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TODAY'S STATS - 7/1/22 |
Denali |
Mt. Foraker |
|
Registered Climbers |
1,129 |
5 |
|
Climbers Currently On Mountain |
110 |
0 |
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Completed Climbs |
1,019 |
5 |
|
Number of Summits |
704 |
0 |
|
Summit Percentage |
69% |
0% |
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The Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station also maintains an almost daily automated statistics phone line, so if this blog is lagging behind and you need up-to-date registration numbers, call (907) 733-9127. |
Today there are 8 registered backcountry users in the Alaska Range.
(For those paying close attention, you might see subtle variations in our day-to-day statistics as the front desk staff tidy up the data.)
Mountain Weather
Once again, there are no mountains visible on the horizon from Talkeetna. Smoke haze from area wildfires has obscured visibility in all directions. In the mountains today -- the haze isn't so bad. Using the FAA webcams link below - compare and contrast the McKinley South webcam with the Kahiltna Glacier webcam..and then work your way up north to get a feel for the statewide smoke conditions.
Weather station telemetry data from 7K and 14K are transmitted hourly to the MesoWest website, including temperatures, wind speed, wind direction, snowfall, and solar radiation. MountainWeather.com compiles a Denali Weather page, complete with links to the MesoWest data, the NWS Denali Climbing Forecasts, as well as links to FAA webcams.
Click here for the National Weather Service Denali Climbing Forecast
The FAA webcam on the Kahiltna Glacier is fully operational. Look for the green dot labelled Kahiltna Glacier.
Conditions Reports
Returning teams continue to report rotten -- but doable -- lower glacier conditions. Glacier travellers require good flotation and a rope connected to a good friend or two. And definitely travel at night. Turquoise blue glacier lakes are pooling up all around, beware the unexpected swim.
Search and Rescue
Yesterday a patient at 14K was struggling to maintain adequate O2 saturation throughout the day. Medical consultation encouraged an evacuation, which happened Thursday afternoon, June 30.
Ranger Reports
NPS 14K Patrol #6 (Beren) Patrol #6 spent much of yesterday assessing and treating a (likely) HAPE patient in the medical tent, until the struggling climber was evacuated to Talkeetna late afternoon. After a job well done, they kicked back and enjoyed their final night at 14K. Today they assisted with the first of many helo gear haul-outs from the upper mountain. Tonight the six patrol members will descend to Basecamp in the cool of the night, then fly off through the lowland haze to Talkeetna! Since we didn't share a photo of the team when they flew up, we did manage to acquire a glamour shot from 14,200-foot camp. Led by the cool, calm, and collected mountaineering professional, Ranger Jake Beren, we thank everyone on this stellar crew, who seemed to always be in the right place at the right time!
Front row, smiling bright, is VIP Eli Weitzman! At his back, from left to right, meet VIP Jenn Reddy, VIP Liz Bolton, VIP/Paramedic Solveig Waterfall, Ranger Jake Beren, and VIP Dodge Garfield. Looking good, team. (NPS Photo/Dave Weber)NPS 14K Patrol #7 (Dossin) It was a pleasure to hear the Dream Team radio in from the summit of Denali yesterday afternoon. They then spent the night at high camp, and welcomed Helo pilot Erik into 17K around mid-day Friday (today), sending him off with a helo full of gear left at high camp as a result of numerous climber evacuations over the past several weeks. Galen, Kai, Andy, and Josh are currently descending to hug goodbye to Jake and Team. Depending on the number of climbers still on the upper mountain, they will use their best judgement as to when to finally pack up 14 camp for the season, but they will start building loads tomorrow.
NPS 7K Patrol #7 (Ramos-Leon) Kakiko, Katherine, and Abby flew out of the Range yesterday morning, but then Kakiko missed it so much he flew right back in again to serve as medical attendant for the HAPE patient at 14K.Denali Rescue Volunteers
Learn more about Denali Rescue Volunteers, an organization that helps make Denali National Park and Preserve's mountaineering operations whole! Thank you for all that you do each season, from helping equipping our volunteers, housing them before and after patrols, and supporting our recruitment process!
Photo of the Day
TEMSCO helicopter N570AE got quite a workout this mountaineering season, with driving duties shared by pilots Eric Ridington and Christian Kolden. (NPS Photo/Dave Weber)