Original Post: 11 Jun, 08 - 19:05    

At long last...we are on the Kahiltna glacier...and in the shadow of Denali! Everyone should come up here at least once! B^) 

Since we are doing our own logistics and unguided...we are sorting through our tiny mountain of food...and sipping  some Black Velvet. We could make Secret Spot Seven Summits Cocktails...if only we had coke and lime. =^P 

Other climbers are making love to our food with their eyes...as we have only the finest and most tasty victuals. Some of these vacuum paked bags contain 'Putaine, Phill dat Sauzzze'...that was simmered on the stove for more than 24hrs.

Mmmmm...there is also some 'Voodoo Chili' . I'm going to give Alex an extra helping of 'Don't Hurry...Chicken Curry''. =^]

In the Beaver

The first thing I did when we landed was put some Grey Goose Vodka into Lisa's hands. Lisa rules Kahiltna Base Camp with an iron mitten. Mike 'Gator' Gauthier asked me to give that gift to Lisa. Mike's a good egg. =^]

Grey Goose for Lisa

We are all feeling great...and I'll think we'll make the 500ft descent to the bottom of the 1100 ft ascent to Camp 1 today. I believe that little hill is called 'Heartbreak Hill'. Camp 1 is about 5 miles away...and sits at about 7800ft(2378m). 

Base camp is clearing out faster than I can type...and it looks like the climbers who are leaving have left us a virtual railroad of a trail. There are about 50 people at this camp right now...and more are leaving. Joy! =^)

Dawa with Mt Foraker in the background

It's only 16.5 miles(27.6 km) to the summit of Denali from here...and 13120 VERTICAL feet (4000ft VERTICAL metres)! That's a bigger elevation gain than Everest Base Camp to the summit of Everest! No problem...we just need nice weather...please. =^]

Sonn, the Loose Cannons producer, is as sick as a dog right now...so I'll wait until he's back at work before I call in. I'll keep YOU posted!

It's time to eat our way through a long, uphill camping trip!

In the mean time ... you can hear the group from the mountain here, yes ... we are more than just text and static images!

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