Entries By mike haugen
June 18, 2017
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Gloria Roe
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,600'
June 17, 2017
We've made it! To
Camp 2! It was early, it was snowy, and it was sloggy but we made it! We left camp at 3:45 this morning to stick with our nocturnal schedule and to avoid the post holey conditions. Lucky for us the snow had firmed up and the walking was primo. The visibility on the other hand was little to none, and our only views were those of the rope teams in front of us. We made a few discoveries along the way, for instance uphill travel is much easier without your sled break on! After a few more hours, the occasional bump in the road, and a fair amount of pressure breathing, we pulled into the white expanse of Camp 2. I wish I could tell you views were beautiful but I'll have to wait until the sun comes out! We're now all cozied up in our tents, enjoying some R&R, before a tasty meal of Horiskey Mac and Cheese!
The memories of the slow ascent of Ski Hill are already fading and we are setting our sights on moving to 11,000' tomorrow. Spirits are high and backs are strong!
Until tomorrow,
RMI Guide MIke Haugen and crew
On The Map
June 17, 2017
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Gloria Roe
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
June 16, 2017 10:02 pm PST
Greetings from Camp 1 on
Denali!
Today the team took an early morning stroll up the Kahiltna, only mildly inconvenienced by absurdly large packs and sleds packed with all the supplies as food we'll need for the next several weeks. Traveling with so much weight takes some getting used to, and everyone is doing a great job adapting to the new systems in play. We arrived at the base of Ski Hill in a heavy snow fall, but after a much needed afternoon nap the sun came out and we were able to get a good view of our spectacular surroundings.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, the plan is to walk uphill some more! With any luck, we'll be checking in from 9,600' tomorrow night.
In Horiskey we trust,
RMI Guides Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, and Gloria Roe
On The Map
June 15, 2017
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Gloria Roe
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
June 15, 2017
Every once in a while in the mountains, things work out juuust right.
Our team woke up today in Talkeetna to bright blue skies, a view of the high one from town, and a scheduled flight in to the
Kahiltna Glacier at 9:00 AM. And just like that, after a full breakfast, we found ourselves waving goodbye to the greenery of the Alaskan low country and saying hello to the towering masses of ice, rock, and snow that make up the Alaska Range.
The team took full advantage of the clear weather on the flight in to snap photos and marvel at the jaw dropping scenery. And then before we knew it, we were digging in camp at 7,300 feet at Kahiltna Base Camp. We passed a relaxing day snacking, sorting out our gear, and brushing up on glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills. After a tasty burrito dinner, we have finally settled in to our tents to get horizontal before an anticipated early morning push up to ski hill camp tomorrow.
Mount Horiskey, here we come!
Love to all,
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
The
Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise led by RMI Guide
Mike Haugen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Mike said that it is a "BEAUTIFUL day" on the summit of Mt. Rainier. Mike also reported that 100% of the team reached the summit. The team began their descent before 8:00 a.m. PDT. We are excited to see them in Ashford this afternoon and hear stories of their adventure!
Congratulations climbers!!
July 22, 2016
Posted by: Mike Haugen
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The
Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz, led by
Mike Haugen, spent the week training as they built up to their summit push. With an alpine start from their high camp on the Kautz Glacier, the team began their quest. They accomplished their summit goal just after 7:00 a.m. this morning and then began their descent via the Disappointment Cleaver Route. Mike reported moderate winds and snow. The team will make their way back to Ashford later today.
The
Four Day Summit Climb Teams for July 13 - 16 led by
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer and Mike Haugen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They reported clear skies with winds around 20 mph and an over all great day. Both teams were beginning their descent from the crater rim around 7 am.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
July 2, 2016 - 1:23 am PT
We were very lucky to fly off the glacier yesterday since the weather closed in on
Denali and may have prevented us from flying for days. We spent a celebratory evening in rainy Talkeetna thankful for not being stuck in snowy Basecamp!
After the long process of sorting, cleaning, and drying all of the gear it takes to get to the top of such a huge mountain, we paused to thank each other over a meal that did not require mixing with hot water or adding copious amounts of cheese to maximize calories. It really was an amazing team that assembled two weeks ago in Anchorage and made a smooth ascent of the
highest mountain in North America. The team was very strong and had a great attitude that allowed them to experience an amazing, windless summit and a seamless two-day descent back to base camp and ski planes that almost beat us to the glacier landing strip.
Thank you for the great expedition El Siete!
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
June 30, 2016 12:55 pm PDT
RMI Guide Mike Haugen and team have landed safely in Talkeetna, AK after a successful summit of Denali. They are happy to return to civilization where warm showers and much celebration will be in store.
Congratulations to the entire team!
June 30, 2016
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 11,000'
June 29, 2016 - 11:04 pm PT
As is the way with climbing, we barely had time to dwell on our summit success before it was time to start thinking about getting off the hill safely. We woke up after a frigid night at 17K and immediately began packing up to head downhill. Our descent took us down the
West Buttress proper, and by the time we started down the fixed lines the late morning solar energy had most of the team roasting in single layers. Talk about freeze or fry! We took a brief break at 14 camp to pick up cached gear, and then began the long march down to 11 camp with sleds in tow. Along the way, we had the pleasure of crossing paths with Dave Hahn and company on their way to 14. For now, we are tucked in to bed at 11 camp, where we hope to catch a few hours of sleep before starting the long walk back to the airstrip.
Buenas noches,
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
June 29, 2016
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,000'
June 29, 2016 - 1:23 am PT
We are all safe and sound back at high camp after an amazing summit day. I am proud to report that all members of our team made it to the highest peak in North America! The day started out cold but
Denali was kind to us. It turned out to be a clear and sunny day with very little wind...a rarity on this big mountain. We were just under 12 hours round trip from High Camp including a long time on the top taking pictures and enjoying our success.
We are gong to try to get up early and start our decent back to thicker air. Hopefully the weather cooperates like it has over the last few days!
Congratulations to the June 14th Denali Expedition Team!
RMI Guide Mike Haugen
On The Map
Previous Page
Next Page
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Marc and Chris,
Thinking of you two on your adventure! Hope you’re having a blast!
-Marcia
Posted by: Marcia on 6/19/2017 at 12:17 pm
Love you Gloria!
Posted by: Michelle W on 6/18/2017 at 9:23 pm
View All Comments