Entries By mike walter
June 27, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Daniel May, Raymond Holt, Felipe Guarderas
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 7,500'
The Kautz Seminar June 23 - 28 led by RMI Guides Mike Walter, Daniel May, Raymond Holt and Felipe Guarderas have enjoyed their week of training, climbing and learning. Conditions on the mountain did not allow them to make a summit attempt but the team was all in for the training they could complete and maybe had a little fun in the process.
Thanks for sharing your time with us in the mountains!
PC: Tim Holt
June 13, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Drew O’Brien, Michael Murray, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
After several days of training and climbing, the Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons team reached the summit of Mt. Rainier yesterday via the Emmons Glacier. The team reported high winds overnight and delayed their departure from Camp Schurman. Winds abated and they had a nice climb to the summit. The team returned to Camp Schurman for their final night on the mountain. This morning they will break camp, descend to the trail head and return to Ashford.
Congratulations to the team!
PC: Drew O'Brien
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
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
May 19, 2024
Posted by: Mike Walter, Jess Wedel, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
We're resting in camp today. It's cloudy and snowing lightly. There's a big lenticular cloud cap up high. Our plan is to practice fixed rope travel in camp today and hopefully put in a cache at high camp tomorrow if the weather allows. We'll keep you posted.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Sign Up For Denali Expedition, May 5, 2024 Emails
Go, Nick, go!!! We love you and are cheering you on! Can’t wait to celebrate your summit and return home.
Love, Spauldings one & all!
Posted by: Sharon Spaulding on 5/21/2024 at 10:47 am
We love reading these blog posts! Thank you so much for sending and keeping the team safe. Tell Nick Roberts we love him.
Posted by: Kathie Roberts on 5/20/2024 at 3:53 pm
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
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