Well, We have returned to civilization! It’s been a couple days since we flew off the Kahiltna glacier, and the world has got us back. We completed our trip in Talkeetna with a big feast of burgers and fish sandwiches at the West Rib, after flying out of basecamp on the evening of May…
Karen Bockel called in to report that she, Grant and Mary are all back in Base Camp, after having enjoyed a clear and beautiful summit of Denali! They had some technical issues with their satellite phone, and were unable to call in for a couple of days, but they had a great day on top…
Grant called in to report that the team moved up to high camp at 17,200′. This is a very long, hard day, and it sounded like the fixed lines leading to the top of the ridge were quite busy with climbers who had been stacked up during the long spell of inclement weather some days…
Mary called in the report tonight. The team cached equipment and supplies at 16,400 feet yesterday, and exhausting effort, and today they are enjoying a well deserved rest day at 14,000 feet. It sounds like the team is enjoying the beautiful views of Foraker and sitting in the sunshine. Not so bad! Here’s Mary: recording
Lead guide Karen Bockel called in to report on the team’s carry up to the base of a prominent rock formation called Washburn’s Thumb. The team did well today and put their cache in higher than most teams do on the ridge up to high camp. Here’s Karen: recording
Grant Ritchie called in a very nice post, which contained some good news – the team moved up to 14,200′, but also some sad news – they Tylers have descended to base camp and flew off the mountain. Ariel was exhibiting signs and symptoms of altitude sickness, and given the complex terrain ahead of them,…
Karen got a bit cut off, but was able to let us all know that they were able to make their back carry today and now have all of their supplies at hand. They had left a cache below their 11,200′ camp several days ago, but had been unable to get down to retrieve it,…
The snow continues to fall on the mountain, with teams reporting significant accumulations at all elevations. The forecast is for more of the same, with winds increasing on the upper mountain over the weekend. Everyone is just sitting tight, working on their camps, which is a never-ending routine when the snow falls. Tents need to…
Karen and Mary called in to give us an update from the stormy 11,200′ camp. It has been snowing a lot and the winds have picked up of late as well. The forecast is for more snow, so the team has spent their time fortifying their camp in preparation for the continued storm. Spirits are…
We’ve not heard much from the teams, and I can’t really blame them for not being too excited to step outside to call in an audio post, as the weather on the mountain has been pretty rough in recent days. Winds and snow have kept our teams hunkered down at their respective camps, and I…