The June 12th team officially made the move up to Camp 2 today! After their strong start on the lower mountain, it’s another solid step forward and a key milestone on the West Buttress.
The move to Camp 2 is a significant push on the lower mountain, gaining about 2,000 feet of elevation as climbers work their way up Ski Hill and continue along the Kahiltna Glacier. It’s a long day with heavy loads, and the team handled it well. Adjusting to the night travel schedule that’s common on the lower glacier is its own challenge, and the team is finding their rhythm with the unique pace of expedition-style climbing on Denali.
Once at camp, the team also spent some time running through skills in preparation for the upper mountain. Practicing things like rope team travel, sled rigging, and the small efficiencies that pay off higher up is a great use of time at Camp 2. By the time the team is moving on more demanding terrain higher on the route, the motions need to feel automatic, and a structured skills day at camp is one of the best ways to get there.
The team’s lead guide will also be checking in with the climbers individually today, taking the time to talk through how each climber is feeling and what they need heading into the next phase of the climb. That kind of attentive, personalized guiding is part of what makes a strong expedition and helps set the team up for success higher up the mountain.
For now, the June 12th team is settled in at Camp 2 with another productive day behind them. With strong work in camp and the upper mountain in view, the team is in a great spot to keep building momentum on the route.
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