|
TODAY'S STATS |
Denali |
Mt. Foraker |
|
Registered Climbers |
1,107 |
16 |
|
Climbers Currently On Mountain |
359 |
0 |
|
Completed Climbs |
665 |
16 |
|
Number of Summits |
367 |
7 |
|
Summit Percentage |
55% |
44% |
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
7,200 feet - Same as yesterday: clear, sunny skies. No snow in the last several days. Wind at 4 mph out of the east, with gusts to 15 mph. Melis confidently states that today is the "best day all year".
In the last 12 hours:
Current temp: 3 C / 37 F
Low temp: 0 C / 32 F
High temp: 4 C / 39 F
14,200 feet - Unfortunately, the weather station at 14 camp is not working today so no temperatures or exact windspeeds are available. But its safe to say they have clear, sunny skies, no new snow, and generally calm with a pleasant breeze.
In the last 12 hours:
Current temp: C / F
Low temp: C / F
High temp: C / F
National Weather Service forecast
Ranger Update
NPS Denali Patrol #3 (Corn, 4 VIPs, 2 PJ's) ...is already showered up and debriefing the patrol here at the Talkeetna Ranger Station. Happy to be back in town.
NPS Denali Patrol #4 (Shain, 4 VIPs) Mike, Sue, Dahr, Brian, and Liam will move up to high camp tomorrow. Today they are in 14 camp, transferring the reins to Coley Gentzel's patrol.
NPS Denali Patrol #5 (Gentzel, 3 VIPs) Made it to 14 camp yesterday afternoon, getting settled in.
NPS Denali Patrol #6 (Weber, Preston, 4 VIPs) The final upper mountain sweep patrol flew into basecamp today. Rangers Dave Weber and Frank Preston will be joined by volunteers Menno Boermans, Phunuru Sherpa, Shane Treat, and Nick Asher.
NPS Basecamp Patrol #4 (Coady, 1 VIP) Melis and Bace flew out of basecamp today.
NPS Basecamp Patrol #5 (Erickson, 2 VIPs) Ranger Chris Erickson and volunteers Ben and Katie Weaver flew into basecamp today. The infrastructure breakdown has already begun, thanks to Dan Corn and Melis Coady's respective patrols. After spending a couple days at basecamp, Chris, Ben, and katie will ski down the Kahiltna Glacier to the Pica Glacier (Little Switzerland) for a clean-up patrol.
Route Conditions
The lower glacier is getting soupier, with last night's low temperature just hitting 32 F (0 C). K2 Aviation is now using the upper air strip on the Kahiltna Glacier.
Higher on the mountain, the West Buttress route is still in good shape. The upper mountain experienced some significant wind overnight, which blew snow over much of the ski tracks. Teams headed up to high camp will have to do a little trail-breaking today.
Photo of the Day
Ranger Roger Robinson poses in front of the ranger station with two Nepalese teams who recently checked in for climbs of the West Buttress and the Cassin Ridge Route. With a keen interested in sustainability and researching 'clean climbing' practices to take home to the Himalaya, their goal is to remove all their human waste. Each will carry their own CMC throughout the trip. (NPS Photo)