CAMP 3

On June 12 the weather improves and  we carry part of the gear to Camp 3. After reaching the top of Motorcycle Hill, we have a nice view of the bottom of the West Buttress (foreground) and the North Summit of Denali (5,934m/19,470ft) on the horizon.

Climbing to Squirrel Point in beautiful weather is one of the highlights of the West Buttress route. The beginning of the Buttress is ahead of us. The long ridge sloping to the right from the summit ends at Windy Corner.

We stop at Windy Corner and look back across the cloud filled Kahiltna Glacier towards Mount Foraker. Mount Crosson and the Sultana Ridge are in the center.

After Windy Corner there is still a couple of hours of climbing on a gradually rising snow field. Camp 3 is directly ahead of us hidden behind the snowy ridge. The West Buttress ridge above Camp 3 is on the left. The summit ridge is on the right, but is not visible from this level. Messner's couloir is to the left of the highest point of the summit ridge while the upper part of the West Rib is to the right.

Camp 3 is located at 4,328 m (14,200 ft) in a snow filled bowl, surrounded by the West Buttress to the north and Denali to the east. A flag of Cyprus bravely flutters above our tent. Costas patiently teaches passing strangers the basics of the European geography.