The May 26th team is officially on the mountain and off to a strong start! The team flew into Basecamp today and wasted no time getting to work, making the move all the way to Camp 1 in just 4.5 hours.

Hitting the ground running like this is an impressive way to open an expedition. Rather than spending a night at Basecamp, the team took advantage of good conditions and pushed straight on to Camp 1, knocking out one of the longer days of the lower mountain right out of the gate. The move from Basecamp to Camp 1 covers roughly 5.5 miles, starting with the descent down Heartbreak Hill before stretching across the lower Kahiltna Glacier. Knocking it out in 4.5 hours is a quick, efficient pace, especially on day one with heavy loads and sleds in tow.

Word from the team is that the lower glacier is in really good condition right now, which is great news. Glacier conditions can vary quite a bit depending on the time of season, recent weather, and how much traffic the route has seen. A well-traveled, firm, and stable lower glacier makes for faster, safer travel and sets a positive tone for the days ahead. Good conditions early in the climb let the team move efficiently and conserve energy for the more demanding terrain higher up the mountain.

For now, the May 26th team is settled in at Camp 1 after a fast and productive first day on the glacier. It’s exactly the kind of start that builds momentum, and we’re excited to see how the team continues to progress up the route.

Denali May 26th team photo

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