Climber Lachlan Grassie called in an update for the May 7th team, who reached High Camp yesterday evening!

Lachlan said they had an “awesome day” heading up the 16-Ridge (Lachlan must have a healthy tolerance for wind and cold temperatures 😉 ). From Camp Three, the team ascended the steep headwall above 14,000′, up the fixed lines, to meet the long ridge that leads to High Camp. This ridge, exposed on both sides, with impressive views out over the expanse of the Alaska Range, is some of the most engaging climbing of the entire West Buttress route. With its exposed nature, it is also prone to high winds and cold, which the team got a good taste of yesterday.

We apologize that it’s been a few days since the team last called in an update, but all is well at Denali High Camp! They set to work immediately making camp, cutting blocks to abate the wind on their tents, and settling down to rest. Both the May 10 and May 7 team will make their summit attempts either today (May 25) or tomorrow!

Their summit day will take up to 12 hours or more, and the team is often too tired to call in an update. However, if they have good reception, they will try to call from the summit!

Here’s Lachlan:

recording