June 8th Team

The June 8th team is officially on the mountain! After their flight into Basecamp today, the team pushed up the lower glacier and arrived at Camp 1 to round out a strong first day on Denali.

This is the lead guide’s second Denali expedition of the season, and that experience is paying off from day one. Having already worked through the route once this year, the lead guide is dialed in on conditions, the current state of the lower glacier, and the small but important details that can make a big difference when running an expedition. Climbers on the team are getting the benefit of fresh, up-to-the-minute beta as they start their own climb up the mountain.

The move from Basecamp to Camp 1 covers about 5.5 miles, starting with the descent down Heartbreak Hill before stretching across the relatively flat lower Kahiltna Glacier. Knocking out that move on day one with heavy loads is a strong way to open an expedition. With all the climbers and gear safely at Camp 1, the team is well-positioned to keep moving up the route in the days ahead.

For now, the June 8th team is settled in at Camp 1 after a productive first day on the mountain. With the first big move behind them and an experienced guide leading the way, the team is in a great spot to keep building momentum on the route.

Denali Basecamp

Denali from Basecamp

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Interested in more information about conditions and happenings on Denali? Be sure to also check out the Denali National Park’s Denali Dispatches Blog where they post weekly Field Reports.