Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Spend First Night at Camp 1
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
Hey all! Our previous two day's waiting game turned to hustle and bustle yesterday as the skies opened and allowed the planes to fly. Our flights left right after breakfast, and we landed at basecamp, resplendent with a new layer of snow. It's still early in the season, and basecamp was quiet, with just a handful of climbers waiting to fly off, or start their climb uphill.
After a couple hours spent packing, rigging sleds, and digging our cache, we were on our way, dropping down the SE fork of the Kahiltna Glacier to begin our ascent up the main fork. The skies quickly closed and it began to snow, obscuring the views and dropping the temperature significantly. We made camp in light snow last night, but this AM woke to sun and clear skies! The plan is to make a move to our next camp at 9,600' today.
Happy birthday to team member Carl Devendorf, and everyone would like to wish their moms a Happy Mother's Day!
We'll be in touch soon.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the gang
On The Map
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Comments (6)
Mike M….Following your progress…...and rooting for you!! Wishing you clear skies, good weather and the most magnificant views!!
Posted by: Annette on
Go Mike! Have a great climb. I saw the mountain this morning in the sun on my way to work. Looks awesome. Stay safe.
Posted by: Jeff on
Good luck Nick and co. Following the progress on the map.
Posted by: Richard Coleman on
Hope you have a successful trek to next camp, sleds and all. Brrrrrrrrr!
XO to Rich!
Posted by: Christina Doren on
What a special way to receive a Happy Mother’s Day wish! Glad to hear that you have clear skies and the trek is underway. Stay safe and we wish you all a wonderful journey!
Love, Mom
Posted by: Paula VanDeventer on
Give my brother a hard time on his birthday. Glad to here you guys are on your way. I hope you get good weather windows.
Posted by: Fritz Devendorf on