Denali 2005: Alpine Ascents Denali 2005: Eric Murphy reporting

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

Team Censored Enlightenment rests another day June 16, 2005: Hello cyberworld this is Eric Murphy reporting for Team Censored Enlightenment from 14,200ft camp. Well folks, we just had our second rest day or should I say we are in the process of our second rest and acclimatization day. We are doing some review today for fixed line practice and upper mountain running belay skills. Things we will be utilizing on our move up to 17 and on our summit push. Everyone is doing great here and would like to send their best to their family and friends. Sam says, “Mom, I really want some of your tomato sauce right now.” The group sends their best wishes for Fathers Day to all the fathers out there for this weekend. So things are looking good right now we just said goodbye to Alp 7 who is rolling on down after a successful summit bid and we are wishing Alp 8 well who moved up to high camp this morning and we are hoping the weather holds its looking really good right now. So this is Eric Murphy with Team Censored Enlightenment, ciao.

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.

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