Entries By emma lyddan
May 20, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
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Saturday, May 20, 2023 8:36am PDT
We kept the proverbial ball rolling yesterday and established a cache at 13,700', above Windy Corner. The weather was remarkably hot Yesterday, a marked change from the previous two weeks we've been in AK. The icy slopes of Squirrel Hill & Windy Corner were mostly Slushy by the time we descended them in the afternoon. And today we are back to some snow and wind. Bizzarro.
Anyway, we're resting and acclimating today, with hopes of moving camp up to Genet Basin at 14,200' tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team
May 19, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
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Thursday, May 18, 2023 10:40pm PDT
The weather finally cooperated with us, and we were able to make the move to 11,200'. Everyone did great pulling heavy sleds. We're currently cozy in our tents and looking forward to a good night's rest. If the weather is nice tomorrow, we're hoping to put a cache In above Windy Corner. We'll let you know what we find tomorrow.
RMI Guides Mike, Abby, Emma & Team
Yayyy!! Some progress, hope the weather is good for you all again today.
Posted by: Kim on 5/19/2023 at 12:27 pm
Great Scott, that is a lot of snow
Y’all got this !
Posted by: Kim H on 5/19/2023 at 11:07 am
May 18, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,400'
Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 8:31 am PT
Yesterday's weather started out looking pretty decent, but it shut down pretty quickly and we were forced to remain tent bound. This morning is much nicer and we should finally be able to move to 11,200' Camp. We'll check in again soon, hopefully from up higher.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Yayyy! Good weather God’s have arrived, hopefully for a few days
Posted by: Kim on 5/18/2023 at 9:41 am
May 17, 2023
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 11,000'
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - 7:54 pm PT
The forecast was for this weather system to begin to clear out today, and when we got up this morning we were hopeful that the trend was going in the right direction. We could see down below, had sunshine in camp, though it was still plenty windy. We dragged our feet to make sure it kept getting better by making a blueberry pancake breakfast. As we enjoyed that we listened to the wind get stronger and watched the tent get darker as clouds pushed up and we lost the sun. We continued to kick the can and see if we would get a chance to head downhill and grab our cache, but it continued to deteriorate. Eventually we pulled the plug and went to our weather day rhythm of tent hang, reading, cards, etc. Over dinner the sun finally poked back out so hopefully this system is finally moving out and we'll get our shot tomorrow.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
May 17, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,400'
Tuesday, May 17, 2023 - 4:07 PM PT
Our team is still hunkered down at 9,400' in a blizzard. At least 2 feet of snow has fallen,with lots of drifting. Visibility is near zero. We're safe and trying to remain positive from the confines of our tents. The weather forecast hints at a break in the storm tomorrow. Our fingers are crossed that things ease up and we'll be able to make some upward progress soon.
We'll keep you posted!
The sun came out today- so I am hoping you were able to climb! Keep going! Thinking of all of you! Sending some serious good vibes toward the mountain! Be well! Susan
Posted by: Susan on 5/17/2023 at 7:07 pm
All the Rotarians from Lee’s Summit Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club are cheering the entire Walter team including fellow Rotarian, Scott Crist. Conquer the mountain….stay the course….get home safely.
Posted by: Elaine Metcalf on 5/17/2023 at 10:38 am
May 16, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,400'
Monday, May 15, 2023 - 5:00 PM PT
We've been tentbound all day today in a storm, so not much to report. We delivered delicious breakfast burritos to our climbers in their sleeping bags, and we're all safe and comfortable in our tents. That's all the news to report from the Kahiltna Glacier!
Hello Scott! LS Sunrise is all behind you on what sounds to be a very intense journey.
All good things to you and your party and we are pulling for you all. Hoping the summit is all you dreamed of and worked so hard to achieve.
Posted by: Bob Paradise on 5/16/2023 at 6:11 pm
Plz post breakfast burrito recipe!
Posted by: Brian W. on 5/16/2023 at 10:47 am
May 15, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,400'
Sunday, May 14, 2023 - 7:40 pm PT
Today started out sunny & beautiful but it didn't turn out that way. Above Ski Hill a full blown arctic blizzard blew in fiercely. Navigating by gps in a full white out, wearing parkas and goggles, we even struggled to find our cache from yesterday. Setting camp was epic, but we did it. So we're safe in our tents now and we'll weather out the rest of the storm here if need be.
Full on Alaska!
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Greetings from Oklahoma!! A huge birthday shout out to my awesome brother, Scott Crist!! Hope you’ve had an amazing day. Prayers for a continued safe climbing adventure and journey to the summit!! Can’t wait to see pictures from the top!!
Posted by: Danna Littau on 5/15/2023 at 3:17 pm
May 14, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Sunday, May 14, 2023 - 10:13 AM PT
Just a quick note this morning to wish all of our mothers a happy day today! We'll check in again from our next camp.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Happy birthday, Scott Crist! Best birthday, ever, on the side of a mountain! Wishing you and the team a sunshiny, beautiful day of climbing.
Posted by: Cynthia Anderson on 5/15/2023 at 5:32 am
Wish the team a great adventure. May all luck and good weather be on your side.
Posted by: Susan Losonsky on 5/15/2023 at 3:59 am
May 13, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 8:12 pm PT
We carried loads of food and fuel up above Ski Hill today, and we're now back at camp. The weather wasn't terribly friendly today, with 10-20' visibility all day. Currently we're enjoying sunshine and beautiful views as the clouds finally dissipated. We're about to eat dinner and cash out for the night. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to move camp higher.
We will be sure to check in again soon.
May 13, 2023
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Emma Lyddan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
Our team is doing well, getting used to our new home on the glacier. Yesterday we moved from Basecamp to just shy of Ski Hill. It's a bit snowy this morning, but that shouldn't thwart our plans to carry a cache of supplies up to around 9,500'-10,000'.
We will keep you posted on our progress.
Thanks for checking in.
RMI Guide Mike Walter and team.
If anyone wants a good margarita while they’re up there, don’t hesitate to ask Brett!
Posted by: Brian W. on 5/13/2023 at 11:01 am
So stoked to see you all moving up and being able to make progress in your weather windows! Great work team! Climb on!
Posted by: Rae Anglen on 5/21/2023 at 6:32 am
Well done, team! Strong work! You have braved some serious conditions! Alaska! So impressive! Keep going! If you hear some noise in the distance- it’s probably me cheering for all of you from a Talkeetna! Keep climbing! You got this! Cheers! Susan!
Posted by: Susan on 5/21/2023 at 1:37 am
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