June 16th Gillig Team – Skiing at 14 Camp!

The June 16th Gillig team had a fun and productive day at 14 Camp today, mixing some skiing with a classic Denali outing before gearing up for the next big move!

The team got some turns in on Bunny Hill today, the gentle slope near 14 Camp that’s a perfect spot to ski and stay loose while spending time at altitude. For a team here to attempt a summit ski descent, any chance to click into the skis and make some turns is a welcome one, and days like this help keep the ski legs sharp ahead of the bigger objectives higher up.

The team also took a walk out to the Edge of the World, one of the most iconic spots on the West Buttress. The Edge sits just beyond 14 Camp and offers a dramatic look straight down to the lower Kahiltna Glacier thousands of feet below, with sweeping views across the Alaska Range. It’s a quick walk from camp, but it’s the kind of view that puts the scale of Denali into real perspective.

Looking ahead, the team is planning to make the move up to high camp tomorrow, with a summit attempt on the horizon in the days that follow, weather permitting. Getting established at high camp puts the team in position to capitalize on a good weather window when it opens, and with the move and the summit push both in their sights, the Gillig team is entering the most pivotal stretch of their ski expedition.

For now, the June 16th Gillig team is settled in at 14 Camp, resting up and getting ready for the move higher. With some turns in the books, the Edge of the World checked off, and high camp on the horizon, the ski expedition is rolling right along.

 

June 16th team gets a ski in at 14 Camp

June 16th team gets a ski in at 14 Camp

 

June 16th Team above 14 Camp

June 16th Team above 14 Camp

 

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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.

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