The June 7 Rapid Ascent Team touched down on the Kahiltna Glacier at basecamp (7,200 ft / 2,195 m) yesterday and moved efficiently to Camp 1 at 7,800 ft (2,377 m) shortly after landing. After a good night’s rest, they kicked off this morning with a solid breakfast, bluebird skies, and great energy.
The team is now organizing and packing for a single carry — meaning they’ll move all of their gear in one push — up to Camp 2 at 11,000 ft (3,353 m). This is a major gain in elevation, climbing over 3,000 vertical feet (914+ m) as they pass Kahiltna Pass (10,000 ft / 3,048 m) and curve around the glacier’s sweeping turn.
The terrain between Camp 1 and Camp 2 is wide, heavily glaciated, and exposed to midday heat. That means the team will be watching for soft snow and moving strategically to avoid postholing or excessive sink-in. Their pace has been strong, and they’re taking advantage of stable conditions to continue upward momentum.
This team is on a rapid ascent schedule, meaning they’re acclimatizing as they go, with a dialed system, efficient transitions, and high levels of preparation. Everyone is feeling strong, focused, and dialed in.
They’ll check in next from Camp 2 (11,000 ft / 3,353 m) — where they’ll rest, acclimate, and begin staging for the climb toward Windy Corner and the upper mountain.
Stay tuned for more updates from higher on the route 🏔✨
