Field Report, June 21

June 21, 2015 Posted by: Maureen Gualtieri

TODAY'S STATS	Mt. McKinley	Mt. Foraker
Registered Climbers	1,078	15
Climbers Currently On Mountain	293	0
Completed Climbs	706	15
Number of Summits	361	6
Summit Percentage	51%	40%

The Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station also maintains a daily automated statistics phone line, so if this blog is lagging behind and you need up-to-date registration numbers, call [phone]. 

Weather Report

14,200 feet - Clear skies over 14,000 feet, with broken clouds below.  Wind 5 mph from the north, gusts to 8 mph from the northeast.  "Super nice", per rangers at 14K. 

In the last 12 hours:
Current temp:  9 F (-13 C)
Low temp:  9 F (-13 C)
High temp:   14 F (-10 C)   

7,200 feet - Partly cloudy skies today, with 4 mph wind from the east, gusts to 13 mph. 

In the last 12 hours:
Current temp: 41 F (5 C)
Low temp: 41 F (5 C)
High temp: 41 F (5 C) 

National Weather Service forecast  

Ranger Update

NPS Denali Patrol #4 (Chenoweth, 4 VIPs) flew off the mountain yesterday, and enjoying the summer solstice n Talkeetna.

NPS Denali Patrol #5 (McBrayer, 4 VIPs) is camped at 17,200 feet. Two days ago, the patrol provided medical care to a climber suffering from HAPE and HACE; due to the severity of the illness, the patient was evacuated from high camp in the A-Star B3e helicopter and bumped down to Basecamp to an awaiting LifeMed air ambulance.  Patrol #5 is resting in camp today, following a successful summit bid yesterday.

NPS Denali Patrol #6 is (Gentzel, Corn, 4 VIPs) is now positioned at 14,200-foot camp. Today, members of the crew are going for a day trip up the fixed lines.  Camp is generally quiet.  The fine weather means teams are often spending only 1 or 2 nights in camp, rather than the 5-6 nights common during variable or bad weather.

NPS Basecamp Patrol #5 (Shain + 1 VIP) is planning a day trip in the basecamp area today.

Route Conditions

The steady glaring sun has left the snow surface crusty and variable in the 14,200 foot basin. 

High temperatures have generated rockfall activity at Windy Corner, as well as the stretch between Windy Corner and the Headwall.  

The lower glaciers are still in surprisingly good condition for travel despite the warm temps and glaring sun. 

Photo of the Day 

 

An early season view of the Northeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. NPS Patrol #2 originally planned to climb the Lower West Rib via this fork. The patrol turned back and climbed the West Buttress when they encountered heavy snowfall and increased avalanche hazard.  (NPS Photo/Sue Wolff)