As of Monday, there are 28 registered backcountry climbers in the Alaska Range. There are a handful of hopeful teams in Basecamp waiting for weather for some of the more technical routes on the North Buttress of Mt. Hunter. There are a few ski teams in the Pika, and a few Denali prep courses also based out of Basecamp.A team recently out of the Pika reported a meter of new snow over the course of their week-long expedition. A cycle of large, natural avalanches prevented them from getting on any steeper avalanche terrain.Come check out all the recent conditions reports before your next trip into the range!
Volunteers Jaime Trivet, Steve Mock, and Tanya Leinicke prepare to fly into Basecamp.
VIP’s Steve Mock, Tanya Leinicke, and Jaime Trivet were installed at Basecamp on Sunday. They will be there for the next week and a half assisting operations on the upper mountain.Rangers Chelsea Bomba and Robin Pendery were inserted in the range on Saturday and have started their journey up the West Buttress.
VIP Christina Dale, VIP Dan Bissinger, Ranger Chelsea Bomba and VIP Tyler Meyers prepare to load Ranger Robin Pendery for the flight to Basecamp.
Jakes Kayes will join Alan Davis at 14k’ this evening. The 14k’ camp is fully staffed but we are still moving gear up to this elevation. The weather has made normal helicopter operations challenging.Reports from up high say that Squirrel Hill and Windy Corner are both blue ice at this point in the season. The fixed lines are usable but still need a little work; only the top of the “up” line is exposed. A few teams have been able to move caches up to 17k’ and we will probably see more teams move up there soon.
16k’ Ridge on May 22. Photo by VIP Matt Skorina.
Alaska Range Patrols
Scotty Barrier is headed into the Moose’s Tooth for a week with VIP Lexie Hunsacker. Lexie is also a climbing ranger in Grand Teton National Park. The two hope to get on some of the classic routes in the area. With the new snow and cold temps, conditions should still be good!
Mark Your Calendars!
Friday, June 12, Denali Rescue Volunteers is hosting a fundraiser in Talkeetna. It is at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar at 7 pm. A few different climbers will be sharing their experiences from historic ascents of Mt. Huntington over the years, including Cindy Jones, the first female ascensionist.
