The June 12th team made their descent from high camp down to 14 Camp this afternoon, taking the first step in their journey off the mountain after their successful summit. For now, the team is planning to spend the night at 14 Camp and reassess their next move in the morning.
A weather system is expected to move in tomorrow, and the team is keeping a close eye on the forecast as they plan the rest of their descent. Depending on how the conditions develop, the team may opt to stay put at 14 Camp until the worst of the weather passes before continuing down toward Basecamp. It’s a smart, measured approach. Pushing down the lower glacier in poor weather isn’t worth the risk when a team can wait it out safely at an established camp, and good decision-making on the way down is just as important as it is on the way up.
After the demands of summit day and the climb back down to 14, the team is in a good position to rest and recover while they wait for the right window. 14 Camp offers a comfortable place to hunker down, refuel, and stay warm, all of which sets the team up for a smooth final push to Basecamp once conditions allow.
For now, the June 12th team is settled in at 14 Camp, resting up and watching the weather. We’re so proud of everything this team has accomplished, and we’ll be looking forward to welcoming them off the mountain when the time is right.
June 12th team on the summit of Denali!
Denali summit
Denali summit celebration
Top of North America
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