The June 15th team is settling into mountain life on the lower Kahiltna Glacier and making strategic moves to adapt to the rhythm of Denali. Last night, the crew traveled during the cooler hours to avoid the intense heat and soft snow conditions that come with midday glacier travel. Under the glow of the midnight sun, they navigated the expansive ice fields surrounded by towering alpine peaks and crevasse-studded terrain — a surreal and humbling environment that defines the lower mountain.
Back at Camp 1 (7,800 ft / 2,377 m), spirits are high and appetites are strong. Tonight’s dinner? A big mountain favorite: hot, savory pad thai — the perfect combo of carbs, spice, and satisfaction after a long day of hauling sleds and building camp.
Everyone is feeling strong, well-acclimated, and excited for their next move up the glacier. Their next destination: Camp 2 at 11,000 ft (3,353 m), which sits at the base of Motorcycle Hill and offers panoramic views of the surrounding Alaska Range — steep walls, hanging seracs, and endless white.
Stay tuned for more updates from the climb — and, of course, for nightly dispatches from the Denali dinner table.
