Denali Team 1: May 1 - May 21 Dispatch #4 & #5

Denali Team 1: May 1 - 21

Guides: Kurt Hicks, Dan Otter, Aili Farquhar

Climbers: Izabela Smolokowska (Warsaw, Poland), James Haydock (Dublin, Ireland), Ardeshir Yaftebbi, Iwan Irawan, Fajri Al Luthfi, Martin Rimbawan, Popo Fajar Sidik, and Nurhuda (all from Indonesia).

Kurt left us some messages over the weekend.  When teams are in summit position, we will be providing weekend updates.

Saturday, 4/30 at 1:23PM PDST

"Hi guys this is Kurt calling from Camp 1 on the Kahiltna glacier!  We had a great movement day yesterday, traveling from base camp to camp one at 7,800 feet, to put in a cache.  We had really great weather, not too hot, and not too cold - the sun was even out for a bit.  

Today, Saturday morning, it is snowing lightly, and it is fairly cold.  We are all looking forward to getting moving so we can stay warm, as we head back to base camp to meet the rest of the team.  Once we arrive at camp it will just be dinner and a little more crevasse rescue practice.  Things are going great, and we'll talk to you soon!

Sunday, 5/1 at 3:03 PDST

  

"Hey everybody, this is Kurt calling again from base camp on the Kahiltna.  Yesterday during our trip from Camp 1 to base camp we experience some fairly cold temperatures.  I was actually wearing more layers than on some of the summit days I've had!  Regardless, we made it here safe and everyone is well and enjoying our quasi-rest day.

The airstrip on the lower Kahiltna glacier at Denali Base Camp

 

Today is technically the first day of our West Buttress Expedition!  It is sunny and snowing lightly.  The airstrip is open, so we expect Aili and the rest of the team to arrive soon. We look forward to start making upward progress, and we miss everyone back home.  Talk to you soon!"