Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Ascend Toward 14,000, Place Cache and Return to 11,200 Camp
Posted by: Mike Walter, Nikki Champion, Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 - 5:55 pm PT
The alpenglow was serene early this morning as we fired up the stoves to make hot water for breakfast. We got off to an early start and loaded up our packs with food and fuel to cache up high. Armed with crampons and ice axes we ventured onto the upper mountain. We climbed Motorcycle Hill and then Squirrel Hill in the shade, encountering a chilly breeze on the latter. Next came the Polo Field and then we finally hit the sun at Windy Corner. Our team made good progress and the weather was perfect, so we continued higher to Genet Basin to make our cache. We were afforded beautiful views of the upper mountain, as well as Mounts Hunter & Foraker and the rest of the Alaska Range to our south, and the expansive tundra to our north.
We buried our supplies in the snow and then descended back to camp, arriving before 3pm with enough time for a siesta before dinner.
We're sitting pretty now, with a cache up high. We'll take a rest day tomorrow, which coincides well with an approaching storm. Once that storm passes we plan to move camp up to 14k on the next good weather day. In the meantime we're tasked with resting, eating, reading, and some well earned sloth time. We acclimate very well at this altitude (11,200'), and we're very satisfied with our progress. We'll check in again tomorrow in between the chapters of our books.
Comments (4)
Praying for safety and warm in the storm. One day at time. We all so proud of Daryl. You are outside living life! Love you
Posted by: Katie on
Praying for safety with the storm and that you are able to move up 14,000 safely and timely!
Posted by: Marg Millman on
Thank you for the updates! Praying for safety with upcoming storm!
Posted by: Lisa Millman on
Thanks for the update
Posted by: Emilee on