Trip Reports
The June 9 team took a well earned rest day yesterday after a hard move up to 14k Camp. The team spent the day refueling and practicing skills needed on the upper mountain. These include, fixed line and running belay training as well as altitude and cold weather discussions. Today, the team plans to do…
The June 6 team had big plans to head up the headwall towards 17k camp yesterday but was thwarted by weather. They instead spent the day visiting the “Edge of the World”. A nice excursion from 14 Camp where you stand on a small rock precipice and peer into the abyss of the North East…
The June 13 Team arrived in Camp 2 early this morning around midnight in windy and snowy conditions. Today, the team plans to have a rest days and work on some skills before putting in a cache around Windy Corner tomorrow. This is where the climbing really begins, using crampons and ice axes. The team…
The June 17 team arrived in Basecamp yesterday afternoon. Everyone is psyched and can’t wait to start climbing! The team planned to move to Camp 1 last night under the “Midnight Sun” in order to avoid the high temperatures during the day. This is a common schedule this time of year! Here’s Climber, Julie: recording
The June 15 West Buttress Ski Team arrived at Camp 1 in good spirits last night as the alpenglow hit Mt. Foraker. All Mountain Trip teams are now traveling under the “Midnight Sun” on the lower glacier this time of year, to avoid the high temperatures during the day. The team plans to put in…
The June 16 Denali West Buttress Team arrived at Camp 1 (7,800′) last night. The team hit the ground “running” (actually walking quite slow, due to heavy loads!) after flying into basecamp in beautiful weather. All Mountain Trip teams are now traveling on the lower glacier in the “Midnight Sun” at night due to high…
Meet the June 17th Denali West Buttress Team! Composed of lead-guide Dodge Garfield and assistant guide Chris Cullaz. Climbers include Myra Bertrand, Terry Sanders, Julie Leigh and Balint Erdos. Denali rises up to 20,310 feet (6190 m). Due to its location so close to the Arctic Circle, conditions can often be very winter-like well into…
Our 47th Denali season is well underway with quite a few teams on the mountain. We would like to welcome the latest expedition, the June 16 Denali West Buttress Team, to Alaska! For many mountaineers, climbing Denali is a massive dream, a lifelong goal, and the culmination of months (or years) of training and preparation. The…
Gavin calls in from Camp 2 at 11,200′ with an update. A mixed day of weather brought snow and wind during the morning hours with weather clearing in the afternoon. The team plans to take a rest day tomorrow followed by securing their cache of gear at 13,500′ around the infamous Windy Corner the next…
Lead-guide Matt Park calls in from Basecamp with the West Rib climbing team. They were able to fly on to the Kahiltna Glacier mid-afternoon and are planning to walk through the night to Camp 1. This day consists of a single carry with all the gear and food needed for the expedition on a 6…