Mt. McKinley: Okita & Team Enjoy Christmas Duck in May
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Today we awoke to another beautiful day at 14,000 camp on Denali. Feeling better about the altitude we cruised down to our cache and back in no time. A cloud rolled in and brought light snow this afternoon which has surprisingly been a welcome change to the hot temps and our sunburned lips from these past few days. We were able to do a little practice with fixed lines in preparation for the real deal in a couple days. Everyone did great, even with monster lobster gloves on! Tonight, Gerald treated us to duck burritos, with duck that came all the way from New Jersey, also a welcome change then to "chicken", resembling tuna from a bag. A shout out to Emma Rose, happy birthday!
RMI Guides Leah, Logan, and Brent
On The Map
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Comments (28)
Is that why you got such a big snow blower?
Posted by: Charles on
Gerald you continue to amaze us! Stay safe and enjoy the climb
Posted by: eileen & mike meehan on
Monica and team, what a dream come true! You all are making incredible progress,your pics are breathtaking! Thinking of you all daily! Enjoy and know we are all rootingfor you! From monique, antonio and annabelle, and beautiful lucy!
Posted by: meredith on
Gerald - your influence and charm obviously increases with altitude :)
Posted by: Chris Shoolis on
Hey A&B!!
Sounds like things are going great! We’re all really proud of you. You are making faster progress then anticipated, which is great news, but Ayla, I have to confess that I took you at your word when you said the trip may take four weeks. I hope you understand - we rented your room out for a full month, so maybe you could spend a few extra days at the top, or a little side trip on your way home.
I did think of the ultimate climbing accessory. It’s too late for this trip, but when you do get home, we can talk about my great business idea - temporary colostomies for climbers!! We can create a line of designer bags to go with them. Since the 1-800-GET THIN clinics had to close, we may be able to work out an arrangement with the physician assistants who were doing the surgeries. Please survey your comrades up there - maybe some wish to invest…
Posted by: Steven Simons on
Hey Gerald!
send the recipe, so i can submit to Jack’s Cafe in Westwood!
Keep on rockin’ and keep rollin’ those “burritos” fat and tight! ;)
so proud o you!
John @ NYSC
Posted by: john azua on
Monica, what a great story this will be for all of us living vicariously through you! You are amazingly stong and ready to tackle this to the end! Lucy sends you a polarbear kiss! Dogspeed to you all!
Posted by: meredith on
Dad (Jeff Hooper)
We love the picture of your new camp site. Stay strong as you are almost at the top. keep having fun!
We miss you.
Love Kenny, Alex and Sophia
Posted by: Veronica Hooper on
The team is learning what we already know, Gerald’s awesome!
Posted by: Mike Arahill on
Hey Virg,
Love this blog! It is the first thing Mom and I talk about in the morning and the last thing we talk about at night. The weather looks great! We had snow for two days here and they had to shut down the highway this morning. Last day of school for Jacob - they were all wearing shorts and no coats - even in the snow. The green house is full of flowers just waiting for the weather to break. Good luck to you and the team. We all love you and miss and are excited to see you at the summit!! Love Nora
Posted by: nora Hall on
Awesome job guys. Snow walls look good and it must be nice to reuse a camp. Its good to hear everyone is adjusting to the altitude.
J
Posted by: Jase on
Joey Joey Joey.Glad everyone on the team is strong and doing well. I see the duck was a winner. Guess your keeping the salmon to yourself, hahaha. Mountain gold joey,mountain gold. I know I’m missing a great trip. luv ya and miss ya bro.
Posted by: Frantz on
Reasons climbing is better than sex:
1. Choice of novice or expert routes.
2. A climb can last all day.
3. Guidebooks tell you how many visitors have been there before you and when the first ascent was.
4. You can pick the length and diameter of your rope.
5. There is always someone backing you up.
6. It’s not considered kinky to wear a harness.
7. The only rubber you wear is on your feet.
8. There are still rocks that haven’t been touched.
9. You can reuse your protection, and someone else even cleans for you, provided you don’t put it in too deep.
10. There IS such a thing as being too overhung.
:) Eva
Posted by: eva on
Monica (and team),
Duck burritos? And I thought this was supposed to be tough. Jeez…I’m proud of you, following your progress and delighted that the weather is holding. You go! Love, Elliot
Posted by: Elliot Marseille on
That’s what happened to my son’s pet Duck! You ate Kenny, you Bastard! Hmm, smoked duck. Great pics. Climb strong Gerald, it looks bigger than Hunter.
Posted by: Chuck on
Gerald, Unbelievable…
We are so proud to see you complete this amazing journey!! We cannot wait to see more pictures. LOL, Jocelyn & Frantz
Posted by: Frantz & Jocelyn on
Gerald:
Glad you found a creative way to clear up that duck problem in your yard.
Enjoy your trip. Looks AMAZING!
Mike
Posted by: Mike Paulison on
Hey Erich!
These pictures are AWESOME and I’m digging the half-igloo! I don’t think I’ve ever seen snow that would stick/pack together like that before. :)I can only imagine the experience you’re having up there! We’re going to see Austin’s show tonight in Atlanta, you can pretend you’re there all the way from Denali and sing along! On that note (no pun intended), here is our fav song, West Georgia: ” I miss the one I left behind, when you’re not here, you’re on my mind! And it won’t be long, til you’re coming home!” :)
Love and MISS you!
Oh, and a special thanks to the guides for posting these wonderful blogs! They help me keep my sanity!
Praying for the team and journey to come!
-Amberly
Posted by: Amberly on
GERALD IS KING OF THE WORLD!!!!!!! hee. hee. Get home safe bro!
xoxox
Anouk
Posted by: Anouk on
Only our Jerry can provide such gourmet food. We miss you keep climbing.
Posted by: JOSETTE CARRIZZO on
Sounds like you are doing as you usually do at 14,000 making people smile~ ENJOY THE JOURNEY…donna
Posted by: donna on
Wow my boy Gerald cooking for people even at 14,000ft. If you thought the duck was cook you should see him cook at his house! Pictures are amazing, that is one beautiful camp! Is that mountain creek behind you? LOL!
Keep up the good work!
Rob
Posted by: Rob Carrizzo on
Way to go Monica and team!
Thinking of you and your adventure each day. Here’s to solid footing (and rest stepping!) and strong power breathing to get you to the top and safely back down again!
Posted by: Kelsey on
Hi A and B-
I love the photo of the snow wall! It looks like an Andy Goldsworthy piece.
Gray and Marianne are here—we’ve been pouring over the photos from the blog and sharing your travels - so impressive! I was surprised to find out that Marianne climbed Rainer years ago and loved it. (She wanted to know all about your gear and your training).
Sending tons and tons of love!!!!!!!!
Be safe, be smart, have fun.
Mom
Posted by: Doni on
Hello Monica and team,
It’s so exciting to see the pictures and watch your progress. It’s seems like we are right there with you.
Our team left for Regionals this morning so this will be a big weekend following both of your progress.
God speed to you all,
Jim
Posted by: Jim Gentle on
Monica and team, we are all thinking of you from Boise, Idaho! You have 31 followers in our Facebook group tracking your progress:-)Love the pictures and updates, keep them coming!
Posted by: Melissa Ritter on
Following you all the way, Logan, and team. Hope your trip continues to go well. Be safe. Love, elfe
Posted by: elfe on
Hey Gerald
Sounds like you’re all doing great and having an amazing journey!! So happy you’ve been having such nice weather, can’t wait to hear all about! We love you! Jackie xoxo
Posted by: jackie on