Field Report, May 26

May 26, 2016 Posted by: Maureen Gualtieri

TODAY'S STATS

    Denali    

Mt. Foraker

Registered Climbers

973

18

Climbers Currently On Mountain

394

14

Completed Climbs

156

4

Number of Summits

33

0

Summit Percentage

21%

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 - Its been overcast at 7,200 feet for the last 24 hours, with this morning's cloud ceiling estimated at 8,000 feet.  Wind speed was 4 mph from the southeast, gusting to 14 mph from the west. No new snow this morning. 

In the last 12 hours:
Current temp:  -2 C / 28 F
Low temp:  -3 C / 27 F
High temp:  2 C / 36 F

14,200 feet -   Ranger reports that Denali Storm Evans is still 'nuking' the upper mountain. Strong winds and blowing snow at the 14,200-foot camp, with even stronger winds roaring overhead. Wind speed was 24 mph from the southeast, with gusts up to 59 mph. Camp recorded 17 cm of new snow overnight.

In the last 12 hours:
Current temp:  -18 C / 0 F
Low temp:  -21 C / -6 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)  Patrol members were up early this morning at 14K, reinforcing all tie-downs in the face of lingering Denali Storm Evans.

NPS Denali Patrol #2 (McBrayer and 4 VIPs) Also at work wind-proofing and shoveling.  

NPS Denali Patrol #3 (Corn, 4 VIPs, 2 PJ's) Ranger Dan Corn and his fellow patrol members rose again early this morning, again headed uphill. It is suspected they will reach the 11,200 camp today depending on conditions.

NPS Basecamp Patrol #2 (Robinson, 1 northside ranger, 2 VIPs)  The patrol is making the rounds at basecamp, assessing and addressing cache management and general camp hygiene.  


Route Conditions

There is no soon end in sight of Denali Storm Evans, who is packing quite a whollop. Evans has been slamming the upper mountain, and while over the last few days the 14,200-foot camp was somewhat protected from the brunt of it, they are now experiencing a fuller taste of the fury.  Rangers at 14,200-feet are receiving a flurry of reports of frostbite, estimating almost half the climbers going high on the mountain are coming back to camp with some degree of cold injury.

On the lower mountain, Ranger Dan Corn shared that the lower glacier is in very good shape. 

Photo of the Day

Denali Storm Evans descends on the 14,200-camp Denali Storm Evans descends on the 14,200-foot camp.  NPS Photo/VIP Steve Mock

Last updated: May 26, 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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