Denali 2005: Alpine Ascents Denali 2005: Multiplying Forces at the Summit!

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

The Man Show enjoying the sights at 11
June 2, 2005    
Hello this is The Man Show Alpine Ascents 7 checking in on our back carry day, we spent a restful night at 11,000 feet last night and opened our eyes this morning to a perfectly clear cloudless day with spectacular views we haven’t taken in, in the last few days we’ve been moving through the storm. Tomorrow we plan on carrying around Windy Corner and caching and then we plan on spending our third night at 11, we’ll check in with you then. We’d like to leave you with this haiku from Kevin: Heavy plodding steps
The rope slides through snowy grooves
Will I see the top? Alright, very good talk to you tomorrow.

Multiplying Forces safely back at High Camp
June 2, 2005    
Team Multiplying Forces here, it is 12:45 and we arrived a little while ago back here at our 17.2 camp and we’re pretty knackered, but nothing a little warm dinner and some good warm sleep can’t handle. We’ll be headed down the mountain tomorrow and you’ll be able to talk to your loved ones on the phone within two days, bye.

Mixed Nuts moves to 14.2
June 1, 2005    
Hello cyberworld, this is Duane from the Mixed Nuts expedition. Today we successfully pushed to Camp III at 14,200 feet. We woke up this morning with over a foot of fresh snow in our camp at 11.2 and broke trail, which was difficult in thigh-deep poweder and made it to Camp III, greeted by clear skies and views of Mount Hunter and Mount Foraker and the fixed lines up above us. Everybody is doing well, Jacques says hello to his family and we will talk to you tomorrow, bye.

Multiplying Forces at the Summit!
June 1, 2005    
Hey there friends and family this is Team Multiplying Forces calling in from the Top of North America, the summit of Denali. We woke up this morning to cloudy skies and a light snow and thought about it for a while and thought we might as well give it a go. We were rewarded because we got just above the Zebra Rocks and the sun came out and the wind just quit and we are on top of the summit on a beautiful day. So we will call and let you know that we are okay but just wanted to let everyone know that the entire team made it to the top of Denali. We’ll talk to you when we get back to 17, bye.

Don't Panic has a great rest day at 14.2
June 1, 2005    
Hello this is Ben Billings calling with an update for Alpine Ascents Team 5, Don’t Panic. We are day 4 here up at 14 camp, we had a wonderful little rest day today after a carry yesterday up to 16.2 where we put in a cache for our high camp stay. Today was nice, we actually saw some sun today for the first time in a while and everybody rested, dried out, we ate well, slept well, exchanged books, had an enjoyable day. Our game plan for tomorrow is to head up into high camp, 17,200 feet and spend as long as we need to up there. Looks like we might have a good weather window coming up over the weekend, should be perfect timing. Everybody is looking strong and excited and all in all we’ve just been having a lot of fun, spending time together and climbing the mountain. Let’s see I do have a quick “Love from John to Lisa, Genevieve, Alexander, Hannah and Dylan" and Don sends “love and prayers to Amy and Levi.” For now that’s it from Team Don’t Panic, you’ll hear from us again up a thigh camp when we look forward to talking to all of our friends and family and keep you posted, over and out.

Updates

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.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

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