Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Ascend to 9,500’
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah McGowan, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 9,500'
June 20, 2017
The alarm went off at 3 AM but we didn't leave camp until close to noon. Winds built as we ate breakfast and the thought of walking straight up into a cold and snowy down glacier breeze was unappealing. We did what we often do in such circumstances... We dragged our feet and waited to see which way the weather might trend. We got out our already packed sleeping bags and waited in the early morning shadows. When the sun came out, we were still waiting. By 11 things were not so different, but it wasn't nearly as cold. And so we packed up and made our move. As is normal, the glacier was in far better condition as we worked up Ski Hill. We had just a handful of easy crevasses to cross before we reached the stable ice up at 9500 ft. We pulled into our unbuilt new home just before 4PM and got busy building. Clouds had built up below us, overtaking our last camp and by evening we were in light snow from the clouds just up glacier, but we still had great views of Mts Foraker and Hunter to our South. The team turned in at 8 PM. Higher and happier with each passing day.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Comments (5)
Glad to see all is going well out there.. keep chugging along!!!
Mr. Walker, Vegas Knights picked up Oscar Lindberg, tough loss but they are in really good shape still. I’ll keep you updated on the moves.
Good luck the rest of the way and soak it all in.
Chris
Posted by: Chris Calnan on
116 ha! Try 120 degrees and counting! Yeah Ken! I so wish I were there with your group enjoying much cooler climes! It must be beautiful beyond words! Hope you are taking loads of photos!
Climb on! Hugs~
Posted by: Joy on
Ken - Another 1700 ! Facing the East each morning for good weather for your team. Thanks for the photos.
Posted by: Con on
Didn’t see this option until today! Sounds like all is going smoothly there and continued wishes for blessings of good weather.
Take care of my husband Ken and tell him I love and miss him!
All is good on the home front in Chicagoland - house, garden, dog Lazzie and the cats. Some rain but lovely summer weather. Not so good on the Scottsdale home front at 116 degrees but just grateful not to be there!!!!
Posted by: Sherry McFall Porrello on
Thanks for the motivation! have slept in our treehouse with my 11 year old the past 3 nights. continued good luck with weather and the expedition!
Treehouse Jeff & Sam
Posted by: jeff tannenbaum on