Entries from Alaska
May 19, 2021
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 5:54 pm PT
The winds ramped up last night and the temps dropped. The trend persisted into the morning as we had breakfast and coffee. Our decision to stay put today was justified, as winds continued all day today, which would have made travel difficult at best and dangerous at worst.
Instead of packing up camp, we enjoyed another rest day. We had little to gain to attempt to move camp in such conditions, as our team is acclimatizing to the altitude and recovering from the past week's work here on Denali at 11,200'.
Reading, snacking, stretching, snoozing, listening to music, and shooting the breeze were the main activities for our team today. We're on standby for the winds to abate so that we can make the move up around Windy Corner to Genet Basin at 14,200'.
We'll check in again tomorrow to keep you apprised of our progress.
May 18, 2021
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 - 6:21 pm
Our team enjoyed a well-deserved rest day today. The timing was perfect, as our team was ready for it and the weather was a bit squirrelly today; the colder temps, breezy conditions and light snow didn't bother us at all as we lounged in our tents, reading, listening to music, snoozing and snacking.
The weather forecasts indicate improving conditions tomorrow and warming temps by Thursday. Our next mission will be to move camp up to Genet Basin, at 14,200'. We hope to tackle that tomorrow if the weather is good in the morning. If not, Thursday looks promising, and another day of rest and acclimatization at 11,200' will only help us.
We'll let you know either way tomorrow. Stay tuned.
May 17, 2021
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
Monday, May 17, 2021 - 6:17 pm PT
We took advantage of a beautiful day today and kept pushing that pesky rock up the mountain. This time we donned crampons and traded trekking poles for ice axes. We had an amazing climb up Motorcycle and Squirrel Hills, across the Polo Fields, and up around Windy Corner, leaving a cache of food and fuel at around 13,800'. The weather and climbing conditions were perfect, and we were afforded spectacular views of the upper mountain.
We were back at camp by 4pm with plenty of time to lounge in the sun before dinner. Tomorrow we will take our first full day out of boots and get some rest. We'll check in again tomorrow.
"Some come to laugh the past away.
Some come to make it just one more day.
Whichever way your pleasure tends,
if you plant ice your gonna harvest wind." -Robert Hunter
Be safe
Posted by: Jim powell on 5/18/2021 at 4:27 pm
Keep up the great work everyone!!! Sounds like a day of rest was needed. Be safe and have fun!!!
Your work family misses you John Jezak!!!!
Posted by: Danielle Taylor on 5/18/2021 at 1:06 pm
May 17, 2021
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Matias Francis, Chase Halbert
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
May 16, 2021 - 11:28 pm PT
We moved a whole lot of our food, fuel, and various other sundries up to about 10k today. Loads were lighter than yesterday by a lot, but the terrain was steeper and it was hard work. The team did great, even when the sun turned on the microwave oven on us and it started to feel more like the desert in July than an Alaskan Glacier in May.
All our work today sets us up well to move to 11k camp tomorrow. We know the trail, loads should be even lighter, and it promises to be a successful day. We'll check in tomorrow from up higher!
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Chase Halbert, Matias Francis, and team
The pictures by the planes are great!! Wonderful to see the group, everyone looks ready to go!! Fun to read about the first few days. Cannot wait to read more!!
Posted by: Bethany on 5/17/2021 at 6:27 pm
May 17, 2021
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 11,200'
May 16, 2021 - 5:32 pm PT
We woke lazily to light snow this morning and had a leisurely breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and smoked Alaska salmon. At 11am we set off downhill to retrieve our cache from 10,000'. We were back at camp by 2pm, with plenty of time for a nap and to gorge on lunch food. We also had some camp chores to attend to and some gear sorting in order to be ready for the next stage of the game: establishing a cache around Windy Corner at ~13,800'. We hope to make that happen tomorrow or the next day. We'll keep you posted either way.
Looks and sounds spectacular. Stay healthy and strong!
Praying for all of you!
Posted by: Julie Morris on 5/17/2021 at 2:10 pm
May 16, 2021
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Matias Francis, Chase Halbert
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
May 16, 2021 - 12:41 am PT
We hit the ground running today. At 8 am the weather looked good to fly, so we hustled to the hanger, changed into mountain clothes, and loaded gear on the two K2 otters that would ferry us to Basecamp. The flight in is always a highlight, as the tundra gives way to foothills, and then to the craggy peaks and ridges of the Alaska range, with cracked up glaciers carving channels between.
We took an hour or two to get our gear sorted, sleds loaded, and ropes setup, and then struck out from Basecamp to make our way up the lower Kahiltna to the base of ski hill. Often the first hour of moving with sleds has some hiccups, but not for us today. The group moved well, enjoying firm enough trail conditions that we could eschew the snowshoes.
We're settled into camp, feed, and tucking into sleeping bags for our first night in the mountain. We'll be in touch tomorrow!
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer & Team
Jason- Your structural engineering group is cheering you on from afar!! We miss you and look forward to hearing all about your adventures. Hope you’re not thinking of Camden Shops up there lol.
Posted by: Katherine Bemis on 5/28/2021 at 6:30 am
Jason, All that tire pulling with Sully is paying off! You got this!
Lisa and Charlie
Posted by: Lisa and Charlie on 5/18/2021 at 9:56 am
Friday May 14, 2021 - 6:44 pm PT
The team spent a good day packing and prepping everything to be ready to fly into the Alaska Range tomorrow. Coffee and crepes to start the morning, orientation with the National Park Service, then digging into gear and packing for the planes: all went smoothly. All our bags are weighed and sorted, waiting to be loaded in the morning weather willing, and we'll trust the awesome pilots at K2 to tell us if and when it's time to fly.
With a bit of luck, we'll be checking in from tents on the Kahiltna Glacier tomorrow!
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer & Team
After months of preparation, you guys are ready. Go get it!!
Praying for you all daily!
Posted by: Christy Cunningham on 5/15/2021 at 7:24 pm
Good luck everyone. Marc, have a wonderful, rewarding and successful climb. Looking forward to seeing you do your 49th with Denali, and then finally Mauna Kea, number 50 !! Then we can celebrate in Hawaii.
Love you, Sonny boy
Posted by: David Gollob on 5/15/2021 at 1:43 pm
May 15, 2021
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 7,800'
Friday May 14, 2021 6:36 pm PT
Our team had a great day today, waking up to cloudless skies after a good night's rest. We hauled our backpacks and sleds laden with supplies up to 10,000', just shy of "The Corner" below Kahiltna Pass. After digging a deep hole in which to cache our gear, we returned back to our camp at the base of Ski Hill, 7,800'.
We returned to camp in the afternoon after the six hour round trip with time to lounge before firing up the stoves for dinner. The plan for tomorrow is to pack up camp and move up to the 11,200' camp. We'll keep you posted.
RMI Guide Mike Walter & Team
Ben-
Looks cold and beautiful! Checking in on your adventure every day :)
-M
Posted by: Margaret on 5/15/2021 at 7:09 pm
May 13, 2021
Posted by: Mike Walter, Avery Parrinello, Luke Wilhelm
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 7,300'
Wednesday, May, 12, 2021 - 10:04 pm PT
We got a break in the weather this afternoon and were able to fly in to Basecamp on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. Camp is all set up and we have starting sorting out equipment for (hopefully) moving up glacier to the base of Ski Hill tomorrow. It was warm and sunny here today, although a cloud has settled in now and it's snowing lightly. We'll touch base again tomorrow as we start our long adventure of living on a glacier.
Good luck everyone! I wish I could do this!
Posted by: Richard Zeppieri on 5/14/2021 at 3:47 am
Go get it and Godspeed, Pete & the Team!
Posted by: Kendra Madrid on 5/14/2021 at 12:25 am
June 1, 2019
Posted by: Robby Young, Nick Scott, Joe Hoch
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 7,800'
On The Map
I’d love to be there just to taste Nick’s fabulous sounding food. Keep up your safe efforts, and enjoy all you can. Step safe y’all! Positive thoughts for fair to great weather, as well as reaching that beautiful summit!
Posted by: Susan Moore on 6/1/2019 at 11:48 pm
Steve, keep it up and be safe! Charlie insists we toast your progress with a few glasses everyday! Cheers. Fred
Posted by: Fred Dalzell on 6/1/2019 at 7:05 pm
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Glad the climb is going well, and that you were able to rest yesterday, instead of climbing in rough conditions. While you prepared for the trip up to 14K, Corey Kluber pitched a no hitter, the second in the MLB in 2 days (6th overall), LeBron and the Lakers came from way back to beat GS in the 7/8 play-in game, the PGA golf championship prepared to start, the Bruins took a 2-1 lead on the Capitals, and Juventus won the Coppa Italia. Just thought you might enjoy a short sports report.
Be safe and have fun.
Posted by: Bruce on 5/20/2021 at 4:22 am
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