Jay Meyer

RHYang: Thanks for the info, and the helpful picture! That seems to be consistent with my research, which shows two likely spots to traverse the ridge as shown in the pictures below. I think your picture shows the "back" (north) side of the upper gap that I identified. I'm already committed to the Helen Lake portion of the trip (we have several newbies on our team) but no regrets there, especially in early season. A West Face Gully add-on would be great once I'm acclimatized, although it's off the beaten track and the traverse might be challenging. But that's why we're there in the first place, right?

I was also wondering about this, as a means of accessing West Face Gully. I'm planning on a summit attempt via Avalanche Gulch in mid-May (with a group of 5), then considering a smaller group attempt on West Face Gully. From the topo and pictures from an earlier trip, the traverse onto Casaval Ridge from Helen Lake looks very doable, but maybe I'm missing something?

Trip: Denali - West Buttress Date: 5/24/2009 Trip Report: An illustrated trip report from May-June, 2003: http://home.myfairpoint.net/fjaymeyer/index.html

Here's a very comprehensive trip report on a summit of Denali with American Alpine Instiute via the West Buttress in 2003. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzesd31w/index.html An oldie, I know, but I hope you'll agree it was a goodie!