The Waiting Game

The team is at AMS headquarters in Talkeetna waiting out some weather.  Talkeetna Air Taxi requires clear conditions to navigate and land and right now the mountain is not cooperating.  Under the hot links, I've added a web cam for Talkeetna Air Taxi.  In addition, I added the NOAA recreational weather forecast.  If you want to see some of the sites we're monitoring check those out in addition to the mountain forecast link which provides conditions at various altitudes.  Snow.

Final Countdown

Packing is complete.  Ice Cream is eaten.  #yachtrock

One More Day...

I spent my final Saturday checking lists, sorting gear, picking up some last minute items, and practicing crevasse rescue systems.  Lots of gear here at the Conshy base camp, but not as much as previous expeditions as all of the food and camping gear (tents and cookware) will be picked up and sorted at the Alaska Mountaineering School in Talkeetna, AK.  Once complete, I'll have a pretty full 100L pack and sled duffel totaling over 100 lbs.  Giddy up.

How to Follow the Adventure

I recently purchased the DeLorme inReach Explorer as a replacement for my SPOT tracker and also to save the effort of borrowing a Satellite phone and expense of a purchasing a sim card for this one-time use.  The inReach Explorer utilizes the Iridium constellation and allows two-way communication to individuals, along with the ability to post to maps, Facebook, and Twitter from anywhere in the world.  It also provides GPS tracking, basic navigation, and emergency notifications.  Bottom line is that this serves the purpose of three devices I had been planning to take.  Below are some screenshots that outline how to follow me on the expedition.

Real time twitter updates here...

Music on the Mountain

In recent years, I've become accustomed to popping in one earbud and enjoying some tunes when spending time outside.  I know, I know, leave the technology at home and just enjoy the outdoors for the pureness and beauty it has to offer.  For me, music amplifies the emotion of the experience.  I've also found that I can listen to an album as background music during a trip, and from that point on, that album has the power to magically transport me back in time to that experience.  This new intimate association with a song or album is borderline creepy.  The last time I was on Denali, I had just picked up the new Santigold album, and to this day I might as well be slogging up that Kahiltna glacier whenever I here those songs.

I've also had a chance to identify some bands that are just plain outdoor all-stars for me, regardless of the experience or activity.  So with that, I give you my top three go-to bands with a lil taste of each:

Number 3:  Fleet Foxes

Number 2:  Band of Horses

Number 1:  First Aid Kit

So what will it be on the West Rib?  I've been in a music rut the past year or more, and my exposure to new artists isn't what it used to be, so it could end up being anything.  At least a couple times a year, I find myself riding the Iron Maiden wave for a month or two, so that's always an option.  My 2013 trip to Rock in Rio brings back special Maiden memories, in particular a short clip of the crowd around 1:17:37.

On a recent trip to the Devil's Path in the Catskills, Mr. Arthur Gorka reintroduced me to a music genre I haven't touched in about 15 years.  Could the likes of Carcass or my introduction into Swedish Melodic Death Metal be the answer?

Six days left...suggestions?

A Few Final Weekend Trips

I got to spend the last couple weekends outside on some super-duper backpacking trips with great company.  Below are a couple highlights  (thanks to Dad and Gorka for keeping up with the camera).  This was the first time I've actually been out in the late spring and it was definitely a nice change to be surrounded by a forest of fresh young green.

Old Logger's Path (May 2015)
Pops, Brian, Justin, Jacob, Kevin
Lower loop of the trail with an epic stream crossing!
Great view from Sharp Top once the fog cleared
Always enjoy when Dad shows me what PA has to offer!

Devil's Path (May 2015)
Gorka
Cabby
Joey
Philly Trio
Sneaky Dog
It gets annoying
Nick and Everett
Faceless Creepers
Poison Plant Ladies
Connecticut
Aggro Hiker
French Pro
West Kill Foursome
Boy Scouts
Hippie Parade
Doomed to Fail
Swedish Melodic Death Metal

Winter Playtime

Denali gave me extra incentive to experience a true northeast winter.  Tons of snow, super cold, sometimes training, always fun.

Adirondacks (New Year's 2015)
Justin and Ethan
Ice Climbing:  Pharaoh Mountain, Chapel Pond (Hot Shot), North Face of Pitchoff (Arm & Hammer)

Vermont (Feb 2015)
Ciclismo & Friends, Adventure Spirit Guides
Snowboarding:  Sugarbush, Jay Peak
Backcountry:  Camel's Hump & Nebraska Notch

Ice Climbing:  Smuggler's Notch (Blind Faith)

Catskills (Feb 2015)
Justin
Ice Climbing:  Hillyer Ravine
Frostbite strikes again!

Rickett's Glenn (Feb 2015)
Pops & Cousin Walter
Hike to Mt. Spring Lake

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Katahdin (March 2015)

Justin and Kyle

Ice Climbing:  Mini Pinnacle

Summited Pamola Peak
Hike to North Basin

New Hampshire (April 2015)

Ciclismo

Snowboarding:  Cannon (Icefest!)

Backcountry:  Mount Moosilauke

Steeps on Mount Washington (April 2015)

Newport & Acadia Mountain Guides

Backcountry:  Gulf of Slides, Tuckerman's (Left Gully)