Category: Uncategorized

Today was a real day. Stuff really happened! We did our detailed gear review in the morning – down through the gear list – Dominic with “no pointing at it, hold it in your hand and show me“.

Overall successful, and was able to leave a couple of pieces. One is super thankful for every ounce one can leave behind. Make sure the crampons fit the boots, slings on the ice-axes, 5 pairs of gloves, and real important – sun screen and lip balm.

After a visit to the park rangers to get an update on the route, the crevasses, the avalanche risks, a graphic presentation on frostbite, it was time to do the food check. 20lbs!

Then the final weigh in for tomorrow’s (🙏) flight. I’m at 71lbs, before I get my portion of the group food and gear! That’s pretty good, with the range being high 60’s to one person at 89lbs. OMG!!

Tonight we got to see Denali. It’s like, I’m here, I’m waiting.

So, weather permitting, we’ll fly tomorrow at 11.

It’s hard to say it’s Day 1. The group meet at Baggage carousel #1 in Anchorage airport at 1 pm, to get a mini van to Talkeetna. At the airport we met our team for the first time, and of course created, and formed our first impressions. Who looks strong, is there anyone weaker than me, who would I want to share a tent with, and more importantly who would I want not to. I know 2 of the guides from previous trips, Dominic – my hero -, and Ben. The 3rd guide, Mike, has just returned from a successful Everest summit. Impressive!! I also know 2 of the team, Andrew and Mikayla, from previous RMI trips. The group includes a French Canadian oncologist – young-, a father and daughter, a husband and wife, and a young woman. A fit looking group.

A 3 hour roller-coaster van ride to Talkeetna, with a stop in Wasilla to buy any last minute provisions. The bus trip allows for early introductions, small talk, introductions, a little bit of everybody’s mountaineering resume, and of course, engaging first impressions.

We dropped off all the gear at the hangar. Sorting, packing and checking gear, is for tomorrow.

Checked into the ‘luxurious’ Swiss Alaska – I’m sharing a room with Andrew-, and then dinner at the Denali brew pub. This of course raises the question, will I have a beer? It was relaxing, and everyone had a beer. Cool! A good sign for group dynamics

Bed at 9pm.

So is it really Day 1? Who knows, but it is surely the easiest day.

This is a test to see if this blog still operates.

I insist on calling it Denali. The name reflects the history and the culture of this great wilderness. Fionnuala and I have been here for the last 10 days, and have explored the mountains in Talkeetna, the fjords in Seward, and the stunning Katmai national park from Homer. The vastness, wildness, and freedom of this state is indescribable. The people here are so friendly, so welcoming. So many seem to have come here to check it out, and never left. As one old timer said to us when talking about meeting someone in Alaska, he said “the odds are good, but the goods are odd!”

We have had such an adventure from landing on the Kahiltna glacier and seeing the jaw dropping hugeness of Denali, to kayaking through icebergs, to getting up REAL close to Alaskan coastal brown bears (cobb’s), bigger than grizzlies.

Today is our last day. Supposed to be halibut fishing, but a typhoon put an end to that. Not that there wasn’t a willing sea captain to give it a go, but rather 2 overly contented participants who have had 9 days of adventure, who felt like taking it easy!

Tomorrow Fionnuala heads home, and I get ready to try and scale Denali. The immensity of it, from our vowing a week ago, is intimidating. However, let’s give it a shot. The weather up there has been unforgiving for the last week, so it will decide how far we go, unless these 67 year old legs decide before that.

Not sure if this blog will ever “be out there”, but just like the hike – let’s give it a shot