Heading to the Mountain

Heading to the Mountain

Wes called at 9:00 am (Alaska time) this morning. The team was at the Hudson hangar. He said it looks like a go for flying out to base camp today. Planes were taking off (I could hear one in the background taking off as we were speaking). Wes said he had stored his street clothes and had his "costume" on and was ready to go. Say goodbye to jeans, sneakers and baseball caps for the next three weeks - say hello to down parkas, mountaineering boots and helmets! This morning it was partly cloudy and 36 degrees in Talkeetna. The plan so far is to fly everyone to Base Camp located on the Kahiltna Glacier this morning. Base Camp is at about 7,300 feet. Once all of the team members have arrived they will get their gear and sleds together and will head off to Camp I at around 7,800 to 7,900 feet. As long as the weather is good they do not plan to spend any time at Base Camp. Wes was happy about this. He spent two days at Base Camp last year so he is eager to just head up the mountain. One of the guides said it will be about a five or six hour climb today.