Denali Expedition: King & Team Move to 14,000’ Camp
Posted by: Mike King, JT Schmitt, Ben Ammon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - 10:53 PM PT
With a forecast that hasn't been stellar, the guides woke at 2:30 AM only to see strong winds above. We continued to check for high winds until 6 am, needing to make a decision on whether to move camp or burn another weather day, we opted to pack up. Hoping for the sun to calm the wind we started out at 9 am through boot high snow, calf high snow, knee high snow and you guessed it thigh high snow. We made good time without any congestion on the route, but it was not an easy day. Once we picked up our cache at 12,500' we slogged up towards Windy Corner. Packs were heavy, sleds didn't help and the loose drifted in snow made for a tired team. We got chased around Windy Corner by a storm then promptly walked into a basin where the wind had stopped and we were quickly to hot. Today's lesson was, "learn to be comfortable, being uncomfortable". Freeze or fry is all you can expect up here, ideal doesn't exist. We will take a well deserved rest day tomorrow and maybe for the next week if the projected Pineapple Express weather front dumps 9 feet of snow.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
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Comments (4)
Diana King here, Mike’s Mom. We to enjoy keeping up wit the Team from Atlanta. Wish he could get home more often.
Posted by: Diana King on
Robb-o!!
Sending some positive weather vibes your way!! Hope you, Cole and the rest of the team are having an awesome adventure!!
XOXOXO
Sharoni
Posted by: Sharon Del Vecchio on
Hi Scott and Team. Nice work getting to 14,000 feet. Sounded like a hard trek. Mike, you do a nice job of writing your blogs. Me and every parent, grandparent and sibling sit on the edge of our chairs waiting for you to post. Thank you!
Scott, Joe and I are taking the kids to the Melodrama on Fathers Day so not to worry that your day will not include the kids. We will buy them anything they want to eat, just like you would! Lol
Take a nice rest after shoveling out the storm and for heavens sake SUMMIT!! Go Team!
Love, Mom
Posted by: Connie Selgrath on
David McCampbell: Praying for you and your team, daddy! The map looks like you guys have gone most of the way, but I’m sure the hardest is yet to come. You got this!! Enjoy the rest day(s), and I hope you have lots of chocolate left!!! :D <3 Theresa
Posted by: Theresa Smalley on