At 7,800' camp

I just got our first phone call from the May 30 Denali expedition today, and the group has moved from basecamp up the Kahiltna Glacier and have established themselves at the base of Ski Hill at 7,800'. "7.8 camp" is located in a compression zone of the glacier, which means the ice underfoot is being squeezed together. This is good because it means that most crevasses are pinched shut, which makes for a safer camping experience.

Today the team carried a load of supplies to 10,000' on the Kahiltna in preparation for their planned move to 11,200' camp tomorrow. Moving on the lower sections of the West Buttress route involves traveling for miles on relatively flat terrain; the route from basecamp to 7,800 hardly gains any elevation. The move from 7.8 to 11 involves gaining over 3,000' but that gain is spread out over several miles. If the weather allows the team will move up and officially be at high elevation tomorrow.

The team wanted to relay that they are working hard ('backbreaking labor' was the quote) and the third guide Eric reported that all was well and everyone was looking and feeling strong. More tomorrow, stay tuned....