Continued good weather has allowed the team to move up to 14,200 ft. This involved first climbing a slope known as Motorcycle Hill before turning famous Windy Corner and up to 14200’ directly below the awesome bulk of the upper mountain.
This is an important camp and one they had planned to spent several days at acclimatizing. This is also a new record sleeping altitude for both the climbers. Some readers will realize that 14,000 ft is just about as high as one can get on mountains in the lower 48 States. Mt Whitney in California tops out at 14,497 feet above sea level. In fact the two of them are now just below their all-time altitude records. The highest mountain Matt has ascended was also Colorado's highest, Mt Elbert, at 14,440 ft. Bernie's record is 14,294 ft on Crestone Peak. Before leaving Bernie mentioned looking forward to the point on Denali where each step represents a new personal high point.
That spot is just above them now on the Headwall, a 55° slope with fixed ropes to aid climbers. They will get to know the Headwall well as they ascend and descend it repeatedly while caching supplies above 16k.
Check out their progress with Google Earth.
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