June 7th Team

June 7th team head up the fixed lines

The June 7th team got a cache in up on the ridge today! Caching on the ridge is one of the more demanding objectives on the West Buttress, and getting it done is a real step toward the upper mountain.

The day’s coms from the team were limited, but a few photos came in from the team showing them on the fixed lines and up on the ridge, which paints the picture of a strong day on the upper mountain. Those images of climbers moving up the fixed lines and stepping out onto the long, exposed ridge above 14 Camp are some of the most iconic shots of any Denali expedition, and they capture just how committing this section of the climb really is.

The ridge above the fixed lines is a long, exposed stretch of climbing with steep terrain and significant drop-offs on both sides. It demands focus, sharp footwork in crampons, and confident rope team travel, all while working at altitude. Successfully getting a cache up there means the team has put in serious work and now has supplies staged in a key position for the move to high camp.

For now, the June 7th team is back at 14 Camp with a major day behind them. With supplies now staged on the ridge and the team climbing well, they’re in a great position to keep building toward the upper mountain.

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