Registered Climbers: 955
On the Mountain: 262
Done and Off the Mountain: 690
Mountain Weather and Conditions Report
Lower KahiltnaTemperatures are finally rising on the mountain after what had been a cold season. The base camp weather station reported temperatures remaining above freezing since June 13 at 7 a.m. Teams switched to traveling the lower glacier at night, and so far all teams are continuing to report good travel conditions on the lower Kahiltna. A team traveling during the day on June 19 reported the snow to be difficult and slushy, and punching in with their snowshoes up to their boot tops.
Mount Crosson with warming temperatures. Photo taken 6/19 by pilot and VIP Tully Hamer
Camp 1 to Camp 3- 7,800 ft/2400m
There have been no reported changes in conditions from 11,000’ to 14,000’ since our last update. Teams continue to report that Windy Corner has been icy, however teams have not been reporting any issues moving through these elevations.
Camp 4 to the Summit- 14,000ft/4330m and above
Overall, there has been a strong shift in the weather. High pressure settled into the upper mountain, and the shift in the weather has correlated with climbers' success in moving around the mountain. The ranger teams have reported that the temperatures have warmed up, with the climbing forecast predicting temperatures around 10 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit at high camp. They have been seeing orographic lift clouding the 14K basin in the afternoons, and thunder cells have been building up on the north side of the mountain this week. The area has been hazy due to smoke from wildfires in Canada, and the climbers are feeling the effects of the smoke, reporting congestion in their noses when waking up in the mornings.
Weather Photos
Viewing clouds building adjacent to 14,200’ camp from High Camp. Photo/Barrier
Thunder Cells on the North Side. Photo, Barrier
Photo issued by ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Division of Air Quality AIR QUALITY ADVISORY Central and Eastern Alaska #2025-F1 Sunday, June 15, 2025
Mountain Conditions Photos. Courtesy of Ranger Scotty Barrier, taken this week.
Ranger Reports
It is a busy week on the mountain for our Ranger teams. On Thursday morning, the Ranger teams had Dossin/Kayes at base camp, Bomba at 11K, Baldwin at 14K, Davis at 17K, and Barrier heading for the summit. By spreading out the teams, we increase our presence and coverage on the mountain, allowing teams to respond to events at different elevations as quickly as possible.
14K Patrol # 8 Dossin/Kayes
The final patrol team of the year launched Thursday. Rangers Galen Dossin, and Jake Kayes are beginning their climb with returning VIP Colby Coombs. This will be Colby’s 41st time on McKinley.
Rangers Dossin, VIP Colby Combs, and Ranger Kayes flying into base camp with Pilot Tide Smid.
14K Patrol # 7 Bomba
Ranger Bomba and team arrived at 11,000’ on Thursday, and will spend a few days acclimatizing in the area. Bomba’s all Alaskan resident, all-female squad includes Base Camp Manager Gabby Faurot, Megan Dannenberg, and med VIP Susan Goodwin. Stand by for future team photos.
14K Patrol # 5 Baldwin/Barrier, and Patrol # 6 Davis
Splitting up locations to increase coverage on the mountain, Baldwin held down the fort at 14K while Barrier, Davis, and a handful of VIPs moved up. Barrier, and VIP successfully reached the Summit on June 19.
Photos courtesy of Ranger Scotty Barrier on the Upper Mountain with VIP this week.