Entries from Mt. McKinley
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
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Thursday, May 16, 2024 1:33pm PDT
Just checking in, not too much to report.
Winds at camp ramped up last and are strong and gusty this morning. We're hanging at 11k today and plan to move to 14k on the next good weather day.
RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team
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Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 12:11 am
We are camped at the base of Ski Hill, planning to carry tomorrow.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
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Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 11:01 pm PT
We'd like to start today's blog with a special hello from Jackson to Grandma Carol.
Things looked perfect when we first got out of the tents this morning to carry up towards 14,000'. As we exited the cooktent though the winds had started to crank up high, sending lines of snow skyward. We slowly packed, staring uphill trying to make up our minds. After an hour or two the plumes got smaller, and winds seemed to be calming, so we went for it. Turned out well for us. We had at most light breezes all day, and cruised around Windy Corner to the cache spot, deposited our loads of food and accessories, and cruised back to camp, light as a feather. It was a good days work. We're going to look for our best opportunity to move to 14,000' Camp, weather permitting and that will be the next big step. Maybe tomorrow, maybe after. As with all things, we'll see.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
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Denali Expedition, May 7, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 2:51 pm PT
With our cache established around Windy Corner, our team is resting at 11,000' Camp. It's a bit breezy in camp, much windier up high. A good day to chill.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
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Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Keep up the great work team! waiting on these blog posts daily. So excited for all of you!
Pouliot you are my hero!
Posted by: Tucker G Balam on 5/16/2024 at 11:54 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 7:47 pm PT
We had a stellar day of rest and recovery today at 11,000' Camp. The skies were blue as could be and camp was calm and warm. We waited to leave tents until the sun hit, and lingered over blueberry pancakes and coffee. The midday was time for naps, movies, wet wipe baths, fresh clothes, etc. Then we did a quick hour long practice session of cramponing, arrest, and rope travel practice, before a couple more hours of lounging. We're now properly setup for a carry around Windy Corner tomorrow. Ever higher we go!
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
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Denali Expedition, May 7, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 8:42 pm PT
We had great weather today and got a cache established up around Windy Corner at about 13,700'. We are all back at camp now. Keeping it brief. Still lots of work to do tonight before we can get horizontal. We'll check in again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Keep up the great work everyone! There are MANY of us following your adventure. Be safe. Stay warm. Keep crushing it.
Posted by: Bruce Wilhelm on 5/15/2024 at 7:57 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Daniel May, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 9:44 pm PT
Hello everyone! It's been a hectic couple of days packing and prepping for flying on today. We arrived at Kahiltna Basecamp following a smooth and scenic ride from Talkeetna. The team spent the day acquainting themselves with life on the glacier and enjoying this beautiful place. Tomorrow we plan to head for the base of Ski Hill. Everyone still smells pretty good and we are feeling motivated to start moving.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
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Denali Expedition, May 12, 2024
Sending you guys love from Portland. Jazzy says hi, Sarah! <3
Posted by: Hannah on 5/16/2024 at 3:52 pm
Dan!
Way to go snookums, I couldn’t be more proud of you! Keep up the great work!
With Love,
Your Aunt Bon Bon
Posted by: Aunt Bon Bon on 5/16/2024 at 6:21 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
With today's move to 11,000' complete, we are done pulling sleds uphill, and are retiring the snowshoes until we come down! There was much celebrating. It was sunny in camp this morning and we let that dry tents and sleeping bags for a bit, then pulled it all down, packed it all up, and started walking back up Ski Hill. It was an incredibly pleasant day and we trundled along to 11,000' in good time. The team is clicking at getting stuff done, and tents were up in no time. Good thing to, as a big black wall approached from the west and enveloped us in fat snow flakes. It's incredibly calm, but we are building an inch or so of snow an hour, falling quietly, straight down. At another time of year it would evoke holidays, wood stoves, and cozy winter vibes, but right now it's making summer feel quite far away. Our intention is to take a rest day tomorrow at 11, refresh some climbing skills for the terrain above, and get ready to cache higher the next day.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 7, 2024
Hi Jackson! This is your grandma Breen. Just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you and how amazed I am of all your adventures and accomplishments! I love you and be safe!
Posted by: Carol Breen on 5/14/2024 at 11:49 am
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
We're resting and acclimating at 11k today. After a chilly night, the team enjoyed a leisurely morning and brunch with ample amounts of eggs, hashbrowns, and reindeer sausage.
Lounging, reading, and small talk make up the bulk of today's activities.
We'll also be sorting our gear in preparation for our carry up around Windy Corner, which, weather permitting, is on tap for tomorrow.
But for right now, we're enjoying the hang.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jackson Breen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
After a couple of big days, today was a good one to rest. The sun decided to show too, and we could finally see the awesomeness of the peaks of the Alaska Range around us. Until now we've moved around in relative murk with the peaks above obscured. The scene around us is stunning and humbling, and for much of the day we could see clear to the summit of Denali. The sun also warmed the tents and us, giving us a nice dose of heat after a couple days of pretty chilly weather, even for Alaska. Some yoga, napping, and reading was most if the day's activity. Tomorrow we plan to move to Camp 1, rested and ready to climb this stretch one more time.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition, May 7, 2024
Sounds like everyone is doing great!! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for keeping all of us at home up to date on our friends progress!
Posted by: Jackie Millen on 5/13/2024 at 4:31 pm
Happy birthday Andre !
We are so proud of you and wish you to reach your goals on this trip. Come back safe, we love you.
Logan, Dereck and Veronique xxx
Posted by: Logan, Dereck and Veronique on 5/19/2024 at 6:19 am
Bonne fête André! C’est magique de fêter son anniversaire en Alaska. Profite au maximum!
☀️
Posted by: Lynda Gervais on 5/19/2024 at 5:45 am
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