Denali 2019

190 days to Day 1 We have upgraded our Ropeman ascender to more serious jumar: we rejected first two models for various reasons. This one is the best to work with thick winter gloves. Combined with  Microtraxion we can ascend at mechanical advantage up to 3:1. Looks easy, doesn't?

247 days to Day 1 As they say, break your mountaineering boots early. "They" were right. Two of us climbed Mt. Shuksan - a very popular peak in Washington State. Got some mileage on Vera's new expedition boots: 22km distance, 2,000m up and down. Lesson : Wearing unbroken brand-new alpine boots on an expedition is a very poor idea. The summit! Blisters on the summut, 11km still to go! Filling summit register. Six rappels down from the top. Fun! Imagine getting these on a 20 days expedition.

1 day to Day 1 After four days on the road, on July 6 2018 we showed up at the empty Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station, the climbing season was already over. After a few days in the snow storm, everyone was leaving the mountain, park rangers  were packing and flying off the strategic 14K camp, all commercial teams were descending, and no-one was climbing. During mandatory orientation, we were told by a NPS ranger that avalanche season was at it's peak, that recent storm brought one meter of fresh snow, all tracks will be gone and that we would be alone on the entire mountain if we go: there will be  no radio weather update, no fixed ropes at the bottom of headwall, and possibly no return airlift from the base - either have to prepare airstrip by ourselves or walk several days (on a glacier) to a cooler place. They didn't prohibit us to go though - we had our permits in hand. So we made our decision - call it off, until 2019. PHOTO: Typical for Denali: more than...

4 days to Day 1 (1st attempt) On July 2, 2018 we left Vancouver for our first attempt of Denali. Driving along highway, I remember, Vera looked at me and said: "Guess, what we forgot?!" From her look I felt that it was something big, but couldn't figure out. "The sled!" And then I remembered putting it next to the exit door in my apartment, and not taking it! Wow, that's a loss. We were already 500 km away from home. Then Vera quickly suggested: "We will rent it there!" - oh yes, I forgot that Denali air taxi companies all rent expedition sleds. That will do. However, I felt that mountain gods had different plans for us, and leaving the hard to miss big item such as a sled was a message for us in a string of following events, that prevented us (luckily) from entering the mountain. The summit of Denali in 2018 was simply not ready to accept us - counting our Shasta and Spindle accidents, the sled was only part of that vicious chain. PHOTO: Enr...

Vera came over at 06:40 a.m., and shortly after we were on our the way to Alaska.

96 days to Day 1 (1st attempt) Easter 2018. Inspecting our boots. Looking good. Interesting fact - doctors at hospital saved these boots - they didn't cut them off, probably cause the lacing was already loose - I took them off Vera's feet that night in Spindle Coulour to place toe warmers, then put them back on, without lacing.

142 days to Day 1 (1st attempt) In Vancouver General Hospital, 7th floor, trauma unit.