– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

We’re At 14,200 Foot Camp!

by Lou Dawson June 4, 2010
written by Lou Dawson June 4, 2010


Yesterday we did another brutal but effective carry from 11,500′ camp to 14,200′ Camp, the famed location at the base of Denali’s 6,000 vertical foot west wall, where the Messner Couloir, Orient Express and other possible ski routes taunt you, but frequently exhibit enough patches of blue water ice to keep you humbled and thinking of other ways to get to the summit and back alive.

Map of our Spot Messenger checkpoints. The orange line doesn't follow our exact route, just connects the dots.

Map of our Spot Messenger checkpoints. The orange line doesn't follow our exact route, just connects the dots.



I’ve spent all morning setting up a more permanent solar and blog installation, while the boys have made our circus tent into a snow palace with custom shelving, stand up cooking counters, personal stash cabinets, and of course their ever present crank-to-charge music player.

There are quite a few folks in camp up here. Probably around 100 or more. We’ve been chatting with our neighbors, including a guided group from Mountain Trip, guys from Colorado, Montana and other places. One group of core skiers from Boulder Colorado has been up here for two weeks, and they’ve got enough supply for 4 more! Impressive.

All of us are feeling the altitude, but no sign of any dangerous symptoms so far. Thus, our acclimation period here is off to a good start. The weather looks bad but not terrible for the next few days, so we’ll do some skiing on the glacier and allow ourselves to adjust super well to the altitude. Then we’ll stay based here but climb high for a number of days so we’re ready for a summit push.

Thanks all for your comments, prayers, and best wishes. We’ll send along some camp photos as soon as we’ve got ’em.

11 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Double Carry up Motorcycle Hill, Cache Below 14,200 Camp
next post
Carrying That Weight, How The Boys Got Lou and 1,000 Pounds of Gear Up There

11 comments

Lisa June 4, 2010 - 7:46 pm

Congratulations!
Lots of love, Lisa

Jennie W. June 4, 2010 - 8:17 pm

Fantastic news fellas! Enjoy those wonderful views from 14 K camp. We’re behind you all the way.

dongshow June 4, 2010 - 8:32 pm

say hi to sean and catilyn if their guiding that Mountain House group, great people.

pioletski June 4, 2010 - 8:47 pm

Way to work it guys!

Robert Lee June 5, 2010 - 6:07 am

Fantastic,
been following you adventure from the beginning.
have a great climb,
take care

all the best from an ashy Reykjavik Iceland

montanaskier June 5, 2010 - 11:03 am

Awesome stuff so far fellas. Stay strong.

CDawson June 5, 2010 - 12:00 pm

Stay the course, be safe, may the mountain spirits lead the way!!!

Graeme June 5, 2010 - 12:12 pm

Fantastic effort Lou.

Some time when you are back in civilisation, I would like to hear more about the “rest step”, or a link if you have blogged about it before

Greg Hertzberg June 6, 2010 - 12:56 pm

Lou And Louie,

Hello form Greg, Boone and Luke,
Was thinking about yall yesterday while swimming Cemetary Rapids. I will keep you in my prayers.
Greg and Julie

Jim June 6, 2010 - 9:07 pm

Just back from Tibet at 11,000-14000 – altitude can really affect each of you in different ways. Hope your weather is good!

Hamish Gowans June 6, 2010 - 11:45 pm

All the remote blogging is impressive…oh yeah, and great work climbing The Great One!

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Leadville Longstrider on Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry
  • rob coppolillo on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • Stefan Ucloud on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • rob coppolillo on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • Tom Scilacci on Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

Gear Reviews

  • Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

    January 14, 2021
  • Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves

    January 12, 2021
  • Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

    January 5, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry —...

January 18, 2021

Euro Puro Amoro — La Sportiva...

January 13, 2021

Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally...

January 10, 2021