Our day began well as we enjoyed the news of Mike Walter and team reaching the summit the evening before and looked forward to an easy day getting our cache just a few hundred feet below camp. In fact, just hours ago, Mike, Geoff and the crew passed through 14 camp where we cooked up bacon quessadillas for them. They are now at 11,000' camp where they'll rest a bit before making their way to the airstrip to catch the next flight back to burgers, beer and of course, family. The sad part of the day came as some of us lighter sleepers heard helicopter activity in the early morning hours around 3:00 am. This gave rise to concern, but we knew all of our RMI teams were safely back at 17,200'. Tragically, an accident had befallen a team of two on their descent from the summit. One always wonders why and how these things occur. And of course, concern for our loved ones can shoot through the roof as our imaginations get the best of us. I was informed of the accident by the lead climbing ranger as we were once again reinforcing our camp by building walls against the possibility of tent ripping winds. I immediately gathered the team to share the bad news, and to reaffirm our commitment to returning home safe and sound. Of course somber news like this makes us reflective, but it is also contructive in reminding all of us on the mountain of the care each of us needs to practice as we pursue our goals. I, for one, plan on coming home in a week or two, after doing my very best to get a group of climbers who are quickly becoming friends, to the summit of this mountain. So, we carry on in our quest to climb Denali. Tomorrow finds us climbing up the famous headwall fixed with ropes and finally getting on to this routes namesake, the West Buttress. By far, the most beautiful part of the mountain. Check in tomorrow to see how we did! RMI Guide Brent Okita