Entries By walter hailes

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir had a Successful Week of Training

May 17, 2019

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 11,200'

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Team along with RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Walter Hailes had a successful week of training on Mt. Rainier. The team spent the week learning crevasse rescue, setting snow and ice anchors, route finding, avalance training, and many other alpine climbing techniques. The team was able to take several walks above Camp Muir, but the winter like weather kept the from the summit. The team is on the descent and will be back at Ashford Basecamp in the early afternoon today. Congratulations to today's team!

Denali Expedition: Hailes and Team Check In from High Camp

June 9, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,200'

Sat 6/9/2018 9:42 AM Hello friends and family, We are slowly getting moving this morning after yesterday's 13 hour summit day. It was long but everyone moved with confidence up and down. We celebrated with a midnight mountain house dinner back at camp and went straight to bed. Today's goal is to descend back to 11,000 ft camp. The only down side to a smooth, quick trip is that we will have to pick up and carry out all our extra food, but I would pick that over a long trip with bad weather everyday. If the weather continues to cooperate, we will fly off the mountain first thing tomorrow and the next time you will hear from us will be from the sunny street of Talkeetna. Thanks for following along with our Denali adventure Alden, Brett, Chip, Tyler, JM, and Walt. Safe travels, RMI Guide Walt Hailes & Team

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I can’t wait to hear the stories. What a great adventure.

Posted by: Tom Pattinson on 6/21/2018 at 2:27 pm

Congratulations Alden and the team! Unbelievable. Now rest up (and get warm).

Posted by: Carolyn Monaco on 6/11/2018 at 5:46 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hailes and Team Summit!

June 9, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 20,310'

Friday, June 8, 2018 9:18 PM Hello friends and family from the summit of Denali! This is Walter Hailes and the climbing team with Alden, Chip, Brett and Tyler had a successful summit day today and we are enjoying a beautiful, sunny, almost windless summit. Couldn't get any better. We got to climb with Pete Van Deventer and team and had a good time switching leads with them. We got to enjoy lots of fun summit photos and beautiful blue skies with Pete and Team. We are back at camp now, we're going to have a late dinner. We are probably going to wake up pretty late in the morning and head back to 14,000' Camp. We will keep you informed with our dispatches until we talk to you again. A lot of love and safe travels. We'll talk to you soon. Bye. RMI Guide Walter Hailes & Team!

Walter Hailes on the Summit of Denali June 8, 2018

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Congratulation fellas! A great accomplishment for a worthy cause! All the best. D.

Posted by: Dirk Gilliard on 6/18/2018 at 2:27 pm

Way to go Chippy and Alden! So proud of you guys! Be safe heading down and can’t wait to hear all about it over a nice cold beer on our patio! xxoo Stacey (& Sean)

Posted by: Stacey Wieland on 6/10/2018 at 9:13 am

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Move to High Camp

June 8, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 17,000'

Thursday, June 7, 2018 - 11:27 PM PT Well, we left our cozy home at 14,000 ft on Denali this morning. When we woke, we had clear views of the route, and could see that winds were calm. As we packed up and started moving, visibility decreased and snow started to fall. We slowly poked our noses a little further, halfway expecting the weather to turn us around, but it never did. It snowed most of the day, but it was relatively warm, and winds were very light. It was almost perfect, we just missed out on the views. Regardless, we have settled in to our new neighborhood, and are enjoying the warm 10 PM sun. We just finished dinner, and are tucking into our sleeping bags to stay nice and toasty. If the weather allows, we'll go for the summit tomorrow morning. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Go get em! Enjoy the views from the summit ridge on top of North America. Check out Mt Huntington and then read “Mountain of my fear” in the plane ride home.

Posted by: Tom Romary on 6/9/2018 at 7:37 am

Tyler and team, we hope you reached all of your goals today. We are looking forward to having you home soon to share all of your stories and pictures! Love and miss you! Praying for all of you, mom and dad

Posted by: donna shearburn on 6/9/2018 at 6:23 am

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Wait Out the Weather at 14,000’ Camp

June 6, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 - 4:43 PM PT We were all set to climb to 17,000' Camp this morning but Denali had other plans for us. By 8 am this morning we could see strong winds blowing across our climbing route on the Buttress. We decided to put the move on hold until the winds slowed. Luckily, Mike Walter's team at 17 Camp provided hourly updates on the weather situation and we eventually decided that the weather was too severe to climb into today. Not all was lost though, we took some time to remodel our mountain kitchen and built a new outhouse. Obviously important facilities when waiting out bad weather. We will wake again tomorrow planning to move and see what the weather allows. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Sending big love; so proud of you guys; we’re cheering you on!

Posted by: Taina on 6/7/2018 at 3:01 pm

Better to be in your tent, wishing you were on the mountain, than on the mountain, wishing you were in your in your tent. Slow and steady. Well done!

Posted by: Tom Power on 6/7/2018 at 8:54 am

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Enjoy Rest Day at 14,000’ Camp

June 5, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,000'

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 - 5:35 PM PT The team enjoyed an excellent rest at 14,000 ft. today. We started the day with breakfast burritos. These weren't just any breakfast burritos. These burritos were so expertly prepared that they earned the coveted Alden Mills "Best Breakfast of the Trip" endorsement. After breakfast, we lounged, drank second and third rounds of coffee, and planned out the rest of our day. The planning was not very hard, since we really didn't have much to do. We took a walk out to a feature appropriately name the Edge of the World, and gazed 6,000 ft down into the NE fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. On the walk back to camp, the team practiced some rope skills that will greatly enhance our efficiency on summit day. After the hard work was done we ate as much cheese, sausage, and bread as we could in preparation for our summit bid. Now we just wait for a weather window to move to High Camp, and head for the top. The team sends their best to everyone following along back at home. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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110-102 GSW! Durant 43 pts!

Posted by: Tracie on 6/6/2018 at 8:32 pm

Hey Brett! Currently watching GSW vs. Cleveland! GSW are up 2 games to 0 and currently it’s the 4th quarter of the 3rd game. Score is 88-87 GSW! It’s so cool to watch your ascent! Stay safe everyone!!
Love, Tracie, Brian Erickson and Kennedy

Posted by: Tracie on 6/6/2018 at 8:07 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Carry Up the Fixed Lines

June 4, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Monday, June 4, 2018 - 7:41 pm PT BEST DAY YET! It finally feels like we are out climbing, not just on a long walk uphill dragging sleds. We started the day with some blueberry pancakes and bacon. It left our mountain kitchen messy but was a tasty way to start the day. Then we got all geared up with our ascenders. Ropes and packs and headed up the headwall right out of camp. The high temperature is about 5 degrees F, but in the sunshine we are climbing in a single layer and loving it. We will take another scheduled rest day tomorrow in prep to head to the summit as soon as the weather allows. Best wishes to all our family and friends, we miss you all. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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You are all such an inspiration! Beautiful photos - amazing people. You got this!

Posted by: Susan Dickson on 6/6/2018 at 3:33 pm

Brett, I assume it was the bacon for breakfast that sealed the deal, not the thrill of the climb or these incredible views!! Wow…those views! Hope you’re enjoying this once in a lifetime experience. We’re all thinking of you. Dan, Audrey, Matthew and Sydney

Posted by: Dan Melanson on 6/5/2018 at 5:11 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hailes and Team Back Carry from 14,000’ Camp

June 4, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Another beautiful day on Denali for the team. I think most folks woke up around 7 or 8 this morning, but we all rolled around in our sleeping bags for a while until the sun hit us at almost exactly 9:30. No sense in being cold if we don't have to. After the sun warmed our tents, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and some more limitless views. As we walked downhill to dig up our cache, Mounts Foraker and Hunter dominated the skyline while valley glaciers spilled farther than we could see. The team wasted no time retrieving their stashed goodies, and we were back in camp within an hour and a half. With the remainder of the day we snacked, napped, practiced using ascenders, and snacked some more. We will try to cache some gear above the fixed lines tomorrow if the weather is favorable. Talk to you all then. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Big Daddy says “Go Big or Go Home!” and don’t come home until you go big. Keep up the good work, we look forward to the untold stories upon your return.

Posted by: Chris Ewers on 6/6/2018 at 3:56 pm

Tyler, luck be with you- I told Syd where you were- he’s coming to catch up with you!!!! You better climb bigger, faster harder!!! Haha! Love Ya, D and Lo

Posted by: Dee DEe Miller on 6/4/2018 at 7:16 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Move Up to 14K Camp

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,200'

Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 7:25 pm PT All is well on Denali at 14,000 ft camp. We climbed for approximately five hours today after quickly breaking down camp at 11,200 feet. The air was crisp all day but we had full sunshine keeping us comfortable. This day on Denali is always tough and today was no exception. Thankfully we are all in camp now relaxing with our boots off resting up for a big tortellini dinner. I am sure it will be an early night to bed and we will enjoy a well earned late wake up in the morning RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Hey Tyler
With you

Posted by: D Dutro on 6/3/2018 at 8:09 pm

Hey Tyler
With you

Posted by: D Dutro on 6/3/2018 at 8:07 pm

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Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Rest at 11,000’ Camp

June 2, 2018

Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 11,200'

Friday, June 1, 2018 - 9:30 PM PT We had our first rest day of the trip today, and the team certainly earned it. The weather was perfect, with blue skies, and a cool breeze that kept us from baking in the tents. The day went pretty quickly, which is not always the case. We passed most of the time trading stories about our most embarrassing moments, and listening to Finnish heavy metal courtesy of our friendly neighbors. Not much else to report from the mountain today. We'll check in tomorrow, hopefully from our new home at 14,000'. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Brett,
We are so proud of you! Garrett and I miss you but we’re doing great and we’re happy thinking about you, Alden, and Chip on this amazing adventure! We’re sorry we missed your sat call. We love you!!! Xoxo

Posted by: Kate on 6/2/2018 at 9:55 pm

Alden, keep pumping brother. Me and the lady buglettes are behind you and your team 110%.

Bugman

Posted by: Matt Lattig on 6/2/2018 at 6:10 pm

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Entries By walter hailes

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir had a Successful Week of Training

Denali Expedition: Hailes and Team Check In from High Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes and Team Summit!

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Move to High Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Wait Out the Weather at 14,000’ Camp

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Enjoy Rest Day at 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Carry Up the Fixed Lines

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes and Team Back Carry from 14,000’ Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Move Up to 14K Camp

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Hailes & Team Rest at 11,000’ Camp

On The Map

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