The team made the long push down glacier from Camp 2 today, and has all flown out to the little hamlet of Talkeetna. The trip from Camp 2 is just over nine miles and drops roughly 4,500 feet before they all had to hike up the infamous Heartbreak Hill to access the airstrip on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna. This little hill of torture seems to go on forever, as it rises about 600' above the main body of the Kahiltna Glacier.
They looked after a fellow climber for the last 4 miles or so, which is exactly in the spirit of the universal code of mountaineering ethics.
Tonight they plan on staying in Talkeetna and eating way too much food. Showers will undoubtedly be a priority as well.
Great job everyone!
I'll try to get the guides to post some insights and will encourage everyone to post photos. Until then be safe, do good work and make someone smile.
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To Peter & Michael, Thanks for leading a successful and safe climb to the summit!! To Todd Rutledge, thanks for keeping us posted and helping me keep my sanity. To Tim, Andy, Denis, Werner, and Brandon--congratulations on an awesome climb. You guys make quite a team. We are so proud of all of you.
ReplyDeletePaul & Sue Hilgendorff
PS Tim--call home:-)
Hello to the team, Peter and Michael,
ReplyDeleteJulie and I were there when you all landed at TAT - we spent a few hours with Brandon, Andy, Tim and Denis visiting and sharing stories. I do have some photos that were taken during this time. There are a couple of good team pictures they posed for when they got off the plane, as well as several impromptu individual shots. My email address is deggeg@mtaonline.net - a few will be posted online but if you'd like more please feel free to write!
~Gretchen, Brandon's Mom