Entries By alan davis

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Descend to 14,200’ Camp

May 30, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 8:03 PM PT Today we had a more relaxing morning than the past few alpine starts. High camp was cold and breezy, and we enjoyed breakfast in the comfort of our sleeping bags. Blowing snow was evident on the upper mountain, reminding us how fortuitous we were to have a good weather window in which to summit. We let the air warm up a bit and the winds abate and then we packed up camp and descended the West Buttress and the fixed ropes on the Headwall. We're now down in the relative warmth and comfort of the 14,200' camp. The air feels a lot thicker here now than when we left it a few days ago. The plan is to get a good night's sleep and continue our descent tomorrow. The weather forecast is calling for a front to move in tonight bringing snow into Sunday. So we'll play it by ear with where/ when we descend, knowing that planes may not be able to fly into the Kahiltna airstrip until Sunday. We're all content and getting good rest for our long descent down the Kahiltna. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

The air must be chewy at that low altitude. The accomplishment with full saftety has all our admirations. here at the San Rafael Rotary Club

Posted by: Paul Claeyssens on 5/31/2019 at 1:20 am

Hi Piet, feather in your cap!!
Stay safe on the way down.

Posted by: Frik Botha on 5/30/2019 at 10:14 pm

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Summit North Americas Highest Peak

May 30, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,310'

Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 12:26 AM PT Summit! The weather was beautiful this morning with no clouds above us and no sign of wind. We got the stoves cranking again at 4:30 in order to beat the crowds (today was the busiest summit day of the season so far, as there was a backup of climbers that were delayed by last week's stormy weather. We estimate about 100 climbers went for the summit today.). We got rolling out of camp at 8:30 and walked into the frigid, shady slopes of the Audobon, which is a steep traverse for a thousand feet up to Denali Pass. We clipped about 40 snow pickets in a running belay to add security. Around the corner from Denali Pass we stepped into the sun and began climbing south pass Zebra Rocks and the Arch Deacon's Tower into the Football Field. The last hurdle before the summit ridge was climbing up the strenuous Pig Hill up to the Kahiltna Horn. Then the narrow, corniced ridge brought us to the summit at 20,310'. The climb is always challenging, but it was made more so due to cold 15-25 headwinds for most of the climb. We needed to wear goggles and face protection to keep from freezing our skin. But we did it. And we're about to crawl into our sleeping bags at the 17,200' high camp for some well deserved sleep. Tomorrow we will start our descent. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats Pieter! I enjoyed hearing about your trip on our airplane ride to Anchorage and am excited to see that your climb was a success!

Posted by: Mike Miller on 5/31/2019 at 10:09 pm

Huge congrats, Pieter, and to the rest of your team!!! We are in total awe and couldn’t be happier for you! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re back. Sending love and best wishes. xo, Marla, Mer & Kira

Posted by: MARLA on 5/31/2019 at 11:38 am

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team in Position at 17,200’ for Summit Bid

May 28, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 17,200'

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 - 6:12 PM PT Today dawned clear and calm and cold. I got out of the tent at the frigid hour of 4:30 am to start the stoves. I woke everyone else shortly thereafter to start packing up their sleeping bags and gearing up for our move to High Camp, we were rolling by 7:10. Clouds had moved in and by the time we topped out on the fixed lines a light breeze kept the temps cold. We made good time navigating the fixed ropes and the West Buttress Ridge all the way to 17,200'. Five hours and ten minutes after leaving 14 Camp we were in 17 Camp. But we had hours of work to do, digging and chipping flat tent platforms out of rock hard ice and wind eroded snow. Now we're all moved in to our tents, we've filled water bottles, and we're making more water for dinner. We're hoping the weather forecast validates and tomorrow will let us have a stab at the summit. If not, we're set up with food and fuel to wait a handful of days until we get our chance. We'll keep you posted. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations to everyone! Prayers to all for a safe descent.

Your followers in Columbus, Georgia :)

Posted by: Janette on 5/30/2019 at 5:48 am

It looks like you reached the summit yesterday at around 5:30pm? We have been closely following your progress through the Garmin updates from one of your team members. Can’t wait to read the update. Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the amazing achievement.
Suretha Swart

Posted by: Suretha on 5/30/2019 at 5:45 am

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Hope for Diminishing Winds

May 27, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Monday, May 27, 2019 - 5:41 PM PT Winds remained strong overnight and our camp weathered the storm admirably. The combo of strong mountaineering tents, solid anchors, and stout snow walls creates a pretty burly fortress against the elements. This morning we had some blue sky above us for a couple hours before the clouds eased back in. Winds up high on the West Buttress continue to be strong. We're hopeful that the weather forecast validates and winds will diminish by tomorrow. We might have a short window to summit in the next few days. We'll see what plays out, but we'd like to climb to High Camp tomorrow and hopefully have a chance to summit on Wednesday. We're at the mercy of the weather though, so our schedule remains flexible to her whim. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wishing you great climbing weather for the summit bid. I’m hoping that when I wake up in the morning (May 29) I’ll see your personal tracker shows you’re well on your way to the summit.
Take care Tom M and the whole Walter team.
With love
Jacquie

Posted by: Jacquie Byatt on 5/28/2019 at 9:03 pm

Let Dan Koster know that his family has been following your blog and we are excited for the summit bid! Glad you weathered the storm and are pushing on to Camp 17,200’!

Go Team Walter!

-Mark Koster

Posted by: Mark Koster on 5/28/2019 at 12:27 pm

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather the Storm at 14,200’

May 26, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

We're at 14 Camp weathering out a storm that is producing snow and wind. We established robust snow walls around our camp so we're doing just fine. We enjoyed a multi-hour brunch and coffee session this morning in the comfort of our cook tent, protected from the elements. Now, everyone is nestled in their tents relaxing, reading, snacking or snoozing to pass the time. The sound of snow hitting the tent and the flapping of nylon tent flies in the wind are reminders of harsh conditions outside while we rest comfortably in our sleeping bags. The storm is forecast to continue through tomorrow, easing on Tuesday. Until tomorrow... RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoy the View from the Edge of the World

May 25, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Today dawned beautifully clear, cold and calm. But we knew it wouldn't last as a multi day storm was forecast to start impacting the mountain today. So we got up early and had breakfast and fellow guide Alan Davis and the crew took advantage of the clear weather to head over to the Edge of the World, a dramatic overlook just outside of 14 camp that looks down on the Northeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier and out to the Base of Ski Hill on the main Kahiltna Glacier where we established our first camp nearly two weeks ago. After returning from the Edge, the team returned to camp and got right to work fortifying our already impressive snow walls. The goal was to be ready for any strong winds that will hit out camp during this imminent storm. Meanwhile, fellow guide Alex Halliday and I went back down to the 11,200' camp where we had cached some extra food and fuel. We dug up the cache and snagged the supplies and returned back up to 14,200'. The goal here was to be sure we had sufficient supplies should the storm extend further than forecast. All in all, it was a productive day. And now the storm has begun. It is currently snowing with very limited visibility and gusty winds. And we're ready for it. We hope to weather the storm and take advantage of a potential weather window early next week to make a bid for the summit. That's it for now, RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoy Rest Day and Sunshine at 14,200 ft

May 24, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Friday, May 24, 2019, 3:49 PM PT Last night was warm (for 14,200' on Denali) and we woke to clear, calm skies. It looks like it would be a good day to move up high, but there is a strong weather front forecast for this weekend and we weren't quite ready to make a dash uphill to try to take advantage of this short weather window. Instead, we're taking another rest day and enjoying the sun and warm temps. We took a rope team up the fixed lines again today to get some exercise and stretch the legs, anticipating another few rest days in our near future. The team is doing well and we're in position to strike when our weather window appears. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Pieter,

I have been quietly following your progress and the memories have been flooding back. The photos look incredible. So very jealous and wish I was sharing it with you.

Fantastic effort getting the cache all the way to 17k in a one-er! Wow, that’s a big day!

I hope the storm abates and the mountain opens the route higher for you…all that new ground to explore.

Stay safe Pieter…looking forward to seeing you and hearing all about it later in the year. Paul

Posted by: Paul Summers on 5/26/2019 at 2:00 am

It was nice to hear of your day of sunshine! Stay warm and safe as the atmospheric storm approaches this weekend! A special callout to Tom M - we are all following your accent and keeping our fingers crossed for a successful summit this year! xo

Posted by: Susan Mulvey on 5/25/2019 at 8:36 am

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Make a Carry to 17,200’

May 23, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Thursday, May 23, 2019 9:31 am PT We had a good, long day of climbing on the West Buttress yesterday, pushing all the way the 17,200' camp with our cache. The day started early and cold as we fired up our stoves hours before the sun was on our tents. After an efficient breakfast of granola and hot drinks, we prepared for our day of climbing. Except the mountain had different plans for our early start: a lenticular cloud cap had formed, indicating high winds. Plumes of blowing snow were visible from the summit down to the top of the fixed ropes (16,200'). So we pumped the breaks, stayed warm in our tents, and watched the weather unfold. Finally the winds seemed to abate and we left camp at 10:15. We encountered good climbing conditions and perfectly cool temperatures as we ascended out of camp and then up the fixed ropes. The lower part of the West Buttress was equally enjoyable. Once we topped Washburn's Thumb, around 17,000' we were met with 15-20 mph winds. Those wind speeds are generally not that alarming for mountain climbers, but at this altitude and the cold temps of Denali it made the climbing cold and more challenging. Six hours after leaving camp we arrived at the 17,200' camp where we spent and hour and a half digging a cache hole, sorting gear, and breathing the rare air of altitude. The descent back to camp took us three hours, so vestibule to vestibule we had a 10 1/2 hour day--good training for summit day! Today we are resting and I am about to fire the stoves for breakfast--this time a more leisurely affair with smoked salmon and cream cheese on toasted bagels, a true luxury at 14,200' on Denali. The weather forecast is calling for a strong storm through the weekend. We'll watch how that develops, and hopefully get a weather window for an unmitigated bid early next week. But for now we will rest and fortify camp in anticipation of the weekend's storm. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi Peter,

Hope all is well and you are enjoying the adventure. Sounds WAY harder than sailing to Hawaii, despite the smoked salmon and bagels! The scenery looks incredible. Stay warm and safe.

Naomi and the UBC PAR nurses

Posted by: Naomi Roddick on 5/24/2019 at 11:49 am

Wonderful to hear you had such a successful climb yesterday!
Praying for your safety throughout the weekend.

Jim, think about sailing in the warm winds of codorus while you wait it out!!
I’ll be waiting.

xoxo
Mary Beth

Posted by: Mary Beth on 5/24/2019 at 5:58 am

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Wait Out The High Winds

May 21, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Monday, May 21, 2019 4:43 pm PT We're taking another planned rest day today in order to get strong and acclimate for our forays up higher. As it turns out, the forecast for high winds came to fruition and we would not have been able to climb higher today even if we had wanted to. Instead, we had another leisurely brunch and worked on fortifying camp with more snow walls. We also practiced fixed line travel for moving above here. Steve Gately's crew (RMI Denali 2) just rolled into camp, so we're gonna go welcome them with some water. We hope the weather will let us put a cache up high tomorrow and then return back down to our current camp at 14,200'. We'll let you know how it goes. RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Kelby,

We have returned from Hawai’i. It was quite a bit different than these photos. 8-) Hoping for calmer weather for all of you in the days to come.

The Tidds

Posted by: Steve and Tina on 5/24/2019 at 4:08 pm

Good luck to the team and Tom Mulvey! May you find favorable weather.

Posted by: Jerry Suyderhoud on 5/22/2019 at 7:15 pm

View All Comments

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoy Their First Full Rest Day of the Expedition

May 20, 2019

Posted by: Mike Walter, Alan Davis, Alex Halliday

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Monday, May 20, 2019 5:40 pm PT We slept in a little bit this morning, enjoying our first full rest day. The weather was cloudy with light snow and strong ridge top winds--perfect for a rest day! We had an extended brunch with substantial portions of hashbrowns, bacon, egg, and cheese burritos, and plenty of coffee of course. Other than eating and resting, our team rallied a work party this afternoon to start building walls around our camp to protect from any potential winds. The weather forecast calls for sunny weather with strong ridge top winds tomorrow, decreasing by Wednesday. Right now the plan is to rest again tomorrow as our bodies get used to living at high altitude. Hopefully we'll be able to make a cache up high on Wednesday. RMI Guide Mike Walter

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Appreciate the updates and photos from Denali. Sure hope the weather cooperates for more climbing tomorrow. Glad they have an excellent contractor to help build snow walls around the camp. Hope you are keeping warm up there, Tom!

Posted by: Susan Royce on 5/21/2019 at 11:23 am

Great newsy updates! Sounds like this year’s climb is going well. Hope your rest day and snow walls prove successful! Good luck with the winds!

We are all thinking of you, Tom M, and hoping your new gear is keeping you safe!
xo

Posted by: Susan Mulvey on 5/21/2019 at 10:55 am

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

Check Availability

Entries By alan davis

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Descend to 14,200’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Summit North Americas Highest Peak

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team in Position at 17,200’ for Summit Bid

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Hope for Diminishing Winds

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Weather the Storm at 14,200’

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoy the View from the Edge of the World

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoy Rest Day and Sunshine at 14,200 ft

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Make a Carry to 17,200’

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Wait Out The High Winds

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Enjoy Their First Full Rest Day of the Expedition

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

Entries By alan davis

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches