Thursday, June 14, 2018

Denali West Buttress Expedition Team 5 (May 27 - June 16, 2018)

Guides:

Higinio Gonzalez
Will Gordon
Lindsey Hamm

Climbers:

Dara Stilger Griggs
Neil Reisinger
Justin Kile
Alex Pancoe
Matthew Herbein
Aaron Gardner
Sharon Marston
Jonathan Blinstrub
Andreas Czymoch

After an incredibly discouraging last few days of weather and no change in sight, Team 5 elected to return to Base Camp and fly back to Talkeetna. Lenticular clouds were visible over Denali and Foraker, with blowing snow on all upper ridges. At 14K, the wind gusts were blowing out the northeast at 46 mph. Returning without having stood on top is always disappointing, but the team is safe and ready to enjoy the comforts of civilization. The team will return in 2 or 3 separate planes to the K2 Aviation hangar. 

1 comment:

Unknown said...

So sorry for Team 5 that the weather is being so harsh on your journey. Glad to hear you are all safe and hopefully will have a uneventful trip back. Can't wait to hear from you Neil. Love ya, see you back in good ol' Wis consign ( where the Brewers are still holding onto 1st place!)