We received a report the team made a carry on Thurs. to the top of the fixed lines about 2000 feet above the 14,200 ft camp. Arguably, some of the most spectacular climbing on the route exists between the top of the fixed lines and the 17,200 ft camp. The team had a taste of it Thurs. Sounds like everyone did really well.
This is the steepest section of the route, protected at the top with about 800 ft of fixed rope to help climbers gain the remarkable ridge. In addition to staging food and gear for their future move to High Camp, the trip up high is an important part of the acclimatization plan.
On Friday the team will likely rest at the 14,200 ft camp in preparation for the big move day to High Camp at 17,200 feet.
We'll wrap up today's blog post with some trivia. The mountain is commonly referred to by one of two names. What are the two names and what is the cultural significance and origin of each?
Until next time...think warm sunny thoughts for the team.
Happy trails!
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I am experiencing "butterflies" just thinking of you all up there so high. Without doing any research, I seem to remember that Mt McKinley was used by the first to summit because that was the name of the president at the time (am I right in thinking he wasn't a great one!) and Denali is the local name - can't remember what it means - maybe windy, inaccesible, ever iced up. Take care all of you, and wonder at the sights that the likes of us will never see (I'm too lazy!). Love and sunny wishes, Ben's Mum
ReplyDeleteDenali is Athabaskan for "The Great One"...
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