The Denali Orgasm

Twenty Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Feet,,,, high!

Reaching the peak, or the climax, of "The Great One" on a clear day in June.  I pause to give special thanks to my friend and climbing partner Chip Snyder for inviting me on this trip, and to the mountain itself, "The Great One" for allowing me summit her, and to play out my own personal fantasies of being a pilgrim and a pioneer.  Learning the ways of nature through my own deep and meaningful relationships that I have with these mountains that I climb.  Thank You.  That was the best summit climax, mountain orgasm, that I have ever had.  Cheers,

Sitting in Talkeetna, waiting for the flight in.

Somehow ended up at the Brewery and got drunk.

Then wandered through the grave yard to sober up.  This is the grave stone
of the late great Mugs Stump, RIP.

No better way to start a big trip than being hung over.

Super psyched, and still drunk.

Mount Hunter seen from the landing strip on the glacier.

Camp one at 7,800 feet on the Kahiltna Glacier.

Day 2, still hung over, slogging up the glacier.

Searching for crevasses in a white-out is an easy way to have
a good time.

Pushing 17,000 feet on a warm up hike.

Over looking Camp 3 and all the tiny little tents.  Mount Foraker
in the background.

Heading for the summit on a beautiful day.

Descending the 6,000 feet back to Camp 3 after the summit. 

Looking north into the great expanse of the land we call Alaska.

So yes, it's been a month since I checked my email, or changed my clothes.  My fingers have forgotten how to type, and full decompression will take another week or so I imagine.  Please stay tuned for a full trip report.