Denali Expedition: Smith & Team Hunkering Down at a Windy 14,000 Camp
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Dustin Wittmier, Devin Guffey
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali
Elevation: 14,000'
Hold onto your hats it's windy,
The wind started last night and persisted through the day. The frost in the tents showered down onto our sleeping bags as the tent made a crinkle noise. The snow that had fallen got picked up and tossed into the air creating a snow tornado. It looked magical in a way but our sleeping bags looked better. Its easy to hunker in the tents when outside isn't too pleasant. You can hear the wind up high. It sounds like a waterfall. Luckily at our camp it's only blowing in the 20mph range. As dinner wrapped up the wind and snow caused quite a scene. A scene not too fun to go to the bathroom in. All around the snow whips around. We all waited for a lull in the wind to hustle to our tents and the bathroom. The discomfort is comical and creates some good laughs. If you can't find the funny in the misery than you are in the wrong place out here. Tomorrow is also suppose to be windy so we will hunker in again. We are optimistic that this weekend will be our move date to High Camp. For now, we lay in our tents listening to the snow pitter patter and the tent crinkle in the wind.
Mother nature calm yourself,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Sign Up For Denali 2021 Emails
{/exp:mailinglist:form}More to Explore
Mt. Rainier: Beautiful Day on the Summit!
June 25, 2021
Comments (4)
Hey Hannah and Dustin! I’m sending prayers that Mother Nature gets over her crabbiness so you all can move higher!!! :)
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on
Wishing everyone health and strength
Hopefully weather will become better
Best of luck Steven and group
Love and miss you
L
Posted by: Larisa Pivnik on
I really like your mountain musings, Hannah. I’m glad it’s not windy up there like it was that night/day on our Muir Seminar. I’m sure you’re all happy to be making the high camp push this weekend, rather than the high temp push that’ll be happening in the PNW. Tell Dustin and Kiira I says “Hi!” Hope to see you all at the end of August.
All the Best,
Shane
Posted by: Shane Summers on
Hannah you write poetically and beautifully. Praying and also Sending energy to the universe for calmer and warmer weather … You are all amazing athletes! Sending tons of love and hugs to my daughter Julia!
Xoxoxo Mamu
Posted by: Daysi Johansson on