Trip Reports
It was a real pleasure to participate in the launch of the first of two teams from the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard, as they headed up the Kahiltna Glacier onto the flanks of Denali. We are assisting 20 climbers from the Emirates, as they continue their quest to climb Mount Everest in an ongoing…
The May 12th Team called in a post in French this evening, after making a carry up the fixed lines and onto the ridge that leads to high camp. As is all too often the case, the satellite transmission was cut off before they could complete their call. I will do my best to translate…
Lead guide Yoshiko Miyazaki-Back called in an update from their camp at 11,200′ just now, but her call was unfortunately cut off. Satellites pass quite far to the south of the Alaska Range and it is more common than not to lose their signals, especially when you are in a camp such as the May…
The UAE Team 1 moved up to the beautiful basin camp at 11,200′ today. They are doing well and have fortified their camp in preparation of a storm that is predicted to hit the mountain tomorrow. This camp is quite well protected from most storms, although it is prone to receiving high quantities of snow…
I have not heard from the team as yet this evening, but they did send a check in report from their Spot GPS device, which tells us that they are doing well and also showed that they are still camped at the 14,200′ basin. Below is a screen shot of their location.
We are pleased to welcome the team members of our 10th Denali team of the 2014 climbing season. Some of these climbers are friends who have climbed together in Chile and, as do so many of our teams, the team comes from points around the world. On Monday morning, the team will join three of…
Amy, Rob, Dan called in a nice update from Base Camp on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier, with what sounded like Mike chiming in with a shout-out to folks in Bellingham and San Fran. The team spent today reviewing skills that they will employ as they begin their ascent of Denali. Everyone sounded…
Con Severis reported a surprisingly easy move up the Northeast Fork of the Kahiltna to their advance camp. They are now established at the best camp near the base of the entry couloir onto the West Rib.
The weather sounded harsh up there today, and the May 8 team hunkered down in their fortified camp to wait out the weather and give another try at moving to high camp when the weather improves.
Lead guide Caitlin Hague called from basecamp, where the team is settling into expedition living. They were able to sneak in ahead of some forecasted snow and wind. Their plan is to take a day tomorrow at basecamp to practice the skills needed to start glacier traveling in a responsible fashion, as well as rig…