Entries By jenny konway

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 17,000’ Camp Ready to Summit

June 1, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,000'

May 31, 2017 Hey, this is Pete Van Deventer. The wait is finally over we left 14,000' Camp this morning perfect guys one of the nicest mornings we have woken up to yet. We got out early before this sun hit 14 Camp and beat the rest of camp out too. Along with Mike Walter's Team we made the track up to fix lines along the West Buttress and up to our 17,000' Camp. It's a beautiful day, we are looking way down the Kahiltna Glacier with super clear skies. We really couldn't ask for much more it is warm and calm. We are all really excited and it looks like it's going to hold tomorrow. So the plan in the morning is to get up and head for the summit. We will let everybody know how that goes. The forecast looks good and conditions here look good, and the route as we can see it looks good. So everything is working in our favor at the moment. We look forward to talking to everybody tomorrow. Bye. RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer checks in from 17,000 ft Camp on Denali.

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Good luck guys.

Hope you have a speedy ascent and clear skies.

Enjoy the moment Mark and Rach.

James

Posted by: James on 6/1/2017 at 4:55 pm

Gutted I’m not with you all. I wish each and every one of you a safe and successful summit attempt. Take care, Andy from Scotland.

Posted by: Andy mcronald on 6/1/2017 at 3:04 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy the Views

May 31, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000

May 30, 2017 We woke up to an unexpected foot of fresh snow this morning and unable to see the Buttress above us, let alone many of our camp neighbors. Our initial plans to head uphill became questionable at best, but we crawled out of our warm tents for some breakfast burritos and hoped for a change in the weather. The skies eventually cleared and the sun began to warm the basin, but the winds persisted up high long enough to set our sights on tomorrow. Anxious to stretch our legs, we took advantage of the warm afternoon with a short walk to the "Edge of the World" for some spectacular views of the Alaska Range. The sun brightened spirits and kept folks lingering outside their tents all afternoon to soak it up before dinner. It was a much needed lift to prepare us for our uphill push tomorrow to 17 camp and on to the highest point in North America. RMI Guides Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway, Pete Van Deventer and team

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Waiting for Break

May 29, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

May 29, 2017 There isn't a whole lot new to report today. The winds started to dissipate late last night into this morning. There were still some gusty bursts that swirled snow into the air, enveloping those unlucky enough to be caught out in them. But as the morning progressed, the air calmed down, and the sun started to break though. Our brief respite of sunshine was short lived, as a 20,000' wall of cloud crept slowly towards us, finally enveloping us and triggering peaceful snowfall. It has snowed lightly for much of the day, but the wind seems to have relented for now, and the forecast seems to show our window appearing in the next couple of days. We'll be excited when it does! RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Jenny and team

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Made it down to base camp Tuesday morning at about 12:05 AM. You may have heard we endured some unexpected weather on the way down. But it looks like everything is starting to change. Sunny skies at Base this morning after almost 2-weeks of less than optimal conditions. Beautiful flight out. I’m rooting for you all!!!. Stay strong and get this done!!!

Joel

Posted by: Joel on 5/30/2017 at 10:43 pm

Thinking of everyone, especially our nephew, Peter Bilodeau. Prayers for safety & success!
With love,
Aunt Ann & Uncle Dave

Posted by: Ann Douglas on 5/30/2017 at 1:22 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Wait out the Weather

May 29, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jenny Konway, Jess Matthews

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

May 28, 2017 Though the moisture and winds we've been sitting through were forecasted to dissipate today, Denali had other plans. We haven't seen much all day due to blowing snow and gusty winds. For the brief period that we went over to the ranger tent for a visit, the max gusts hit 42 mph. We made the best of it by inviting Mike's team over for breakfast burritos. Tent fever spurred a lively and long lived game of "heads up." The weather this evening explained our current situation: a low pressure center moving to the NW of the mountain, and frontal passage over the mountain. Things should settle out once the front passes, and once Denali gives the OK, we're ready to take advantage. Until then, we'll listen to the wind blow. RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Jenny and Team

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer &Team Create a Weather Day Rhyme

May 27, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jenny Konway, Jess Matthews

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Hello everyone! Today we rose early, before the sun. It was darn cold out, but we still woke everyone. We ate blueberry pancakes with maple sauce, Man they were delicious and they were the boss! We were hoping for good weather, to carry to 17. But the mountain above us remained unseen. We chatted with our neighbors and told some jokes, Man those guys are funny blokes! Tomorrow we'll see what the weather brings. Hopefully that old sunshine comes out and sings! RMI Guide Jenny and The camp 14 Hiphopapotomus

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The extent some will go to to have such a breakfast -amazing. Frostbite not nice - hope those Koreans not too serious. We also find your waiting game frustrating - maybe tomorrow lots of sunshine, no snow or wind. Current camp is getting crowded - good to share experiences with other teams.Always look forward to your next report. - take care and safe climbing.P andV.

Posted by: Phil and Vonne Calvert on 5/27/2017 at 6:16 pm

Go Rachel and Mark!! We’re cheering you on from balmy Houston, Texas! Thanks for the updates - makes for nice breaks from chasing the tots. You two are amazing!

Posted by: Kate Patrick on 5/27/2017 at 6:08 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Wait out the Weather

May 26, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000

May 25, 2017 We had the sun this morning, but a large cloud cap over the summit convinced us to wait another day to carry. It was a great day to let the tents bake, dry wet items, and people watch around camp. We capped it with a dinner of quinoa, lentils, kale, and squash in a red wine, bouillon, and Dijon reduction. It was a nice to have some fresher tasting food after 12 days on the mountain. Hopefully we wake to clear skies tomorrow and get our cache on above! RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Jenny and team

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Take a Weather Day

May 25, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000

May 24, 2017 Well, the Denali storm has arrived (we are calling it the Horiskey storm). We woke to snow this morning, and as the day had progressed, the winds have strengthened. Lots of snow is moving around camp, and being out of a tent is really unpleasant. So we've stayed in the tents. Our cook tent is nice and tight, and our individual tents were occupied with napping, music, and reading. The storm is supposed to peak tomorrow, so probably more of the same in store. Our walls are strong, our sleeping bags warm, and our bellies full, so all in all, life is good. RMI Guides Pete, Jess, Jenny and team

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy First Full Rest Day

May 24, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000

May 23, 2017 We took our first full rest day at 14. The winds were moving snow up high, but it was a pretty glorious day here in Genet Basin. We spent the day improving our walls for winds that are forecasted to huff and puff, and also practiced for our eventual trip up the fixed lines. Mike Walter's team challenged us to a jeopardy game this evening, and we're happy to report that we took the prize, with a score of 200 to 0 (though both teams spent a long time in the negative area). We'll see what tomorrow brings. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway and team

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Jordan!

Looks like you and the team are doing well, hope you had a good rest day. Seriously though stop being lazy and get to the top of the mountain! Miss seeing you, stay safe, and don’t worry the sky isn’t falling around here without you.

Regards,

Posted by: TJ Burns on 5/24/2017 at 7:38 pm

Such an amazing experience for you all. I am a friend of Joel Broder’s friend, Susie Okun. She was talking about your hike today and hooked me up with your blog. The pictures are beautiful. You must be having an incredible time! Enjoy and be safe. XO

Posted by: Jackie Mossman on 5/24/2017 at 2:59 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Sitting Comfortably at 14,000’ Camp

May 23, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000

Yesterday's hard day of work left everyone tired, and nearly everyone slept really hard last night. We woke up late, lingered over a breakfast of pancakes, and then set to work improving our camp. We put up some big walls to keep out the wind, and built a nice covered toilet to keep things comfortable. With the project finished, we ate a quick lunch, then strolled downhill to retrieve our cache. We're in really good shape now, with a well fortified camp and all of our belongings here with us. Now, we wait for our opportunity. We'll be in touch, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway, and team

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Greetings from South Carolina. You can do this…. Think of some place warm. No seriously proud of you and glad your getting the chance to have this great experience. Happy hiking. And to quote the Hunger Games “May the odds be ever in your favor”

Posted by: Crystal's mom :) on 5/24/2017 at 7:47 pm

Jordan,

The next days will be extreme in every way but I know you will get to the top of that hill. May the force be with you!

Grampa

Posted by: Edward Foss on 5/24/2017 at 6:10 pm

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 14,000’ Camp

May 22, 2017

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

May 21, 2017 We had another pretty perfect day for climbing in Alaska, and we made full use of it to get up to 14,000' and dig in a new camp. It was pleasantly warm and light clouds kept it from totally frying us. After maneuvering around some initial traffic on Squirrel Hill, we were able to hit cruise control and roll past our cache from two days ago. Once at 14,000' Camp came the arduous task of digging new tent platforms and a kitchen. Our task tomorrow is to retrieve our cache and build some really, really big walls. It sounds like we've got a stronger weather system headed our way this week, so we'll prep to wait it out. RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Jenny Konway, Jess Matthews and team

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Wow, Most amazing journey ever!! Good luck for the last but….. Love to the Calvert’s. Hendrik and Natasha.

Posted by: Hendrik Muller on 5/22/2017 at 8:32 pm

Glad to hear all is well. I worry so much about you guys. Stay safe. See you soon.

All my love mom

Posted by: Melinda on 5/22/2017 at 12:48 pm

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Entries By jenny konway

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 17,000’ Camp Ready to Summit

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy the Views

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Waiting for Break

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Wait out the Weather

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer &Team Create a Weather Day Rhyme

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Wait out the Weather

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Take a Weather Day

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Enjoy First Full Rest Day

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Sitting Comfortably at 14,000’ Camp

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Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Move to 14,000’ Camp

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