May 2016

Gear Check and off we go….

We started out day at 6am, the sun does not set here it just gets darker. Made sure I charged all my electronics and had a big breakfast. You never know how it is on the mountain.

We went to a warehouse to have our gear check and make sure we have everything we need and also not to take many things as we will end up carrying them on Denali.

Climbing gear, hand gear, foot and head gear. We then had to choose the snacks we need for the 3 weeks, which is approximately 8kgs. We had to choose wisely things we love eating. I don’t want to take a little and end up with no food or take too much and end up carrying them up and down the mountain.

We then rehearsed crevasse rescue techniques in case we fall we will have to pull our selves out. Has been a while but memory kicked in quickly.

From there we had pizza, you can never go wrong with pizza. I will miss good food from now on.

Final point is a safety brief by the Rangers and some do’s and don’t’ son Denali and we fly in a ski plane for 45min to the base of the mountain.

from now onwards it will be very difficult to update everyone, I will do my very best to have a voice blog or email regularly.

Gear Check and off we go….

We started out day at 6am, the sun does not set here it just gets darker. Made sure I charged all my electronics and had a big breakfast. You never know how it is on the mountain.

We went to a warehouse to have our gear check and make sure we have everything we need and also not to take many things as we will end up carrying them on Denali.

Climbing gear, hand gear, foot and head gear. We then had to choose the snacks we need for the 3 weeks, which is approximately 8kgs. We had to choose wisely things we love eating. I don’t want to take a little and end up with no food or take too much and end up carrying them up and down the mountain.

We then rehearsed crevasse rescue techniques in case we fall we will have to pull our selves out. Has been a while but memory kicked in quickly.

From there we had pizza, you can never go wrong with pizza. I will miss good food from now on.

Final point is a safety brief by the Rangers and some do’s and don’t’ son Denali and we fly in a ski plane for 45min to the base of the mountain.

from now onwards it will be very difficult to update everyone, I will do my very best to have a voice blog or email regularly.

Talkeetna

Just after breakfast we enjoyed a 3hr drive to Talkeetna where we were welcomed by a family who own a cottage where we will spend the night. The weather was beautiful, sunny and clear skies. I can only pray for the same weather on Denali. We all went through our luggage adjusting them a bit, separating street clothes from climbing gear. 

We then were invited to Tod’s home, the owner of Alpine Acsents the company I’m climbing with. He has a beautiful home with the mountain range view on his porch. We spent some time catching up with Tod, last time I saw him was on Everest.

Soon later we had to go back for dinner where we met Willie and Damian Benegas our guides for the trip. Both of them climbed Everest numerous times and are two of the strongest guides there are. We are extremely lucky to have them. Discussing team plans and mountain stories while enjoying a traditional Alaskan meal.

We had to sleep early as tomorrow is the day I hit the ice. We should fly out around mid day and from there onwards I will be sending audio blogs as there is almost no internet.

SEA – ANC

Last day in Seattle, we had a 10:00am flight so had to leave the hotel at 8:00am. We had to say goodbye to AJ who came to see us off from Canada. For some reason I felt the flight was too long, I wanted to land and see Alaska it’s one of those places that I always wanted to visit.

The place is very quite and peaceful, we finally met with our fourth climber Suzanne in the hotel went to a few mountaineering shops. Nevee ending last min items. We keep remembering small items here and there. We just catched up on sleep and didn’t do much. The few days ahead of us will be hard and we can use all the sleep we get

The Starbucks City

Waking up at 5:00am, the city looks so beautiful and peaceful. Wanted to have breakfast in the hotel but apparently you can only have breakfast at the Starbucks in the lobby. So I did.

Later on went for my last workout, I have been training really hard the past few months and it all came to this last day. I trained hard, but not pushing my self as its not the time to risk any injuries. I did an hour higher intensity elliptical which was the closest machine the gym had to a stair climber.

I have a lot of last min things to do, I’m going to keep charging my electronics and updating my iPod for Alaska here in Seattle I must cross some things off my bucket list.

First thing to cross was Featherd Friends, it’s a Seattle based company that specializes in down suits. All their products are handmade and one of the best in the world. I had to get something from them, so I bought a mid layer down jacket that will keep my warm at camps.

The second thing we couldn’t miss was the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room. That was really impressive some of the coffee beans was exclusive to them. They also roast it in front of you. Such an experience.

We spent the rest of the day walking around downtown and the ripe market.

Tomorrow our flight is at 10am to Anchorage, and two days until we hit the mountain. Need all the sleep I can get.