Anyone else follow Lonnie's adventure? He's attempting to be the first to solo climb Denali in January. The last two years his attempts have ended up with him being trapped in a small hand-dug snow cave for a week while the winds and cold howled above him. Both attempts he had to abandon due to lack of supplies and time.

Now he's trapped at 9,000 feet and today's update claims there has been seven feet of new snow since yesterday! I'm not sure if that's a typo or if it could be real? His snow cave would be seven feet under if it's true and how would you push on or even hike out?

Anyway, here are some links where you can follow along if you'd like:Facebook Page
Blog Page

Wind pushes the snow around quite a bit, and drifting quite hard in places. He had been battling deep snows as it was before this snowfall. Hope it goes well for him on his third try. I find it hard to imagine how hard it will be to move about. His shelter is quite small. It is in the shape of a pyramid 4foot square base, a 2 foot peak. snow flaps on 4 sides and one of the pyramid faces has a Stuff sack like closure that he goes in and out of.

Sounds like real adventure.

There is a pretty broken-up sound clip now from his sat phone and he has been spending the day digging up to keep himself from getting too deep in the snow.

Sound clip on bottom of page

dude makes it,, one of the best accomplishments solo-- imho- EVER. I can't think of a more inhospitable place-- near the Arctic circle latitude wise-- 20,320',, IN JAN?? Crazy.

just pulled up the forecast for his general area ( I don't think it's as spot on for obvious reasons) but gives you the idea. FYI-- those temps and conditions are quite mild. -70F with 50mph winds is more common this time of year. The dude has got a serious chance is those long range progs hold out.

maybe a more accurate idea of the weather conditions. There is a weather station at about 19,000',, but I can't seem to get any recent data.

I wish I had half, no make it 1/4 of his stamina and fortitude.

I know his son (used to work with him). He has lots of interesting stories....there might not be anyone tougher than this guy!

How/why does it snow when it is -50 up there? I know it must have something to do with the lift of the mountain, but when it's -30 in Minnesota, snow is not in the forecast.

Very cool post today. 8 feet of snow buried his snow cave and last night at 10PM he had to dig a new one. You can read about the rest above. I wish him well but can't imagine being there and making this attempt.

quote ArrowheadPaddler: "How/why does it snow when it is -50 up there? I know it must have something to do with the lift of the mountain, but when it's -30 in Minnesota, snow is not in the forecast."

mainly elevation. the summit is above the clouds most of the time. Being in the clouds at those temps = sure fire snow. Many times we in the Upper Midwest have snow in the air at levels at 5000 feet up,, only to dry up as it falls into dry air. When your in the clouds at 15,000 ft +,,, it's different ball game.

17,200

Now he just needs some good weather for Sunday!

This is awesome, looking good!

Sunday (by Denali standards) the weather looks about as good as it gets in Jan for a summit attempt. By Monday and especially midweek-- things go down hill.

one more sprint

He is coming back down- had to call off the attempt.

quote onepaddleshort: "He is coming back down- had to call off the attempt. "

Link

That sucks--- but I guess I gain even more respect for the dude when he makes choices like he did. A true gamer....

He spent the night in a second-rate snow cave and at 4AM it was -35 IN the snow cave! Good decision made from what I read. I hope he is able to make quick progress down to at least reach his food cache at the pick-up point. He may be there a while waiting for the plane to able to land and pick him up.

He gave it his best shot, and he was smart to know when to call it a day,that is what counts