The bite of 39-degree air against my face reminded me of mornings on the lower slopes of Everest. Under clouded skies that mirrored the veiled mysteries ahead, our expedition took its first steps into the unknown territory of The Fort. As temperatures rose throughout our journey (39.8°F to 48.0°F), so too did the competition heat up, with whispers of the mountain—winds up to 9.2 mph—testing our resolve. In my years of tracking the elusive Yeti, I've learned that first impressions can be deceiving, yet revelatory. The footprints we discovered today tell a story of determination, resilience, and the promise of greater mysteries to come. In the depths of the Himalayas, I found not just a footprint, but a doorway to a world of endless possibility—and today, our adventurers began leaving their own marks on this treacherous terrain.
Our lead expedition team in MPO navigated the most challenging routes with remarkable skill. Josh Newton and Alex Tews engaged in a dance of leadership reminiscent of the shifting weather patterns I've witnessed on Annapurna—five lead changes throughout their journey, with the final decisive moment occurring after hole 16. Newton ultimately claimed the summit at an impressive -8, demonstrating the same unwavering focus I once needed when navigating an unexpected crevasse field in near-whiteout conditions. Tews secured a respectable -6 showing, while Ethan Walker rounded out our lead team at -5. What strikes me most about this group is not merely their technical prowess, but their adaptability—the true mark of those who might one day glimpse our elusive quarry. The back nine holes became their proving ground, with each challenge revealing more about their character than their scorecards.
Our secondary team of skilled adventurers in MA1 showed promising signs of the mettle required for our journey. Darin Hamblin emerged as a steady presence at -3, reminiscent of those sherpas whose quiet confidence I've come to trust implicitly on treacherous routes. His exceptional navigation of Hole 4—a passage that claimed many victims with its +0.6 stroke average—revealed an instinct for finding hidden paths that others missed. Bryant Adams followed closely at -2, while Cody Essler and Austin Taylor shared the third position at even par. The three lead changes in this division reminded me of the shifting ice fields of Khumbu—requiring constant reassessment and adaptation.
Our expedition veterans in MP50 brought wisdom earned through countless seasons of challenge. Brett Buttars and John Paulson engaged in a tactical battle that saw the lead exchange hands twice. Buttars ultimately claimed victory at +7 after taking the lead on hole 12, demonstrating that on the mountain, patience often proves more valuable than youthful vigor. In my own expeditions, I've found that those who have weathered many storms possess an intuition that cannot be taught—they read the terrain not just with their eyes, but with their accumulated experience.
Our seasoned adventurers in MA40 showed the steady hand that comes with maturity. Greg Jenson led wire-to-wire, finishing at +3 with the confidence of one who has learned to pace himself for the long journey ahead. Jared Shimanek followed at +5, maintaining a respectable distance throughout. As I've discovered in my years of tracking the Yeti, sometimes the most reliable progress comes not from dramatic surges, but from consistent, methodical advancement—one deliberate step after another.
The specialized team members with growing expertise in MA2 demonstrated the competitive spirit essential for our expedition's success. Jason Ramon, Kyle Hunter, and Christopher Hamby traded the lead in a display of determination that would serve them well on the higher slopes. Ramon secured his position after hole 9 and maintained it through to the end, finishing at +2. The mountain has no regard for our individual glory; it only respects the strength of our unity—yet within that unity, individual skill and perseverance must still shine through, as Ramon's performance clearly demonstrated.
Our newest recruits in MA4 faced perhaps the most volatile conditions, with five lead changes among four different players—a perfect reflection of the unpredictable nature of first encounters with the mountain. Abraham Vidinhar ultimately emerged from this chaos, taking the final lead after hole 10 and finishing at +5. Kevin Koga followed at +7, distinguishing himself with a remarkable birdie on the challenging Hole 14 of the Frostbite Seekers course—a hole that played +0.9 to par and surrendered only to his determination. Stephen Dunton secured third at +8. I was particularly moved by this division's performance, for it reminded me of my own first expedition—full of missteps and recoveries, but ultimately defined by the courage to continue forward into the unknown.
The most treacherous passages of our journey revealed much about our expedition members. Hole 4 of the Whiteout Guardians course—a formidable 530ft Par 4—proved to be our first major test, with only Darin Hamblin and Ethan Walker finding the hidden path to birdie. Similarly, Hole 5 surrendered only to Austin Kubalek and Brock Shepherd, while the deceptive Hole 8 claimed many victims with only three adventurers discovering its secrets. Perhaps most telling was Hole 14 on both courses—the point where many expeditions falter—challenging our team's endurance and claiming all but the most resilient. These moments of exceptional performance amidst adversity are what I search for when assembling an expedition team for the Himalayas—those rare individuals who see pathways invisible to others.
As we break camp and prepare for next week's ascent, I'm reminded that the mountain is not a conquest to be claimed, but a teacher to be revered. The footprints we've discovered today are merely the beginning. The tension between the Frostbite Seekers and Whiteout Guardians manifested clearly in the performance on their respective territories, with each faction claiming victories and suffering defeats. I sense the Yeti's presence looming larger as we advance, particularly in the rivalry developing between Newton and Tews—a dynamic that mirrors the ancient conflict between those who seek the Yeti and those who protect its secrets. In my expeditions, I've learned that early success can breed complacency. The true test comes when conditions change unexpectedly, as they surely will in the weeks ahead. The Yeti is the embodiment of the unknown, the siren song that lures us ever onward into the heart of the mystery—and our journey has only just begun.
Flippy's Hot Take