The May 16th team took a weather day at camp today, holding tight as conditions across the mountain made travel less than ideal. Plans for moving higher will pick back up as soon as the weather opens up.

Weather days are a normal part of any Denali expedition, and they’re a smart, deliberate piece of the climbing rhythm. Pushing into bad weather on the route, especially through more exposed sections of the mountain, isn’t a risk worth taking when patience can get the team to the same place safely. Holding off and waiting for a better window is almost always the right call.

The upside is that days like this aren’t wasted. Time at camp is time the body has to continue acclimatizing to the elevation, recover from the work the team has already put in, and refuel for the climbing days ahead. Hot meals, plenty of hydration, and good rest all add up to a stronger team when the window finally arrives.

For now, the May 16th team is staying patient, staying ready, and keeping an eye on the forecast.

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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.