The entire team of our May 18th West Buttress expedition stood on the summit of Denali last night! It sounds like they had a good day and skies were clear as they climbed from their high camp at 17,200′ to the 20,310 foot summit. Congrats to all the climbers! Enjoy! recording
Lead Guide, Karl Welter called in last night under the midnight sun from high camp at 17,000′. The team experienced a windy, snowy morning at high camp that dissipated in to clear, windless skies. The team plans to summit today, so here’s wishing the team the best of luck and conditions! Hopefully the next dispatch…
Bryan calls in from High Camp at 17,200′! A beautiful, windless and bluebird day allowed the team to ascend the fixed lines and walk the 16,000′ ridge in ideal conditions. Expressing gratitude for those who have served our country, they settle into their new camp prepared to push for the summit after a some rest…
The May 18 Deanli West Buttress team had a big day today, with 7-8 hours of heading up the fixed lines to ascend the steep headwall that leads to the impressive 16,000′ ridge above Camp Three. When on the route, this is certainly when one gets the sense that the serious climbing has begun. Pushing…
Climber Matt Zelasko called in an update on the May 18th West Buttress team at Camp Three, just above 14,000′. The team is weathering a storm very well, with some extra downtime, reading, movies, hanging out in their Hilleberg kitchen tent, and of course extra snacks. As soon as a weather window allows, the team…
Matt and Cameron call in from Camp 14,200′. After picking up their cache lower on the mountain, the team spent the day practicing specific skills for higher up on the mountain. The fixed lines live above their camp with 800ft of steep snow climbing protected by fixed ropes where you attach yourself with an ascending…
The May 18 Team is doing well and in good spirits at Camp 3 (14,200′). The team spent the day drinking coffee, eating, and resting during a stormy day at camp after a couple hard days getting up to 14 Camp. To beat the “Cabin Fever” the team has turned to poetry: The Cremation of…
The whole team calls in from their cook tent at Camp 14,200′ after some tasty potato broccoli soup! A successful move day to Camp 14,200′ sets them up for life on the upper mountain. Weather is pleasant and the views are beautiful. As noted, “Windy corner even wasn’t that windy.” recording
Lead guide Karl calls in with the May 18th West Buttress team after a successful cache day up to 13,000′. Weather is pleasant with some rowdy winds around the aptly named feature of Windy Corner. The team is well, healthy and planning to move up to camp 14,200′ tomorrow on May 26th. Stay tuned! …
Cameron Kenny jumped on the satellite phone to update us all from the site of their new camp, nestled in a small, but stunningly pretty basin at 11,000′. The team packed up their camp at 7,800′ early this morning and headed up the long ascent of Ski Hill, gaining almost 2000′ before the glacier’s slope…