Kahiltna Glacier- 7800ft (2378m)
Kahiltna Glacier- 7800ft (2378m)
Original Post: 12 Jun, 08 - 17:37
We are on the Kahiltna glacier at 7800 ft(2378m)...and now literally in the shadow of Denali!
I can see all the way up to the 14000ft (4268m) Basin camp right now. Beautiful! B^)
We left Base Camp at around 11pm last night and rolled into 7800ft(2957m) camp around 5am. We arrived at different times...but one constant is that Dawa is always the fastest. That's no surprise.
Chris and Alex were both ready to don their Zulu 9 parkas when we got up here...but Dawa and I looked at each other and said, 'Not that bad.' It's all a matter of perspective. My excellent subcutaneous layer doesn't hurt either. =^]
545 am at the 7800ft Kahiltna Camp
I'm pretty sure that some Belgians at Base Camp thought they were getting a chance to spear a walrus when they saw me...but my pipe gave me away as a human. %^]
Many thanx to the Timinator for giving me that pipe.
It was also amazing to crawl into our Zuku 9 sleeping bags after a night of trudging. I was asleep in less than thirty seconds of getting in my bag. =^o zzzzzz
It's been scorching hot today...like no shirts and sandals kind of weather. I'd guess that the temperature at noon was around 10C (50F). A 'slush fest' for folks foolish enough to travel in the heat of the day. We've had clear to partially cloudy skies...and not a breath of wind. If one didn't have eye protection for today...one didn't have eye protection for today...one would be super hurtin'. b^/
We'll move on to Camp 1 late tonight.(9700ft/2957m) We are watching a couple of folks wade their way through the snow soup on the 'Ski Hill' right now...wondering why they don't wait for tonight's freeze up?! I guess they are in a rush!? Rushing is for Dummmbbies. =^]
The 7800ft Kahiltna Camp with the 'Ski Hill' in the background
It's fitting that tonight's meal will be 'Don't hurry...Chicken Curry'!
We are all feeling grand...and I'll think we'll make the 1900ft(579m) ascent to 9700ft(2957m) without any issues. Who knows...maybe we'll push on to 11000ft(3354m). Though the 9700ft(2957m) camp will be our second camp, we called it Camp 1 on our Denali site map. Check it out to get an overview of the West Buttress route we are doing.
Now it's only 11.5 miles(18.4 km) to the summit of Denali from here...and 12520 VERTICAL feet (3817 VERTICAL metres)! The wise man goes slowly...and further.
I've been quite happy with this iPac/Iridium combo that the Satellite Phone Store connected us with. It's got a few shortcomings...especially compared to the blessed BGAN...but it's making getting these dispatches possible...so it's all good. =^)
Chris is snoring away...which is making me think I should do the same...since I'll be up all night.
I'm trusting that those of you who are reading this dispatch are flowing positive...like we are. I also hope that watching us make our way up Denali is inspiring you to rise to your own challenges with a smile on your face.
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL | Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
Original Post: 12 Jun, 08 - 17:37
We are on the Kahiltna glacier at 7800 ft(2378m)...and now literally in the shadow of Denali!
I can see all the way up to the 14000ft (4268m) Basin camp right now. Beautiful! B^)
We left Base Camp at around 11pm last night and rolled into 7800ft(2957m) camp around 5am. We arrived at different times...but one constant is that Dawa is always the fastest. That's no surprise.
Chris and Alex were both ready to don their Zulu 9 parkas when we got up here...but Dawa and I looked at each other and said, 'Not that bad.' It's all a matter of perspective. My excellent subcutaneous layer doesn't hurt either. =^]
)
545 am at the 7800ft Kahiltna Camp
I'm pretty sure that some Belgians at Base Camp thought they were getting a chance to spear a walrus when they saw me...but my pipe gave me away as a human. %^]
Many thanx to the Timinator for giving me that pipe.
It was also amazing to crawl into our Zuku 9 sleeping bags after a night of trudging. I was asleep in less than thirty seconds of getting in my bag. =^o zzzzzz
It's been scorching hot today...like no shirts and sandals kind of weather. I'd guess that the temperature at noon was around 10C (50F). A 'slush fest' for folks foolish enough to travel in the heat of the day. We've had clear to partially cloudy skies...and not a breath of wind. If one didn't have eye protection for today...one didn't have eye protection for today...one would be super hurtin'. b^/
We'll move on to Camp 1 late tonight.(9700ft/2957m) We are watching a couple of folks wade their way through the snow soup on the 'Ski Hill' right now...wondering why they don't wait for tonight's freeze up?! I guess they are in a rush!? Rushing is for Dummmbbies. =^]
)
The 7800ft Kahiltna Camp with the 'Ski Hill' in the background
It's fitting that tonight's meal will be 'Don't hurry...Chicken Curry'!
We are all feeling grand...and I'll think we'll make the 1900ft(579m) ascent to 9700ft(2957m) without any issues. Who knows...maybe we'll push on to 11000ft(3354m). Though the 9700ft(2957m) camp will be our second camp, we called it Camp 1 on our Denali site map. Check it out to get an overview of the West Buttress route we are doing.
Now it's only 11.5 miles(18.4 km) to the summit of Denali from here...and 12520 VERTICAL feet (3817 VERTICAL metres)! The wise man goes slowly...and further.
I've been quite happy with this iPac/Iridium combo that the Satellite Phone Store connected us with. It's got a few shortcomings...especially compared to the blessed BGAN...but it's making getting these dispatches possible...so it's all good. =^)
)
Phill cold commin' via the iPac/Iridium combo
Chris is snoring away...which is making me think I should do the same...since I'll be up all night.
I'm trusting that those of you who are reading this dispatch are flowing positive...like we are. I also hope that watching us make our way up Denali is inspiring you to rise to your own challenges with a smile on your face.
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL | Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
Posted by Phill Michael at 6/12/2008 7:31 PM 
Categories: Satellite Phone Store, Everest Freestyle Expedition, Phill Michael, Alaska, Denali, Zulu 9, Denali Freestyle Expedition, Food
Tags: Denali Everest Freestyle Expedition Phill Michael Alaska Zulu 9 Satellite Phone Store Denali Freestyle Expedition Food
Categories: Satellite Phone Store, Everest Freestyle Expedition, Phill Michael, Alaska, Denali, Zulu 9, Denali Freestyle Expedition, Food
Tags: Denali Everest Freestyle Expedition Phill Michael Alaska Zulu 9 Satellite Phone Store Denali Freestyle Expedition Food
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