Denali 2005: Alpine Ascents Denali 2005: Multiplying Forces reaches 14,200 feet

Denali (20,320ft/6,195m) Alaska

Multiplying Forces reaches 14,200 feet. May 23, 2005: Hi this is Winslow with Team Multiplying Forces. We are just retiring for the evening at the 14,200 foot camp. We moved up today in a an 8-hour push and spent a couple more hours building camp, so it was a pretty big day today. We were in a snowstorm down at 11.2 camp for a couple of days, we had about 3 feet of snow and the wind blew in probably another foot on top of that. Then when things cleared up we had a big snowball fight with the other 50 or so people that were hanging out at 11.2 camp. We are all doing well, looking forward to a rest day tomorrow and we’ll check in with you then, ciao.

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Overview: There are certain mountains that need no explanation as to why climb. Denali is such a mountain. Its tremendous size and beauty generate a magnetism that continually draws climbers from around the world. An ascent of Denali, touches the psyche of all alpinists and for those who have undertaken its challenges, it rewards them with an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Denali is often considered America's most classic climb. From top to bottom, it rises nearly 18,000', an elevation gain unsurpassed anywhere in the world. At a northern latitude of 63°, it is the most northerly of any big mountain over 20,000'. No other region offers such breathtaking and diverse views each day of the ascent. The panorama from Denali's summit includes Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter and Mt. Huntington in all their majestic glory.

When Dr. Bradford Washburn pioneered the West Buttress route, he heralded in a new era of Denali ascents and offered climbers a unique approach to the summit. The flight onto the glacier is a trip in itself, presenting overwhelming vistas of the Alaska Range. The West Buttress route remains, by far, the most successfully climbed route on the mountain.

Climb Overview: A Denali climb begins deep in the heart of the Alaska Mountain Range on the Kahiltna Glacier. From the S.E. Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier we begin the climb of Denali's West Buttress. Base Camp plus five higher camps are established on the mountain. When necessary, the team makes double carries between all camps, except high camp, to ensure proper acclimatization and reduce loads. In each camp we build snow walls for protection from possible high winds. The climb takes approximately 17-18 days round trip from Base camp.

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