The Rapid Expedition team gathered in Talkeetna today under thick cloud cover and low expectations for flying. With poor visibility over the Alaska Range, flights to basecamp were grounded, and by 3 p.m., the group made the call to stay the night in town. Spirits remain high despite the delay, and the team used the extra time to finalize gear checks, get to know each other, and fuel up for the climb ahead. They’re eyeing an early flight tomorrow with renewed optimism—conditions are looking much more favorable, and everyone’s eager to make their way into the range.

If weather holds, they’ll fly into Denali Basecamp at 7,200 ft (2,195 m), perched on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. From there, the team plans to begin the push toward Camp 1 at 7,800 ft (2,377 m), navigating crevassed terrain and rolling glacier slopes beneath towering seracs and massive granite faces. The forecast looks promising for an early drop-in and a same-day move, keeping the expedition on schedule. After days—or months—of preparation, the excitement to finally step onto the glacier and begin the climb is palpable. Stay tuned!