Lead Guide Brian Kramp called in from 7200′ (2195m) on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. His update was unfortunately cut short when the satellite phone dropped his call, but we’ll fill you all in on the team’s plan.
Today, they spent the day reviewing skills relative to glacier travel, such as how to maintain proper rope tension and crevasse rescue techniques. This day was planned, as it helps ensure that all climbers have a baseline of skills prior to heading onto the main body of the Kahiltna Glacier.
The plan is to awaken very early in the morning tomorrow and hike down the Southeast Fork to it’s junction with the Kahiltna Glacier. They will then take a hard right turn and head north up glacier for about four miles to a spot where the glacier ice is generally more compact and less prone to fracturing into crevasses, where they will erect their Camp 1.
Here’s Brian-
