RE: The Fog Lifted

This should be called the "Snake Eaters' Summit", as all but one of the group are SOC personnel.  (For those unfamiliar with the term, dating back at least to the days of the Green Berets in jungles, special operators have been called "snake eaters.")
  Mark Marshall


-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Uberuaga [mailto:markuberuaga@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sat 5/23/2009 2:19 AM
To: usaf7summits blog; Marshall, Mark; cmarshallrd@mindspring.com; jetsetvet@hotmail.com; scrapadoo11@hotmail.com; abarr@ucdavis.edu; Sam Glaser; Marcel Bieg; mark.rockefeller@gmail.com; demgm79@gmail.com; helmscp@gmail.com; ferrellje@hotmail.com; courtball@earthlink.net; paqit@hotmail.com; taryn_mcdonald@hotmail.com; rmckinney@bankandoffice.com; Rob Marshall
Subject: The Fog Lifted


I heard from Rob Friday evening too and now it sounds like the weather has cleared enough for the pilots to make it up to base camp and back.  So, now they've loaded their planes and are on their way!

Below is more from Lara.

Mark

May 22, 2009  Friday
       So our group of excited mountaineers woke up at the early hour of 7:30 am, and started packing the much needed gear in Kevin and Ralph's vehicles. The Jeeps were so packed that it occurred once or twice in their minds to leave behind one of the group members, but that would be cruel, so everyone piled in as best they could. Once arriving at Talkeetna, they went straight to the NPS briefing and experienced a couple of hours of sleep-educing chatter and regulations to keep in mind. The highlight of the educational briefing was when they received The Green Bucket ,this is where the men will keep their bodily waste until the they climb back down the mountain... in June. (Mountain regulators are apparently very serious about littering!) The Team was supposed to leave on a flight to Kahiltna Glacier but due to fog, they will be stuck until the weather conditions become acceptable again. Kahiltna Glacier is the base camp where the men will be starting the expedition. To pass the time, they are going to town to eat a generous meal of pizza and burgers. After their lunch they will continue to check for updates and flight departures to see if they can leave tonight. Yesterday the men participated at a Crevasse Rescue Training, where i have been told, they enjoyed themselves very much, and ended the day with a night on the town and a nice dinner.


      I would like to add that this expedition is in memory of the fallen comrades in Afghanistan and Iraq. Two of whom, our mountain climbers are keeping close to their hearts and minds as they progress up the side of the thunderous Mt. Denali. They are Tom Maholic and Tom Valentine. Both were great outdoorsmen and amazing men. One Voice One Call is dedicating this to their memory.



Again i would like to clarify the identity of our team members:

Karim - Army Special Forces
Tim - Navy Seal
Dan - Civilian
John - Navy Seal
Rob - Airforce Special Operations - Pilot
Andrew - Army Special Forces



                          "I look up to the mountain - does my help come from there?
                           My help comes from  the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
                           He will not let you stumble ; the one who watches over you
                           will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never
                           slumbers or sleeps. The Lord Himself watches over you! The Lord
                           stands beside you as you protective shade. The sun will not
                           harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you
                           from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch
                           over you as you come and go now and forever."  
                                                                                              -Psalm 120



                                                     - Lara <3

 

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The Fog Lifted

I heard from Rob Friday evening too and now it sounds like the weather has cleared enough for the pilots to make it up to base camp and back.  So, now they've loaded their planes and are on their way!
 
Below is more from Lara.
 
Mark
 
May 22, 2009  Friday
       So our group of excited mountaineers woke up at the early hour of 7:30 am, and started packing the much needed gear in Kevin and Ralph's vehicles. The Jeeps were so packed that it occurred once or twice in their minds to leave behind one of the group members, but that would be cruel, so everyone piled in as best they could. Once arriving at Talkeetna, they went straight to the NPS briefing and experienced a couple of hours of sleep-educing chatter and regulations to keep in mind. The highlight of the educational briefing was when they received The Green Bucket ,this is where the men will keep their bodily waste until the they climb back down the mountain... in June. (Mountain regulators are apparently very serious about littering!) The Team was supposed to leave on a flight to Kahiltna Glacier but due to fog, they will be stuck until the weather conditions become acceptable again. Kahiltna Glacier is the base camp where the men will be starting the expedition. To pass the time, they are going to town to eat a generous meal of pizza and burgers. After their lunch they will continue to check for updates and flight departures to see if they can leave tonight. Yesterday the men participated at a Crevasse Rescue Training, where i have been told, they enjoyed themselves very much, and ended the day with a night on the town and a nice dinner.
 
 
      I would like to add that this expedition is in memory of the fallen comrades in Afghanistan and Iraq. Two of whom, our mountain climbers are keeping close to their hearts and minds as they progress up the side of the thunderous Mt. Denali. They are Tom Maholic and Tom Valentine. Both were great outdoorsmen and amazing men. One Voice One Call is dedicating this to their memory.
 
 
 
Again i would like to clarify the identity of our team members:
 
Karim - Army Special Forces
Tim - Navy Seal
Dan - Civilian
John - Navy Seal
Rob - Airforce Special Operations - Pilot
Andrew - Army Special Forces
 
 
 
                          "I look up to the mountain - does my help come from there?
                           My help comes from  the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
                           He will not let you stumble ; the one who watches over you
                           will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never
                           slumbers or sleeps. The Lord Himself watches over you! The Lord
                           stands beside you as you protective shade. The sun will not
                           harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you
                           from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch
                           over you as you come and go now and forever."  
                                                                                              -Psalm 120
 
 
 
                                                     - Lara <3

News From Talkeetna

Hi everyone!
 
I'm super excited for Rob and his team and I hope you are too.  I'm going to pass any information I get on to you all throughout the climb.  First news has already come in from Lara.  Her father is Karim and she said that fog on the mountain precluded the team from flying on today.  Hopefully we'll have another chance to hear from Rob if this is actually the case.
 
Below is a message she just sent out.
 
Mark
 
ps Don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns about what Rob is up to.  My number is 520-400-5060.

News From Talkeetna

Hello Everyone,
 
          My name is Lara and i was asked by my father, Karim, to keep you guys in touch with the Denali expedition. I will be sending continuous emails letting you know of their progress. If anyone would like to be taken off of the list, please just send me an email telling me to do so. :)
 
Our team members:
Karim
Tim
Dan
John
Rob
Andrew
 
            In case anyone is unfamiliar with One Voice One Call, (name chosen by me) this team is a group of 6 men who are going to be climbing the famous Mt. Denali (the highest mountain in North America) in the course of the next month (hopefully). Right now, the team has arrived at Anchorage. Kevin flew in on the weekend (one of the biggest supporters in this expedition!) , while Tim and John arrived Tuesday night, Dan Wednesday morning, followed by Karim, Andrew and Rob on Wednesday night.
            Kevin, Dan, Tim and John spent most of the day (Wednesday) purchasing the expedition food, what a sight, "Four guys trying to find their way in the intricate labyrinth of a grocery store".
           
       May 21 2009, Thursday
                Todays schedule includes, organizing and packing all the food and equipment, as well as getting any hard to find, missing climbing gear ready for the trip. They finished the preparations at 3 pm and are going to have a group meal later on. Last minute preparations will be after, and resting for tomorrow will proceed. Tomorrow they plan to leave at 7:30am. Ralph Baldwin (another major supporter, who lives in a small town in between Anchorage and Talkeetna. Also where Palin is from!) and Kevin will be taking them to Talkeetna. At noon there will be a NPS breifing and if the weather permits they fly to Kahiltna Glacier and begin the adventure...
 
* Quick Note: The name One Voice One Call represents the overall motivation of the team members. All the men are climbing together as one voice, but all of them have different calls or motives for climbing and being heard. This climb is a very important time for each and everyone of these men. I am personally very proud of this group and i wish them the safest, most exciting and fulfilling climb of their lives :) *
 
          Please if anyone would like to add anything or have me post something just reply, telling me what to write and what you would like to say!
 
 
                        "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messanger
                         who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation,
                         the news that the God of Israel reigns!"
                                               -Isaiah 52:7
 
 
 
                                                                    Thanks,
                                                                            Lara <3

Climbers in Anchorage

26th St Hostel, Anchorage

Leaving for Talkeetna

Howdy everyone!  Just a quick note to say we're doing great here in Alaska.  It's early morning on the 22nd and we are just about to leave for Talkeetna.  Once there, we will get a briefing from the National Park Service on Denali rules and safety issues.  Then we'll load up into planes from Hudson Air and fly onto the glacier.  From here on out, Mark Uberuaga will be spreading the news we send out.  If I can upload a picture in time, I'll try it!

 

Hopefully I'll run into several other Air Force climbers who are flying onto the glacier this morning.  We will have quite the mixed group climbing near each other- Air Force, Army, and Navy special operations... quite the joint effort!

 

Climb High, Fly Low-  Rob

Return to Alaska!

In an effort to gain more training for Mt. Everest and Vinson Massif, we've decided to make a return to the highest mountain of North America: Mt. McKinley of Alaska! While the team already carried the Air Force flag to this summit last spring, this group will ascend to keep their skills sharp and to continue to build momentum for the two big peaks remaining.



The plans have the team arriving in Alaska around May 20th, with a start of the climb on the 22nd. As with all our climbs, the weather and team health dictate the exact number of days necessary to reach the summit, but we're predicting a return no later than June 10th. We'll have four Air Force members climbing on this trip. On the same schedule will be five special forces team members: two Navy SEALS, two Army Rangers, and one member from of the Dominican Republic SOF.



We'll be looking to use this climb to start fundraising for our planned Everest climb. Originally we were set on a 2010 attempt, but a new baby in the life of one of our lead climbers and a operational deployments during the best climbing window might delay it to the latter part of '10 or the early party of '11. In the mean time, we are incorporating the USAF 7 Summits Challenge as a not-for-profit organization. This should help us to raise the money necessary! Many thanks to Mark Rockefeller for his legal assistance in this important venture.

If you can offer any assistance, advice, website support, or sponsorship, please don't hesitate to contact us at: usaf7summits@gmail.com.

Climb High, Fly Low- Capt Rob Marshall