Each season, we work with teams of climbers from different parts of the world, in an effort to help climbers from different cultural backgrounds have a great experience on North America’s tallest mountain. In just a day or two the May 30 team will begin their journey to Alaska, convening at the Millennium Hotel for…
The team in Talkeetna, at the National Park Service climber orientation.
David Rickman, climbing with his two sons, called in after a great day of progress. The team carried a load of supplies high onto the ridge that leads to their next camp, the 17,220′ high camp. The work entailed departing camp early, and hiking upwards about 1400′ to the bottom of a stretch of route…
Rick Notley called in from 14,200′ camp, after the team carried a load of supplies up to the ridge at about 16,400′. We’re happy to announce that Rick has set a new personal altitude record with today’s endeavor! The weather has not been very amenable to travel of late, so there were a number of…
Lead guide Scott Woolums called in from Kahiltna Base Camp, located at 7,200′ (2200m) on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. Glaciers are essentially rivers of ice, and the Southeast Fork is a tributary of the immense Kahiltna Glacier, which runs from north to south. Tomorrow morning, the team will descend the Southeast Fork…
John Klein called in a nice post from the beautiful basin camp at 11,200′. Today, the team took it easy and did a “backcarry” today, meaning they dropped back down to the site of their supply cache at about 10,200′ and retrieved their kit. They will use this strategy at higher camps as well. Among…
Here are some photos from today as the team packed up, and headed north to Talkeetna. It’s a beautiful, clear day and I suspect the team will enjoy a smooth flight into the Alaska range.
Yesterday was a big day for this team. They made the trek to 14,ooo’ from 11,000′. Everyone is feeling good and looking forward to getting some rest before moving again sometime this week. Let’s hope the weather supports another move uphill soon. Thanks for the update Oliver! recording
When the weather is bad on Denali the best thing a team can do is stay active, be patient and remain positive. After taking short acclimatization hikes, eating a few big meals it sounds like this team is doing everything right. Here is Fabian from 14. recording
Yesterday the team cached a load of equipment and supplies at 16,200′ on the ridge above 14 Camp. Immediately out of camp the team began their ascent of the “headwall”, a steep section on the West Buttress route that has fixed lines to aide in the ascent. Once at the top of the headwall, they…