The June 10th team back-carried from below 14 Camp today, bringing the rest of their supplies up the route and consolidating their gear at camp. With everything now in one place, the team is set up well to focus on the next phase of the climb.

Back-carrying is a familiar rhythm on Denali by this point in an expedition. The team heads down to where the cache was buried, digs out the supplies, repacks them into sleds and packs, and hauls everything back up to camp. The loads are heavy on the return leg, but the route is familiar ground at this point, which makes the day feel more manageable than a brand-new push higher.

The team also spent part of the afternoon running through skills in preparation for the upper mountain. Practicing techniques for the fixed lines is some of the most valuable work a team can do in camp before stepping onto more demanding terrain. The drills typically include ascending on the lines using mechanical ascenders, descending in control with rappel devices, and the all-important transitions at anchor points where climbers have to unclip from one section and clip into the next while always staying attached to the rope. These motions need to feel automatic when the team is on the actual fixed lines higher up, so drilling them in a low-stakes setting at camp is one of the best ways to build confidence and efficiency.

For now, the June 10th team is settled in at 14 Camp with another productive day behind them. With the gear consolidated and the skills work in place, the team is in a great spot heading into the next phase of the climb.

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