Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Denali Team 5 - Dispatch #6

Denali Team 5: June 13–July 3

Guides: Paul Ivaska, Richard Riquelme, Kristen Looper
Apprentice: Andrew Yasso

Climbers: Walt, Ann, and Luke Hampton (Canton, Connecticut), Caitriona Strain (Burnfoot, Ireland), Brendan McDyer (Glenties, Ireland), Skye O'Donnell (Sydney, Australia), Colin Stalnecker (Chicago, Illinois), Ryan Derrigan (Rickmansworth, England), and Stephen Williams (Oxon, United Kingdom)

Paul called on Wenesday the 16th at 4:00 pm with the following update:


“Hi everyone! This is going to be a quick dispatch; our phone keeps cutting out. We put in cache at 10,000 feet today. We started very early this morning and caught a decent weather window; right now it’s snowing. It’s not snowing very hard, but it’s overcast with low visibility. The weather is not the greatest, but it’s not the worst either, so we plan to keep pushing on. We’re listening to the radio and it wounds like the teams above us are dealing with some windy conditions.

I have a few messages from the team:

From Luke: To Abbi, I hope finals went well. Hope you have fun at the pool party while I’m on a glacier. I miss you.

From Caitriona: Thanks for all the messages everyone. We really appreciate it after a hard day up the hill.

From Walt: Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

From Steve: To Duncs. Have awesome stag? (I could not made out this word very well) Sorry I’m not there, get you next time. Sambuca!

From Andrew: Natasha, I love you. To Mom, my beard froze today!!!

That’s all for now. Take care, everyone.”

-Paul

14 comments:

Laura said...

To Richard:
Chile 1 - Honduras 0

Jeanne said...

Andrew! Oh no your beard! Tomorrow is Edmunds birthday so we are going to Christianes. I love you bubbles....

Abbey said...

luke, i miss you. i can't wait to talk to you!

David Donaghy said...

Hi Caitriona,good 2 hear everything going well, everyone in muff asking for u, take care David

Katie Bradfield said...

Hi Steve. Great to be able to follow your progress on here! Glad all is well and you are making good progress. I passed on your message to Duncs & Sarah & they send their love. Miss you! Take care. Lol Katie xx

rowingmum said...

Hi Steve, Good to hear that you are still ascending. Hope you can get as much training in as possible. Love you. Mum & Dad x

Unknown said...

Stevie,

Thanks for the message. It won't be the same without you! I will make sure we all drink an extra Sambuca each round for you! Hope all is well on the trip and look forward to hearing all your tales upon your return. Don't forget that sun cream haha!!

All the best.
Cheers bro
Duncs

Unknown said...

Hey Stevie,
Right this is the third time I have writtne this, computer crashing. Accidently deleting, not sure if it posted so anyway one more go!

Hope you are having a cracking time up the mountain with all your kit! Hope you have great weather so you can get up and down asap and get back home for the Sambuca. You will be missed on the stag of course however I will make sure we drink a buca for you each round. Thanks for the message and see you soon lad!

All the best.
Cheers bro
Duncs

Joseph said...

Andrew - miss you brother! The USA tied England in it's World Cup opening game, in case you didn't know! We played well! Chowss.

John and Jess said...

Hey Team 5, I'm so glad you guys are doing well. We are counting on your safe return. Andrew- Jess and John are keeping in touch and we love you!

Micheal said...

Colin,
Mom and Dad send their love and best wishes. Send word,...or snow, something.

Anonymous said...

To the Hamptons: Have a blast up there! Following your climb, I wish I were back on the mountain climbing it again! I am sending thoughts of good weather for your summit bid and hopefully they reach you guys! I am sure you are having warmer weather than we had in May! Looking forward to your pictures and stories when you get back! -Kristina and Don :)

Unknown said...

Hi Caitriona, good to hear from you all. Hope weather improves for ye. Best of luck and ill keep looking out for you. Alls well, regards, Marion

antipodean said...

G'day Steve. Wow, that mountain looks impressive. Take care, jdjh x