July 7, 2012
Denali 14000ft camp
Greg and team have been making steady and careful progress. They did the smart thing and took a rest day after their ‘back carry’. No reason to rush. And, an extra day/night at 14,000’ can only help with the acclimatization process. On the 6th, the crew did a carry up the fixed ropes which leads to the crest of the West Buttress and dumped the gear at 16,400’, at Washburn’s Thumb. Then, they beat cheeks back to their camp at 14K. The 7th is another rest day at 14K. Forecast isn’t ideal for the next few days, with a series of low pressure troughs approaching from the east. The good news is that 14K is the absolute best place to wait out the weather. The crew is right where they should be. The carry up the West Buttress has been made and the cache is in. Now, they wait, rest, hydrate and, when the mountain says go, they’ll head for high camp. Two days of reasonable weather could get them to the summit.
All’s good and they’re where they should be.
Phil Ershler