I have been to the Alaska Range 5 times... the first in 1988, the last in 2014.
On all of those we flew in to Kahiltna International.
The last trip (early June 2014) I was a bit surprised by the warm and decaying conditions down low.
We were there to do West Buttress of Hunter. Got only to the Cat's Ears. No way was it gonna happen. We would have drowned.
Was told by several guides that we needed to be there a month (!) earlier (early May).
They said "Things have changed".
We didn't go up on Denali so I didn't get to look at conditions higher up.
I really would like to know if the recommended seasons, say from Joe Puryear's book, for more technical routes on the upper mountain, or even the lower West Rib, have changed any.
Do people still climb the West Rib, the Cassin or Pioneer ridge in late June/early July?
Less than 10 years ago it was still possible. Now, well, I don't live there, am not a guide, and need to ask.
Any observations would be appreciated.
(And I have been around long enough to know that every year is different, but have you seen longer term trends (?))
-- Jack (an old guy, but still trying to have fun)