Friday, June 15, 2012

Denali Team 6: June 3 to June 23 - Dispatch #9


Guides: Mike Pond, Dustin Byrne, Tad McCrea

Climbers: Jim Bonadonna (New York), David Wain (UK), David Pritchett (UK), Todd Fletcher (Australia), Peter Menne (Germany), David Martin (Australia), Mark Mueller (California), Philip Mace (Bermuda), Brian Knowles (California)

Mike called at 7:45 pm PST on 6/14 with the following dispatch:

Hey folks this is Mike Pond from Denali team 6, and things are looking good!  Right now, we are sitting pretty with a really good weather window ahead of us.  It's Thursday evening.  Today we did a back carry and tomorrow we'll be moving up to high camp with intentions of resting on Saturday and on Sunday we plan on attempting the summit.  Things are going well and we are really optimistic.  We're really hoping that the weather window that has been forecasted holds on.  This has been a notoriously bad season for summits so I hope it works out for us and we'll be able to sneak one in. 

Other than that we're doing really well.  We appreciate all the cheers for us.  I know you're all rooting for us out there.  Its been super fun to hang out here at 14 with all this rough weather we've be having the last few days.


Ya, we're just getting psyched!  Right now we're finishing up some fixed line practice.  Tonight we are going to have some awesome mac and cheese with sausage for dinner and we're going to have some guests over and have a little dinner party - it's going to be great!  It'll be a nice send off for us from14.  Really hoping for the best.  Of course we'll keep you posted as we make our progress up the mountain.  So good bye for now, Godspeed, and we'll talk to you soon.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

A big "hello" from Mark's girls in sunny CA. Keep the SPOTs coming. Good luck with the weather window, try some sundances up at 16K. Enjoy the mountain, snap some photos and try out your cell phone signal. We're wishing you all the best!

BarbieK said...

Excellent dispatch. Always look foward to hearing from you Mike. Keep safe Team 6 and hope you reach the Summit and your dreams! Mac n cheese and Sausage sounds delicious. Praying to the sun Gods for you all!
Would love to see a picture!

Barbara & Fred Knowles

BarbieK said...

Not sure if my post was posted! Hope your having a great dinner party and enjoing the Mac n Cheese and Sausage! Sounds delicious. Going to say prayers to the sun Gods that you all can reach your dream and Summit! Looking forward to a picture maybe when your cell signal allows.
Barbara & Fred Knowles

Vijay P. Kumar said...

Good luck, Phil!

Kris Slentz said...

Oh, yeah! I forgot to list FOOD as one of the great ways you all pass time in place on the mountain. Here's hoping that weather window holds and the summit happens. If anyone will make it in a sketchy season, the AAI teams can. Happy Father's Day to any Dads on Team 6.
Kris Slentz

Sarah Martin said...

Goodluck for the Summit everyone!!! Hope the weather holds out!

Kris Slentz said...

So it is Sunday evening here in Singapore and you are probably on your way to summit early in the day in Alaska. I'm holding good thoughts and sending positive energy around the globe and north, for continued good weather and safe climbing up and down again.
Kris Slentz

BarbieK said...

Hope your climb up to the Summit is a success! Enjoy the view and stay safe!

Barbara & Fred Knowles
Marblehead, MA