The May 26th team set out today to cache below Camp 2 at Kahiltna Pass, taking on one of the early caching days of the expedition. Caching at the pass is a key step on the West Buttress, helping the team start shifting the weight of their expedition higher up the route and setting them up for a smoother move when they relocate camp.

It was a demanding day on the rope, and as is often the case with the early caching days, some climbers found themselves working through the natural learning curve that comes with expedition-style travel at altitude. That’s completely normal at this point in a trip. Hauling heavy loads on a glacier, pacing on a rope team, and getting used to the rhythms of long climbing days all take time to settle into. The team’s lead guide stayed attentive throughout the day, making small adjustments where needed to keep everyone safe, comfortable, and moving well as a unit. Little things like rebalancing loads or adjusting positioning on the rope team can make a big difference, and it’s a great example of the kind of hands-on guiding that defines a strong expedition.

The good news is that this kind of work pays off quickly. The lower mountain is, in many ways, where the team’s foundational skills and pacing get dialed in, and the work being put in now sets the team up well for the more demanding terrain higher on the route.

For now, the May 26th team is back at camp with another caching day behind them. The team is in good hands and continuing to find their rhythm as they work their way up the mountain.

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