|
TODAY'S STATS |
Denali |
Mt. Foraker |
|
Registered Climbers |
958 |
18 |
|
Climbers Currently On Mountain |
382 |
14 |
|
Completed Climbs |
83 |
2 |
|
Number of Summits |
29 |
0 |
|
Summit Percentage |
34% |
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 - Basecamp was in a whiteout last night, with storm accumulation of 10 cm new snow. It wasn't snowing this morning, just scattered clouds including a ribbon of clouds on the lower Kahiltna and fog near Kahiltna Queen. Wind was 4 mph out of the east, with gusts to 9 mph out of the west.
In the last 12 hours:
Current temp: -4 C / 25 F
Low temp: -5 C / 23 F
High temp: -3 C / 27 F
14,200 feet - Beautifully clear, cold, and relatively calm day at 14,200-feet this morning. No snow, no clouds, and wind around 6 mph from the east, with occasional gusts to 14 mph. They received a trace of snow overnight.
In the last 12 hours:
Current temp: -22 C / -7 F
Low temp: -23 C / -9 F
High temp: -19 C / -2 F
National Weather Service forecast
Ranger Update
NPS Denali Patrol #1 (Erickson, Coady, 2 GRTE rangers, 2 VIPs) The patrol is at 14K, hopefully awaiting the arrival of reinforcements...aka Patrol #2, who should be headed to 14,200 camp today. Otherwise, they survived the heavy winds of Friday night unscathed.
NPS Denali Patrol #2 (McBrayer and 4 VIPs). Ranger Joey McBrayer and his four VIP's were STILL stuck at 11,200 feet as of this morning due to the weekend wind and snow. They should be heading up around Windy Corner to 14K today, though reports on the hill indicate winds are still strong around the appropriately-named Corner.
NPS Denali Patrol #3 (Corn, 4 VIPs, 2 PJ's) Ranger Dan Corn and his fellow patrol members were scheduled to fly into Basecamp on Sunday, but they currently remain weathered in in Talkeetna, along with dozens of other climbers biding time in the various coffee shops of Talkeetna. Volunteers include former Denali mountaineering ranger Jon Waterman, returning volunteer Justin Fraser, and two first time VIP's Bobby Cosker and Michael Hutchins. Two Air National Guard Pararescuemen (PJ's) from JBER in Anchorage are also headed up on patrol -- Cody Inman and Jeff Hamilton.
NPS Basecamp Patrol #1 (Reichert, 1 ranger, 1 VIP) The crew has taken a few ski trips out of camp, and otherwise, just manning the fort.
NPS Basecamp Patrol #2 (Robinson, 2 VIPs) Roger Robinson will head into Basecamp as soon as weather permits, hopefully later today, along with volunteers Mike Jens and Mike Moxness, and Denali LE ranger Jim Syvertsen (who just traded out positions with David Olson).
Route Conditions
Per Ranger Chris Erickson at 14K, there has been very little activity on the upper mountain in recent days due to storms. Weather is finally nice at both basecamp and 14K today, though the conditions higher on the mountain are windy with a lenticular building over the summit. Teams, in general, are somewhat antsy to get climbing after waiting out bad weather. A few have attempted to move up to 17K, and others have headed down to basecamp.
Photo of the Day
Enjoying some quiet contemplation at the 11,200-foot camp. NPS Photo/Scott Guenther