|
TODAY'S STATS |
Mt. McKinley |
Mt. Foraker |
|
Registered Climbers |
923 |
11 |
|
Climbers Currently On Mountain |
331 |
0 |
|
Completed Climbs |
12 |
4 |
|
Number of Summits |
1 |
4 |
|
Summit Percentage |
8% |
100% |
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 (907) 733-9127.
Weather Report
14,200 feet- Rangers at 14K can make out some distant blue sky through the clouds this morning, but otherwise the skies are obscured with blowing snow. They received trace amounts of snow overnight. Wind speed at 8:00 am was 3 mph from the south, with gusts to 17 mph.
In the last 12 hours,
Current temp: 5 F (-15 C)
Low temp: 5 F (-15 C)
High temp: 10 F (-12 C)
7,200 feet - Skies are overcast at Basecamp this morning, with winds of 3 mph from the east, gusting to 13 mph. No precipitation overnight.
In the last 12 hours at 7,200-feet:
Current temp: 28 (-2 C)
Low temp: 25 F (-4 C)
High temp: 34 F (1 C)
National Weather Service forecast
Ranger Update
NPS Denali Patrol #1 (Erickson, Westman, 2 PJ's, 4 VIPs) Half the patrol made an acclimatization trip to 17,200-foot camp yesterday, although high winds turned them around at the black rocks just shy of camp. All 8 members of the patrol are at 14K camp today. Weather conditions are unflyable, and the mission to recover the body of deceased climber Javier Callupan from high camp (see news release) will continue when weather conditions allow, and when the helicopter and ground crews can safely operate at 17,200-feet.
NPS Denali Patrol #2 (Shain + 3 VIPs) joined patrol #1 at 14,200-foot camp last evening, along with many other climbing teams. Patrol #2 confirm that Windy Corner is 'more cracked up' than usual.
NPS Denali Patrol #3 (Weber, 2 PJ's, 2 VIPs) spent the night at Basecamp, will practice crevasse rescue skills around camp today, and will start their ascent of the West Buttress tomorrow. The team is pictured below amidst the last green trees they will see for a month.
Today, NPS Basecamp Patrol #1 (Robinson + 4 VIPs) swaps out with Ranger Joe Reichert and two volunteers -- joining the patrol is longtime EMS VIP Paul Marcolini in his ninth year of volunteer service on Denali, as well as rookie VIP Kakiko Ramos-Leon.
Route Conditions
> Reports have come in from independent teams that there are a few pickets in place on the traverse to Denali Pass.
> High winds have scoured areas of the mountain, with more blue ice appearing below Windy Corner and on the Headwall.
> The fixed lines on the Headwall have been excavated and are now considered in good shape;
> An above average number of crevasses to negotiate around Windy Corner this season;
> The trail this year goes high into the rockfall area between Windy Corner and 14,200-feet; and
> As always, climbers should be aware of avalanche potential throughout the Alaska Range, particularly in light of recent and pending snow and wind. See past Field Reports for more info.
Photo of the Day
NPS mountaineering ranger Dave Weber (far left, flexing his bicep) is joined on patrol by Volunteers-in-Parks (VIPs) Jenna Malone and Shane Treat, and Air National Guard Pararescuemen Chris Robertson and Allen-Mikel Armstrong (left to right). The four patrol members are sporting new red mountain jackets provided by Denali Rescue Volunteers, DRV, (www.denalirescue.com) a non-profit park partner that helps support the Denali mountaineering volunteer program with gear, logistics, gratitude, and more. Stay tuned for information on an upcoming DRV event the first week of June when famed mountaineer David Roberts presents slides and stories from his first ascent of Mount Huntington's West Face. (NPS Photo)