Twitter is really underrated as a social media, because you are able to follow so much cool stuff. I am following Denali National Park services now, and the first tweet I just saw said: ‘So cold even the trees wear mittens’. Poethic. I think that is a very representative description of how cold it is up there right now. I also read in the newspapers today that a little Alaskan village is cut off from the outside world because the supply ships can not get through the ice. The cold is mercyless, and this is only at sealevel. Whatever route you climb, you are so exposed to the elements that you have to take care of yourself and make the right decisions.
Nothing is easy on Denali, but I will take the more moderate route via the West Buttress which is graded 3D. To give you an idea, Island Peak is graded 2B and Kilimanjaro T1. Mont Blanc is graded 2A (or PD if you like). I am reading everything about the route so I can prepare myself a 100%. I want to know what is coming. I have read very different stories, from beautiful summit days to complete whiteouts on the summit push. If any doubt, I will go down and get sheltered, the summit is not worth it. But it is easier to write it down here and make the actual decision on the spot.
Needles to say I am training hard, climbing, a lot of running and back to the gym. Don’t believe the hype, but something I had to buy when I saw the quality of it, was a GoPro camera. Easily attached to the head or chest, standard fisheye and nice quality. I tested it on a route in Klimax before closing hour. I’ll try to move my head less the next time. And put a nice tune on the video.
Just out of curiosity: why do you never descend on climbing walls? After all, you have to do it “in real life” as well, right? Or do you always rappel down?
aaanyway, great video. Maybe I should start climbing some day.
And good luck on the expedition!
You can actually climb down your route you just topped, it’s a good exercise. But most of the time you abseil it down. Climbing, get into it!
Thanks buddy.