Denali 2005: Alpine Ascents Denali 2005: Team 3 flies to the ice

Denali (20,320ft/6,195m) Alaska

Hello cyberworld, this is Eric Murphy reporting in for Alpine Ascents and Team #3 for the Denali season 2005. Well folks we are here at Talkeetna Air Taxi at the airport here in Talkeetna, AK and our team is ready to fly. It is May 11 and Day 1 of Team #3. Our team roster consists of Mike Hinshaw, Steve Slater, Curtis Gong, Randy Doblar, John Soebbing, Mark Overdevest, and Eric Murphy and Mark Fisher as guides. Things are rolling well here in Talkeetna today, we had a n orientation, gear check, a wonderful lunch and the weather is solid with great views of the Alaska Range. We are looking forward to an outstanding flight onto the glacier today and a good beginning to our trip.

So it will be a few days until you hear from us again. We’re going to have cell reception somewhere around 10,000 feet and we will be getting back with you as soon as we have that and give you an update of how the trip is going. Look for a team name to develop in the next cybercast, that will make it easier for you guys to track us and lots of warm hugs and hellos to friends, family and everyone out there following our trip. This is Eric over and out.

Updates

Overview: There are certain mountains that need no explanation as to why climb. Denali is such a mountain. Its tremendous size and beauty generate a magnetism that continually draws climbers from around the world. An ascent of Denali, touches the psyche of all alpinists and for those who have undertaken its challenges, it rewards them with an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Denali is often considered America's most classic climb. From top to bottom, it rises nearly 18,000', an elevation gain unsurpassed anywhere in the world. At a northern latitude of 63°, it is the most northerly of any big mountain over 20,000'. No other region offers such breathtaking and diverse views each day of the ascent. The panorama from Denali's summit includes Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter and Mt. Huntington in all their majestic glory.

When Dr. Bradford Washburn pioneered the West Buttress route, he heralded in a new era of Denali ascents and offered climbers a unique approach to the summit. The flight onto the glacier is a trip in itself, presenting overwhelming vistas of the Alaska Range. The West Buttress route remains, by far, the most successfully climbed route on the mountain.

Climb Overview: A Denali climb begins deep in the heart of the Alaska Mountain Range on the Kahiltna Glacier. From the S.E. Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier we begin the climb of Denali's West Buttress. Base Camp plus five higher camps are established on the mountain. When necessary, the team makes double carries between all camps, except high camp, to ensure proper acclimatization and reduce loads. In each camp we build snow walls for protection from possible high winds. The climb takes approximately 17-18 days round trip from Base camp.

Built to handle a myriad of different climbing pursuits, the Ultralight Universal is our best selling crampon. This crampon lives for trekking, glacier travel, or steep couloirs and snowfields. Totally adjustable Zytel straps make this crampon durable and easy to use. Fits everything from moon boots to flip-flops, our lightest crampon available. Weight: 590g Points: 10. See more here.

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