Trip Reports
Guide Eli Potter called in from a unique camp on the route, precariously and scenically placed below Washburn’s Thumb at around 16,000′. This is not a typical spot for Mountain Trip teams to set up camp, but as a small team, the group has some flexibility. Since Gustavo was dealing with a bit of a…
The June 19 West Buttress team had an early morning moving up from 14,200′ to High Camp at 17,200′! Guide Brian Muller called in to report that the team had set up camp and that the weather is calm and looks great for heading to the summit tomorrow, July 3. After a long night’s sleep–hopefully…
Our team of climbers joining us from Indonesia are headed to the summit of Denali! They are currently at Denali Pass, a low point between the taller South Summit of Denali and the North summit. They just climbed up through a notorious stretch of the West Buttress route known in the dark humor of Alaskan…
Mountain Trip guide Brian Muller called in an update from 14,200′, where the June 19 West Buttress took a rest day yesterday. While surrounded by low visibility and light snow that obscured the fixed lines up the headwall out of camp, the team took the day to further acclimate, rest, and prepare their mountaineering kits…
Mountain Trip guide Eli Potter called in an update for the Brazilian Seven Summits television show team, following Gustavo Ziller’s quest to stand on the summit of the highest mountain on each continent. The team spent a rest day yesterday at camp at 14,200′ in “ping pong ball” conditions–meaning that both the sky and the…
Mountain Trip guide Josh Garner June 17 Indonesian West Buttress team, who at the time of the call were waiting out low visibility and blowing snow at High Camp on the route, perched at 17,200′. The weather has continued to clear in the Alaska Range and the forecast looks promising for the team to head…
The team made good progress ascending and descending the Headwall section of the climb. They cached a load of equipment and supplies at a site just below Washburn’s Thumb on the ridge above 14 Camp. This is the team’s first foray onto the “upper mountain”, which we define as the territory above 14 Camp. …
The team packed up and moved from 14 Camp to High Camp 17200′. Although High Camp is not a particularly hospitable environment, it does offer some of the most incredible views of the Alaska range. It’s a big move up to High Camp, over 3000′ of elevation gain, but it’s some of the most interesting…
The June 21 Team is cruising up the mountain, today moving a load of equipment and supplies up to a cache site at 16400′. Lead Guide Eli reports light snow, cloudy and warm conditions on the route. It’s always exciting for a team to get on the upper mountain and it sounds like the June…
The June 9 Denali West Buttress team is back in Takeetna eating some breakfast and enjoying the luxuries of civilization, like showers, beds, and a meal at a restaurant. Congratulations to all the climbers for reaching the summit, which has been quite difficult this season particularly. Here’s Aaron with the final expedition dispatch from…