June 5 Denali team likely to SUMMIT today 6/23

Lead guide Ben Adkison called in with an update on the June 5 team from High Camp on the West Buttress Route, at 17,200′. They utilized yesterday as an additional rest and weather day, to mentally and physically prepare themselves to push the approximately 3,000′ of vertical to the top of the Great One and back, which is generally a 10 to 12 hour long day.

Summit Day Route

They were expecting, at the time of the call, to leave at 10:00 am today, June 23. If that estimated time is correct, they should be currently on their way. The summit team will include Newall Hunter, Greg Johnson and John Ladd, led by guide Ben. David Ladd is currently back at 14-Camp with guide Karl Welter, who will wait for the other half of the team to descend so that they can return back to Denali Base Camp and fly out together.

We would like to remind friends and family members not to worry too much if we don’t receive an update right away. Often, on summit day, the team is tired and focused on the task at hand, not necessarily on the outside world.

Mountain Trip wishes the best of luck to the team as they presumably head for the summit, the highest point in North America! We’ll keep everyone updated as the team calls in via satellite phone.

Here’s Ben with the update:

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2 Comments

  1. Good luck on the final stretch to the whole team and especially to John. Can’t wait to hear about it! 🙂

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