June 22nd Team – Weather hold


The June 22nd team had hoped to make the move up to high camp today, but high winds on the upper mountain kept them at 14 Camp once again. The team plans to try again tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

High winds are one of the most common reasons teams hold before making the move to high camp. The route from 14 Camp takes the team up the fixed lines and along the exposed ridge above, terrain where strong winds can turn a demanding climb into a dangerous one. Pushing into those conditions just to keep moving isn’t worth the risk, and waiting for a better window is always the right call. The mountain sets the schedule up here, and patience is one of the most important tools a climber can carry.

The good news is that the extra time at 14 Camp continues to work in the team’s favor. Every additional day at 14,200 feet is more time for the body to stay acclimatized and rested, which means the team will be in great shape to make an efficient push to high camp the moment the weather opens up. For a ski team eyeing both the summit and the descent, catching the right window matters even more, so waiting for good conditions is time well spent.

For now, the June 22nd team is at 14 Camp, staying patient and keeping a close eye on the forecast. With high camp still in their sights, the team is ready to move the moment the winds settle.

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Interested in more information about conditions and happenings on Denali? Be sure to also check out the Denali National Park’s Denali Dispatches Blog where they post weekly Field Reports.

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