Mt. McKinley (2008) - Day 25
Stuck at Camp 5
I didn't really sleep much last night. I started thinking about a Ham HT means of communication while on a trip like this. Then my attention turned to the Balloon Project, and then I realized that that Balloon Project interested me because it pertains to flight - but it isn't controlled flight. A Ham RC plane is beyond my experience level, but a Ham RC car would be a perfect starting point. I need an HT that can transmit on the apporpriate frequencies, and a USB cable to let me code a way to control it from my laptop. Then I can easily (and safely) work out how to make the vehicle return when communication is lost. Finally, add some video supoprt and then branch out to planes.
Breakfast was oatmeal. I'm done with oatmeal. I'm convinced that we expend more callories in preparing for breakfast than oatmeal provides.
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The wind was kicking up quite a bit last night, and this morning a cloud covered Denali Pass. Of course Mike said to wait and see.
We neglected to properly open the vents in the tent, so it was caked with a ton of ice this morning. Not fun at all - still, much more hospitable than being outside. It's cold.
I didn't sleep last night, so I think I'll take a nap now.
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Wonderful nap. I heard Billy saying that the wind is supposed to subside tomorrow (Friday) and be nice the day after (Saturday). The weather he is referring to is this jet-engine-esque roar which is the wind at Denali Pass. I'm going to see about another nap now.
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It was a good nap until John decided to phone home. Oh well. I finished off the sweedish fish. I miss them already. The forecast says that tomorrow might be acceptable for a summit attempt, but the day after looks better. So, we'll see. So either Sunday or Monday we're off this rock, whether we summit or not. I can almost taste the pizza. :-) The pizza place in Talkeetna is really great.
So on our summit day we need to bring snacks for atleast five breaks, two liters of water, parka, balaclavas, mitts and goggles. That should make for a fairly light pack, which would be of some consolation if we weren't heading up to 20,320'.
We'll supposedly meet RMI 5, on our way down, at 11k camp, and we might just keep on cruising down to base camp, or set up camp at 11k and wake up early and arrive at base camp the following morning. Personally, if my body is up for the challenge, I'd rather get all the way down to base camp that day. Amen.
