May 25, 2026

Well the sun has finally made an appearance on the High One, and all IMG Denali teams are taking advantage of the good weather.

Fixed Lines, heading to 17K (Peter Dale)

IMGD Team 1 back-carried to retrieve their cache at 13,500′ yesterday. Today, they are going to attempt to carry and cache gear up to 16,200′ today. This cache spot is at the top of the fixed lines and is a big milestone in the teams’ progress towards the summit!

IMGD Team 2 made it to 11k camp yesterday and are back-carrying to retrieve their cache at 10,000′ today. Depending on the weather, the team will either rest tomorrow or make another carry to 13,500′.

View from Motorcycle hill looking back to 11000′ camp. (Eric Simonson)

IMGD Team 3 is making their move to 11k camp today!

IMGD Team 4 reached Talkeetna today. They are briefing with the NPS and putting the finishing touches on their pack out today! Fingers are crossed the weather stays friendly for them to fly to the Kahiltna tomorrow.

We have a lull in the action this week before our next two teams depart in early June.

May 18, 2026

Team 2 waiting to Fly! (Izzy Holmes)

It’s been a busy day here at IMG Denali! Here are the updates from the teams:

Team 1 – Forrest Baldwin, Paal Bredal, Grace Kline, and Grace Coady

After spending all day yesterday at Ski Hill Camp waiting for the weather to clear, the team finally found their break in the action to make their move to 11K Camp (Camp 2). The team had already completed one carry to 10,000′ feet and cached some gear. As the weather allows tomorrow, the team will do what we call a ‘back carry’ and go down to retrieve their cached gear and bring it back to Camp 2. Way to go team putting in forward progress even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Team 2 – Brad Swanson, Kevin Alexander, Tyler Nachand, Izzy Holmes

Team 2 is in Talkeetna waiting to fly. After two busy prep days, the team is all packed and ready to go. All that needs to happen now is the weather to cooperate and the air taxi to give them the green light to fly. Until then, they will be waiting patiently in Talkeetna! Fingers crossed that this team can catch one of the later flights tonight. If not, they might be staying an extra night in town. Only time will tell!

Team 3 is meeting at IMG HQ tomorrow to go through their final guide gear and equipment check, and to do their pre-trip briefing with IMG Denali staff.