Denali 2005: Alpine Ascents Denali 2005: Snow Pumpkins Resting at 14 on their Way Down

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

Snow Pumpkins Resting at 14 on their Way Down July 9, 2005: Hey everybody this is Eric Larson giving you a call from 14,000 foot camp. We came down from High Camp this afternoon and we’re sitting at 14, and we’re going to get a quick z in and pull out this evening and try to make it across the lower glacier to Base Camp. They’re pretty tuckered out and it’s going to be along night, but I know that they have it in them. So we should be pulling out around 10:00 tonight and pulling into Base Camp around 6 and if the weather is good we’ll be flown out tomorrow morning/afternoon. So look forward to talking to you again from Talkeetna. This is Dancing Snow Pumpkins signing off.

Dancing Snow Pumpkins Summit! July 8, 2005: Hey everybody this is Eric Larson giving you a call from High camp with Team Dancing Snow Pumpkins. Today is the 8th and we just returned from a successful climb up to the summit. Yesterday it was pretty windy and snowy and didn’t really want to get out of the tent to give a cybercast, so sorry about that and today we woke up to clear skies and calm winds so we went for it. The crew did pretty well, it was really cold starting out and we had cold feet, so that took a little while to solve but we summited around 4:30 this afternoon and returned back to camp around 8:30. Our plan is to march down off of high camp tomorrow, through 14 camp, through 11 camp and see how the crew is doing and see how far we can go and then we will cross the glacier in the evening when it is cold. We will give you another update on how we are doing and where we are at, and expect to get some calls from loved ones soon enough, we’ll get them down off the mountain safely. This is Eric Larson signing off.

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.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

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