Entries By Mike Uchal

Mt. McKinley Expedition: Knoff and Team Check in from High Camp

July 3, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,200'

This is RMI Guide Adam Knoff, checking in from high camp on Denali at 17,000’. We had a sweet climb from 14,000’, up the fixed lines and along the crest of the West Buttress, eventually dropping into the basin where camp is placed. What an absolutely spectacular day of climbing! Unfortunately, the predicted nice weather did not materialize and in fact, has deteriorated. Such is life on Denali, where all movement is dictated by weather. We are securely entrenched in camp, with sturdy walls and a posh cook tent. We have plenty of supplies, and now it becomes a waiting game. We will keep you updated.

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Happy Independence Day! Mike R we’re thinking of you all the time! Hannah has an impressive ball collection waiting for you…

Posted by: Susan on 7/4/2012 at 4:36 pm

Hey John, Happy 4th!!! Sorry you didn’t make the summit on the 4th, but the day is soon to come. Just got back from Maryland; very hot - it was 106 one day. Glad tobe home. Stay warm and safe. Jill

Posted by: Jill on 7/4/2012 at 4:05 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Part 2 Saying Hello

June 30, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

We apologize to Mike and Nelson's family's for missing their hellos. Here they are saying hi to their followers. Nelson: Mom, Dad, I'm having an absolute blast. I love it up here. Thank you so much for making this happen. I'm feeling great and getting excited for the imminent summit push. Tomorrow (weather permitting) we'll get to the top of the fixed lines and up onto the famed West Buttress. Long story short, I'm having a great time. Thank you so much. To everyone else who I told to follow the blog (probably a good 3 people or so) this place is way sweet. Wicked fun. Big Rik--you need to get up here sometime, it's fantastic. Lynn--of course I'm winning and writing lots. I'll have plenty of stories for you all. It's cold, fun, and badass. Love, Nels Hi Susan, Mel, Hannah, family and friends! Thanks to everyone for your posts. Your thoughts mean so much. I'm having a great time, staying warm, and the guides make sure we eat very well. After being snowed in today, we'll hopefully move to high camp in the next few days where we stage our attempt for the summit. Miss you all! Love Mike

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Tim,

Been following the team’s progress—sounds like yet another awesome adventure! As promised—important news down here: Colorado continues to burn, Obama-“care” passed, and basically Repub’s and Dem’s still hate each other’s F’ing guts. Oh, almost forgot the most important news dominating the papers/internet: Tom Cruise and his wife are getting a divorce. Just goes to show you—we are still a bunch of collective idiots to care about that crap down here. So, PLEASE, march on! Live the dream for the rest of us shmucks! Be safe and know you’ve got your fans rooting for you—and, your entire team’s good fortunes. And, remember, Warrior II photo on top! And, take it easy on your team-mates up there—you CAN control that gas of yours—stop using the altitude as an excuse! Little Bro.

Posted by: Dan McLaughlin--aka, Little Bro on 7/1/2012 at 4:43 pm

Hey,
Oz is on his way to Georgia with the Barteks! I’m trying to stay out of the Raleigh heat—high today of 104! Boone sounds way better with a predicted high of 92.. Doing some work around the house and checking your weather and for updates..
Hope to hear from you soon!
Stephanie

Posted by: Stephanie on 7/1/2012 at 10:12 am

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Say Hello from 14K Camp

June 29, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

This is the June 19th Denali expedition sending love from 14,000 foot camp. We received a foot of fresh snow last night distracting us from our scheduled plan of carrying loads to the top of the fixed lines at 16,200 feet. Because of this unexpected delay we are resting today fending off climbers soliciting food to lighten their loads for the descent. We have decided to pass the phone to let each team member send a personal hey to friends and family. This one goes out to my wife Birgen and son Liam. I have only tried to spoon Uchal twice thinking of you. He elbowed me both times. I miss you as much as ever and can' t wait to get home to you both..... DG here. Miss and love you all. Doing great up here and everything is rock steady. Hugs Oz and see you soon. Can't wait for you to join me. It's Chris. Special thanks to all of you who posted messages and words of encouragement on the blog. It means a lot and gives me some extra fuel for the push up the peak. Nickie - I love you so much and can't wait to see you again after a successful trip. Cheers! This is Michael U. I hope all is well back home and abroad! I miss and love you all so much. O Sorry for leaving you to care for the new K-9. Grace, HB, Samer, Charlotte, Lulu, and the rest of the family - I can't wait to see you when I get home. Greetings from JJ, amazing group of guys, amazing mounting and truly an experience of a lifetime to be here. Priorities change when life is stripped to the essentials. Peace, joy and love of friends and family take in a new and heightened priority. Please know I am very safe and that my love for you is growing with each step. I miss you all and have many big hugs in store for all upon my return, especially the new love of my life. See you at the wedding if not sooner. Love, John Hello fam & friends--Tim here. It's hard to explain what the top of our continent looks like--truly amazing! Thx for all of your posts, luv sharing them in the "posh" (a funky community eating/gathering area). Great guides & climbing team, we're all looking up at the top now. Love & miss you all--literally dreaming of you nightly--altitude makes for some strange dreams BTW. Thx for covering me during cherry harvest & all the other "stuff." See you in a couple of weeks!!!

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John, Great to hear all of you are doing fine. We are just home from the “small hills of NC” As we go along in life we do learn more of love, laughter and thankfulness. Blessings to all of you climbing. Jackie and Paul

Posted by: Jackie Winchell on 7/1/2012 at 9:39 pm

What no news fro you Nelson?? I know that you are having a trip of a lifetime. Check in next time the phone goes around. The moms in KC (that would be Mrs. G and me) are worried :-) Can’t wait to see you ... and the amazing photos. I would definitely be up for Killi next year. Lots of love, Mom

Posted by: Jennifer Collet on 6/30/2012 at 5:40 am

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team at 14K Camp

June 28, 2012

Posted by: Mike Uchal, Adam Knoff, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

After a few snowy days at our 11K camp, we hoped for some kinder weather for our move to 14,000'. We all agree we got too much of a good thing. Yesterday's move validated the old mountaineering saying that "you either freeze or fry." Wednesday morning was clear, but quite cold at 11K. We ate our warm breakfast, anxiously awaiting the sun to warm our tents before we packed up to move. The cool morning climb up Motorcycle Hill quickly turned into a sweltering overly sunny slog through the Polo Fields and around Windy Corner which lacked the then desired wind of which it got its name. After refueling and rehydrating the well-oiled machine we pulled into camp 4 (14,000') at 5 pm. We were welcomed by our other RMI team, light snow, and many other climbers at this small makeshift alpine village. Today (Thursday), we returned to Windy Corner to retrieve our cache of food and equipment in much of the same weather conditions as the day before. We are now resting back at 14,000' awaiting our possible carry up the fixed lines to 16,000' tomorrow. To our many fans out there who are leaving messages on our blog, rest assured they have reached us! Tuesday night over dinner we passed the iPhone around for all to read the kind words from friends and family. Keep them coming! Until tomorrow, RMI Guides Mike Uchal, Adam Knoff, Zeb Blais, and our team at 14,000' Stay classy lower 48!

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Hi to Mike R and fellow climbers. I am soo amazed by your courage, strength, and perseverance, you should be very proud of yourselves as I am of you Mike!I luv reading all the messages including the other teams as well, Its absolutely unimaginable to me, what you must be experiencing. Enjoy what you can. Thinking about you. Love Cheri

Posted by: Cheri on 6/29/2012 at 6:54 pm

Greetings John!

We are all so excited about your amazing adventure! Deann is on the phone with me right now and we are still talking about you! Enjoy your travels!

ONE of you biggest fans! Jo

Posted by: Jo on 6/29/2012 at 3:11 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Resting

June 26, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 11,200'

Today is number six on the mountain and the first solely designated to rest. As discovered on day one of our long journey together, having fun is as necessary as being organized, fit and compatible. This morning the gang was allowed to sleep until their natural alarm clock pulled them from dreams of family, beer and showers. Six inches of fresh snow blanketed our camp here at 11,000 feet so we were all pleased to be staying put. Once all gathered in our perfectly designed cook tent, two hours were killed flipping flap jacks and drinking coffee. Now we have moved on to lunch where singing every song to Michael Jackson's Thriller album has trumped all else. There is not an unhappy soul in the group. Mike would like to wish mamma and papa Uchal safe travels on their adventure to Russia and beyond. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Singin MJ??? Has Gords schooled you all in the finer moves of the Thriller choreography?? When you run put of MJ Gords may treat you to some spot on GnR! Could make for a loooong rest day! Cheers everyone. The Reisers in N.Conway, NH

Posted by: Petah Reisah on 6/28/2012 at 6:54 am

Hi Michael, Hope you guys all enjoyed your day of rest. I am sure it was well deserved. Just wanted to tell you that your Dad is very jealous that you are surrounded by all that snow and cold :) Stay strong and safe. Love you. P.S. Jess says “HI”

Posted by: Dad & Lynne on 6/28/2012 at 4:54 am

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team March Up Ski Hill

June 22, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 9,800'

Hello to all from the June 19 Denali expedition. If the saying "make hay while the sun shines" applies to mountaineering, this team could feed a lot of cows. I am thrilled with our team dynamic and progress. Yesterday we ate breakfast, got ready and were blessed with clear conditions at base camp. K2 Aviation worked hard to get us all on the glacier which allowed us to pack up and move out. We arrived at the base of Ski Hill by dinner. Today we woke to perfect weather and the team again showed great enthusiasm to get moving. By 6:45 a.m. we were marching up Ski Hill with full loads. We arrived at 9,800 feet by 11:30 and are now enjoying a steamy afternoon sun bathing. Stay tuned for tomorrow's next episode. This is Adam Knoff signing off.

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Tim you are half way there. I am sure you are thinking this is no problemo. Keep the calories up to keep the fire burning. Skip

Posted by: Skip on 6/24/2012 at 10:57 am

You’re a long way from Oklahoma buddy! Diane and all the turkeys miss you. Ate one last night!

Posted by: Fanta on 6/23/2012 at 3:02 pm

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Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Hangin’ in the Hangar

June 20, 2012

Posted by: Adam Knoff, Mike Uchal, Zeb Blais

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 348'

After a delicious Roadhouse breakfast and stories from the world famous Fairview Inn pre-party, the team has been busy sorting gear for the trip. The weather is beautiful right now and we're prepping to fly onto the mighty Kahiltna tomorrow morning. Until then we're enjoying solid earth under our feet, the smells of lush green plants in our noses and hearty meals in our bellies. Cheers from the RMI Knoff, Uchal and Blais team. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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Lookin good Uncle Gords!!! Best o’luck to you all! Trackin your every move from Boston.

The Reisers

Posted by: Petah Reisah on 6/23/2012 at 1:54 pm

Joyce says Hi from VL. She had 6 to serve today. Remember what she said about you gettin up that slope!
BE SAFE!

Posted by: YETI on 6/22/2012 at 8:25 pm

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Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz

June 7, 2012

Posted by: Solveig Waterfall, Seth Waterfall, Mike Uchal

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 9,200'

Seth here, checking in from inside my tent. We're currently dug in at 9,200 feet at a spot we call "The Castle." We've had a rough spell of weather on this trip with mostly white out conditions but the group is still having a good time. Yesterday we had good weather for a bit while we climbed up to our camp but over night a big storm came in and now we are just waiting it out in the safety of camp. Tomorrow we will make our way back to civilization.

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Way to Go John, We are sooo proud…hope you didn’t loose your hat in those white outs! It’s 84 and sunny here in MB..you’re next stomping ground..can’t wait to see you and hear all about it. Love you partner. Dr. Missy

Posted by: Melissa Patton on 6/9/2012 at 5:14 am

Hey Mr. Boicourt get tot he top already Rif meeting starts in an hour, plus George misses you!

By the looks of that weather you should have listened to me and done the Robert Trent Jone golf trail. we would be on about Bottle 10 of Goose and Juice…

great job and see ya soon…

Posted by: Chris Colangelo on 6/8/2012 at 6:13 am

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Entries By Mike Uchal

Mt. McKinley Expedition: Knoff and Team Check in from High Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Part 2 Saying Hello

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Say Hello from 14K Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team at 14K Camp

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team Resting

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team March Up Ski Hill

On The Map

Mt. McKinley: Knoff & Team - Hangin’ in the Hangar

On The Map

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz

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