Trip Reports

Moving Up!

Jared called in yesterday evening to report that the Northwest Buttress Crew had made a move up the mountain and established a new camp at 16,500 feet. Jared says it’s a stunning camp, nestled among huge granite boulders. The team is feeling strong and ready for the next few days, in which they intend to…

The Waiting Game

Lead Guide Joe Butler called in yesterday to report that winds were still too strong to make the move from their camp at 11,200′ up to the 14,000′ camp. However throughout the evening weather improved and the team is optimistic about their chances for today. With any luck they will be packing up their camp…

Back in Kathmandu

Bill Allen, Kathmandu   May 24th What a whirlwind…  It’s only been a couple of days since we stood on top of Mt Everest, and here we are back in Kathmandu at the luxury of the Hyatt Hotel.   Yesterday Ephi, Chris, Neal, and I flew here via helicopter directly from base camp.   The rest of the…

West Rib- Call From 14,200′

Eric Larson called to give us the update from 14,200′ (4328m).  They moved up to this camp yesterday and brought the remainder of their loads up today.  They plan to carry supplies up to their high camp on the Upper Rib tomorrow.  There are no tracks heading in that direction, so they’ll have some work…

Qobin’s Team Checks In

Salamat Pagui! The three members of Qobin’s West Buttress team called in from 14,200′ (4328m).  They had to battle some wind as they passed the notorious feature called Windy Corner, but they made it and are enjoying life in the sun at this big, well supplied camp. [audio:http://mountaintripdenali2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/audio-post-2011-05-24-01-02-58.mp3|titles=Audio Post]

Still hanging out

The winds kept the crew in camp yesterday.  The scene continues on, patiently waiting for conditions to allow the team to move up the fixed lines to high camp.  14 is not a bad place to hang out as acclimatization continues to make team members stronger and more prepared for high camp, but by now…

Move to 14,200′

Pi called in from their new camp at 14,200′ after moving strongly from their last camp at 11,200′.  Windy Corner lived up to its name, but once the team moved around the corner itself the winds slacked off enough to allow the group to travel up the final stretch of the day to camp.  The…

At 9,500′ camp on the Kahiltna

This expedition moved from 7,800′ to 9,500′ yesterday, which is their last camp before attempting to summit Kahiltna Dome.  If the weather is cooperating they will travel up to Kahiltna pass and under the summit of Mt. Capps before climbing the northeast ridge.  It is a long and strenuous day but Dave Ahrens feels confident…