Mt. McKinley Expedition: Wittmier & Team Retrieve Cache Before Heading to Class
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Friday, June 6, 2025 - 10:16 pm PT
Day 7
Today was a great day, balanced with a hike and refreshers on crampon use at our 11,000-foot home. The day started cold, but we were warmed with a southern classic of biscuits and gravy. In the morning, we also had a final chance to admire Will's elegant snow columns, leading the way to the latrine. Sadly, the mountain claimed them while we were out.
After breakfast, we took a quick trip down and back up 1,000 feet in elevation to retrieve our cache. After the final uphill in snowshoes, we happily buried them in the ground, putting them to use as tent anchors. Above this point, we're in crampons, so Lacie gave us a quick course on their use.
After class, some much needed sun gave us a chance to relax, as well as literally refill our batteries. At dinner, we found that Will had transformed his toilet columns into an enormous kitchen wall to block the weather.
We went to sleep hopeful about the upper mountain, with plans to cache at 14k before some rough weather this Sunday.
-- Charles "Carl" Stephens
Dustin, Lacie & Will's team
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