Molly and Erin enjoyed a very senic, 'not so direct' flight to Kahiltna Base Camp via the Ruth Gorge. I had flown in a few days prior and was excited for their arrival. It's impossible not to be impressed with the relief of the range, especially considering Talkeetna (elevation 350ft) is a twenty minute plane ride. Can you say tectonic collision?
Kahiltna International (7600ft) is just visible on the glacier and under the impressible North Butress of Mt. Hunter mmmmmmm! Big Bro and Lil' Sis getting prept to slog. Our fastest camp pack up was two hrs, slow morning sloggin!
11,300 ft. Gettin ready to hump a load to 14,000ft. Were done with the skis and psyched to settle into camp for our push on the upper mountain. 14,000 kinda marks half way to the summit and the start of the more strenous climbing, i.e. cold and altitude. Mt. Foraker in the background, AK is Soooo beautiful!!!
The trail ahead with the summit far in the distance. And on the right our home for a week at 14,000 feet.
The route from 14,000 climbs up a steep headwall where the park service maintains fixed lines. Then along a knife edge ridge to 17,200 feet. The mile and a half climb took us eight hours and
awarded us with this view-
The journey to the summit took us far above the clouds and high into the purity of lofty elevations. The clean air, even though quite thin, did our lungs well. On the right is the final climb from the Football Field 19,100ft to over 20,000.
Looking at the final ridgeline toward the summit and cellebrating!!!
After some rest and recovery from Denali, Erin and I headed up the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna to check out the Mini-Moonflower buttress. The route we had planed to climb was occupied by a slow moving two some, so with no topo or route info we 'went for it' on the main face. It was May 19th, three years to the day that my cousin Drew (Erin's brother) had passed while he and I were climbing in Baffin. Climbing with the spirit of our fallen hero, on difficult terrain, and on a beautiful day was the was the perfect culmination of six weeks of climbing in Alaska. In my life, the loss of Drew as a climbing partner is a void that will never be filled. While it wasn’t a perfect fit, on this day, his older brother filled his shoes well. It was truly a joy climbing with you, Erin, an effort that I’m sure Drew is proud. And a day I will never forget.
Pursuing emotional joy
Kyle
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