The June 6th team took a combined rest and weather day at 14 Camp today, holding tight as conditions on the route kept the team in place. Rather than push into weather that wasn’t cooperating, the team made the smart call to stay put.

Days like this are some of the most important on a Denali expedition. Pushing into poor weather just to keep moving isn’t worth the risk, especially in the upper mountain phase of the climb where the terrain gets more committing. Holding off and waiting for a better window is almost always the right call, and the team is doing exactly that.

The upside is that time at 14 Camp continues to pay off. Every day spent at 14,200 feet is more time for the body to adapt to the altitude, recover from previous days of climbing, and refuel for whatever comes next. Hot meals, plenty of water, and good rest all add up to a stronger team when the window finally arrives.

For now, the June 6th team is staying patient, staying warm, and keeping an eye on the forecast. We’ll have more to share once the next opportunity to move higher comes around.

Storm day at 14k

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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.