The June 12th team made it up to high camp today and is now in position for a summit attempt, most likely as soon as tomorrow! Reaching high camp at 17,200 feet is a major milestone, and for this rapid ascent team, it caps off an efficient, well-paced climb up the mountain.
The move from 14 Camp to high camp is one of the more demanding days on Denali. It involves climbing the fixed lines above 14, navigating the long, exposed ridge that leads to high camp, and finishing high on the upper mountain with all the gear needed to live and climb at altitude. It’s a committing day under any conditions, and getting the team into high camp ready to settle in is a real accomplishment.
With the team now in position, the focus shifts to a summit attempt. Summit day on Denali is one of the longest and most demanding days of climbing anywhere in the world. From high camp, climbers face thousands of feet of elevation gain on their way to the 20,310-foot summit, often spending 12 to 16 hours on the move in extreme cold and thin air. The team will rest, hydrate, and watch the conditions closely, ready to step off when the window is right.
For now, the June 12th team is settled in at high camp, getting their rest and getting ready for what could be the biggest day of the expedition. The summit is in view, the team is in position, and we’re feeling great about how they’re set up heading into tomorrow.
Denali High Camp
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