climbing

My part-time Denali team wants a return trip in 2010, so here are my notes, mostly aimed at shaving weight: lighter sleeping bag, hybrid ice tool, one gallon of gas, replaceable batteries, no Clif bars, and one roll of toilet paper is plenty.

The route from High Camp to the summit climbs Denali Pass, winds through smaller hills, drops into the Football Field, then tackles Pig Hill and the Summit Ridge: about three thousand vertical feet. Here's video from the descent, plus an unfortunate close-up of my runny nose.

Corey and Brett got into Anchorage late last night. Today a van carts us to a grocery store to supplement our 300,000-plus calories (no exaggeration) with a few goodies, then it's off to Talkeetna and the air taxi airfield.

Just landed in Anchorage. The first thing you notice stepping off the plane is the amazing air (or maybe my standard had just dropped). I glanced at the spot where we all met up a year ago. Such nostalgia. On to Talkeetna tomorrow.

Don't forget to check whereiscurtis.blogspot.com every now and then. Corey will probably start sending location messages sometime Wednesday.

Four days of training left, and I'm easing off to dodge last-minute injuries. New Scarpa boot liners arrived and they're much warmer. Plus my food plan, gear list, and a weight estimate that came to a daunting 144 pounds. Apparently I don't travel light.