Entries By jess wedel
June 24, 2024
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Jess Wedel, Joey Manship, George Hedreen, Bailey Servais, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb June 20 - 24 led by RMI Guides Ben Luedtke and Jess Wedel reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 6:45 am. The team enjoyed clear, sunny skies but a good bit of wind. There were able to spend an hour on the summit and started their descent from the crater rim around 8 am. Once back at Camp Muir the teams will take a short break, pack up their gear and descend the remaining 4.5 miles Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
June 17, 2024
Posted by: Andy Bond, Jess Wedel, Charlie Harrison, Will Ambler, Layne Peters, Rosie Hust
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Five Day Climb reached Camp Muir after what we deemed “the spiciest snowfield ascent ever”. We worked together in high winds and low visibility to stay warm and keep climbing. After a night of higher winds, colder temperatures and more snow, we opted to do some training at Camp Muir. We started the morning with some avalanche basics culminating in digging pits to assess snow instability. The results weren’t promising so as a team we made the safe, but hard, choice not to ascend any higher. The sun came out and we spent the day learning snow anchors, crevasse rescue and taking in the beautiful views from Camp Muir.
We’ll begin our descent to Paradise this morning and conclude our program this afternoon. All in all, this team unified in tough conditions to have an incredible climbing experience.
RMI Guides Andy Bond and Jess Wedel
PC: Jess Wedel
Amazing Experience! Jess, Andy and all the Guides were phenomenal as they kept us safe and maintained High Spirits and PMA throughout a “Ghost Pepper Spicy” day.. Can’t wait to share pics and stay connected! Couldn’t have picked a better group of people for a truly Epic Adventure! Thank you RMI !
Posted by: Doug Thompson on 6/18/2024 at 11:24 am
“The summit is what drives us, but the climb itself is what matters.”
Couldn’t have asked for a better team to be with on a trip, summit or no summit. Hootah!!!
Posted by: Raleigh Hobson on 6/17/2024 at 8:21 pm
June 9, 2024
Posted by: James Bealer, Jess Wedel, Ben Thorneycroft, George Hedreen, Hannah Billings, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 6 - 9 led by RMI Guides James Bealer & Jess Wedel reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. At 7 am, they were starting their descent from the crater rim.
Congratulations climbers!
Congratulations Team and a shout out to Cary idler! Have a safe trip coming down!
Posted by: Tammi idler on 6/25/2024 at 8:46 pm
Congratulations! It’s an amazing accomplishment and team work!
Posted by: Tammi Idler on 6/20/2024 at 7:49 am
May 27, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,000'
Monday, May 27, 2024 - 9:30 am PT
Yesterday, we got the weather window we needed and on day 20 of this expedition, we stood on the summit of Denali.
What a day it was! We dawned all our gear (every layer! Brrr!) and were one of the first teams on the route. We climbed the Autobahn and took our first break in the sun. Up through Zebra rocks and onward we went. The clouds were below us and the views were beyond beautiful. A little breeze picked up as we crossed the Football Field and looking up at the summit ridge, we thought it might be too windy. But by the time we made it to the top of Pig Hill, at the start of the summit ridge, the winds had died down and we carried on.
Quick photos and celebrations and “I can’t wait to tell my wife! my family! my friends!” sounded among our team. We know we wouldn’t be here without all the support of so many of you at home and we can’t wait to share more stories when we get back.
We’ll begin our descent today - after coffee and hot drinks, we’ll head down to 14,000' Camp, pack up all our gear and try to descend to 11,000' Camp tonight. With hopes to walk to the airstrip tomorrow!
With big full hearts,
RMI Guides Jess, Mike, Michael and the Denali #1 climbing team
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
We are so very happy for your success! I’m so happy that our son Nick had the opportunity to go with your group and know that it had to be a journey for a lifetime for everybody involved! The Roberts
Posted by: Kathie Roberts on 5/27/2024 at 2:39 pm
Way to go! Congratulations to all!
Love Spaulding’s!
Posted by: Sharon Spaulding on 5/27/2024 at 12:11 pm
May 27, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 20,310'
The RMI Denali Expedition May 5th led by RMI Guides Mike Walter, Jess Wedel and Michael Murray reached the summit of Denali on Sunday, May 26th. The team safely returned to High Camp, 17,000', after a 12 hour round trip climb. After some much deserved rest they will begin the descent, returning to Kahiltna Base Camp and then onto Talkeetna.
Congratulations team!
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
Congratulations!!! Well done. Glad all are safe. What an unbelievable accomplishment. Thank you for “including us” on your remarkable adventure. Amazing.
Posted by: Bruce Wilhelm on 5/27/2024 at 8:56 am
May 25, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,000'
Saturday, May 25, 2024 - 4:39 pm PT
Well, today didn’t go as planned but it was still a helpful day on our journey to reach the summit of Denali. We woke to high winds above us, deemed it too windy for a safe summit attempt and chose to take a rest day at 17,000' Camp. The sun came out this afternoon and we all enjoyed sitting outside our tents resting, hydrating and taking in the views.
All the guide teams are working together up here and Mike lead a crew of guides up the Autobahn (a long stretch of climbing right out of camp) this afternoon. They checked out conditions and put in work shoveling and digging out pickets so that it’s in good shape for tomorrow.
We are all watching the weather closely and so hopeful tomorrow will be our summit day.
Here we go!
RMI Guides Jess Wedel, Mike Walter, Michael Murray and the Denali team
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
You are all so amazing! Sara you are so astonishing! I can’t wait to see the pictures. Summit!!!
Posted by: Becky Killian on 5/26/2024 at 7:57 pm
Stay safe up there, team! And pls tell Nick Roberts his Unc B is rooting for him!
Posted by: Unc B on 5/26/2024 at 6:34 pm
May 25, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,000'
Friday, May 24, 2024 11:30pm PDT
We moved to High Camp in great weather today. Seven hours of climbing and hours more of building camp has everyone a bit tuckered. We'll check the weather in the morning and decide about going for the summit.
RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
Big hello and hugs to Jill from all of the Bons! Best wishes on your summit push you stud. We love you!
Posted by: Amanda Stone on 5/25/2024 at 4:15 pm
May 23, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 12:38 pm PT
It's a sunny day at 14,000' Camp with thick clouds below and strong winds above. We'll be resting again today, continuing to get stronger for our summit push. Weather models seem to be in agreement that improving conditions this weekend will usher in the first big wave of summit attempts of the season. We're in position to take advantage when we get our shot. We'll keep you posted.
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
We’re cheering you all on!
Posted by: Sharon Spaulding on 5/24/2024 at 4:32 pm
We are so excited for the team! I hope all goes well in our prayers are with you!
Posted by: Kathie Roberts on 5/23/2024 at 5:39 pm
May 22, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:23 pm PDT
We're resting again at 14k. We're in the sun, but the cloud deck is just below us. And strong winds continue to ravage the upper mountain above us. After a lengthy brunch, our team spent a few hours building snow walls to fortify camp. We're hopeful that the weather change we're looking for will arrive by the weekend so we can make a summit push. Signs are optimistic and our team's spirits are high.
RMI Guide Mike Walter and Team
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
You are almost there!!! Patience and the time will be there before you know it! We are with you.
Posted by: Bruce Wilhelm on 5/22/2024 at 7:53 pm
Stay safe out there!
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 5/22/2024 at 5:19 pm
May 21, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
We had good weather yesterday and climbed to High Camp (17,200') to establish a cache. Twelve hours round trip back to 14,000' Camp deserves a rest day today as we wait for a weather window for a summit push. We'll touch base again tomorrow.
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
So fun to read about your progress up that beast of a mountain. We’re thinking about you all, a lot, and hope you find a treasure on the summit. Thanks for your amazing spirits and sending lots of love from VT! Stay safe and have fun.
Tracy and Bruce
Posted by: Tracy and Bruce WIlhelm on 5/22/2024 at 10:01 am
Great job to all! Shout out to Pouliot. He is supposed to take pictures to bring home & our most pressing issue at home is that the exchanger by Darla failed on Mon and Tue.)
Posted by: scott robertson on 5/21/2024 at 12:36 pm
Guys sorry I was too sick to go with you, but boy am I proud of all of you! So nice to have met you all! Best of luck on your new adventures! God Bless until next time! Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Frampton on 6/26/2024 at 10:05 am
Congratulations!!! I’m hoping for the same fortunes in 2 weeks with my son!
Posted by: Scott Redfern on 6/25/2024 at 1:34 pm
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