembering my emancipated ancestors on today, Juneteenth. So many people of that time, over the centuries, and even today, take long journeys of hundreds to thousands of miles seeking a better life. My journey on the mountain is pleasure-seeking and limit-pushing, but there are parallels in that the conditions are inhospitable and decisions here have life-or-death implications. Therefore, I am motivated to keep going despite my fatigue, trepidation, and excitement—knowing that my ancestors couldn’t stop, and I’m summoning their strength now.
Onward to more adventure.
Happy Juneteenth.
Adjoa Smalls-Mantey
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition June 9, 2025
The RMI Mexico's Volcanoes Team reached the summit of Ixtaccihuatl at 5:30 am local time. They left High Camp in warm conditions but the weather changed to cold and windy by the time they reached the summit. The team is making their way to the trailhead and will check in later with more details.
Congratulations to the team!
Congratulations!!! Have a safe trip down and cannot wait to hear about your adventures John! Love ya- Jen and JD
Posted by: Jen Brown on 11/13/2019 at 11:08 am
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Posted by: Mike King, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Congratualtions! So happy you all made it. I’m sure you had the most amazing view this morning. I’m so proud of you, Adam!
Posted by: Sarah May on 7/28/2018 at 9:05 am
Congrats on the memorial climb and summit! I’m really proud of the team and guides. Mike King is a certified badass! Adam and Garth, another notch. Booya!
Posted by: Parker Ayers on 7/28/2018 at 8:37 am
David, and team - what a fantastic accomplishment! Keep climbing safely.
Posted by: Jay McCampbell on 8/7/2017 at 7:42 am
Excellent work ! I cant wait to hear all about it and see the photo’s. Awesome job guys!
T342, p.s. Did the ponytail get cut ?
Posted by: Ed Schiavi on 6/29/2017 at 11:13 am
Great job guys! Stay safe and enjoy the remainder of the trip.
Jeannine & Matthew
Posted by: Jeannine Deckers on 6/28/2017 at 10:23 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,600'
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Steve Gately, JM Gorum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
On The Map
Gary/Team Hahn: Congratulations on a safe and exciting trip. Finish strong. Enjoy the moments of satisfaction that mother nature has provided and allowed.
We’ll look forward to hearing all about it.
Now get eastward bound to St Louis. No hitchhiking, no motorcycles, and no sleeping in the wooods. All the best,
Chip
Posted by: Chip Sniffin on 7/13/2015 at 6:11 am
Thanks Dave Hahn and your co-guides for excellent job!!! I am so happy your expedition is safe now and saying goodbye&luck; to each other :-)
Posted by: Wienio on 7/13/2015 at 2:07 am
Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
On The Map
Following the blog. Have an amazing time and stay safe, enjoy the adventure
Love marie
Posted by: Marie Pope on 6/7/2019 at 1:55 pm
We’re following you and your team. What an amazing adventure! The photos are gorgeous. Stay safe and have a fantastic time!
Posted by: Stephanie Smith on 6/7/2019 at 4:38 am
Well done Adjoa and team! Keep it up!
Posted by: Abi on 6/21/2025 at 9:17 pm
Tarrytown, NY has the best bagels! We are so proud of you for taking this journey. Happy Juneteenth!
Posted by: Lauren Smalls-Mantey on 6/20/2025 at 6:58 pm
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