Denali 2019

Left 14K camp at 2:00 p.m. Encountered hard, good snow and used crampons throughout the 16km, 2,200m descent. The weather was good and the walk was relatively easy and enjoyable, except for Heartbreak Hill, where it was a bit slow. We enjoyed traveling at night because there was no brutal sun on the lower glacier. Retrieved our second sled, which we had cached at 11K camp. We arrived at Base Camp the next day at 5:00 a.m. Vera retrieved our cache with jerky and other snacks, which tasted fantastic. Then, she set up the tent while I rested for a bit. Vera started melting snow and packing our stuff for air. At 9:30 a.m., we left Base Camp in Talkeetna Air Taxi. After 22 days of only snow, ice, and rock, the green foliage produced a previously unknown, very deep, sharp, and distinct impression. We were not sure how to describe it. We both entered a mental state of absolute inner peace and harmony and remained in it for the next few days. We experienced unreal pleasure from any food, sleep...

In the morning, we had breakfast and packed. The packs got even heavier (as always). On descent, despite having done it before, my crampons got loose and came off. So, I had to stop on the rope and adjust them. The 14K camp welcomed us by having free food that the commercial team was giving away - they were leaving without summiting (gave up on Zebra rocks). One of the three concerns (descending fixed rope with heavy packs) is now off the list. Tomorrow, we'll be tackling Windy Corner and Squirrel Hill. We'll be picking up the second cached sled at the 11K camp, and then it will be a worry-free walk to the Base. Read more details by Vera   here .