The June 16th Gillig team took a rest day at Camp 2 today, using the downtime to recover, acclimatize, and put in some valuable prep for the climbing ahead.
Rest days are an important part of the expedition rhythm on Denali. Time spent at Camp 2’s 11,200 feet gives the body a chance to adapt to the altitude before pushing higher on the mountain, and a day spent eating, hydrating, and resting pays real dividends when it comes time to take on the more demanding terrain above.
The team also took the opportunity to run through skills in preparation for the fixed lines higher up the route. Practicing these techniques before stepping onto more demanding terrain is some of the most valuable work a team can do in camp. The drills typically include ascending on the lines using mechanical ascenders, descending in control with rappel devices, and the all-important transitions at anchor points where climbers have to unclip from one section and clip into the next while always staying attached to the rope. For a ski team, dialing in efficient movement on this kind of terrain is especially important, since the team will eventually be navigating it with the added weight and considerations of their ski gear.
For now, the June 16th Gillig team is settled in at Camp 2, rested up and dialed in after a productive down day. With the skills work in place and the route ahead in view, the team is in a great spot heading into the next phase of their ski expedition.
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