Friday

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Here's a SPOT image from Postle's Denali trip from earlier today. As you can see from the map, it looks like they are about to fall off a cliff. This is from the "edge of the world", it's a super cool place to go on rest days. You get a good view into the Upper North East Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier, the approach to the Complete West Rib and the Cassin Ridge.

They did a back carry today. When groups are at 11K they front carry to 13.5K. They cache a bunch of food and fuel and supplies that they do not need until they are at 14K. Then once they get to 14K they go down and get it. This serves as a great acclimatization day and a partial rest day. Even on rest days it's good to get out and move around. The more your blood is pumping, the more 02 you''re brain and muscles are getting. They are planning on resting tomorrow and making a cache on the 16 Ridge on Sunday.

Okonek photo of a little wind at high camp. This would be a good example of a day that would prevent a group from attempting a summit attempt.

Mark said the weather was splitter today. I think it's going to stay nice for a bit. Marks group is doing really well. They made it from 11K to 14K in just over 5 hours. That's fast! 7-9 hours is not uncommon for that move. When I was talking to him, he was watching Melis and Pat move up to high camp. They are probably getting into camp now. I thought they would have moved up yesterday. That's what happens when you assume I guess. Melis did tell Postle that if her folks are feeling strong and the weather was good, they might go for the summit tomorrow. I think Pat is on the same program.


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Leighan, Dusty, Gio and Steve must have done a carry today. I just got a SPOT message from them. They are back at Ski Hill. They will head to 11K or to the 10,000 foot basin to camp tomorrow.

I also heard from Kevin Mahoney and Dan Corn today from the East Fork of the Kahiltna. They were at 11,500 and had already skied up to 13,500 and made a bunch of powder 8's on the way back down. They are planning on heading up higher tomorrow. They were calling in for a bit of a weather forecast.

Not much time today for photos, maybe tomorrow.

Rob