Climber Terry called in on behalf of the June 4 Denali expedition team that is currently firing their way up the West Buttress route and has made it to Camp 3 14,200 ft (4328 m), also known as “14 Camp”. Everyone on the team is happy, healthy, and excited to be out of the “weather sink” that commonly occurs in the basin that is Camp 2 11,000 ft (3353 m).

The team spent the first few hours settling up their camp infrastructure by digging out tent platforms, a camp kitchen, and a nearby latrine. Around each tent, the team likely put the time and effort into cutting out blocks of snow to construct snow walls to protect from the high winds that commonly blow through 14 Camp.

Tomorrow the team will get a move on after a big breakfast with light sleds and packs to “back carry” to their gear cache at Windy Corner 13,000 ft (3962 m). This is a great active rest day activity and splitting the loads this way makes travel much more efficient. Upon returning back to Camp 3 with the extra supplies the team will practice using their crampons and fixed-line climbing techniques that will aid them in ascending the “Headwall” on the next leg of their journey. Stay tuned to hear how it all goes for them and tap the recording link below to hear the full update.

recording