Dave Helland gave a shout from 14,200′ on the West Buttress route. The team put a cache in on the upper portion of the West Rib, took a rest day and tomorrow they plan to get onto the West Rib itself.

Their plan is to climb up to the Rib and then drop down the route to a spot at either 13,900′ or 12’900′ depending on what conditions they find.  They will then drop down to the base of the route and re-climb back up to the camp they established the day before.  Another day will see them up to their cache at above 16,000′ and then it’s just another day to the top!  Walk in the park, eh?

Actually, the days ahead of the team will be rigorous and both technically and physically challenging.  They have prepared hard for the challenge and the weather looks favorable, but it will still be very hard work.  Dave Helland joined Fischer and Matt for several days of training in southwest Colorado this past winter to best prepare for the endeavor.  We’ll keep you posted as they get to work!

Here’s Dave –

recording