Both the June 18 Team and the June 15 Team took a well-deserved rest day at 14 Camp. Rest days are an important part of the climbing schedule because they allow climbers to recover, hydrate, and relax after many days of strenuous work. They were not totally idle, however, and the guide teams set up a “mock” fixed line for the teams to practice using an ascender. This skill is necessary for the move up the fixed lines section commonly called “the headwall”, the steepest section of the route, and to access the upper mountain.

Fixed Line Practice at 14 Camp

The plan is to cache a load of equipment and supplies at 16,400′ tomorrow, weather permitting.

Here’s Chris:

14 Camp with the fixed lines up the Headwall in the background.