June 18 Team Heading Back to Base Camp
Travis called to report that the team descended from High Camp to 14 Camp. The plan is to rest at 14 Camp, then continue to descend to Base Camp.
Here’s Travis:
Summit Attempt: June 22 Team!
The day began with clear skies, but the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in and the team made the decision to retreat to High Camp. They had ascended to Zebra Rocks, which is a prominent feature above Denali Pass, before the weather kicked in. Everyone is back at camp, safe and sound, and…
June 22 Team at High Camp!
The June 22 Team made the big move from 14 Camp to High Camp at 17,200′ today. It’s a beautiful climb, the first part of the route stays almost true to the ridge line above 14 Camp and the views are stunning. The team picked up their cache of equipment and supplies at 16,400′ and…
Both June 15 and June 18 Teams Turned on Summit Ridge
They gave it their best effort but the winds were just too strong on the summit ridge for the team to stand on the top. It sounds like the wind was just howling and combined with the freezing temperatures, the team made the decision to head back to High Camp. Great effort, team, climbing to…
June 18 Team Turned on Summit Ridge Due to Weather
This is part one of a two part (garbled) message from the June 18 Team. The team made a huge effort today and climbed all the way to the summit ridge (20,000′), only to be turned around due to the ferocious winds on the summit. Karl and crew stopped at the Football Field to check…
Rest Day for June 15 Team at High Camp
The June 15 Team is waiting patiently for a break in the weather before attempting the final push to the summit. High winds kept the team in camp today, allowing the climbers a rest before the the final ascent. Team members used their time in camp to build snow walls to protect their tents from…
June 18 Team at High Camp 17,200′
Yesterday the team retraced their steps up the fixed lines and the headwall, climbed the beautiful ridge line above 14 Camp, picked up their cached items at 16,500′, and made the final push to High Camp at 17,200′. It’s an exhausting day and Etienne reports that the team moved well and is feeling good. Great…
Rest Day for the June 22 Team
After over a week of steady work moving up the mountain, it was a day of rest for the June 22 Team. Rest days are an important part of the climbing schedule because it allows climbers to relax, hydrate, eat, and recover from the exertion of carrying a heavy pack day after day. The plan…
June 15th West Buttress Team Is At High Camp
Mountain Trip guide Nick Nason called in on behalf of the June 15th Denali team. They made the big push up a stunning ridge to arrive at 17,200′ today. The morning started with another ascent of the fixed lines, clipping in with their ascenders to gain added security on the 40-45 degree slope. The ridge…