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Entries By liam weed


Denali Expedition: Parrinello and Team Climb Fixed Lines and Cache Gear at 16k

Saturday June 11, 2022 – 10:54pm PT

Hello bloganeers or whatever you call people who read blogs!

We went to bed with a nebulous forecast and thankfully awoke to optimistic looking skies! Looks like the weather would allow us to climb high and sleep low. We feasted upon a southern favorite, grits and pop tarts for breakfast. Then we racked up our gear and headed towards the fixed lines.

A couple hours of slow but steady walking and we arrived at the gaping maw that is the bergschrund at base of the fixed lines. The team locked and loaded and soon we were climbing up the steep snow and hard blue ice. Shouts of “This is awesome!” and “My fingers are cold,” were heard at various times during our ascent. Topping out the fixed lines rewarded us with beautiful views of the West Ridge of Denali and everyone and everything below us. We dug our cache, tossed in our excess gear and took a couple deep breaths of 16,000-foot air before beginning our descent.

Fleet feet and sturdy arm wraps meant a quick trip back to camp where a large meal of mac and cheese and cheesecake was enjoyed by all! Tomorrow, we let the winds up high blow while we gain strength and acclimate here at 14k camp.

Thanks for tuning in blogadors!

Avery, Jack, Liam and the team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Well, I am definitely a bloganeer! Iook forward to reading this blog and staying up to date with you and your incredible teams progress. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. You guys are incredible and you impress all of us with your passion,  persistence and endurance! Go team! A special shout out to Heather Hart and reminder that your CBJD Family is here cheering you on! We’ve you so much   xoxo

Posted by: Janine Paradiso on 6/13/2022 at 6:18 am

Blogadore here! Please keep them coming and congrats team - you all are making great time!!! Michael know you are having the best time ever!!! Safe travels team and enjoy that Mac and cheese!!!

Kim and Jim

Posted by: Kim on 6/12/2022 at 11:07 am


Denali Expedition: Parrinello and team Snack the Rest Day Away

Today was a true rest day. We had a casual morning of hot drinks and breakfast. After that we did about an hour review/ practice of fixed line travel and running belays. Then we did nothing. It was glorious. Here’s a list of the various snacks the team ate on our rest day. Cookie dough, Double Stuff Oreos, beef jerky, parmesan cheese, wasabi and soy almonds, watermelon Sour Patch Kids, chorizo, Beecher’s Flagship Cheese, Ritz Crackers, peanut butter, white cheddar, black licorice, Walkie Talkie Chocolate, dried cherries, Knotsberry Farm cookies, sour gummy worms, original Pringles, fireball, Nutter Butters, dried apricots, dill pickle almonds, Goldfish, ranch corn nuts, melkesjokolade, chocolate chip lovers cookie dough, rattlesnake cheddar, ginger chews, salami, Famous Amos Cookies, Keebler Elf M&M cookies.

Tomorrow’s plan will depend on the “nowcast” for what the weather is doing.

After a while crocodiles,

RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

I don’t see Heather sharing her Girl Scout Cookies!!!!! Those are some serious snacks!!

Posted by: April Litwiller on 6/14/2022 at 9:20 am

Wow you guys definitely had some good snacks. I am so proud of you Heather Hart. You and your team are ROCKSTARS.  I love reading this blog. Miss you girl. #yougotthis

Posted by: Fatima Casiano on 6/12/2022 at 5:38 am


Denali Expedition: Team Retrieves Cache and Settles in at 14,000’

Brrrrrr! You know what they say “clear skies, cold nights” and boy howdy was that true last night. Thankfully the team has the equivalent of at least two gooses worth of down to stay warm. Sun didn’t hit camp until 9:30 so breakfast was a puffy pants and big parka affair. Thankfully the solar radiation at this altitude works quickly and it was hotter than the center of a hot pocket before we knew it. In order to beat the peak of the days heat we quickly geared up and headed down hill to grab our cache at 13k. We loaded up and trudged back to camp with day dreams of eating the snacks we had cached.  The rest of afternoon was spent lounging and devouring meats, cheeses and cookie dough. Tomorrow is a full rest day where excessive snacking is encouraged!

See ya later alligators!

Avery, Jack, Liam and The Team.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Trip,
You have many fans and supporters back here in WY, MN, CA, and MI!!  We are all so excited for you!!  Have an exhilarating, safe climb!!
Love you
!

Posted by: Lorna on 6/15/2022 at 5:55 am

Go team!  We are cheering you all on. (And don’t you worry MAP, your uncle isn’t the least bit worried about your status as current badass of the family!  He’s totally good w it

Posted by: Boulder Beckers on 6/11/2022 at 7:17 am


Denali Expedition: Parrinello & Team Move to 14,000’ & Set up Camp

Wednesday, June 8, 2022 - 10:43 pm PT

Well would you look at that, we’re back at it again. We walked the same stretch as yesterday but today it was both hotter and harder. The team persevered and marched into 14,000' Camp in good style. It was a long day breaking down camp, moving and then setting up again. After a quick burrito meal everyone crawled into bed for some well deserved rest.

Sweet dreams blog reader. I know we will be sleeping well tonight.

Chip chip cheerio,

RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the team.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Mike!! Both Matt Sky and myself want to remind you to do your push-ups on the mountain!

Posted by: Kyle Davis on 6/10/2022 at 8:10 am

Keep up the amazing work team! I love reading the daily blog !! Miss you Heather Hart! You’ve got this girl!!

Posted by: April Litwiller on 6/10/2022 at 5:49 am


Denali Expedition: Parrinello & Team Climb to 13,000’, Return to 11,000’

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - 9:46 pm PT

Welcome back to another fine edition of the Denali blog! Today we awoke to somewhat stormy conditions so we hit the snooze and waited an hour for the weather to improve. Once the sky was looking happy we snarfed breakfast and took off towards the 13k cache garden. The first obstacle was the intimidating hill directly out of 11,000' Camp known as Motorcycle Hill, which was no problem as the team zoomed up it. We then turned the corner and surmounted the famous Squirrel Hill (less long and steep but with more exposure). Next we galloped across the long but flat feature known as the Polo Field! We took our last break at the edge of the infamous Windy Corner, which happened to be windless today! Finally after another hour of walking we were at the cache garden.  Luck would have it that we found an empty cache hole! We tossed our excess supplies in it, covered it up and turned down hill. In the blink of an eye we were back at 11,000' Camp relaxing till dinner time. Tomorrow should the good weather continue to hold we’ll move to 14,000' camp!

Thanks for tuning in…

RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (1)

Love this Denali blog- keep them coming - entertaining, insightful and much appreciated! Keep up your great work team - we are all pulling for you!

Posted by: Kim on 6/8/2022 at 1:06 pm


Denali Expedition: Parrinello & Team Retrieve Cache, Return to Camp

Monday, June 6, 2022 - 11:18 pm PT

Today began with a very difficult decision. Should we eat a full breakfast of cereal and fig bars? Or should we just coffee and charge down hill to the cache where a supreme breakfast awaited? Well the team decided, drink coffee, get cache and then have a relaxing brunch feast. What meal could be so enticing that we would exert ourselves on a retrieval mission with only caffeine running through our veins? Well glad you asked! It was breakfast burritos. Specifically pepper, onion, hashbrowns, eggs, Beecher’s cheese and MOOSE meat burritos. So yes, it was worth the wait. The rest of the day was a mix of napping, snacking, chatting, stretching, reading and card playing. It was an ideal day. Tomorrow we’re heading uphill to cache around 13,000' and along the way we’ll experience a series of classic Denali features! You’ll have to wait for the next update to learn all about them, oooh what a cliff hanger!

Until next time dear reader,

RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Well that sounds like a Fantastic Day!!  Cannot wait to hear what other gastro delicacies are in store!  Michael! Know you are having a Blast!  Sending lots of love to you and the Team! Go go GO!! Alicia xoxo

Posted by: Alicia Becker on 6/8/2022 at 7:39 am

Sounds like a delicious brunch and worth the wait. I am happy to hear the rest of the day was also lovely. I can’t wait to learn about the different classic Denali features. Thank you so much for these updates! Sending the entire team all the powerful vibes possible!

Ps- Heather Hart: your CBJD family misses you and are so super proud of you and what you have accomplished.  xoxo

Posted by: Janine Paradiso on 6/7/2022 at 7:22 pm


Denali Expedition: Parrinello and Team Cache Gear at 9,500’

Greetings from the bottom of Ski Hill. We’ve been keeping our trend of staying on east coast time (3am wake up Alaska time) in order to keep up with the stock market and take advantage of the cooler temps and firm snow. This morning we packed up all our excess supplies and gear and headed uphill to cache them. Conditions were ideal again as we were able to climb without the aid of crampons or snow shoes. Apparently, granola breakfast was the breakfast of champions because the team crushed it! They marched uphill without tiring and kept cheerful smiles while doing it. The sunrise was incredible and even saw what could be described as a non-traditional rainbow in the distant rains near Talkeetna! We soon climbed past the traditional cache spot around 9,500 and stopped just below the last hill to 11 camp. The only reason we didn’t go all the way was to save the experience of seeing what will be our new home for tomorrow.

The afternoon was spent back at ski hill, napping, relaxing, snacking and trading stories. Some of which seemed too good to be true.

The weather is beautiful and so is the team.

Yours Truly,

RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and the Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Team!!! What a day! How great to be able to be a tiny part of this experience with you - thank you for sharing!  Keep up the great work and positive attitudes!  We are all behind you. Go Michael Go!  Am with you in spirit bud- Love you!!  Hugs all around team- Alicia xoxo

Posted by: Alicia Becker on 6/6/2022 at 7:46 pm

Thank you for allowing all of us on your incredible journey!!!
Sending the most amazingly brilliant positive vibes to you Michael & the whole team!!! Go team go!!! I am so proud of you!! Lots of love to all!!
Aunt Tulip

Posted by: Julee Valentine on 6/6/2022 at 6:58 pm


Denali Expedition: Parrinello & Team Get on the Move and Settle into Camp 1

Friday June 3, 2022 - 8:54pm PT

We are on the move! The team woke up at 2AM to break camp, rig sleds, and get walking early in order to finish this first push before the midday heat set in.

The heavy loads couldn’t suppress the bubbling smiles on the faces of the climbers, as the Denali came into view with a glimmering sun behind it.

At the base of ski hill, we made camp and enjoyed a power nap before eating a spicy jambalaya dinner.

The team is feeling strong and stoked to continue upwards!

RMI Guide Liam Weed and Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Heia Joachim! Håper du har det bra og koser deg på tur. Gøy å følge med på oppdateringene herfra. Stå på - du er helt rå!!

Hope you’re all enjoying the mountain! Looks like a great team. Greetings from Norway!

Posted by: Madeleine on 6/5/2022 at 2:35 am

Nothing like a little spice to start things off- Go team go! Big shoutout to Michael Alexander, you a rockstar!  Love you like crazy. Sending positive energy to all! Alicia

Posted by: Alicia Becker on 6/5/2022 at 1:11 am


Denali Expedition: Parrinello & Team Fly to Base Camp

Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 9:45 pm PT

We did it! We’re here! The Alaska Range! After a stressful day and half of packing we’ve finally arrived. We took off first thing in the morning to avoid a hot mushy landing strip. The flight was beautiful, cloudless and most importantly smooth. The views were spectacular and plane ride mostly silent as we looked on with awe at the majestic mountains wearing glaciers as hats. Once we landed at base camp we set to unloading our nearly 1,500lbs of gear. Then began the real fun, setting up camp. We dug caches, a kitchen, a dining room and 4 tent platforms. Then we erected our tents and got moved in. After that we did what smart mountaineers do best, lounged in our tents to avoid the heat and intense sun. Eventually it cooled down and we did a delightful burrito dinner. Now we’re laying down for an early (and short) night as we’ll be walking in the wee hours of the day in order to have firm snow and reasonable temps.

Spirits are high! Our elevation is low! And the team is excited to move up the mountain.

RMI Guides Avery Parrinello, Jack Delaney, Liam Weed and team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Happy Birthday Rebecca! Love that you’re starting off the year in the most epic way! Amazed and impressed and always cheering for you. XOXOXOXOXOXO Kyla

Posted by: Kyla on 6/4/2022 at 8:27 am

Happy Birthday, Becs!  Hope you get someone to take a special picture of you “celebrating” on the mountain.  Love you!  ❤️M&D

Posted by: Peggy and Ed Baack on 6/4/2022 at 8:20 am


Denali Expedition: Parrinello and Team Arrive in Talkeetna

According to the TV Show Lost - all good looking people sit on the right side of an airplane. Well, that's clearly what our team did because we have a great looking crew! After meeting up at the Anchorage airport we hopped in the shuttle and headed towards Talkeetna! There was no awkward silence as everyone quickly started chatting and getting to know one another. A quick grocery stop and 2 hours later we were in Talkeetna with amazing views of the Alaska Range! Our travel weary team rallied the last of their energy for a group dinner and then we wandered back to the bunkhouse for some well-deserved rest. 

RMI Guides Avery, Jack, Liam and Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Love you Michael!!! So proud of you… keep pushing, we are all rooting for you. Best of luck and love to you and everyone with you!

Posted by: Desiree on 6/5/2022 at 8:12 pm

The amazing Capt Coffey ( also known as the “Everest Gaston”),
Go get that summit! Wishing you and your team amazing weather and safe climbing. Look forward to celebrating 2022 successes, with margs, soon! See ya when I’m lookin’ at ya!
Be sure to put sunscreen up your nose,
Meghan

Posted by: Meghan Buchanan on 6/3/2022 at 11:53 pm

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