Graeme updated us with a really descriptive update from Camp 1 at 7,800 feet on the Kahiltna Glacier. He nicely explained how the team moved a portion of their kit up glacier before returning to Camp 1 for the evening. The process of carrying high and then sleeping low also helps build acclimatization for higher elevations. It gave them a taste of a higher elevation without requiring they commit to it by sleeping up high.
Today the team “made a carry” of supplies. That”s a climber term meaning they took about half their food, fuel and extra gear and moved it up ahead of their camp. In this case, they went about four miles and gained 2,200 feet before they deposited their supplies in a hole dug they in the snow. They dug a deep hole and buried their food at least a meter deep so that ravens, which comb the glacier looking for food, won’t dig into their food bags and eat their cookies. We often refer to this as “making a carry.”
Today is also the one year anniversary of Graeme’s Everest summit!
