Trip Reports
Yesterday the team took a rest day at Camp 3 (14,200′ 4328m). They spent the day fueling, hydrating, maybe getting in some shut eye, and often teams will walk out to visit the Edge of the World. The Edge of the World is where Genet Basin (where Camp 3 resides) drops dramatically 6,000′ (1828m) down…
Yesterday the team put in their first cache of the expedition. Caching is indicative of an expedition style of climbing (verses “Alpine Style”). It allows teams to split up their loads of supplies and gear and carry less whenever they are moving up the mountain. In addition, it gives them a chance to acclimatize better.…
As you know, the team was able to stand on the tallest point of North America! Now they are making their way back down the mountain. They took a rest at Camp 3 at 14,200′ (4328m) and made their way back to camp 2 at 11,200′ (3413m) where they made camp and spent the night.…
Jed Porter calls in from Anchorage to let us know the team is back in civilization and doing well. Good job team! He sent us this summary; “We did it. A few days ago we clicked into skis on the summit of Denali and today we are in Anchorage. We skied all of Denali. “Skiing…
Lead guide Jordan Cargill called in from Camp 1 (7,800′ 21377m) last night. The team started bright and early from Basecamp yesterday. As they left, they actually first descended 600′ down Heartbreak Hill from Basecamp. Basecamp is located on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier which, like a tributary of a river, flows downhill…
Yesterday the May 29 team was able to put in their last cache at 16,200′ (4937m). They began their day by climbing up the snow slope rising behind Camp 3 for 1,200′ (365m) which usually takes a couple of hours. Here they arrived at the bergschrund below the fixed lines where the Headwall begins. A…
Correll updated us from High Camp last night! Yesterday the team packed up camp at Camp 3. They retraced their steps to their cache site at 16,200′ (4937m). First climbing 1,200′ (365m) to the bottom of the Fixed Lines, then ascending 800′ (243m) up the Fixed Lines to the ridge. From here they gain another…
June 5 team reports “Perfect flying conditions and smooth landing on the Kahiltna. Following an afternoon of training we enjoyed our first team meal in the shadow of Mt.Hunter. Early to bed for an early start tomorrow. We will be on night patrol on the lower mountain to avoid the heat of the day. Everyone is in good spirits…
We would like to welcome the June 7 West Buttress team to Alaska! We’re so excited to be along for the ride and don’t take lightly that touching the pearly white slopes of Denali is a life goal for many after several months of training and years spent on mountains locally and around the world. The team…
Yesterday the team left camp at 14,200′ (4328m) and descended to their cache site at 13,200 (4023m). After digging up their supplies, they packed them up and climbed back up to Camp 3. The team took the rest of the day to practice some skills. The next step in the expedition will be to put…