Pics from Talkeetna!

The team, "fresh" off the DeHavilland Beaver.
(Click on the image for a larger version)

Breathing the thick, rich air while waiting to unload the plane.

No rest for the weary. Unloading the plane in front of the Talkeetna Air Taxi office.

Brandon, a bit thinner perhaps, but psyched for the reception at the airstrip.

Andy and Tim chilling out and thinking about big food and showers...

Denis exhibiting one of the more common souvenirs from Denali, a dry cough. Upper respiratory infections are all too common on Denali, for some reason, and it is not a good place to heal.

Another common souvenir- blistered toes. It is all too easy to slip into the "heading back to the barn" mind set and just keep beating feet back to the airstrip on the descent. We've all ignored hot spots on our toes as we know that we are just..a...few...hours...from the airstrip, and all will be well once we get...these...darn...boots...off!

Brandon, looking a bit pink, but not terribly sunburned. It is almost impossible to put too much sunscreen on while you are on the glacier. We try to have everyone apply a fresh layer every hour, but even that does not keep the sun's rays at bay.

Andy, perhaps wondcring what his girlfriend will say...

If you read this, Andy- WE WANT TO KNOW AS WELL!!!

Some kind of homecoming! It's great to see you, baby, but could you please take a shower?!?!
Brandon and his sweetie, Julie

Peter, illustrating the art of applying deodorant, an art not much practiced by the team over the past couple of weeks...

Tim, loading up his truck for the long drive back to New York. Tim took a long road-trip to get to Alaska, and actually stopped by to visit in Ophir. Everyone should take a road-trip to Alaska at least once in his or her life.

Tim's truck and a shameless plug for Timber Hill Enterprises. If I ever need a sweet house built, I'm going to call Tim.

Click HERE to check out his website.

Back in Talkeetna!

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.

On their way to Base Camp!

Another Mountain Trip guide called about two hours ago and reported that the team was at Camp 2, at 11,200' and were packing up to head back to Base Camp.

Conditions on the lower glacier are perfect this morning, so I suspect the crew will make good time back to Camp 1. they are going to pick up one climber who is ill from another team at Camp 1, which might slow them a bit on their way back to Base Camp, but they should still arrive in time to fly out for breakfast at the Talkeetna Roadhouse.

The big question is, who among the team will be "manly" enough to challenge their gastronomic abilities against a "Talkeetna Full Standard" breakfast? It is a plate full of food that is almost as challenging as climbing high on Denali!

A view from the top of North America

Here is a short video I shot from the summit on a clear evening in 2007, much like the one the team had the other night.

Successful Summit!!!

Sorry for the delay. Our normal lines of communication have been a bit disrupted, but I just heard that the three climbers remaining and both guides made the summit!

Tim, Andy, Denis, Peter and Michael all reached the summit late in the evening on Monday. The day was clear and their views as they looked out from the top of North America were stunning. This was their second time going high in two days, so they all needed to dig deep to find the energy and resolve to keep pushing, but they found it, and did great!

Congratulations to all the climbers!

They descended part of the way back down their route yesterday, and will undoubtedly push all the way back to base camp today.

No word yet from High Camp

I had hoped to post that the team went for the summit and made it yesterday, but we have not heard anything. As soon as we get acall from the crew, we'll let you know!

(roll suspenseful drumroll background music...)

Message to Andy

Kathy had trouble commenting, so I'm helping out:

"Hey Andy,

Sending you loads of love. Well done on what you have achieved so far and good luck for second summit attempt. Love you heaps and thinking of you lots.

Love Nooks"