Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Stay Put at 17K with New Snow
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Matias Francis, Chase Halbert
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Denali
Elevation: 17,200'
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 - 12:03 pm PT
Happy June 1st! It doesn't feel like it much here at 17K. We missed sending a dispatch last night because of some electronic technical difficulties that are resolved, but you should have heard via RMI Alaska Team led by Mike Walter that we all moved to 17K yesterday on a perfect day. It was relatively warm, calm, sunny, and as we were the first few teams out of camp, were able to move smoothly up the fixed lines and along the West Buttress.
We had hopes of going for the summit today, but the chance of snow that often only brings precip to the lower mountain defied that hope overnight and into today. We've got 3 to 4 inches of new snow in camp, still snowing, low vis, and just enough wind to move it around at maximum efficiency. It was a pretty easy call to stay in the tents today and ride it out, hoping that tomorrow brings clearer conditions.
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Matias Francis, Chase Halbert, and team
Comments (6)
Wahoo to ALL of you! What a thrill to watch your progress from afar. I say sleep for days has been well earned!! I am so very proud of each of you and all the major steps you took to get there and then to make the summit. Wow is all I’ve got and thanks to the team of guides who kept you safe and focused and climbing!!! Amazing!
Posted by: Bethany on
Can’t wait to hear you made it to summit - good luck Matt! All the way!
Posted by: Mitchell Fry on
Let’s go Hank the Tank!! You got this!
Doug and Blair
Posted by: Doug on
marc (and team) - what an amazing journey - fingers and toes crossed that the next pix here is from the summit. be strong and best wishes, olga
Posted by: Olga W on
Sending positive vibes for a clear weather window and a great summit day!
Posted by: Ed Leonard on
Good luck tomorrow team!!
We’re all working hard so Ben can keep playing
Posted by: Stephen Carpenter-Israel on