Musings from High Camp @ 17,200ft! B^)
Musings from High Camp @ 17,200ft! B^)
24 Jun, 08 - 16:29
Presently, Dawa and I are (literally) cold chillin' in our tent at High Camp on Denali's West Buttress. Where we are situated is 17,200ft(5244m)...slightly higher than I had originally thought.
It's actually nice and warm in our tent...like above freezing! =^o
Overnight temperatures have been around -15C to -18C(5F to 0F)...with occasional windchills well below -30C(-22F). Welcome to summer on Denali! B^]
The sun is trying to poke her head out from behind the clouds...but Snow Maker Sam is prevailing.
It has snowed more than a foot in the last 24 hrs...so we are truly in Winter Wonderland. We are both feeling great, despite there being less than half the oxygen that there would be at sea level.
Dawa Shovels at High Camp
Our diet is consisting of plenty of black tea...and handfuls of pepperoni sticks. Hooah bars are also being consumed...as are chocolate bars. Yum. =^P'
There has been a mass exodus of folks out of this camp over the last few hours. Dawa and I got in here at about 230am on Monday morn(June 23rd)...and the camp was full (about 30+ people). There was a Dutch fellow sleeping in our tent when we arrived(!?), but he descended a few hours ago...as he was tired of waiting for that elusive 'summit window'. Our tent has been here since Wednesday(June 18th)...when Dawa and Alex set it up. More on that in a later 'retro dispatch'.
My guess is that there might only be 10 people here by tonight. Time will tell. People are getting discouraged by the weather reports and the copious quantities of snow.
WE are not done yet. *<=^]
The move from 14,200ft(4329m) Basin Camp on Monday was interesting. With 'heavy-ish' packs, we departed camp around 330pm on Monday, June 23rd. It was pretty warm and partially sunny...so movement was slow. The fixed (and steep) lines to 16,200ft(4939m) were a killer...so we cached some gear...and 'midnight motored' to High Camp under cold, windy conditions. In truth, it was absolutely beautiful...at times, knife edge ridge walking with every colour of purple one can imagine. We didn't rope up at all...so we were able to move quickly. There was not another soul on the route, but it was easy for us to reflect upon how so many accidents had happened at the different junctures we were crossing. This ridge walk, from 16,200ft to 17,200ft, is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. I would have taken more pictures but my frozen hands were having a hard time digging deep into my inner pockets for my camera. I eventually managed to get the camera out at a rest spot...for a quick shot. That's the first time I've ever felt the need to wear that balaclava I am wearing in that picture. It was colllllld! %^}
Dawa and Phill midnight motoring after Washburn's Thumb
Oh...hmmmm...the sun is starting to show herself and an AMS guide with an equally sunny disposition is chatting me up about our plans...so I guess things are looking up. She's been here with her group for five days...and they might tough it out for another few days. Hmmmmm...who is going to break trail when we eventually make the summit push!? B^]
Cold Chillin' at High Camp
Time to think about eating something hot...and doing some 'retro-dispatches'. Bouy oh boy...then there is email to answer and plans to be cemented for July through November trips! I am so pleased to have these communication
devices in such remote places. Many thanx go out, again, to Eric and Byron at the SatellitePhoneStore.com and Tom at ExplorersWeb.com!
I'm also looking forward to being re-united with a BGAN unit for the Secret Spot Tilman Trek in October 2008...and the Secret Spot Everest Grand Traverse(Tibet to Nepal) of Spring 2009! That BGAN technology was made for me. =^]
By subscribing to http://blog.secretspoteverest.com , YOU can virtually share in our adventures and/or virtually climb (and in some cases traverse(!)) the highest peaks on each continent on our planet. Subscribe and do it! =^]
What on Earth is holding you back!? =^]
Alex is already back in Seattle...and Chris is about to do a major fish acquisition session with the Tominator...so soon there will be salmon for ALL! =^P
It's exactly a year ago that the SecretSpoteverest.com team were all enjoying the comforts of the Kathmandu Guest House...after our South Side Everest Base Camp Trek.
It's exactly a year ago that I was touched by a shimmering aura that left an indelible mark on my soul.
Happy First Anniversary! =^)
Flow the pure positive my Friends...and make your dreams into realities! =^)
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL | Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
SecretSpot7Summits.com
SecretSpotEverest.com
Blog.SecretSpotEverest.com
24 Jun, 08 - 16:29
Presently, Dawa and I are (literally) cold chillin' in our tent at High Camp on Denali's West Buttress. Where we are situated is 17,200ft(5244m)...slightly higher than I had originally thought.
It's actually nice and warm in our tent...like above freezing! =^o
Overnight temperatures have been around -15C to -18C(5F to 0F)...with occasional windchills well below -30C(-22F). Welcome to summer on Denali! B^]
The sun is trying to poke her head out from behind the clouds...but Snow Maker Sam is prevailing.
It has snowed more than a foot in the last 24 hrs...so we are truly in Winter Wonderland. We are both feeling great, despite there being less than half the oxygen that there would be at sea level.
Dawa Shovels at High Camp
Our diet is consisting of plenty of black tea...and handfuls of pepperoni sticks. Hooah bars are also being consumed...as are chocolate bars. Yum. =^P'
There has been a mass exodus of folks out of this camp over the last few hours. Dawa and I got in here at about 230am on Monday morn(June 23rd)...and the camp was full (about 30+ people). There was a Dutch fellow sleeping in our tent when we arrived(!?), but he descended a few hours ago...as he was tired of waiting for that elusive 'summit window'. Our tent has been here since Wednesday(June 18th)...when Dawa and Alex set it up. More on that in a later 'retro dispatch'.
My guess is that there might only be 10 people here by tonight. Time will tell. People are getting discouraged by the weather reports and the copious quantities of snow.
WE are not done yet. *<=^]
The move from 14,200ft(4329m) Basin Camp on Monday was interesting. With 'heavy-ish' packs, we departed camp around 330pm on Monday, June 23rd. It was pretty warm and partially sunny...so movement was slow. The fixed (and steep) lines to 16,200ft(4939m) were a killer...so we cached some gear...and 'midnight motored' to High Camp under cold, windy conditions. In truth, it was absolutely beautiful...at times, knife edge ridge walking with every colour of purple one can imagine. We didn't rope up at all...so we were able to move quickly. There was not another soul on the route, but it was easy for us to reflect upon how so many accidents had happened at the different junctures we were crossing. This ridge walk, from 16,200ft to 17,200ft, is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. I would have taken more pictures but my frozen hands were having a hard time digging deep into my inner pockets for my camera. I eventually managed to get the camera out at a rest spot...for a quick shot. That's the first time I've ever felt the need to wear that balaclava I am wearing in that picture. It was colllllld! %^}
Dawa and Phill midnight motoring after Washburn's Thumb
Oh...hmmmm...the sun is starting to show herself and an AMS guide with an equally sunny disposition is chatting me up about our plans...so I guess things are looking up. She's been here with her group for five days...and they might tough it out for another few days. Hmmmmm...who is going to break trail when we eventually make the summit push!? B^]
Cold Chillin' at High Camp
Time to think about eating something hot...and doing some 'retro-dispatches'. Bouy oh boy...then there is email to answer and plans to be cemented for July through November trips! I am so pleased to have these communication
devices in such remote places. Many thanx go out, again, to Eric and Byron at the SatellitePhoneStore.com and Tom at ExplorersWeb.com!
I'm also looking forward to being re-united with a BGAN unit for the Secret Spot Tilman Trek in October 2008...and the Secret Spot Everest Grand Traverse(Tibet to Nepal) of Spring 2009! That BGAN technology was made for me. =^]
By subscribing to http://blog.secretspoteverest.com , YOU can virtually share in our adventures and/or virtually climb (and in some cases traverse(!)) the highest peaks on each continent on our planet. Subscribe and do it! =^]
What on Earth is holding you back!? =^]
Alex is already back in Seattle...and Chris is about to do a major fish acquisition session with the Tominator...so soon there will be salmon for ALL! =^P
It's exactly a year ago that the SecretSpoteverest.com team were all enjoying the comforts of the Kathmandu Guest House...after our South Side Everest Base Camp Trek.
It's exactly a year ago that I was touched by a shimmering aura that left an indelible mark on my soul.
Happy First Anniversary! =^)
Flow the pure positive my Friends...and make your dreams into realities! =^)
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL | Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
SecretSpot7Summits.com
SecretSpotEverest.com
Blog.SecretSpotEverest.com
Posted by Phill Michael at 6/24/2008 4:29 PM 
Categories: Alaska, Denali, Satellite Phone Store, Hooah
Categories: Alaska, Denali, Satellite Phone Store, Hooah
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