LC - Jul 9, 2009 8:58 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2009
Great summit day, horrid descent
We had bad weather initially until our 3rd day. Then from camp 1 to high camp, nothing but relatively great weather. Couple of cold windy days in high camp, but on summit day, the winds died down. Denali Pass all the way to the summit was extremely hot. Climbed mostly with base layer top and soft shell pants. Our descent was horrendous though as the snow had the consistency of oatmeal and the later half of the day. Lots of open crevasses.
Paul Burkholder - Jun 28, 2009 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2009
Wac(ko) Success
All 3 members of Team Wac(ko) reached the summit via the West Buttress on Friday the 19th. We hit the weather windows just right, taking only 1 unplanned rest/weather day. Much thanks to my team members Al and Dan (who just happens to be my son)!
emilie - Jun 27, 2009 12:53 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2009
Upper West Rib
First time on Denali. Got up to 16,300 on the Upper West Rib and put in an awesome perch at the bergschrund. Were supposed to take a rest day and then go for the summit, but I never got any higher. Developed a torn tendon or muscle under my ribs caused pain when breathing deeply. We waited it out 4 days but we descended when we realized it just wasn't going to get better. Major bummer is an understatement. I'll be back...
MichaelJ - Jun 22, 2009 3:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2009
Rib Cut-off from 14k
Climbed two long ice routes (NF of West Kahiltna Peak and the West Butt Prow) with Brent before going up the Rib Cut-off from 14k to the summit on day nine as a training climb (19 hours RT). Unfortunately, the next day we assisted the NPS rangers with the body recovery of two fallen climbers. Deteriorating conditions (and perhaps lack of heart) meant that we never got a chance to do what we came to do. Maybe some other time.
travelin_light - Jun 20, 2009 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2009
West Buttress
Other plans fell apart so I changed my objective around to the West Buttress. I ended up taking 12 days total KIA to KIA.
Cheeseburglar - Jun 8, 2009 7:13 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
only team member to puke?
Was I the only member of Kiefer and Haliku's group who threw up on the mountain? (Talkeetna doesn't count) I still can't believe how fast Rush got me the throw up bag. He definately saved the tent.
Great day on the summit, no wind, pretty warm!
astrobassman - Jun 5, 2009 5:31 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
West Buttress
Part of the excellent group from Colorado with Kiefer, Haliku, etc. Got sick at 14k camp, and tried to go higher, but realized it wasn't meant to be. After that my mind/body weren't in it, and I went down with some Mexicans and got drunk at base camp. Still a great trip with great partners...will have to come back.
Kiefer - Jun 4, 2009 5:19 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
West Butress
Part of the expedition with Haliku and Co.
Absolutely beautiful weather! Could NOT have asked for better conditions.
Great mountain.
Haliku - Jun 2, 2009 9:33 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
West Buttress
Team Summit Bound (Kiefer, media dude, astrobassman, cheeseburgler, rush and myself) put four of the six members on the summit late that day. What views! The summit ridge was windless and beautiful.
bfrench - Apr 28, 2009 12:31 am Date Climbed: May 28, 2001
Denali
Chris and I both had our 21st birthdays at 14k. Summited from 14k in 13 hours round trip. Perfect weather.
Pablohoney - Mar 26, 2009 11:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2008
West Butt
No no no,
Jaegermeister is fantastic, it dulls the pain.
punchline - Mar 11, 2009 8:28 am Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2007
West Buttress
One of 77 that day
kovarpa - Jan 5, 2009 3:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2006
Tourist route
Good weather in teh beginning and then Vendula and I got stuck at the high camp (17,400) for three horrible days in high winds and some pretty cold temps. At the first "lull" in the weather we hightailed down to 14k, waited another day and then off. The window didn't open until after another week or so so I don't feel too bad about abandoning the attempt. There is always a next time.
11 summits in 12 attempts. I really love this mountain.
crnhlio - Sep 2, 2008 10:33 am Date Climbed: May 25, 2007
West Butt
Great time, can't wait to come back.
jef80 - Aug 12, 2008 8:32 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2008
West Butt
Reached Denali Pass before I ran out of steam. I'll need to train harder for the next attempt. Weather was pretty bad anyways. Good overall weather and great friends made it a fun trip though.
1979: West Rib attempt with the Korean expedition
1983: Reality Ridge attempt with Bill Crouse
PellucidWombat - Jun 28, 2008 2:47 am Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2008
Buttin' Out
Our team originally had its sights set on the West Rib, then the Upper West Rib cutoff, but ultimately we wimped out and climbed the butt. 12 hrs RT from 17k camp. I barely felt the altitude! Great weather. Trip report and photo links coming soon.
Muddeer - Jun 6, 2008 4:31 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2008
West Buttress
After spending 6 days at the 14k' camp and then another 5 days at the 17k' camp due to high winds, summited on 5/30 Friday. Total of 19 days to the summit. Started out as a part of 5-person rope team, but was solo above the 14k' camp, as rest of the team could not wait out the storms. Fortunately, I was climbing totally self-sufficient in terms of gear from the start: my own tent, two stoves, shovel, saw, repair kits, etc.. The heavy pack and sled made the climb and the solo descent especially memorable. Denali, what a mountain! It was worth the time, money, and effort!!!
LC - Jul 9, 2009 8:58 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2009
Great summit day, horrid descentWe had bad weather initially until our 3rd day. Then from camp 1 to high camp, nothing but relatively great weather. Couple of cold windy days in high camp, but on summit day, the winds died down. Denali Pass all the way to the summit was extremely hot. Climbed mostly with base layer top and soft shell pants. Our descent was horrendous though as the snow had the consistency of oatmeal and the later half of the day. Lots of open crevasses.
Paul Burkholder - Jun 28, 2009 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2009
Wac(ko) SuccessAll 3 members of Team Wac(ko) reached the summit via the West Buttress on Friday the 19th. We hit the weather windows just right, taking only 1 unplanned rest/weather day. Much thanks to my team members Al and Dan (who just happens to be my son)!
emilie - Jun 27, 2009 12:53 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2009
Upper West RibFirst time on Denali. Got up to 16,300 on the Upper West Rib and put in an awesome perch at the bergschrund. Were supposed to take a rest day and then go for the summit, but I never got any higher. Developed a torn tendon or muscle under my ribs caused pain when breathing deeply. We waited it out 4 days but we descended when we realized it just wasn't going to get better. Major bummer is an understatement. I'll be back...
MichaelJ - Jun 22, 2009 3:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2009
Rib Cut-off from 14kClimbed two long ice routes (NF of West Kahiltna Peak and the West Butt Prow) with Brent before going up the Rib Cut-off from 14k to the summit on day nine as a training climb (19 hours RT). Unfortunately, the next day we assisted the NPS rangers with the body recovery of two fallen climbers. Deteriorating conditions (and perhaps lack of heart) meant that we never got a chance to do what we came to do. Maybe some other time.
travelin_light - Jun 20, 2009 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2009
West ButtressOther plans fell apart so I changed my objective around to the West Buttress. I ended up taking 12 days total KIA to KIA.
Cheeseburglar - Jun 8, 2009 7:13 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
only team member to puke?Was I the only member of Kiefer and Haliku's group who threw up on the mountain? (Talkeetna doesn't count) I still can't believe how fast Rush got me the throw up bag. He definately saved the tent.
Great day on the summit, no wind, pretty warm!
astrobassman - Jun 5, 2009 5:31 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
West ButtressPart of the excellent group from Colorado with Kiefer, Haliku, etc. Got sick at 14k camp, and tried to go higher, but realized it wasn't meant to be. After that my mind/body weren't in it, and I went down with some Mexicans and got drunk at base camp. Still a great trip with great partners...will have to come back.
Kiefer - Jun 4, 2009 5:19 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
West ButressPart of the expedition with Haliku and Co.
Absolutely beautiful weather! Could NOT have asked for better conditions.
Great mountain.
Haliku - Jun 2, 2009 9:33 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2009
West ButtressTeam Summit Bound (Kiefer, media dude, astrobassman, cheeseburgler, rush and myself) put four of the six members on the summit late that day. What views! The summit ridge was windless and beautiful.
bfrench - Apr 28, 2009 12:31 am Date Climbed: May 28, 2001
DenaliChris and I both had our 21st birthdays at 14k. Summited from 14k in 13 hours round trip. Perfect weather.
Pablohoney - Mar 26, 2009 11:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2008
West ButtNo no no,
Jaegermeister is fantastic, it dulls the pain.
punchline - Mar 11, 2009 8:28 am Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2007
West ButtressOne of 77 that day
kovarpa - Jan 5, 2009 3:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2006
Tourist routeGood weather in teh beginning and then Vendula and I got stuck at the high camp (17,400) for three horrible days in high winds and some pretty cold temps. At the first "lull" in the weather we hightailed down to 14k, waited another day and then off. The window didn't open until after another week or so so I don't feel too bad about abandoning the attempt. There is always a next time.
TRP - Dec 7, 2008 1:27 pm
West Buttress11 summits in 12 attempts. I really love this mountain.
crnhlio - Sep 2, 2008 10:33 am Date Climbed: May 25, 2007
West ButtGreat time, can't wait to come back.
jef80 - Aug 12, 2008 8:32 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2008
West ButtReached Denali Pass before I ran out of steam. I'll need to train harder for the next attempt. Weather was pretty bad anyways. Good overall weather and great friends made it a fun trip though.
Sierra Ledge Rat - Jul 18, 2008 12:57 am
Two attempts1979: West Rib attempt with the Korean expedition
1983: Reality Ridge attempt with Bill Crouse
PellucidWombat - Jun 28, 2008 2:47 am Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2008
Buttin' OutOur team originally had its sights set on the West Rib, then the Upper West Rib cutoff, but ultimately we wimped out and climbed the butt. 12 hrs RT from 17k camp. I barely felt the altitude! Great weather. Trip report and photo links coming soon.
Muddeer - Jun 6, 2008 4:31 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2008
West ButtressAfter spending 6 days at the 14k' camp and then another 5 days at the 17k' camp due to high winds, summited on 5/30 Friday. Total of 19 days to the summit. Started out as a part of 5-person rope team, but was solo above the 14k' camp, as rest of the team could not wait out the storms. Fortunately, I was climbing totally self-sufficient in terms of gear from the start: my own tent, two stoves, shovel, saw, repair kits, etc.. The heavy pack and sled made the climb and the solo descent especially memorable. Denali, what a mountain! It was worth the time, money, and effort!!!
Alpinist - Jun 6, 2008 12:50 am
Re: West ButtressYou're too modest Peter. Your 6 hour round trip time from 17K camp is pretty amazing. Well done!