Field Report, May 18

May 18, 2016 Posted by: Maureen Gualtieri

TODAY'S STATS

    Denali    

Mt. Foraker

Registered Climbers

940

18

Climbers Currently On Mountain

321

11

Completed Climbs

30

2

Number of Summits

9

0

Summit Percentage

30%

0%

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 -  Julie reported scattered clouds over basecamp this morning with a patchy ceiling at 14,000 feet. Windspeed was 3 mph out of the east, with gusts to 9 mph out of the southeast. They received 3 cm of new snow overnight.

In the last 12 hours:
Current temp:  -3 C / 27 F
Low temp:  -7 C / 19 F
High temp:  -3 C / 27 F

14,200 feet -  Melis reported clear skies overhead, with a distinct cloud layer at 11,000 feet. Winds at 14,200 camp were 19 mph out of the northeast, gusting to 26 mph. They had blowing snow overnight, but no new snow accumulation.

In the last 12 hours:
Current temp:  -18 C / 0 F
Low temp:  -22 C / -8 F
High temp:  -18 C / 0 F


FAA Kahiltna Glacier webcam 

National Weather Service forecast 


Ranger Update

NPS Denali Patrol #1 (Erickson, Coady, 2 GRTE rangers, 2 VIPs) The patrol climbed the fixed lines yesterday, finding the ropes buried at the bergshrund between 15,700 and 16,200 feet. They replaced one fo the two lines, and the other will get replaced whenever either the NPS patrol or a guided team ascends to high camp, whichever  happens first.  

NPS Denali Patrol #2 (McBrayer and 4 VIPs). Ranger Joey McBrayer and his four VIP's camped at 11,200 feet last night

NPS Basecamp Patrol #1 (Reichert, 2 rangers, 1 VIP)  Rangers Jostad and Beheler are awaiting good flying weather to swap out with northside ranger Adam Mehlhorn. The weather at basecamp is flyable, but clouds are stacked up between Talkeetna and the Alaska Range.  Ranger Reichert and VIP Ramos will remain in camp until the next full patrol swapout, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 21.


Route Conditions

NPS Patrol #1 encountered strong winds up high yesterday, with more blue ice revealed at higher elevations. Still plenty of snow, but bluer than it was yesterday.

As reported above, they replaced one of the two fixed lines below the bergshrund; the other line will get replaced by either rangers or guides in the days to come.

Returning teams report that all the pickets and wands are still in place from last season on the Autobahn.  


Photo of the Day

Digging in deepLet the games begin!  NPS Patrol #1 begins to dig out the 14,200-foot camp while the net loads of camp gear lie in wait. NPS Photo/Scott Guenther

Last updated: May 18, 2016

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755

Phone:

907 683-9532
A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.

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