The team moved up to High Camp at 17,200' today. It appears it was a simply glorious day for traveling and they thoroughly enjoyed the engaging climbing of the ridge above the steep fixed lines. The ridge gains approximately 1000 feet of elevation and contains some of the most fun climbing on the entire route. Climbers weave between rock outcroppings and traverse steep slopes and knife-edged ridges as they make their way from 16,200' to High Camp at 17,200'.
Establishing high Camp is a chore and requires shoveling tent platforms and reinforcing their perimeters with walls of snow blocks that are about as high as the tents themselves. Cutting, moving and stacking snow blocks is exhausting work at sea level, and is positively gut-wrenching at 17,200', where, on Denali, you have less than half the amount of oxygen per given volume of air than you would by the ocean.
By all accounts the team did great and they are contemplating a summit bid tomorrow, if the weather looks favorable when they poke their heads out of the tents.
Think warm thoughts and enjoy the podcast!
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Well done all of you! Sounds like you had an amazing day Sunday. It is now 6.30 your time Monday - so you'll be on your way up - this is really exciting - I do hope the weather holds for you. Love to Ben - sunny, oxygenated thoughts to everyone. Ben's Mum
ReplyDeleteUncle Ben - we're thinking of you! Keep climbing! Lots of love, Sash & the boys xxx
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