It sounds like the team has been enjoying the relative comfort of 14 Camp located in the beautiful Genet Basin. In between napping, reading, and eating, the team has been practicing skills they will use to ascend the upper mountain.  The route above 14 Camp climbs 1,400′ of moderately steep snow before reaching the steepest section of the West Buttress route, an icy slope called the Headwall.  This is about 600′ high and is affixed with ropes that are anchored into the surface of the ice.  Climbers clip into these “fixed lines” with mechanical clamps (called ascenders), which are tethered to their harnesses.  Their ascenders and the fixed lines give them some security as they climb this steep face.

Looking up from 14,200′ towards the ridge leading to High Camp

Here’s Katherine with the team report, and a special hello to her family and friends:

recording