×

Log In

Need an RMI account? Create an account

Register With Us

Already have an account?

*required fields

The password must meet the following criteria:

  • At least 8 characters
  • At least 1 lowercase letter
  • At least 1 uppercase letter
  • At least 1 number
  • At least 1 symbol (allowed symbols: !?@#$%^&/*()[]{}><,.+-=;)

Keep up to date with information about our latest climbs by joining our mailing list. Sign up and we'll keep you informed about new adventures, special offers, competitions, and news.
Privacy Policy

×
×

Check Availability

RMI Logo

Entries By mike walter


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Staying Put at 14k Camp

We went to bed with clear skies and a forecast for 12-18" of snow overnight. The clear skies persisted overnight and we didn't get any new snow. There is a lenticular cloud on top of Denali today, indicating strong winds. We're also seeing snow blowing off of the West Buttress between the top of the fixed ropes and high camp. The current winds and the increased avalanche hazard from yesterday's foot of snow are keeping us at 14k for another day. The sunny weather at camp today is welcome, and is helping to keep our spirits high. It looks like some better weather is approaching for the weekend, and we're hoping we'll be able to take a crack at the summit then. With any luck, we'll be able to move to high camp tomorrow and be in position for the arrival of the more favorable weather. We'll keep you posted! RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Stan - Hope you & Team have continued success today.  Talked with your Mom yesterday.  She is doing well.

Posted by: Jerry & Kay on 6/29/2012 at 7:11 am

Where at are you buttercup? Busch beer and mayonnaise sandwiches since you’ve been gone. My kids are starving!!

Posted by: Sunshine on 6/29/2012 at 5:06 am


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Cozy at 14K Camp

Hello again from 14,200'. It's snowing right now, and it snowed all last night. There's only about 6" of accumulation so far, bur more is expected today and tomorrow. The good news is that there isn't any wind here at 14k, and we're all comfortable and cozy in our camp. We're still in a holding pattern, waiting for decent weather to move up to high camp and be in position for a summit bid when the current weather pushes out. In the mean time, we're getting plenty of rest here at camp. Everyone is patiently awaiting better weather, although we're all a little antsy for some exercise and a chance to move higher. We'll keep you posted... RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hi John, Talked with Dee - happy times - Paul and I are spending our time picturing all of us having dinner together!!!  So glad to be able to feel in contact.  Many Blessings to all of you - take care and God Bless.  Jackie and Pal

Posted by: Jackie Winchell on 6/29/2012 at 8:38 am

Hope you don’t have too much snow removal to do from your camp and that the weather settles into perfect climbing weather very soon.  The kids say HI to their Daddy, Lee!

Posted by: Di on 6/27/2012 at 11:09 am


Mt. McKinley: Mike Walter & Team Resting at 14 Camp

After a nice evening of sunshine, we awoke again today to light snow and wind, and very limited visibility. Again, this is fine with us as we could use another rest day before moving to high camp at over 17,000'. The weather forecast this morning indicated that we may see some significant snow tomorrow, before this system moves out later in the week. We're all enjoying some down time, but we are eager to climb higher also. Patience is paramount as we sit in this holding pattern. We'll keep you posted with our progress with regular updates. If anybody out there can pull some strings and hook us up with perfect, sunny and warm weather for our summit bid, we'll buy you a beer when we get back to civilization! Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Stan et al—Snow!  I would love to see snow, right now! I hope you are not too bored and are able to read and rest!  The scenery looks very nice. We are fine.  Take care, love me

Posted by: Betsy on 6/26/2012 at 1:04 pm

We are watching and hoping for more sun and clear weather. Patience is a good thing…wish I had some but you are making great progress and soon you will summit! Love from your Vermont buddies.

Posted by: Helen and Mike Bridgewater on 6/26/2012 at 11:19 am


Mt. McKinley:  Walter & Team Rest at 14 Camp

We're having a relaxing day, lounging around in our tents, resting, eating, and sleeping after a tasty breakfast of smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwiches. The weather today started off cloudy and snowing lightly, but currently the clouds have dropped below us and we're enjoying some sunshine up here at 14,000'. We're currently in a holding pattern, waiting for a good weather window to move to high camp and make a summit bid. Based on the current forecast, it looks like we may take another rest day tomorrow to let this unsettled weather pass. That's OK with us, as we are welcoming the rest and time to acclimate further. The weather forecast looks good in a few days, so we'll hope that verifies. Until then, we're in chill mode. We'll keep you posted with any news from our end. RMI Guide Mike Walter
Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lee,

Enjoy every moment. Would be awesome to take in that much of creation’s beauty…so untouched by humans.  Can’t to see your photos. We are praying for your safety.  love the Ortmeiers:)

Posted by: maren ortmeier on 7/2/2012 at 5:23 am

Great to hear some news!  I will certainly be praying for you, Lee, and all your compatriots.  You’re as high now as I’ve ever gotten . . .  keep going!  I can only imagine what it actually looks like seeing it with one’s own eyes.  And I suppose the Creator must be bigger than this, since He made it!  :-}

Posted by: Fr Paul Duchschere on 6/28/2012 at 8:45 am


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Cache Above the Fixed Lines

We're all in our sleeping bags after a good day of climbing. We carried a cache of supplies to 16,800', just below Washburn's Thumb. Everyone did well on their first foray up the fixed lines, and then further climbing up the ridge of the West Buttress. We will be taking a rest day tomorrow, and hopefully be heading up to high camp soon thereafter. A weak weather system looks to be approaching for the next few days, which is fine with us; we'll be resting, acclimating, and getting strong for the (hopefully) good weather to follow. We are in position now, and ready to head up to higher ground whenever the weather allows. We will be in touch again tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lee - So excited to hear news of your trek. Keep your socks dry. Looking forward to hearing about it all when you return. Cant wait to see the pictures.  You are remembering to take pictures right?  Mary Lee & C

Posted by: Mary Lee on 6/25/2012 at 8:21 pm

Lee, In support of your efforts I will go climb Dike East this week.

Posted by: Kelly on 6/25/2012 at 10:41 am


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Visit the Edge of the World

Hello again from 14,200' on Denali! The weather was beautiful today, and we enjoyed it by taking a nice short hike out to the Edge of The World, a spectacular viewpoint near our camp. Then we reviewed and practiced fixed line travel with our ascenders. The rest of the day was spent lounging around, eating, napping, listening to music, and telling lies. We enjoyed a hearty dinner of black bean and chicken quesadillas, and now we're all getting horizontal and settling in for the night. We are planning to carry some supplies up high tomorrow, in preparation for moving up to high camp later in the week for our summit bid. Everyone is doing quite well adjusting to the 14,200' altitude of our camp, and I expect that we will all do well climbing higher tomorrow. Of course we have the luxury of returning to our comfortable camp at 14k tomorrow night for a good night's sleep. That's all for now. We'll be in touch again tomorrow night after our carry. Thanks for all the great comments on the blog. Keep them coming! RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey everyone, hope your still killing it up there and telling some good jokes (hopefully not canadian related).  You guys are the best and I can’t wait to hear about the trip, I miss you all alot!

O, before I forget… lee here is an intro to the north-dakota jokes i’ve come across.. many more to come.

Q: Why did North Dakota raise the minimum drinking age to 25?
A: They wanted to keep alcohol out of the high schools!

Q: How do you know the toothbrush was invented in North Dakota?
A: If it was invented anywhere else, it would have been called a teethbrush.


Take tons of pictures for me on the summit!
Lots of love from Calgary,
Sasha

Posted by: sasha selby on 6/23/2012 at 11:57 pm

Great post and update!  Good job everyone….Guides included.  We would not get very far without our awesome mountain guides!  I am not paid to say that by the way.  :)

Posted by: Mark on 6/23/2012 at 10:15 pm


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest at 14,000’

Happy summer solstice from the land of the Midnight Sun! Our team had a pretty relaxing day today; it started with a leisurely breakfast, then we went back to Windy Corner to retrieve our cache, and then we relaxed all afternoon. The two hour round trip to Windy Corner was a good leg stretcher. And the relaxing afternoon sure felt good also. This afternoon we welcomed Jake Beren's team back to 14k after their successful summit bid. It was good to see the whole team in good shape after their climb. And it was a pleasure to have water waiting for them and to make them bacon quesadillas as they repacked their backpacks and rested here. They continued their descent to 11k, and are planning to be at the airstrip tomorrow. We are planning on taking a rest day here at 14k tomorrow, in order to be strong for our carry up high above 16k. We'll be in touch again tomorrow... RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Kristina and Mike,

So glad the trip is going well.  It is amazing to see all the snow and think of the cold while we hit 89 today and it is dry, dry , dry.  Enjoy your rest day and thanks for the updates.
Missy

Posted by: missy prudden on 6/22/2012 at 8:46 pm

For someone that lives in snow country, you guys have a lot of snow
It sure seems incredible,  hope every one is well and all continues to go well.
Matt, This has to be the high light of your life.  All Take care, climb safely
Thanks so much for the updates.  Don Pennington

Posted by: Don Pennington on 6/22/2012 at 5:44 pm


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Move to 14,200’

We had great weather today and the team climbed strong, moving our camp up to 14,200'. We are now well established on the upper mountain as we continue to acclimate. Tomorrow we will make a quick trip back to Windy Corner to retrieve the cache of supplies that we carried up there two days ago. We recently spoke via radio with RMI Guide Jake Beren and their team as they were descending the summit ridge after a successful summit. Congratulations to the team! We look forward to seeing them tomorrow when they descend from high camp. That's it for now. Time for some shuteye. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sasha

All the best.  It is fantastic that you are now on the high part of the mountain.  We are looking at the magnificent pictures on the website. It must be an incredible experience to be at that altitude getting close to the top of the world.  We look forward to the stories. Keep safe.

Love Dad, Mom, Brooklyn and Spencer

Posted by: charles selby on 6/22/2012 at 7:22 am

Best wishes from Colorado.  Kobi is loving life here in Cdale with his buddy Bayou!

Posted by: Wesley Reynolds on 6/22/2012 at 5:46 am


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Rest Day at 11K Camp

Hi guys, this is Mike checking in from the 11k camp on Denali. All is well. We decided to spend another day here at 11,200' instead of moving up to 14,200' today. We are spending the day resting, eating, and getting more acclimated to the altitude before venturing higher. We are hoping to move up to 14k tomorrow, weather pending. Until then, we're enjoying the sunny, hot weather and just lazing around. Hopefully our next dispatch will be from higher ground. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sasha

We are hanging on news of your great adventure.  Your aunt is loading the Blog at the Renoir so that you will have a vastly expanded fan club amongst the geriatric set.  We hope to see you in some pictures sent back from your team with a large smile on your face.  We are all thinking of you and wishing you all the best. 

Love Dad, Mom, Brooklyn Spencer and Daisy.

Posted by: charles selby on 6/20/2012 at 8:30 pm

Stan-
Is that a cumulonimbus w/anvil I see?  Whoa!  Stakes will be handy!  Keep your eyes on the Summit!  Oh, longest day of the year is today—extra daylight! See you tomorrow, love me

Posted by: Betsy on 6/20/2012 at 7:43 pm


Mt. McKinley: Walter & Team Plan to Move Up

Our team had a great day today, putting in a cache at 13,700' at Windy Corner. We returned to a day time schedule, and enjoyed a warm and sunny day today. The weather is beautiful here at the 11,000' camp tonight; there is blue sky above, clouds below, and no wind. We're all in our sleeping bags and looking forward to a good night's rest. If the weather is good tomorrow morning we are planning to move our camp up to 14,200'. We are feeling ready and are looking forward to the challenge of tomorrow. That's it for now...time to get some zzzz... RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team
Previous Page   Next Page
Filter By:

Sign up for Expedition Dispatches

check the Summit Registry try our Adventure Finder
Back to Top