Entries By will ambler
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,600'
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Tuesday, June 3, 2025 9:21pm PDT
Hello world! Checking in from camp.
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Patience is the name of the game up here. We’re soaking in the surroundings — even if it’s continuous snowfall and low visibility. White on white on white. Quiet and peaceful, contrasting with the surreal weather that accompanies this part of the world.
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We woke up today and had to dig ourselves out of our tents. We wandered into the kitchen tent to get caffeinated and enjoy some delicious blueberry pancakes. Since the weather has taken a bit of a turn, we got the news that we’d need to hunker down here for the second day in a row.
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Today was different from yesterday in the sense that the wind and snowfall picked up — around half an inch per hour. So, our time outside was limited.
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We spent some time clearing snow from the gear bags and around the tents, making sure it wasn’t creeping into places it shouldn’t be. A couple of us even began building what essentially became the Great Wall of Snow to protect our tents from the elements.
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To pass the time, we snacked, practiced tying knots, and, more than anything, had conversations with the team — getting to know each other better, telling stories, and understanding where everyone comes from.
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Although we all have the same goal, we come from different backgrounds. That’s the beauty of mountaineering — it brings together different souls from different walks of life.
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Tomorrow, we’re planning to carry some gear and supplies up to around 9,600 feet, then return to sleep at our current camp. Hopefully, the following day, we’ll continue moving upward.
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Spirits are high, we’re all hopeful, and we’re looking forward to having this beautiful mountain grace us with more of her presence.
- Connor Michalek
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 29, 2025
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 7,800'
Monday, June 3, 2025 - 7:22 am PT
We awoke to low visibility and fresh snowfall on our tent. We waited a few hrs in hopes that the clouds would rise and visibility would improve . We never left camp to start our carry and we are thankful we didn’t because the weather deteriorated more that afternoon and into the evening. While staying at camp we snacked, napped, read and organized camp. We then had some delicious, spicy burritos for dinner and talked about writing a guide book for hot sauces.
Shout out to all our friends and family back home!
Best,
RMI Guides Lacie, Dustin, Will and team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 29, 2025
Hoping you all woke up to better weather today. Thank you for the updates and photos! Sending you all good vibes :)
Posted by: Tanya on 6/4/2025 at 8:17 am
Hey Dustin! Sending best wishes for the weather to be perfect for the rest of your climb!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/3/2025 at 11:14 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Elevation: 7,800'
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 7:20 pm PT
We have arrived at the base of Ski Hill after flying on yesterday evening. Due to our late arrival, we setup at Basecamp and spent the evening reviewing skills and learning how to build an expedition glacier camp. Now our heaviest move of the trip is complete and we are hoping to carry tomorrow.
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 29, 2025
Love you Jeff! You got this babe!
Carrie
Posted by: Carrie Calvin on 6/2/2025 at 9:34 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,200'
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier and his team checked in from the K2 Aviation airstrip to let us know they’re en route to Base Camp. Their next update will come from the slopes of Mt. McKinley!
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 29, 2025
Hey Dustin! I ll be following you and your team! Sending best wishes for perfect weather and legs of steel!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/1/2025 at 3:54 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Friday, May 30, 2025 - 11:47 pm PT
RMI Denali Team #4 is assembled and after a full day of packing, is ready to embark on a grand adventure. What exact adventure awaits is somewhat of an unknown, an uncertainty that is a part of the process.
Today was spent packing, leaving no stone unturned because once we land on the glacier we basically just have what we have. Sure, some bartering can take place at the various camps, but we must make every effort to remember every item. Details matter.
Also throughout the day we continued to acquaint ourselves with the logistics of climbing and specifically of climbing this route in full expedition style. The K2 Aviation team gave us a quick orientation about flying on; and we were in close contact with them all day, sorting some additional details about our flights and basecamp logistics. The National Park Service briefed us on the route and provided some information that will help us climb responsibly in regard to our safety as a team and our ability to keep the mountain clean.
To wrap up the day we had a meal at the Denali Brewpub and got to bed hopefully early enough to get a full night's rest in a real bed, possibly our last for a few weeks. One big sigh of relief for every climber, knowing they have everything they need packed and ready to go.
RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler & Team
New Post Alerts:
Mt. McKinley Expedition May 29, 2025
Posted by: Sam Marjerison, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 7,400'
Mt. Baker Ski & Summit May 17 - 19:
Led by RMI Guide Sam Marjerison the team practice skills and did some ski touring yesterday. They arrived back to camp and settled in after turning around at 7,400 feet due to whiteout conditions. They are planning to enjoy a morning ski before making their exit around midday.
Posted by: Casey Grom, Sam Hoffman, Ben Luedtke, Will Ambler, Rosie Hust, Mitch Valaitis, Layne Peters
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,200'
The Four Day Climb, led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Sam Hoffman, reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver early this morning. After a strong alpine start and steady progress through the night, the team made excellent time ascending from Camp Muir.
As they approached the upper slopes of Mt. Rainier, the team encountered increasingly strong winds with gusts above 60 mph. Despite the group’s strength and determination, the guides made the prudent decision to turn the climb at the top of the Cleaver.
Reaching Disappointment Cleaver is a significant accomplishment, especially in challenging weather. The team demonstrated strong climbing skills, sound judgment, and excellent teamwork throughout the expedition.
Congratulations to all the climbers for their effort and perseverance. Well done!
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Seth Burns, Drew O’Brien, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir September 4 - 9 led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier, Seth Burns, Drew O'Brien and Will Ambler reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The team has spent the last several days training on the mountain and enjoying the views. Today they put their work to the test and made their summit attempt, reaching the crater rim around 7:30 am. After enjoying a bit of time on the summit the team is descending to Camp Muir where they will spend the night. Tomorrow they will descend the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise. A team celebration will be in order tomorrow afternoon before they conclude their six day program.
Nice work team!
Posted by: Seth Burns, Alan Davis, Nick Sinapius, Will Ambler, Josh Geiser, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb led by RMI Guides Seth Burns and Alan Davis reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Thanks to the recent route work by many of our RMI Guides the team had a great route and were on the top in five and a half hours. The team enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and clear skies. The team is back at Camp Muir where they will spend one more night and descend Sunday Morning.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Seth Burns, Mike Bennett, Nicole De Petris, Margo Kerr, Will Ambler, Calvin Jiricko
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day climb with Seth Burns and Mike Bennett made a sunset climb of Mt. Rainier. The team enjoyed a great route, and beautiful sunset on their way to the top. They plan to depart Camp Muir around 10am.
Congratulations Team!
Looks like the summit view was way better yesterday than the day before. Guess the delay was so everyone could have the awesome view! Congratulations!
Posted by: Chris Bruns on 8/19/2024 at 12:15 pm
Let’s go team!! Rooting for Carl and the rest of the Wittmier team to hopefully make some moves soon!! Sending best wished and crossed fingers here from Texas!!
Posted by: Sam Mehta on 6/5/2025 at 8:53 am
Caroline so proud of you and your teammates. Tomorrow will be a perfect day for your next climb. So says my butterfly
Posted by: Page Evans on 6/4/2025 at 12:51 pm
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