Alaska - Denali (6,190m)
When : 2019.05.12 - 2019.06.02 (21 nights) Route : West Buttress (standard) On the summit : 2019.05.30 14:54 Our 9th U.S. State High Point. As with all our trips, this expedition was unguided. We reached the top on Day 19 from the High Camp and were the only party there at the time. The wind was picking up and visibility was dropping, so after snapping selfies (skipping the group summit photo), we hurried back down. Shortly thereafter, I lost the track and left the summit ridge too early, without realizing. The infamous Pig Hill, which has claimed fatalities in the past, is where we were. It was getting steep and I started using ice screws, but thanks to the mountain gods, we saw a lone climber walking above us towards the summit, who was on the correct path. The wind kept increasing and on Denali Pass it was rather strong, but the tracks on Autobahn were still visible and unexpectedly easy going, compared to the morning ascent. Right at the end, when we could already see th...