Denali Expedition: King & Team Reach Summit with All Team Members
Posted by: Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 20,310'
Update: Friday, June 11, 2021 - 9:47 pm PT
We woke to a clear and "warm" by 17K Camp standards morning and decided to get out in front of the inevitable hoard of climbers that would be attempting the summit today. With cold hands and toes warming up by the time we got to Denali Pass we kept breaking trail in spots and resting on what was the warmest and windless summit day I’ve been a part of. Some of the group had just a base layer and light weight gloves on at 19,500'. Everyone in the group, 9 climbers and 3 guides stood on top of the tallest peak in North America. We got some good views of the surrounding glacier and mountains. We even had 2 returning climbers who got turned around 2 years ago due to bad weather. Your loved ones will have all sorts of stories to share, know that they are safe in camp and taking care of themselves after an arduous 14-hour day. We will plan to descend to 14K Camp tomorrow and perhaps lower if the weather cooperates. While the objective we all set out 2 weeks ago has been accomplished, we still have a lot of terrain to navigate so we can get to the airstrip for flights on Sunday or Monday (weather permitting). Thanks for following along!
Friday, June 11, 2021 - 4:00 pm PT
We received word this afternoon from RMI Guide Mike King that his team was on the summit of Denali with 100% of their team members. We wish them a safe descent and a hearty congratulations for all their hardwork!
Way to go team!
Comments (36)
Congratulations to all! Way to go, Huw!
Posted by: Traci Gentry on
Mike King, Alex Halliday, Abby Westling
Thanks for getting your team and our son safely back to sea level, we enjoyed the daily Blog and was excited to hear that all the team members reach the summit safely, Thanks again.
Mom and Dad Fortier
Posted by: Robert Fortier on
Congratulations Huw and the rest of the team!! What an amazing accomplishment - pictures look awesome and we look forward to hearing about soon.
Safe travels on the downward journey and see you back in CT!!
Posted by: Mike & Roni Widmer on
Wow! Well done team. I’m sure my late brother Bruce will be looking on with great approval!! Well done Rob.
Posted by: Andrew Campbell-Watt on
Way To Go Rob! Can’t wait to see some pics. Safe journey back to the airfield.
Posted by: Adam & Christy on
Huw and Rob
Congratulations guys, that’s simply fantastic. What an achievement!!
Looking forward to the stories and beers.
Continue with the safe traveling
Calum
Posted by: Calum on
Congratulations team! Wonderful accomplishment. 100% team work is the dream work!
Prayers for safe decent, safe travels home.
Posted by: Papa & Grandma Westling on
Huw & Rob
Congratulations guys, what an achievement, look forward to hearing about this amazing adventure.
Again well done to you both and all the team, have a safe journey back down.
Posted by: Ian on
Congratulations team, wonderful accomplishment! 100% team work makes the dream work!! Prayers for a safe decent, safe travels home.
Posted by: Papa & Grandma Westling on
Strong work!! Way to go boss!!
- the CRS team
Posted by: sam w on
Congratulations to Rob and everyone!!
What a great adventure, know that everyone is grateful for your safety and proud of your achievements now and future.
Posted by: Gary Stillwell on
Yet another reason for Eli & Emmitt to look “up”… way way up… to Grandpa! Upon sharing the news, Eli says: “Sweet!” Emmitt says: “I love you!”
Congrats, Dad and team!
-Alli, Zach, Eli, and Emmitt
Posted by: Allison Jacobsmeier on
Congratulations, Grandpa!!! Mommy and I are so proud of you for making it to the top! Can’t wait to hear all about it and give you a huge hug in a couple of weeks! Love you!
Posted by: Lillie Averkamp on
So so so proud!! Congratulations Daddy, Rob and team! What a great achievement! Safe decent down & stay warm!!
Love you paps xx
Posted by: Charlotte Rothwell on
Congratulations Rob and team!! What an awesome achievement! Good vibes and safe journey for the rest of the expedition. Cheers!
Posted by: West on
That is some great news! wishing everyone a safe decent back to basecamp. Great work Tom, so proud of you & everyone! Darcy
Posted by: Darcy Murnaghan on
Yes team, YES! Congratulations on this leg of the journey. We will all be thinking of you as you descend, and wishing the best of all conditions on your way down. Way to go, now let’s complete the mission!
Posted by: Rae on
Way to go Tom Salata. Another successful climb and another one off the list.
Posted by: Dennis Johnson on
Woot Woot!!! Well done everyone! And thank you to the guides for getting everyone up and down safely! None of it would be possible without you.
To Mike F. Congrats on hight point number 32! Well on your way to getting all 50
Love ya
Jen
Posted by: Jen F on
Congratulations to Rob and team!!! Such fabulous news!! I know there will be a celebration on the mountain tonight!
Love, Kogie
Posted by: Katherine Sabom on
Way to go Rob and all your team! Stories to tell for many days to come. We are proud of you. Come home safe.
AuntK and Clay
Posted by: Aunt K and Clay on
Way to go RTS and the entire team!! What a wonderful accomplishment. All of us back here are rooting you on!!! Go Rob!
Stay safe on the decent and we will see you back at Home Camp, 650 Ft. elevation.
MZ, MBZ, Gabi, Fia and Bro Bro
Posted by: Manuel & Melissa Zuniga on
Congratulations Michael to you and the team! What an accomplishment and you worked so hard to get there….we’re all very proud of you!!! Gram & Grampa Hastings
Posted by: Bettyann Hastings on
Congrats Rob and the whole team! What an achievement!
Stay safe,
John, Denise, Jack & Evie
Posted by: Denise and John Dorris on
Marsha is so happy for you, Tom.
Congrats
Posted by: Marsha on
We are so happy with the news! Can’t imagine what a wonderful feeling it is for the team. Just shows what preparation, leadership and teamwork can do. Have a safe trip down.
Tita and Artie
Posted by: Martha Sabom on
Wow! That’s so fantastic! A huge congratulations to the team. Rob and Huw, you did it, soooo happy for you!
Love you Rob C-W, stay safe and see you soon!! xox
Posted by: Jen Campbell-Watt on
Congratulations Tom! I am so proud of you! Can’t wait to see you and hear all about this climb!!!!
Love you to the moon and back
Lori
Posted by: Lori Salata on
Congratulations Michael ! We could not be more proud of you for all the planning and hard work you put into reaching the Denali summit. Be safe and enjoy the journey down, see you next week, better have some good stories to tell.
Love Mom and Dad Fortier
Posted by: Robert Fortier on
Congratulations team! I wish you a safe descent and safe travels home. Thank you to the RMI staff. Can’t wait to hear the stories.
Posted by: Cathy H on
Hey Tom!!!! I am SO Proud of You!!! Congratulations!!!!!!! That is AWESOME!!!!!! Enjoy every Awesome step downhill now. I can’t wait to talk to you!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on
Congratulations!! Can’t wait to hear all about it! Safe travels back down the mountain. Way to go!!!! Love, B
Posted by: Beth Ludwig on
I’m so proud of you dad!!!! Congratulations to you, Rob and the whole team. What a huge achievement!!
Prayers for a safe descent
Posted by: Annabel Rothwell on
Amazing! Congratulations to Huw ,Rob and everyone. What an achievement, fantastic!
Love you Huw Rothwell xxx
Posted by: Louise Rothwell on
WOWW!
Congratulations Rob, Huw and all Team members! An absolutely fantastic achievement on everyone’s part. The photos look terrific but we know your view would be unsurpassed.
The bucket list is now minus one! Keep safe and have an uneventful and successful descent!
WELL DONE ALL!
Posted by: Bill & Val Green on
Could not be more excited for you, Dad! Congratulations to the team and a safe journey back down!
Posted by: Jillian Ludwig on