Trip Reports
Eric Larson from 11,200′
Eric called from the beautiful basin camp at 11,200′. They had a leisurely day yesterday and did a backcarry, meaning that they dropped back down to the cache that they left two days ago at about 10,300′. This involved dropping down out of camp for about a 20 minute hike and digging up the food…
Turned Around!
Lead Guide Scott Woolums called a few minutes ago to tell us that they have aborted this summit attempt. The winds were too strong, and on the increase. There are about 30 people high on Everest, near and above a feature called the “balcony”. All members of our team are safe and sound, back at…
Going for the Summit!
We got a call early in the morning from the team at Camp 4, who has made the decision to attempt the summit today! We will post an update as soon as we get one. Choosing an appropriate time to make an attempt is a complex process. We use information from the most current…
Special Call From Ron!
[audio:http://mountaintripdenali2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/audio-post-2011-05-18-04-52-07.mp3|titles=Audio Post]Call From 14,200′
Eric Gullickson called in to report that the team had a great day carrying loads up to the ridge at roughly 16,400′. They moved well and are hoping for good weather to move up to high camp on the 18th. Here’s Eric! [audio:http://mountaintripdenali2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/audio-post-2011-05-18-04-46-12.mp3|titles=Audio Post]
Checking In From Camp 1
Zach Johnson gave us a ring from Camp 1 on the Kahiltna Glacier. [audio:http://mountaintripdenali2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/audio-post-2011-05-18-03-35-50.mp3|titles=Audio Post]
Call from Hafidz?
We got a somewhat garbled call from what must be either Hafidz or Syafirul. The team reported to have “conquered the control tower”, which is a small peak very near base camp on the Kahiltna Glacier, where all Denali climbers begin their journey. Have a listen! [audio:http://mountaintripdenali2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/audio-post-2011-05-18-03-35-17.mp3|titles=Audio Post]
Call from Camp 3!
Greg Mellon began the call early this morning, about 5:45 a.m. Colorado time. They had made it to Camp 3, and were enjoying a special dinner and some LaBatts beer from Canada! Listen to the latest![audio:http://mountaintrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/91eef8c9d11b6d9e41b3d7bee02763f789861c6e1.mp3]
Reunited! “…and it feels so good…!”
Zach flew into Base Camp this morning and all of the climbers are now reunited and heading up glacier. The plan was for the team to essentially “hit the ground running,” and move out shortly after the last plane arrived. They will move about 5 miles up glacier today to a spot at about 7,800′,…