And just like that, the June 16th Gillig team’s Denali ski expedition has come to a close! With the team safely off the mountain and the last climbers making their flights home, this incredible adventure has officially wrapped up.
What a journey it’s been. This team set out to do one of the most ambitious things a climber can attempt on Denali: not just reach the 20,310-foot summit, but ski back down from it. Over the course of the expedition, they hauled heavy loads up the lower glacier, navigated Windy Corner, worked the fixed lines, climbed the exposed ridge to high camp, and stood on top of North America before clicking into their skis and earning turns down some of the most dramatic terrain on the continent. It’s the kind of climb that takes years of training, deep mountain experience, and a whole lot of grit, and this team delivered on all of it.
Beyond the summit and the skiing, an expedition like this is really about the people. The long days on the rope, the storm holds, the camp meals, the shared views, and the quiet moments of awe high on the mountain all add up to memories and bonds that last a lifetime. We feel incredibly fortunate to have shared this experience with such a strong and determined group of climbers.
A huge thank you to the entire June 16th Gillig team, climbers and guides alike, for trusting us to be part of this adventure. Denali asks a lot of everyone who steps onto it, and this team met the challenge head-on and came away with an accomplishment they’ll carry with them forever.
To the team: congratulations on an unforgettable expedition. Until the next adventure, safe travels home, and thank you for letting us be part of your journey on The Great One.
Snowboard descent off of Denali
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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.
