Entries from Denali
June 18, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 10:02 pm PT
Howdy all,
The snow continued through the night and into the morning. A layer of frost coated the under side of the fly. Every time you hit the tent to knock the snow off, the frost fell down onto our sleeping bags. As the sun came out and warmed the tents, the ice melted and the frost turned into little water drops. Due to the snowfall and wet tents, we opted for a rest day to allow everything to get dry. Snow fell most of the day, sometimes while sunny others fully cloudy making for a very white scene. But later in the day the clouds cleared and the views were amazing. Having such great views makes being patient worth it. The temps bounced from chilly to very hot in the tents all day. One could swear it was 100 degrees inside. They say its freeze or fry out here and we can all feel why. Tomorrow's weather looks good, so we will be going to our cache at 13,500' to grab our stuff. Its exciting to be reunited with your snacks you parted ways with at 11,000' camp. Sleeping bags are calling our names.
Till tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
June 17, 2021
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 17,000'
Thursday, June 17, 2021 1:33 pm PT
This morning we woke up to a foot of new snow and the winds have been blowing 30 mph all day, which is slightly unpleasant but what we expected. There is a lot of strategy in expedition climbing, and this plan is part of that. We got up to 17,000' camp yesterday knowing it would not be possible today, and now we are in position to take advantage of tomorrow’s supposed high pressure.
Send good thoughts our way for good weather tomorrow!
RMI Guides JT, Alan, Kirra and the RMI team.
Vano, when you shotgun a beer at the summit, have you thought about the pressure change and how that beer may just buss everywhere? Please get back to me
-Heater
Posted by: Heater on 6/18/2021 at 5:10 am
Sending good thoughts!
Posted by: Ann on 6/17/2021 at 6:49 pm
June 17, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - 9:49 pm PT
Good evening,
We woke today to snowflakes dancing their way to our tent making a pitter patter noise. It was a calm morning with fluffy snow. The clouds rolled in and out throughout breakfast making it a touch and go if we were going to pack up. But then as we finished our cereal and hot drinks, the snow dissipated and blue sky was showing. We broke down camp and hit the snowy trail. Heavy packs and heavy sleds weighed us down but we pushed forward. It was a tough day but we rolled into camp as more snow began to fall. Seeing the tents at 14,000' Camp as we crested the last hill was a marvelous sight. It might as well had been a cheeseburger and beer. Once the camp was established we all crawled into our new home and dried our gear. Some good ole Annie's Mac filled our tummies before we all went back to our sleeping bags for what we all hope to be a great night sleep. As the weather remains squirrely, we will decide what our agenda for tomorrow will be. Could be a back carry or could be a rest day.
Goodnight,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
JULIA JOHANSSON
WE LOVE YIU AND MISS YOU.
Hope you are having an AMAZING EXPERIENCE.! Stay safe and be well :)
Posted by: Abinaders on 6/20/2021 at 7:38 am
June 17, 2021
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 17,200'
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - 8:29 pm PT
We made it to High Camp, 17,200' on Denali. It’s a little blustery but other than that all is good here. Keeping our fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow!
RMI Guide JT Schmitt and the RMI team
Matt - Hopefully your next push will be the summit. Good luck and keep climbing. Best of weather and conditions so you can look down on Ross, Jason and Eli further down the glacier. Congratulations in advance! Gerard
Posted by: Gerard Crum on 6/17/2021 at 8:39 am
June 16, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 11,000'
Tuesday June 16, 2021 - 8:30 pm PT
Good evening,
Higher and higher we go! We continued moving gear uphill today. We left camp in the morning and made our way up motorcycle hill. It’s a rather steep hill, very much in your face. But with good cramponing and pressure breathing we made it to the top. Next, we cruised up squirrel hill, across the polo fields, around windy corner to our cache site. Some firm snow made digging our deep hole difficult but the effort is worth it so the ravens don't get at our food. The team is feeling good and looking great. We are all very excited to move to 14k camp tomorrow. There is a weather system possibly hitting the mountain Wednesday night so it will be nice to get out of 11k camp and up to 14k camp in case it produces a bunch of snow. Plus, a new scenery and home will be a fun change as well. It’s the little things that bring you joy on mountain.
Goodnight,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and Team
I’m so exited for the entire team and the tremendous progress you have already made. I wish I could have been there with you Julia and I think about it every day as the memories we shared together from Reiner are as vibrant as if it was yesterday. I love you to the end of the universe and back and the entire family are routing for a wonderful experience out there together with your team. Älskar dig för alltid!! Pappa.
Posted by: Stefan Johansson on 6/16/2021 at 12:40 pm
Happy Anniversary Hector! Lots of love from NY
Posted by: Anna Haring on 6/16/2021 at 11:35 am
June 16, 2021
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 - 4:50 pm PT
We are enjoying a nice sunny rest day at 14,000’ camp today after our carry to 17,000’ yesterday. We are waiting to see what the weather has in store before we make our next move. All is well here at camp!
RMI Guides JT, Kiira, Alan and the RMI team
Go team go! Hoping for great weather and easy travels!
Posted by: Ellen on 6/16/2021 at 10:12 am
June 15, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 11,000'
Hey-O,
A day of rest and preparation was what we needed. We started the day with a casual breakfast of breakfast burritos and coffee followed by a lot of down time. If we weren't napping, eating, or reading we were going through our gear and food separating it into piles, one that would stay with us and one that we would cache higher up. It is always a hard decision trying to decide what food to part ways with but it is always a fun moment when you are reunited in a couple days. Later in the afternoon we reviewed some cramponing techniques before heading to dinner. One of the highlights of the day was the evening entertainment, watching skiers manage their sled down motorcycle hill...lets just say there were some wipeouts but the skiers were all good sports as they skied into camp knowing they were the reality TV show of the night. As the sun started to hide behind some swirling clouds the temps dropped and it is time for bed. Tomorrow we will carry to 13,500' to off load some of our gear to make our move to 14,000' Camp lighter.
Till tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Hey Sami/ Hector
Is nice to hear all is going well with the team. I hope you are enjoying all that beauty. I wish I could be there.. perhaps one day.
Devin and the kids went backpacking this weekend to the Adirondacks they were going to be thinking on you so they said.
Father’s Day is approaching so hopefully Sunday gets to be an awesome day for you up there. Stay strong and listen to your body.
Sending you a big hug of strength .
Your sister !
You know which one .
Love you !
Posted by: Priscila Hernandez on 6/18/2021 at 4:31 pm
Great work Team Smith! It’s so worth all of the suffering, keep your eye on the prize!
Best wishes for great weather!
Ron Richmeier
Posted by: Ron Richmeier on 6/18/2021 at 1:23 pm
June 15, 2021
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Monday, June 14, 2021 - 9:31 pm PT
Today we carried supplies and personal gear up to 17,000' Camp. The team performed amazingly for their first time on fixed lines and dealing with thousands of feet of exposure and running belays.
We floated past other teams, seemingly effortlessly as they cached lower on the West Buttress, but we were moving so efficiently and the day was perfectly clear and windless, so we decided to cache all the way at 17,000' Camp.
It’s now 8 o’clock in the evening and we are about to enjoy some dinner and a much deserved night of rest.
All the best from the team at 14,000' Camp.
Thinking of everyone as you prepare to summit! Stay safe and strong ! Enjoy the adventure !
Posted by: Ann VanO on 6/16/2021 at 8:44 am
June 14, 2021
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
Sunday, June 13, 2021 - 9:25 pm PT
Greetings,
Excitement is high as we made it to 11K Camp today. Before waking to break down camp and hit the snow highway, we got a chance to congratulate Mike King and team on their successful expedition as they made their way to the airstrip. Its easy to let your mind wander to what luxuries they will get while we pull heavy sleds with heavy packs. But we have to stay focus because our journey has just begun. Part of the excitment of today is knowing that this was our last day hauling all our gear at once. From here on out we will begin doing carries which will lessen the overall weight on our bodies. Today is also exciting because we get to settle in for a few days, which I like to call nesting, creating a cozy home. Tomorrow morning we won't have to wake early and break down camp but instead we will enjoy a well desereved rest day. Relaxing, recovering, eating and sleeping is the name of the game for tomorrow.
Talk to you all tomorrow,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Looks amazing - well done to all the team !! Stay safe. These updates and pictures are just brilliant to see and get, thank you for sharing. We miss and love you loads Hollie and Shane. x x x
Looking forward to more pictures
Posted by: Kelly, David Kyla, Cameron & Cole on 6/15/2021 at 7:35 am
BJ - I am so impressed with your accomplishment and I wish you and your team the very best and safest trip going forward. I miss you and I love you tremendously. Take good care of yourself. Anna Geigle
Posted by: Anna Geigle on 6/14/2021 at 7:21 pm
June 14, 2021
Posted by: JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 14,200'
Sunday, June 13, 2021 - 3:34 pm PT
Today we enjoyed a full rest day at Denali 14K Camp. Everyone is feeling nice and dried out and rested. The weather is gorgeous and is supposedly going to be nice for us to carry above the fixed lines tomorrow!
Stay tuned,
RMI Guides JT Schmitt, Alan Davis, Kiira Antenucci and the RMI team
We are sending positive thoughts to everyone for a successful climb to the summit! Stay safe, strong and positive!
Posted by: Barb n John The Parents on 6/15/2021 at 8:52 pm
Great progress! The scene looks simply amazing. Be honest, how much “up your gas” have you taken so far? :) Good luck and be safe.
-Powder Hound
Posted by: Greg on 6/15/2021 at 2:43 am
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Wishing you all the Best Hannah and Dustin!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/19/2021 at 3:32 am
These updates are the highlight of my day, you truly give us perspective on the tremendous feat you have all undertaken and prepared for. Putting it out to the universe for great weather to make the summit happen. The pictures are amazing, keep them coming! I love my Lu, what a golden birthday this is!!!!
Posted by: Daysi on 6/18/2021 at 3:58 pm
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