Scott & Aaron Safe at Camp IV - Ready to Descend Sat. / Sad News for Other Pacific Northwest Climbers

Scott called me tonight to let me know that they are still at 14,200 ft. after making 2 trips back up to 16,000 ft. to pick up their cache of stored food & supplies. He was in great spirits and assured me that he and Aaron are both doing great physically and feeling healthy. He told me that one of his crampons broke today, but he was able to fix it thankfully. He mentioned that they were offloading as much food as possible to other climbers, including one from Norway, so we have a place to stay next time we're in Norway. I teased him that he is an excellent negotiator - free room & board for some Ramen noodles - not bad! He also said that it was "warm" today, and I asked what that meant temperature-wise, and he said it's zero degrees! But compared to -25 with 50 mph winds (and not just like in the Midwest where you don't spend more than 15 min. outside in that type of weather!), he said it felt almost tropical. They are looking forward to getting down to Base Camp where the forecast is 35 degrees, where Scott said they would "swelter"! Ha, ha!

Tomorrow they hope to descend all the way to the landing strip (Base Camp) on the Kahiltna Glacier and fly back to Talkeetna on the 20th or 21st, where I will meet them on the 21st! Thank you to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers!
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On a sad note, I have to mention the events of today on the mountain that I don't think even Scott & Aaron were aware of yet. Members of the Denali mountaineering ranger patrol witnessed 2 climbers fall almost 2,000 ft. from about 19,000 ft. down to 17,200 ft. The climbers were roped up together as a safety precaution, which helps gives them a chance to stop themselves by plunging their ice axe into the mtn. ("self-arrest") in the event of a fall. Unfortunately, one of the climbers died as a result of the fall, and her climbing partner survived the night, but did not regain consciousness and died today. These climbers were from Washington - what sad news, especially for the Pacific Northwest.