Carried around Windy Corner today
‘Hot’ was how 2nd guide Greg described the team’s carry to 13,500′ today. Besides the heat, everything went smooth, with the entire team continuing to perform strong despite the increased altitude.
Arrived at high camp!
The team has pulled into high camp at 17,200′, set up their tents, eaten a meal and are most likely tucked into their sleeping bags asleep as I write this. It sounded like a long hard day, and most likely the team will take a rest day tomorrow to charge their batteries and regain some…
Carried gear up the fixed lines
Jacob and company carried loads up the fixed lines to 16,400′ today, and as before everyone reportedly did a great job, moving strong and efficiently. A guide team went a little further up the ridge to high camp in order to put a little extra food ahead of the group and to try to secure…
Resting at 14k, about to head down
The NWB team is gearing up to head down the West Buttress route from 14 camp. They plan to leave at midnight with a few other Mountain Trip teams in order to avoid traveling in the heat of the day. If everything goes smooth they should be in basecamp early in the morning, ready to…
Joe Butler gives a holler from high camp
[audio:http://mountaintripdenali2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/audio-post-2011-05-29-03-46-32.mp3|titles=Audio Post]Qobin, Pi and Zach are back at 14,200′
Qobin, Pi and Zach are headed back down to Base Camp and took a break at the 14,200′ camp to pick up some equipment they left there on their ascent. They had a great day on the summit and are feeling very fortunate right now. They should be in Base Camp tomorrow. [audio:http://mountaintripdenali2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/audio-post-2011-05-29-00-44-27.mp3|titles=Audio Post]
Backcarry yesterday, carry today (maybe)
Chris called from 11,200′ camp to report having backcarried their gear from Kahiltna pass into camp 2 at 11,200′. As strange as it may sound, he reported sweltering temperatures on the glacier during the day. This is quite common as the snow reflects about 95% of the sun’s intensity during the heat of the day,…
Back in high camp, tired but happy
Pi just called, he reports that he and Qobin, as well as Mike Burmeister’s entire expedition, are back at high camp after a long descent from the summit of Denali. 2nd guide Zack descended earlier and welcomed both expeditions as they returned to camp. Right now guides are sitting around stoves making hot water and…
West Rib Team- Larson Calls From high Camp
Eric called in to report that Joerg, Kelly and he are all back at high camp after what can only be described as a great day of climbing. It sounds like conditions were really good for the upper stretches of the West Rib, which ascends out of high camp and across a number of rocky…
At high camp!
Joe and his team have made it to high camp after a tough but satisfying move from 14k. Joe reports everyone being fed and in their warm sleeping bags, about to start a good night’s rest. They plan on taking a rest day tomorrow and waiting for their summit attempt.