The Cops on Top Board of Directors is proud to announce that Expedition leader, Lieutenant Troy Bacon, has made phone contact to report a successful summit attempt to the highest point of North America. Troy reports that on May 21, 2010, at 7:30 PM Alaska time, he, Caleb Pleasants, Steve Janke, and Nelson Grant reached the summit of Denali, commonly known as Mount McKinley, the 20,320 foot summit of North America. The team has returned to High Camp at 17,200 feet to rest and recover. Tim Wenthe, who had accompanied the team to High Camp, has maintained the team's camp at Advanced Base Camp, 14,200 feet. According to the most recent information available, they are only the 11th through 14th persons to stand on Denali this year.
On the summit, the team remembered and honored the sacrifice of Trooper Michael Haynes of the Montana State Patrol, who was killed in the line of duty while protecting the citizens of the Big Sky State.
It is our deepest hope and prayer that the team may safely descend and return to us soon so that we may hear of their adventure.
May the memory of Trooper Haynes burn brightly forever. May his sacrifice never be forgotten. May his family know that we will never forget them, their loved one, and their pain that may never be fully assuaged. We will NEVER forget!
Congratulations to the Denali team, the 4th Cops on Top team to reach the highest point of North America on behalf of our fallen comrades.
Respectfully,
Captain Keith McPheeters
President, Cops on Top