Final note from Dave...

Well, we are all back in Anchorage now, the tents are dry and the last bites of cheese have been tossed in the trash. This trip was difficult in many ways yet very rewarding and inspiring in others. After Bills incident I cut his knot out of the rope and we carried it to the summit in his honor, a tradition I hope to never due again.
This group was great from the get go and everyone had a wonderful attitude despite long storm days and the long hike out. I would like to specifically give my condolences to Bills family and let them know I am here if they ever want to talk or need anything from me.
Thanks to everyone for there posts and positive vibes throughout the expedition. I hope every one has a great summer and takes advantage of every chance they have to live life to the fullest. Life is fragile indeed and no one is promised tomorrow, so tell your family and friends you love them and LIVE! keep on climbing!

Dave

Back in Anchorage

The guys are all back in Anchorage, and they still like each other after a lot of days together. I'll have Dave A. post a post trip dispatch to sum it all up, but he and Jacob took off to go rock climbing in the sun this afternoon.

Almost to Base Camp

I just got a call, and our boys are on their way to base camp, and just passed thru Camp 1. They've got about 6 miles to go, and the infamous "Heartbreak Hill" to climb to get to the airstrip. It will probably be an early morning fly out for the crew on Wednesday.

Coming Home

Dave called from 14,200 camp last night(monday) and was planning on travelling down during the night and expected to reach base camp by this morning. They'll generally choose to travel at night to take advantage of the cold temps that freeze the snow surface and make travelling down a bit easier. It's a long day/night, but they'll be moving pretty fast coming down.

The West Buttress of Denali from out the plane window today. the snowy basin in the middle of the picture is the 14,000 ft basin where Camp 3 is.

If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can actually see the small dots that are tents at Camp 3. The trail up to the fixed lined heads up and left from camp and is just visible in the larger image.

Summit!!

Jacob and Kevin are back in high camp after reaching the summit on a beautiful day! Everyone is now tucked in bed at high camp, and looking forward to the showers and beers that await them back in town. It has been an eventful, tragic trip and it's good to see the team got some people to the summit today.

Kevin's family and I flew over the mountain this afternoon in a friend's plane, and we were able to watch the guys on their last few steps to the top. It was an amazing day, and while I'm sure they wished that our noisy plane would go away, we were able to share a bit of their day vicariously through the window of a plane speeding by.

Tomorrow they'll get up and start down the mountain, they should be in base camp by Tuesday or Wednesday. It goes pretty quick on the way out.

Here is a view from the summit, which Todd shot in 2007. It is a pretty spectacular place...

Acclimating at High Camp

Jacob got Sat phone duty tonight, and just called to say that they were all resting up for a summit push tomorrow. Jacob is going to take off with Kevin tomorrow at around 8:30am if the weather holds for them. Giles has a bit of frostnip on a few fingers, and to be safe won't be attempting the summit. Steve is still deciding if he has it in him to push on for this last big day. Everyone is doing alright, but feeling the effects of living at high altitude.

Wish them luck for a safe successful day tomorrow.