Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Establish First Camp
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Henry Coppolillo, Tatum Whatford
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 7,800'
The team did strong work today, shouldering a load out of base camp that would have made an ox shudder. Each climber probably had north of 100lbs of gear between pack and sled. We schussed down Heart Break Hill relatively smoothly, given the load and started the long, gradual accent of the Kahiltna. The weather was beyond perfect. Blue skies, warm, probably too warm for a bit, but then a gentle kiss of breeze cooled us down.
6 hours of that steady diesel truck burn brought us to our first real camp of the climb at the Base of Ski Hill. We spent the next couple hours establishing a routine that will become quite familiar: building tent platforms, erecting tents, digging kitchens, bathrooms, melting water, making dinner, and finding time for self-care.
Tomorrow, we will look to move a load uphill and cache before returning to this same camp. We will all be happy for lighter loads.
Wish us bon voyage.
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Comments (2)
Best to Pete + crew…Look forward to following along…Wshing success…From flatlands of Indiana.
Posted by: Walter Glover on
bon voyage~
and well done team!
Posted by: Lyds on