Denali
From ESS
Denali Expedition, Summer 2007
Final Denali Report
Follow link to pictures from Scott's camera Scott's images
Follow link to pictures from Nathan's camera Nathan's pics
List of Donors to the Denali Expedition
Western State College of Colorado
Gunnison, Colorado
ELEVEN GUYS AND A GAL!
Interesting Denali Links
Other Denali Weather Forecasts
Talkeetna Ranger Station (NPS)
Cancer Climber, Sean Swarner's homepage
The Western Denali Expedition Team of UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
- Steve Banks, professional mountain guide
- Scott Drum, Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sport Science (ESS)
- Nate Reitsema, Teaching Assistant & Recreation (RECR) major
- Sara Smith, ESS major
- Evan Devoe, RECR major
- Ben Kiessel, RECR major
- Walker Mackey, RECR major
- Nathan Spearing, RECR major
- Derek Headley, RECR major
- Jacob Anderson, RECR major
- Stuart Slay, RECR major
- LB (Bruce) Mullin, RECR major
Very Tentative Climbing Timetable May/June 2007 (weather & health dependent):
- Overview of West Buttress Route on Denali, AK
- Denali Topo Map with route marked
- May 13, arrive in Anchorage, AK
- May 16, fly into the Kahiltna Glacier (~7200 ft.) from Talkeetna, AK
- May 16-23, move up to high camp at 14,200 ft. pulling sleds and skiing to about 11,200 ft. camp
- May 24-31, attempt to summit Denali at 20,320 ft.
- June 1-7, return to the "Kahiltna Airport" at 7200 ft.
- June 8-10, back to Anchorage
A FEW Choice Denali Moments
- An emergency evacuation from base camp (14,200 ft) of a climber who overdosed on a pain medication (codeine) that precipitated and worsened the consequences of high altitude pulmonary and cerebral edema (HAPE and HACE). We later learned he did not recover. Infamous Mt. Hunter (~14,550 ft) sits stoically in the background.
- View of the first 2000 ft. rising steeply out of 14,200 ft. camp. Note that all the "black dots" are humans! What a zoo. Toward the top of the slope, notice the line of black dots cued up near and on the fixed ropes to the 16,200 ft. col above.
- This had to be shown...the infamous and bottomeless "pee hole" at 14,200 camp. Now you know.
- One last shot of the "room with a view," the bathroom that is. Notice the pee hole and next to it (left) a wooden structure partly enclosed with snow blocks. This is the highly favored toliet with a seat! Human waste falls into a large hole dug by the local Park Rangers who bribe 14,200 camp residents to help by offering a hot dog for every foot of digging. Evan was our digging guru. Also, someone had the presence of mind to add rabbit ears to a TV chisled out of snow! Not sure how the reception was...
A FEW PHOTOS of DENALI TRAINING SESSIONS and Denali's West Buttress Route
- Sorting gear prior to an ascent of Mt. Shavano (April 2007) at 14,150 ft.
- Practicing team ROPE travel high up on LaPlata Peak, CO (14,336 ft.), Feb. 2007
- Nate R. and Steve taking a well deserved rest at LaPlata Peak basecamp (Feb. 2007)
- The usual suspects atop LaPlata (L to R: Walker, LB, Jacob and Nate R.)
- Eating and pondering after a winter ascent of LaPlata (14,336 ft.)
- Practicing fixed lines in the Colorado winter (LaPlata)
- Camp just below Motorcycle Hill, Denali West Buttress Route (West Buttress Direct Route in background, above)
- Photo courtesy of: http://www.aai.cc/programDetail.asp?program=26 (American Alpine Institute)
- Example of what it's like to pull sleds with loads on Denali (below 14,200 ft. camp)
