Today was a back-carry day for the May 9th team, and they successfully retrieved their cache from the pass. The conditions were less than ideal, with marginal visibility and challenging weather throughout the day, but the team rose to the occasion and turned what could have been a frustrating slog into a valuable training opportunity. Moving on a glacier in poor weather demands sharper focus, tighter rope team communication, and confident navigation — skills that simply can’t be replicated in fair conditions. By the time the team returned to camp, they had not only recovered every pound of gear from their cache but also walked away with a deeper sense of trust in one another and in their own ability to operate in whatever the mountain throws at them. With all of their supplies now consolidated in camp, the team is well-positioned to continue working higher.

Tonight, spirits are high. The team is happy to be back at camp, tucked into their tents with hot meals, dry layers, and the satisfaction that comes from a hard day’s work in tough conditions. The plan, weather permitting, is to make the move around the corner tomorrow and establish their next cache further up the route. As always on Denali, the mountain has the final say — but for now, the team is rested, organized, and ready to take their next step toward the summit.

Take a listen to what’s going on with the May 9th team!

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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.