Ty calls in from Anchorage to report the team’s final dispatch. This team went through a lot on their way up and down The Great One, and we admire their resilience. The West Buttress, although it may be considered a somewhat “simple” route, is still full of its challenges both expected and unexpected (like COVID!).…
The team is slowly making their way back down. They were able to descend into Camp 1 at 7,800′ (2377m), but the glacier was starting to warm up so they made camp here. They began moving again this morning at 1am while the glacier was frozen, to continue their way into Basecamp. Here’s Caroline: recording
The team was able to make it to 14,200′ (4328m), and then from there they descended down to Camp 2 at 11,200′ (3413m) to spend the night. The team should be continuing on their descent down the mountain, likely during the night hours when everything is more frozen. Here’s Brian: recording
Lead Mountain Trip Guide Ty Guarino rang in from the 17,200 foot High Camp on Denali’s West Buttress route. The team made a summit push yesterday! They climbed up to about 19,800 feet, but increasing winds of about 30 mph caused conditions to deteriorate to the point where it was imprudent to keep heading upwards.…
The team enjoyed a rest day at High Camp yesterday in preparation for their summit bid today! Yesterday they were able to get some rest, fuel, and hydrate. They dialed in their packs for their summit attempt, and went over details of the day. Not much else to say here, but we can’t wait to…
Yesterday the team was able to pack up at Camp 3 (14,200′ 4328m) and move up to High Camp at 17,200′ (5242m). They retraced their steps from cache day. Starting first by climbing the slope from 14,200′ (4328m) for a couple of hours up to the beginning of the fixed lines at 15,000′. Here they…
The team took another rest day today in preparation for their move up to High Camp which is likely happening today! Yesterday they were able to take the time to prep for this move, as all unnecessary items must be weeded out. Packs need to be as light as possible to preserve as much energy…
After caching on the ridge at 16,200′ (4937m) the team took a well deserved rest day today. They enjoyed some splendid blueberry pancakes at 14,200′ (4328m) this morning, as well as a hike out to The Edge of the World. The Edge of the World is where Genet Basin, where Camp 3 lies, drops a…
Yesterday the June 2 team left camp to climb 1,000′ to the start of the fixed lines, which took about two hours to get to. Once arriving at the bergshrund (where a glacier meets steep ice, creating a crevasse that sloughs dramatically away from the steep ice and continues across an entire mountain face) the…
Yesterday the team took a well deserved rest day at Camp 3. They spent the day perfecting their snow camp and reviewing skills that they will need as they continue up the mountain. Sometimes on rest days at camp 3 teams will also take some time to walk out to The Edge of the World,…