Entries By dustin wittmier

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Take a Cache to 16,600’

May 31, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Friday, May 31, 2019 7:58 PM PT Today we woke to relatively warm temperatures and light snow. As we looked up to the ridge of the West Buttress there didn’t appear to be any winds, although a bit of snow continued to fall. After a speedy breakfast we decided to make moves and head on up the mountain to cache gear somewhere above the fixed lines. Throughout the first few hours of the day we progressed apprehensively, wary of some menacing looking clouds that were lingering higher up on the mountain, but as we cruised up the fixed lines we were treated with warm temperatures and light winds. This enabled us to progress to 16,600 feet to dig a cache to store some gear to support ourselves for our summit bid. After a quick break we turned around and headed back down to 14 Camp where we are now relaxing and waiting to eat some dinner! Spirits are high and we are all looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. RMI Guide JT Schmitt

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The updates and beautiful pictures are greatly appreciated! Such a strong, amazing team! Sending love and prayers! Little 18 month old today Cutest says “auntie, mountain.”

Posted by: Jennifer Adams on 6/1/2019 at 1:39 pm

My god, you’re on top of the world!

Posted by: Jane Baxter on 6/1/2019 at 6:08 am

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Denali Expedition: Gorum and Team Back Carry & Rest

May 31, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,000'

Friday, May 31, 2019 12:14 AM PT Today we went back downhill to gather all of our cached food and gear. We got it all without any noteworthy event. With the rest of the day, we sat around, ate our new snacks, and practiced some techniques for the fixed lines. We’re hoping to carry to the top of the fixed lines tomorrow if weather allows. The forecast is calling for some snow, but light winds. As long as winds stay calm we can probably get it done. We’ll see what we get and check in tomorrow. RMI Guide JM Gorum & Team

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You go, Dad! Hope the knot tying is going swimmingly. Love you!!

Posted by: Jillian Ludwig on 5/31/2019 at 3:11 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Settle in to Camp at 14,200’

May 29, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 14,200'

Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 8:47 PM PT This morning seems like weeks ago. We’re currently settled into our new home at 14 thousand feet, and life is good. Weather cooperated for us all day long, and the team moved quite well. For some reason this camp always seems to have the best weather. A lot of storms that hit 11 and the lower Kahiltna don’t make it this high, and winds that ravage the summit elevations don’t quite make it this low. We’re currently sitting in the sun looking out at a sea of clouds that are certainly covering, and snowing on, our old home. One more reason that we’re happy to be up here. It’s always a hard day getting here, and we’re all ready for dinner and an early bedtime. Tomorrow we’ll walk 500 feet downhill to retrieve our cache, and we’ll spend the rest of the day chilling hard. Until then, the team sends their best to everyone back at home. RMI Guide JM Gorum

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Hey JT I am here watching you, NeeNee

Posted by: carol smith on 5/31/2019 at 7:10 am

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson decide to go on a camping trip. After dinner and a bottle of wine, they lay down for the night, and go to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.

“Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

Watson replied, “I see millions of stars.”

“What does that tell you?”

Watson pondered for a minute.

“Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.”
“Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.”
“Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three.”
“Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant.”
“Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.”
“What does it tell you, Holmes?”

Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke: “Watson, you idiot. Someone has stolen our tent!”

Posted by: skipper holmes on 5/30/2019 at 10:48 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Make a Carry to 13,600’

May 28, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 - 6:29 PM PT We took advantage of calmer weather to carry a load up to 13,600 today. We got to the top of Squirrel Hill, and the clouds looked like they might spoil our day. As we approached Windy Corner the weather completely cleared up and left us with light winds and sunny skies. So that was nice. Everyone did really well today, and we’re hoping to move up to 14K tomorrow, weather permitting. We’re currently hanging out in our sun-warmed tents drying out our gear. We’ll do an early dinner, and head to bed soon. Gotta get that beauty rest. RMI Guide JM Gorum

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Pass time with Pancakes and possible Pull up contest

May 27, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Monday, May 27, 2019 - 6:08 PM PT As expected, the weather did not cooperate for a carry today. So instead of moving uphill we spent the morning making and eating pancakes. We ate breakfast until it was lunch time, ate lunch, and then enjoyed a few hours of sun and clear skies. We shoveled some snow of course, got a little training in, discussed the state of the universe, and I believe that Kirk has been meditating on the meaning of life for much of the day. He is scheduled to give a lecture detailing his enlightenment at dinner. David ate bacon today for the first time in 10 years. He seemed to enjoy it. There is talk of a pull-up contest if the weather doesn’t improve tomorrow, we will see. Dustin is the top seeded contender, but I have no doubt there are some dark horses in our ranks. As we move towards dinner, the snow has returned. Our plan is to get an early-ish start tomorrow and carry to 13,500, but we will see what the weather gives us. Hopefully we wake to clear skies and calm winds tomorrow. RMI Guide JM Gorum

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“ “When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” -Tecumseh”- Kirk Ludwig

Posted by: Jillian Ludwig on 5/28/2019 at 3:36 pm

Sending all you guys clear weather thoughts and big hugs! Hope you’re all doing well! And as far as a pull up contest goes… my money is on JT. Also… give JT a big smooch on the cheek for me, JM! Happy climbing to all!

Posted by: Maddy Emmer on 5/27/2019 at 9:54 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Take Forced Rest Day at 11,000’

May 27, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

Sunday, May 26, 2019 - 11:41 PM PT Well, the storm is here. It snowed all day today. Hard to say exactly how much. It’s ankle deep in some spots, and waist deep in others. We’ve been moving consistently and working hard every day up until now, so this forced rest day wasn’t the worst thing in the world. We spent our time shoveling snow, eating bacon, shoveling snow, reading, shoveling snow, and napping. We will probably wake up in the middle of the night to shovel some more snow. That’s Alaska for ya. It looks like we probably won’t be going anywhere for a few days, but that’s no problem for us. When we finally do get to move we’ll be well rested, and well versed in the art of maintaining camp in a storm. Until tomorrow, the team sends their best. RMI Guide JM Gorum

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Hang in there ‘double dumps’! You’re a day closer to ringing that bell! Cheering for you at home and wishing I were with you!
Randy

Posted by: Randy DeBoer on 5/27/2019 at 1:46 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Build Snow Walls and Fortify Camp at 11,200

May 25, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,200'

Today we woke to more clear skies, but with a hint of wind. We had a quick breakfast and then headed downhill to grab our cache. About twenty minutes of downhill walking got us to all of our gear, and then about an hour and a half of walking uphill got us back to camp. Throughout the day winds increased and snow started to fall, so we didn’t get to relax the afternoon away like we wanted. Instead we spent the second half of our day building snow walls and fortifying our camp. It seems like the weather system that forecasters have been calling for might actually be materializing. That’s no problem for us, as we’ve got a strong camp with all of our gear, so we are prepared to wait for as long as we may need to. We are planning on carrying some gear up to 14,000' Camp tomorrow, but unless the weather improves we will just be resting here at 11,200'. The team sends their best to everyone back home! RMI Guide JM Gorum

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Be safe and smart. Climb smarter not faster. Hope the weather is your friend.

Posted by: William Paul Gagnon on 5/26/2019 at 4:25 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

May 25, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

Friday, May 24, 2019 11:08 PM PT Last night the forecast called for increasing snow and wind, but we woke up this morning to find that to be 100% incorrect. Skies were clear all the way down the Kahiltna and all the way to the summit. We packed up camp early in an attempt to beat the heat, and it worked out pretty well. We got moved in to our new home around 2pm, got a quick nap in, and ate a lot of food. Now we’re all relaxing in our tents and heading towards sleep. It’s always a long day getting up here, but the team handled it with grace and style. Tomorrow we will retrieve our cache that is just downhill. It should be a short day, with a lot of relaxing and resting in the afternoon. Everyone is in good health and good spirits, though a few folks are concerned about NBA results. RMI Guide JM Gorum & Team

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Reading and smiling about this adventure. Love you’re listening to the mountain and her weather and VERY glad you had a beautiful window today. More pics please! Climb on.

Posted by: Jane Gagnon Baxter on 5/25/2019 at 10:22 am

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Carry Gear to 10,000

May 23, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

Thursday, May 23, 2019, 6:17 PM PT We went to sleep last night surrounded by some of the biggest, most beautiful mountains on earth. When we woke up this morning, all we could see was white. Our blue skies had been replaced by clouds and light snow. Luckily, the change in weather did nothing to slow our progress. We rolled out of our tents, packed up what seemed like a totally unreasonable amount of food and gear, and then headed uphill. We hauled our packs and sleds up to 10,000', dug a hole in the snow, and buried all of our things. In a few days time we will be back to retrieve them, and move them farther up hill. After squirreling away our gear, we boogied back down to camp. The team made excellent work of the downhill, which is always a good sing. We are all dried out and are eating burritos now. Not much else to report from the day. The view were minimal. The work was hard. The plan is to go to bed early and move our camp to 11,000' tomorrow if the weather cooperates. Either way, we are having a great time here on the Kahiltna! RMI Guide JM Gorum

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So excited for your good weather and great progress! We are all pulling for great weather going forward and successful climbing

Posted by: Ellen Smith Eaton on 5/25/2019 at 7:28 pm

Thanks for the updates! Love you Dad! Rooting for you and hoping for good weather!

Posted by: Katie Knudsen on 5/24/2019 at 8:11 pm

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Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Fly on and Move to Camp 1

May 23, 2019

Posted by: JM Gorum, JT Schmitt, Dustin Wittmier

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 7,800'

Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 11:30 PM PT Well, we are on the Kahiltna Glacier. We have begun the climb! We flew on early this morning with perfect weather, a smooth ride, and amazing views of the Alaska range. After landing, we consolidated and re-organized our gear, picked up fuel from base camp, rigged our sleds, and started walking. After about five hours of travel time, we arrived at 7800 feet, our first camp on the Kahiltna. After setting up tents and building a kitchen we moved into an early dinner. We’re going to try to wake up a little on the early side tomorrow. Our plan is to carry a load up to 10,000 feet. Hopefully, with an early start, we can be back down in camp hiding from the sun during the hottest part of the day. Everyone did really well today despite the warm temps and heavy loads. We’ll check back in tomorrow afternoon. RMI Guides JM Gorum, JT Schmitt and Dustin Wittmier

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Excited and happy for the team’s smooth start! Appreciate and look forward to the updates! Positive thoughts and prayers for all! We love you B!

Posted by: Jennifer Adams on 5/24/2019 at 10:31 pm

Praying for reasonable weather. Sending all kinds of love, especially to JT!

Posted by: Wendy Emmer on 5/24/2019 at 6:45 am

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Entries By dustin wittmier

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Take a Cache to 16,600’

Denali Expedition: Gorum and Team Back Carry & Rest

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Settle in to Camp at 14,200’

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Make a Carry to 13,600’

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Pass time with Pancakes and possible Pull up contest

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Take Forced Rest Day at 11,000’

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Build Snow Walls and Fortify Camp at 11,200

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Move to 11,000’ Camp

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Carry Gear to 10,000

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Gorum & Team Fly on and Move to Camp 1

On The Map

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