Hi, my name is Carter White with the June 5, 2025 West Buttress Team.

We’ve been back in civilization for two weeks now and the transition has been a surprising challenge. The simplicity of life on The West Buttress is something one could only hope to accomplish in daily life.

For 15 days our routines varied between eating, climbing, and setting up camp but ultimately stayed the same. Day to day monotony of the real world became a distant memory.

From the comfort of home, a cold morning while boiling water in damp boots is something I’m able to look back on fondly. Rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom are things I have an entirely new appreciation for.

The personalities on our team complemented each other in a very special way. Summit day is as much a team experience as an individual one. Regardless of your role and location on the mountain, it took a team effort. On June 19, 2025, our team stood on the summit and was able to experience one of the most breathtaking scenes on Earth.

It’s hard to imagine Denali being any more silent than it already is, but on June 21st the hours between midnight and 4am proved me wrong. The way a golden sun paints the Kahiltna Glacier at 3 a.m. is a sight that our team will never forget.

Our walk back to basecamp took 17 hours and at 8:30 AM we shared a bittersweet moment. It would be impossible not to have a profound experience on Denali. Your time and ability to exercise such a volume of introspection is an experience in and of itself.

You have a reaffirmed gratitude for family and friends. Most of all, you’ve been able to share an experience with a group of people that few will ever understand. That bond is something to share for a lifetime. I’m so thankful to have spent time with everyone on our team and want to say congratulations to everyone involved. This was truly a life changing experience.