Guide Yoshiko called in an update on the May 13 West Buttress team, from Camp Three at 14,200′. The team backcarried to retrieve their cache at around 13,400′ near Windy Corner, and also placed a high cache up on the ridge at around 16,300′, above the steep headwall above camp. This puts them into position to be ready to move to High Camp at 17,200′ on the route.

High winds have persisted on the upper mountain throughout the season so far, and Yoshiko noted a large lenticular cloud forming around the summit. Lenticular clouds are harbingers of high winds and are generally taken as a warning sign in the mountains of potentially turbulent weather to come.

Today the team plans to take a rest day, perhaps practicing crampon and ice axe technique for the upper mountain. They hope to move up to High Camp once the weather and winds allow safe passage.

Here’s Yoshiko!

recording