The June 12th team is gearing up for a big move tomorrow, with plans to push up to high camp and set their sights on a summit attempt in the days ahead!
As a rapid ascent team, this group is climbing Denali on a more compressed timeline than a standard expedition, moving efficiently up the mountain while still allowing for the acclimatization needed to climb safely at altitude. Rapid ascent trips are built for fit, experienced climbers who can handle a faster pace, and so far this team has done a great job staying on schedule and moving well together up the route.
The move from 14 Camp to high camp is one of the more demanding days on Denali. It takes the team up the fixed lines on the Headwall, along the long, exposed ridge above, and finally into high camp at 17,200 feet on some of the most committing terrain of the West Buttress. Getting established at high camp puts the team in position for a summit attempt, which is the goal once the weather and conditions align.
The current forecast has the team eyeing a potential summit day in the next few days. Timing a summit push on Denali is all about patience and reading the weather carefully. Summit day is one of the longest and most demanding days of climbing anywhere in the world, often running 12 to 16 hours in extreme cold and thin air, so the team wants to make sure conditions are right before stepping off. Getting up to high camp tomorrow gives the team time to settle in, rest, and be ready to move when the window opens.
For now, the June 12th team is at 14 Camp, getting ready for tomorrow’s move higher. With high camp on the horizon and a summit push within reach, the team is in a great spot heading into the biggest days of the expedition.
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