At last...the Zulu 9 gear is in our possession!


Alex (in Seattle)...somewhat relieved to be sporting the Zulu 9 gear

The Denali forecast is calling for a cold front to park itself over the mountain today...so we are going to be warm and toasty as we begin our multi-week, uphill camping trip!


Denali's West Buttress

You'll be able to see us in action via this blog and/or through our Secret Spot Denali site. If you subscribe to this blog, you will be get a live update by email...each time I do a satellite dispatch. I am hoping to do daily dispatches that will include pictures! Cool. B^)

Many thanks go out to the Eric and Byron at the Satellite Phone Store ...as well as Tom at ExplorersWeb.com...for hooking us up with some pretty skookum communications devices. We are truly riggediddlyigged...indeeeedy! B^)

I've also soft launched the Tales from a Secret Spot blog today!
You can check it out by clicking on the image below...or the link above!



Alex flies in from Seattle early Monday morn, with all our Zulu 9 gear, and then we'll proceed to Talkeetna for our briefing with the Park Rangers at 2pm. If the weather allows...we should be flying onto the glacier soon thereafter. Time will tell...=^]

We've had an outrageously good time here in Anchorage...despite a few...ahem...minor delays. 'The Gould Brothers' have been exceptionally gracious hosts...and we can't thank them enough...even if we tried. It just been sweet goodness from end to end. Tim and Tom...we salute you! =^)


Brother Tim aka The Timinator


Brother Tom aka The Tominator

There have been a few moments of concern from various parties about delays...but now we are truly on our way...so all that worry was for nothing...as per usual. There is no reason to have anything but a positive, forward looking, decisive outlook...ever. This is, of course, as long as we always learn from our mistakes. What did the 'wise man' say...

"If one forgets about one's past...one is doomed to repeat it!"

...or so the story goes. =^]


Tom and Roberta

We spent a bit of our 'waiting period' doing a bit of landscaping at the house of the Tominator's fine friend Roberta. We busted sod...dumped it in a field somewhere(legally of course!)...filled Tom's Big White Wagon with gravel...and proceeded to make a nice walkway for Roberta's dogs. Now the canine units will stop tracking mud into the house. Perfecto!


Chris the Sodbuster


Dawa...Master Raker

Dawa is really and truly getting a good feel for what it is like to be an Alaskan Male. I'm going to nominate him for 'Alaskan Male of the Year'. Who seconds the motion?!

Dawa always tells me that I am lucky. Yes...lucky to be able to spend so much time around a calm and capable person such as he! I can't say it enough...I feel truly blessed to be in his presence.

If you press the play button below, you can see us in action...all the while...whistling a happy tune! =^)

We've captured so many awesome images and footage over the last few weeks. Gigs and gigs and gigs of it. Once we get back from Denali...and after a little trip to New Mexico, I hope to get some time to really process and post some of these images and get some more podcasts posted at SecretSpot.TV .

Dawa is eventually going to have to head back to Nepal in July, but it won't be long before we are going to be re-united. We're retracing the Tilman Trek to Everest Base Camp in October of this year. I can't wait! B^)

Now it's time to get some alpine and high altitude footage in Alaska! B^)

As I type we are packing bags and such into the truck. We just put an entire room full of gear (and food!) into the back of the Tom-mobile.


Room full o' gear and food for Denali

It's only 4am. Where's my all-nighter?! I guess we'll get a few moments of sleep tonight. SOMMMME of us have really caught up on sleep while here in Anchorage. Que bueno! They deserved it! =^]

I hope YOU choose to virtually climb with us by following us along?! As I mentioned, I'll be doing near daily dispatches. If you subscribe to this blog, you can virtually climb to the highest point in North America with us. Why wouldn't you?!

Until Soon

Phill =^)

PHILL MICHAEL | Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits