Denali: Walter & Team Set Up Camp at the Base of Ski Hill
Posted by: Mike Walter, Robby Young, Alan Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
Sunday, May 20, 2018 - 1:12 a.m. PDT
The squirrely weather persists on Denali. It snowed all night last night, but fortunately we only picked up 4 inches or so. We woke up to more snow, wind, and very limited visibility. After breakfast we slowly started to pack up camp, hoping the weather would improve. Around noon the weather finally improved so we packed up our tents and rigged up our ropes.
By the time we were ready to walk, the weather was back its former, stormy self. We decided to give it a try and if conditions worsened we would make camp down on the Kahiltna Glacier and at least make some progress on the mountain. It was a good call because we made it all the way to Camp 2, at the base of Ski Hill (7,800'). We were in a ping pong ball most of the day -- navigating using the wands marking the route, faint traces of other parties' tracks, GPS, and a little Braille (well, maybe not Braille). Our navigation techniques worked and we cruised into camp in 5 hours flat!
Tomorrow the plan is to carry and cache supplies higher on the route and then return to our current camp. This will make for lighter loads when we move camp later this week and will help our acclimatization process.
RMI Guide Mike Walter and team
On The Map
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Comments (5)
Thinking about you Alex, Tom, and team. So happy to hear you are safe and making progress, thx for the updates!
Posted by: Sarah Flynn on
Nice action photo, Thank you! Glad to learn that Team Water is now underway. My best wishes to the entire team, and a special Hello to Tom M -you’re all in my thoughts.
Stay safe, stay strong & thrive.
Posted by: Jacquie on
So happy to hear you’ve all made progress! We are all thinking of you, Tom! Fingers crossed for further progress and safe climbing! Love these updates! Thanks! Best to all of you! Susan ❤️
Posted by: Susan on
Yay! So glad you’re making progress up the mountain. Hard to imagine what it’s like to be there. (Heidi and I had to eat all the bear food since the bear is away. Hee hee.) Hope you all keep cruising along. Love you, Dave!!! Go Team Walter!
Posted by: Michelle & Heidi on
I’m glad you have gotten to start this journey.. Thanks for the updates Us folks at home appreciate it. I hope the weather improves.. Travel safe..Love ya…Dean
Posted by: Dean Petrson on