Trip Reports
Yesterday our ski team had another active rest day. They climbed up to the bottom of the Rescue Gully, one of the gullies (or couloirs) that drops from the ridge above 17,000′ (5181m) back into Camp 3 at 14,200′ (4328m). Often used as an alternate ascent or descent instead of the Fixed Lines on the…
Ty calls in from Anchorage to report the team’s final dispatch. This team went through a lot on their way up and down The Great One, and we admire their resilience. The West Buttress, although it may be considered a somewhat “simple” route, is still full of its challenges both expected and unexpected (like COVID!).…
After leaving Talkeetna, the team flew across the flat expanse of braided rivers that leads to the Alaska Range. Flying over the foot of the range they traveled across the glaciated, frozen peaks into Denali Basecamp at 7,200′ (2194m). Unloading their supplies from the plane, the team set up in Basecamp temporarily to wait for…
Yesterday our team of folks was able to climb up Ski Hill from Camp 1 at 7,800′ (2377m) onto an upper portion of the glacier. Navigating some rolling terrain here, the team made their way to 10,300′ (3139m), below Kahiltna Pass. They dug in camp here, and enjoyed a warm dinner whipped up by our…
Yesterday the team descended from Camp 3 at 14,200′ (4328m) back into their cache above Windy Corner at 13,200′ (3413m). They dug up their supplies, packed them up, and climbed back up to Camp 3. The rest of the day they did some “snow school”, practicing using ascenders and running pro (more on that later).…
Gustavo Ziller gave us a ring from the team’s Camp 1, located on a compact section of the mighty Kahiltna Glacier at an elevation of 7,800 feet (2377 m). The team took just over four hours to descend out of Base Camp and hike up the main body of the Kahiltna to their first camp.…
Lead Mountain Trip Guide Elías de Andres Martos rang in from 7,800 feet on the Kahiltna Glacier. He, Brian, and Steven moved up to what is the traditional Camp 1 for most climbers attempting the West Buttress, West Rib and Cassin routes. Located at the mouth of the Northeast Fork of the Kahiltna, their camp…
Yesterday the team pack up at Camp 2 (11,200′ 3413m) and began their journey to Camp 3. Retracing their steps to the cache site, they rounded Windy Corner, dropped down a small incline, and climbed a short, gentle hill back up and into Camp 3 (14,200′ 4328m). Camp 3 lies in Genet Basin. The backdrop…
Here’s Jordan calling in from lower elevations! Great work to everyone on this expedition, and all our many others as well. It has so far been a great, and busy, Denali season for Mountain Trip and we’re already planning next year. Jordan: recording
After standing on the summit (20,310′ 6190m), Jesse, Gary, and Grant made their way back to High Camp (17,200′ 5242m) where they collapsed into their sleeping bags for some rest after a long day. Yesterday they morning, they got up, packed up camp, and made their way back to the Fixed Lines to descend back…