Trip Reports

MEET TEAM THE MAY 31 TEAM

Team FUBAR arrived in Anchorage a few days ago to attempt Denali, the highest peak in North America. Their preparations began months ago with training, organizing their kit, and making travel arrangements. Now it’s time to get down to business! Yesterday the team gathered at the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage and held their first team…

May 20 Denali – Kevin Calls from 14,200′

Kevin Jones called in from the broad basin camp at 14,200′.  The team is doing great and it sounds like they are having fun as well!  Today, they carried loads up the steepest section of the West Buttress route.  This section is alternately known as the “Headwall” or the “Fixed Lines.”  The latter moniker comes…

May 16 Team – SUMMIT!!!

Eli Potter called in from the summit of Denali!! The team called in at 5:15 pm on Sunday, May 31 from 20,320′ on the top of the highest peak in North America.  It is a clear day, but the team earned it by pushing up in strong winds.  They are all doing great and are…

May 13 Team – Back in High Camp

Everyone is in camp. They sound tired but excited to have completed their goal. It takes a tremendous amount of teamwork to do what they have done. It is an outstanding feeling to accomplish this goal, on that creates a bond between team members not even stinky feet and heavy packs cannot break. This recording…

May 16 Team – Rest Day At High Camp

The climb up the fixed line and the Ridge past Washburn’s Thumb and above the Peter’s Glacier is very strenuous. Even in perfect conditions, the move to High Camp requires a lot of work. It is common to have a headache and need rest at High Camp after the move from 14,000’. At 17,200′ everyone…

May 26 Team – Ready to Cache

Scott Woolums called in to report good conditions and happy team members last night. The team is at the 11,000′ camp looking to move their equipment and food up to 13,500′. Today the team will carry loads around Windy Corner and dig a two-meter hole in the snow. In that hole, the team will leave…

May 20 Team – Perfect Day At 14

Today this team carried loads from their cache near Windy Corner back to their camp in the 14’000′ basin. After that, they took time to practice skills required to climb fixed lines and the ridge to Washburn’s thumb.  The next section of the mountain is one of the most technical in terms of climbing and…

May 13 Team – On the Summit NOW!

Everyone on this team is on the summit right now! The weather is good and everyone is working together well. On Summit day reaching the top is only half of the task. The descent follows the West Buttress downhill to Denali Pass. While descending the Autobahn, you can see in the distance, foothills of the…