|
TODAY'S STATS |
Mt. McKinley |
Mt. Foraker |
|
Registered Climbers |
827 |
11 |
|
Climbers Currently On Mountain |
49 |
4 |
|
Completed Climbs |
2 |
0 |
|
Number of Summits |
1 |
0 |
|
Summit Percentage |
50% |
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
Scattered high clouds over the Kahiltna Basecamp this morning. At 8:00 am, winds at 7,200 feet were out of the East at 5 mph. The temperature was 12 F (-11 C).
In the last 24 hours at 7,200-feet:
Low temp: 14 F (-10 C)
High temp: 27 F (-3 C)
Winds calm, with occasional gusts to 6 mph from the East
National Weather Service forecast
Ranger Update
NPS Denali Patrol #1 (Erickson, Westman, 2 PJ's, 4 VIPs) began their ascent yesterday, camping last night at 7,800-feet on the West Buttress.
Rangers Chenoweth and Weber fly off from their patrol of Mt. Foraker later today, stay tuned for their patrol report.
Business as usual in Talkeetna today, with four groups on the Denali/Foraker orientation schedule, and many other backcountry groups (i.e. non Denali or Foraker trips) checking in as well.
Route Conditions
The lower glacier is good shape, with typical spring snowpack. Looking at higher elevations, rangers estimate the upper mountain appears snowier than in recent years. Though time will tell, bands that are normally covered in blue ice are covered in snow this year.
In terms of climbing routes in and around the Kahiltna Basecamp, according to Lisa Roderick, (Basecamp Manager for Talkeetna Air Taxi and K2):
- Bacon and Eggs is in good shape, about 3 teams have climbed it thus far this season
- Mini-Moonflower has not been in good shape, all teams so far have turned around at the crux pitch.
- Mt. Frances has seen lots of climbs this spring, both the Southwest and East sides.
- The first team of the year topped out on the Moonflower Buttress of Mt. Hunter last evening.
Photo of the Day
Big thanks go to Lisa Roderick, Basecamp flight coordinator for K2 Aviation and Talkeetna Air Taxi. Lisa has been providing all our early season weather observations, as well as providing climbing/conditions reports that come her way. Roderick has served as Basecamp manager since 2000, living on the glacier from May to early July each spring, with only occasional trips to Talkeetna for a long, hot shower. (NPS Photo/M. Gualtieri)