Jun 25, 2018

The Denali Diaries: WEEK 3 & SUMMIT SUCCESS!

Day 15: 25 June 2018

A 'Rest Day' at 14,000ft in preparation for our anticipated move to 17,000ft tomorrow. The weather forecast is correct in its prediction of 80% chance of snow as we wake to snow but relatively mild temperatures hovering around -10 (ish). Whilst the forecast was 'sketchy' (at best) for tomorrow, there's a small, short high pressure system (aka better weather) rolling through in 2 days - so it's important that we get up to 17,000ft tomorrow to put us in position for the 20,000 ft summit on the 27th.

There's lots to do around camp today in preparation for our move. The Seals and I dig out the tent we've been using as a kitchen-area and set it up so that it can be quickly dismantled early tomorrow morning. I'm happy to be shoveling again. Porter & Grace get our tent ready for quick disassembly (e.g. digging up frozen chutes buried in the snow for any winter-camping keenos out there). We then dig a deep hole (yes, more digging) in which we'll bury all of our extra food, gear and our sleds before we head up in the morning. 

Monopoly Deal isn't on the cards for today. Instead, we spend the time drinking tea, eating more burritos, discussing our layers for 'higher up', the forecast, and the cold. Whilst spirits are high, we're all keen to get up and get going. If the forecast is correct, we could realistically be drinking margaritas in Talkeetna by Saturday. The prospect of that is appealing....

We crawl into our sleeping bags tonight to a poor forecast and more snow. Am keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed for a move tomorrow..!

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE MOVE TO 17,000FT WITH HEAVY LOADS - WHILST DENALI UNLEASHES HER GUSTY WRATH... 







Day 16: 26 June 2018

4.45am and I'm awake. It's snowing outside and visibility is poor BUT I know today's move is critical if we want to be in position at 17,000 for the 1-day weather window. In mountaineering terms it's called, 'threading the needle'. .

After a tense 6am breakfast we return to our tents in an 'aggressive holding pattern' in the hope that the weather improves. We've all packed our sleeping bags in our heavy packs so end up playing Monopoly Deal. At around 9am we get the shout from Wes. We're on the move!!!

We quickly fall into a rhythm for the move up the hill and onto the fixed lines. Whilst the wind is "breezy", looking up I can tell that above the ridge the winds are full-on with spin drift funneling high into the sky. In weather terms it's called, 'blowing a hoolie'. This is definitely not going to be fun. 
And it definitely isn't. 

The wind gusts are strong, aggressive, painful and cold - and combined with a heavy pack it makes moving over the exposed ridge challenging. I definitely don't have as much fun as I normally would on this terrain. We move efficiently and I’m SO HAPPY when we pass the final exposed section of the ridge and roll into Camp 17,000ft. Stunning camp. Blue skies. No wind. Heaven. 

After a character-building tent-platform building session (which ends with an intervention by a Seal) we pile in 4 people into our 3-person tent. It's 'snug' but the warmth is welcome and we settle in for our night at 17,000ft. Tomorrow's the day we've all been working for and, to be perfectly honest, I couldn't be more ready!!

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE HEAD FOR THE 20,000ft SUMMIT OF DENALI!!!!!




Day 17: 27 June 2018 - Part 1 of 2

SUMMIT DAY!! I wake to shouts of exuberation (e.g. expletives) about the blue-bird sky & perfect conditions & it's the day that doesn't stop giving. Over a leisurely & sunny breakfast we assess our first objective - 'The Autobahn' rising steeply to the Denali Pass at 18,200ft. It's an exposed traverse - today's stellar conditions make it a bit more comfortable. An insightful pep-talk from the Seals sets the tone for the day. Along with a lot of high-fives.

The weather’s beyond what we could’ve hoped. After reaching Denali Pass we traverse across a long flat-ish section - the "Football Field" - & ascend the final slope, "Pig Hill", below the incredible summit ridge. Climbing Pig Hill is definitely not fun. I've renamed it 'Profanity Hill'. BUT reaching the top is 120% worth the boiling hot slog.

And BOOM!!! Oh. Those. Views. No. Words. 

I see the summit beyond the final super, SUPER exposed ridge. This is when I know we've made it - and as a solid, awesome powerhouse of a team. I'm SO incredibly proud of our team & every person that has contributed to our joint success. It's one of those moments I know I'll consciously hang-on to forever - the way we did it & the fun we had will encapsulate every memory I’ll have of this incredible expedition. .

Our final few feet along the ridge are a blur. I can see the familiar curvature of the earth. The sky is bluer-than blue. We put our arms around each other and walk to the summit together. We. Have. Done. It. 

We've reached the summit of Denali at 20,310ft / 6190m. 

MORE TO COME AS WE'RE ONLY 1/2 WAY THERE & DESCEND TO 17,000FT.



Day 17: 27 June 2018 - Part 2 of 2


Our summit celebration draws to a close as the -25 degree temperatures & tingling fingers & toes remind us that we still have a long afternoon & evening ahead. The summit is only halfway there. We rope back up & return along the ridge to the top of Pig Hill & commence our descent.


As the day began, so it ends. In absolutely stellar conditions. I can, without a doubt, say it’s the most spectacular sunset I’ve ever seen in my life - even though the sun never truly sets. 

Eric leads & our rope team follows. We stop regularly for breaks, pictures... and high fives (x 10). We’re all in awe at the conditions & our incredible good fortune. As with all Type 2 Fun, our previous shovelling anxiety, weather uncertainty, the damp, cold and general worries are forgotten. We live in the moment soaking up every single breathless breath. Bliss.

We roll into Camp 17,000 at 12.45 am - it’s still light but the moon is out. Falling into the cozy comfort of the tent with a bowl of Raman noodles is the perfect end to what has been a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Massive thanks to our incredible guide, Wes Bunch (legend!!), co-guide, Eric & the team at Alaska Mountaineering School. And, of course, Grace, Porter & the Seals. Thank you. ❤️

WILL WE MAKE BASECAMP? CHECK IN TOMORROW AS THE LURE OF THICK AIR INSPIRES A BIG DAY...AND A BIVVY.

Day 18: 28 June 2018

A short night. We're up at 7am packing our sleds. Following yesterday's summit success we're keen to descend to Basecamp - the forecast calls for snow & the last thing we want is to be stuck at 11,000ft in a cycle of shoveling. There's added motivation of burgers, mojitos and moscow mules in Talkeetna... as well as a shower. It's been 18 days. Yikes.

The descent to 17,000 goes fairly smoothly. There are teams heading up the fixed lines & I'm happy to be going down. I'm knackered - I power-nap whilst an early dinner is prepared (thx Eric ) at 14,000ft. We agree to go as far as we can tonight to push hard to get to Basecamp. I'm not convinced & set a personal target of 7,000ft deciding to take things one step at a time. 

As we descend I develop a love-hate relationship with my sled. It runs into my heels & accelerates downhill until the tension in the rope grinds it to a halt & drags beside me like I'm 'walking a 50lb dog'. I'm comforted by the fact that we're all in our personal 'pain caves' & developing our own coping mechanisms. Grace provides the entertainment (expletives included) while Wes is the voice of experience.

By 3am we reach 7,000ft. By now we've been awake for nearly 24h & visibility isn't great. We call it a day throw, our sleeping bags onto the snow & dive in for the 'night' (until 5.30am). It's a beautiful, magical, surreal experience... Combined with the tiredness & adrenaline the only emotion I can feel is sheer contentment. A sleeping bag hasn't ever been so comfortable. I wake at 5am and it's snowing on my face... .

WILL WE MAKE BASECAMP? CHECK IN TOMORROW TO FIND OUT WHETHER WE CAN NAVIGATE THE CREVASSES WITH THE INCENTIVE OF FOOD, DRINKS AND SHOWERS!


Day 19: 29 June 2018 (finale)

I pull a jacket over my head & fall into a deep sleep for our 2.5hour bivvy at 7000ft. I wake to a layer of snow being dusted off me by the Seals who are up & ready. I get the sense that they're used to little sleep and 48-hour days. It's 5.30am & although I'm feeling absolutely wiped, I am SO excited. Today we'll reach basecamp - and, weather dependent, Talkeetna! Whoop! Whoop!


We rope up for the final time & plod out the final 4 hours into basecamp. I get my final views of the incredible Alaska range. Mt. Foraker with an ominous lenticular cloud, an endless landscape of snow, pockets of blue sky above. I remind myself to live in the moment - to soak up this incredible environment. I feel so tremendously lucky to be here in the middle of one of the most stunning amphitheaters on earth & to be sharing it with this team.

Things happen quickly in Basecamp. The plane is called, we sort gear separating sharps & sleds. Then just like that the plane lands on the snow & we're boarding. It's bitter sweet... I'm excited for a shower but sad that this experience is drawing to a close. I feel so incredibly lucky - a theme that's been omnipresent through this expedition. Months of planning, 19 days of execution. And just like that, it's done. We achieved our goal, we summited Denali. And, more importantly, we summited in good-style, as a team, and had FUN. All the hallmarks of a successful expedition.

When friends become family. None of this would’ve been possible without our guide Wes. An amazing, highly experienced & guide & leader. Even through some challenging days, he kept our spirits up & made tough decisions that proved to be the right decisions. Also a massive thanks to my amazing tentmates Grace and Porter.  And of course Eric and the Seals. All I can say is, "HIGH FIVE". 🙌❤️

THAT'S IT FOR THE DENALI DIARIES! Until next time & the next adventure! Thanks for following, your kind messages & do please stay tuned for occasional out-takes, highlights & lessons learned.... 🙄












Jun 18, 2018

The Denali Diaries: WEEK 2 - The 7 Day Cyclone Lockdown

Day 8: 18 June 2018 (Day 5 of shovelling/ riding out the storm at 11,000ft)

Every now and then I need some “me time” - and I found that “me-time” today in a major 7-hour therapeutic shovelling session... clarity: hole / cave digging session. I felt I needed a new goal for the expedition (given our Denali summit was looking less and less promising) so I decided to dig to China.

The wind gusts remain fierce. There are moments I turn to face into the wind just for the opportunity to feel the power of Mother Nature and it’s derma-abrasion effects. Over the course of the 7-hour shovelling frenzy I put my jacket to the test (thanks Arc’teryx!). All is running smoothly until I try and escape from my Gore-Tex ...

The hole to China soon turns into a cave. Given the tent is smelly, soggy, and damp, the prospect of debunking there is tempting. The sun appears for about 30 seconds today (progress) so I feel slightly optimistic and hold off on the move for one more day... Our Alaskan Colosseum walls are now nearing 7 ft in height.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS THE CAVE DIGGING DEVELOPMENT SKILLS CONTINUE AND A FORECAST BRINGS HOPE... ☀️🤞







Day 9: 19 June 2018 (Day 6 of shovelling/ riding out the storm at 11,000ft))

A BREAK IN THE STORM! 🙌 We wake up to “no new snow” and the wind in camp has died down to “occasional gusts”. Looking up at our prospective route it’s clear that whilst it’s decent at 11,000ft it’s still super windy up high. We take advantage of the opportunity to reinforce the wall around The Colosseum and semi-dry out our tent which now has a small lake inside of it.

The storm’s left us a winter wonderland ... I’m reminded of how jaw-droppingly beautiful this wild, raw and fragile environment is - and how powerless we are.

Cave construction continues today with the addition of a west wing. It’s nearly big enough for me to stand in.

We get our 8pm forecast and it’s looking promising!! A potential clearing in 2 days time - an opportunity to cache at 14,000ft and then move up the following day. We’re definitely behind schedule but are taking the “don’t stress over things you can’t control “ and “go with the flow” attitude. We’re all in more positive spirits as a result...

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS THE SUN COMES OUT & WE PREPARE TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND...

Day 10: 20 June 2018 (Day 7 of shovelling/ riding out the storm at 11,000ft))

“How glorious the greeting the sun gives the mountains”, writes author John Muir. And I can’t agree more. The sun comes out this afternoon - and the effect on morale is huge. We dry out our tent and its contents - sleeping bags, clothes, bags, boots, gear... and organise kit to take up tomorrow (yes we have a plan to move!!) to cache just past, “Windy Corner” at 13,000ft. It’s wonderful to finally not be shovelling and damp.

Work on the Tunnel to China / Cave / CMC Spa has stalled due to the renewed focus on moving up. It proves to be a perfect place for the team loo.

The terrain tomorrow is straight up a feature known as Motorcycle Hill - we’ve been staring at it for the past week. A few ambitious teams brave the weather (winds still appear fierce up high) and break trail in deep snow going up or coming down. Just seeing people move reinvigorates the soul.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS (MIRACLE of MIRACLES) WE LEAVE 11,000ft to CACHE AT 14,000ft - GET A LESSON in ALASKAN WHITE OUTS, BREAKING TRAIL & CREVASSES.



Day 11: 21 June 2018

Yes!!! We’re moving up!!!! Well, moving up(ish) in sub-optimal conditions... We wake to fog & snow. Not ideal given our plan is to “gear carry” up to 14,000ft after being stuck for 7 days at 11,000ft. We decide to go for it regardless - for sanity if anything else.

Our guide, Wes (superstar) does the recce & breaks deep trail up “Motorcycle Hill”. The snow is deep, visibility is poor, but spirits are high. I love the steep terrain and I’m in my element. For the first time in a very long time I feel we’re truly climbing ❤️⛰. We continue up “Squirrel Hill” to “Windy Corner” - which isn’t windy today (the only positive weather update).

The terrain is VERY heavily crevassed. Many crevasses are covered by the recent snow so we’re especially slow & vigilant. Visibility reduces to a completely disorienting white out. It’s an unnerving experience. Everything - literally everything - is white and we struggle to see & find our way.

Eventually we get back on track & break trail to reach Camp 14,000ft!!! Epic effort on an epic day in epic conditions.

Cache completed, we head back down to our camp at 11,000ft with the plan to return (for good) to 14,000 tomorrow with the remainder of our kit.

BUT it isn’t quite that simple. We return to 11,000 to find that in our 8hr absence it’s snowed another 2ft - and our tent is COMPLETELY covered with snow again. It’s so frustrating it becomes pure comedy as we pick up our shovels and get back to shovelling, back to reality. We’re exhausted & fall asleep thinking there’s no way we’re going up to 14,000 again tomorrow given the current weather conditions.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS OUR TEAM OF 4 GROWS TO 7 AND WE GET SOME VERY GOOD NEWS...



Day 12: 22 June 2018

Snow. Poor visibility. Not the conditions we want to move up to 14,000ft today. Guide Wes comes into our tent for a debrief. He’s been hard at work all morning organising logistics. Tension is in the air.

Thanks to the weather we’re in an “aggressive holding pattern” (aka hold tight and wait) but learn that through a stroke of logistical karma we’ll move to 14,000 with lighter loads by doing a tent-swap with a descending team (meaning we don’t have to take down our wet tent). OH, but that’s NOT the only good news...

We’re “merging” with a team of US Navy Seals for the rest of the expedition. Seals - as in awesome big strong dudes. I’m sure they’re equally as excited to be joining us.🙄

The move to 14,000 is mega. Deep snow on Motorcycle Hill and then SO MUCH wind up Squirrel Hill up to Windy Corner. Visibility is sketchy but as soon as we pass Windy Corner it’s as if Denali FINALLY gives us a break (for now anyway!)

We get the awesome views we’ve been dreaming about for the past 12 days. Hunter & Foraker stand strong against a cloudless sky and a clear view of our route to 17,000ft. I swear, it’s heaven.

Arriving at 14,000 in perfect conditions, the views, our amazing & super strong expanded team, a fab dinner thanks to Eric & a whole lotta stoke. I couldn’t be more excited. Today was an awesome day despite the dramatic start. We are so happy to FINALLY be on the move and fall asleep in anticipation of what tomorrow will bring.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE START TO STRATEGIZE OUR MOVE TO 17,000 & LEARN A FEW NEW TRICKS FROM THE SEALS.



Day 13: 23 June 2018

We're all feeling super hardcore this morning as the Navy Seals applaud us for our tenacity for weathering out the storm at 11,000ft. .

The Seals have been stuck at 14,000ft for over a week due to the same weather-front that grounded us at 11,000ft. We instantly bond over the experience and I know that our newly formed team is going to get on just fine. .

It feels amazing to be dry, warm(ish) and immersed in the mountain-views and positive vibes at 14,000ft. Our new co-guide @runsmilebreathe cooks up a fantastic breakfast and we get on with our day (drying out gear, organising the tent).

Camp-chores completed we settle in for an epic afternoon of playing Monopoly Deal, listening (and singing) 80s hits thanks to an old transister radio, and eating pretty much anything that we can get our hands on. We ascertain that perhaps Monopoly Deal isn't my strong-point.

Today was SUCH a great day and I am SO happy. I don't know if it's the weather, the team, the views, the extra calories, the 80s hits, the belly-aching laughs, the high-fives, the solid nights sleep, or all of the above but for the first time in a long time I'm genuinely feeling optimistic. Whatever happens on this mountain over the coming week, all I know is that we've given it a good shot and had a great time in the process.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE HEAD UP THE FIXED LINES TO CACHE FOOD AND GEAR IN PREPARATION FOR OUR (EVENTUAL) MOVE TO 17,000FT...

Day 14: 24 June 2018

Restless nights sleep. Awake at 3am to sunlight & all I can think about is Monopoly Deal & outplaying the Seals. What I should’ve been thinking about was that we're MOVING again today! Plan is to do a cache to 16,500ft. This means that we're moving straight up the steep hill flanking the camp & onto the fixed lines to cache.

We're eating breakfast thanks to @runsmilebreathe at 7.30am and the weather is perfect - sun hasn't hit the hill yet and we're looking to move before it does. The sun can quickly turn ‘comfortable' terrain into an energy-sucking frying pan. We fill our packs with food supplies and warmer gear that we'll need up high for our move to 17,000ft.

I love steep uphill terrain (Type 2 fun) and today is no different. I quickly find my stride and move into plodding mode, enjoying the spectacular views and banter between our rope teams. Our rope team is led by Wes and the other rope team is led by Eric. We've been nicknamed 'Peanut Butter' and 'Jelly', respectively. The fixed lines are sketchy and it takes me a while to adjust. We bury our gear in the cache and descend back to 14,000ft via the fixed lines and a fun arm-wrap.

Back in Camp I test whether my 3am Monopoly Deal strategy session was worthwhile. Turns out I'm still rubbish at Monopoly Deal. But I'm getting better at my poker face (or not). The afternoon consists of: Play Monopoly Deal. Eat burritos. Sing 70s hits. Discuss the weather. Discuss clothing layers. High fives. Repeat. Awesome day.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE LEARN ABOUT A POTENTIAL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM ROLLING IN - COULD THE MUCH ANTICIPATED WEATHER WINDOW BE IN SIGHT FOR A MOVE TO 17,000FT...?



Jun 11, 2018

The Denali Diaries: WEEK 1

DAY 0:
Starting today, @mountainclimbgrace and I will be sharing a day-by-day account of our Denali expedition - the snows, slopes, storms, shovelling, smiles, shuffles up the hill - and everything in between! .

We took heaps of pics & video and are psyched to share with anyone who either enjoys our antics, loves the outdoors as much as we do, or just wants to get a feel for what a big mountain expedition is like.

Swipe left for a recap of where we started on 10 June, as we finalised our mountain preparations (packing, permits, ponderings) and prepared to leave the comforts of Talkeetna, Alaska and head to the mountain. Little did we fully appreciate the adventure was about to unfold....


MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE GET OUR 1st taste of DENALI...!

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Day 1: 11 June 2018

Escaping the grey Talkeena skies we boarded our small plane captained by the inspiring pilot / guide / climber / mother Leighan Falley, better known as "The Denali Raven" @leighanfalley. .

@mountainclimbgrace & I had a 'fan-girl' moment as we'd seen Leighan's amazing film, “The Denali Raven” at the Banff Mountain Film Festival earlier this year (a film which had prompted us to head to the Alaska Range!). .

The views as we flew into basecamp were absolutely breathtaking. Our flight was approx. 45 mins and covered approx. 75 miles as we left the lush green of the Alaskan Tundra and entered the granite and ice-filled gorges of the Alaska Range.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE GET OUR 1st taste of DENALI...!

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Day 2: 12 June 2018

Today's learning curve was steeper than the terrain as we moved from Basecamp at 7200ft up to Camp 1 at 7800ft over the course of about 5.5 miles / 8.8kms. Up until this point I don't think I fully appreciated how much was involved in preparing to leave Basecamp..! .

We buried a 'cache' of emergency food in a 6-foot deep snow-hole (in the event that we were stuck in basecamp upon our return in 3 weeks time) and spent another 45 mins rigging our packs and sleds..! @alaskamountaineeringschool Guide Wes Bunch and @mountainclimbgrace helped to prepare me for my first few steps onto the glacier carrying my 50lb pack and 40lb sled. The first few steps were easy but after a long day moving to Camp 1, the pack and sled seemed to get heavier with every step! .

We were lucky to get some mixed-weather today. The views were obscured by white-out conditions - a blessing in disguise... If it had been a sunny day the glacier would basically have become a frying-pan as the sun's rays reflected off its surface.

Spirits are high as our little rope-team cross this incredibly wild, raw and rugged environment. There are crevasse hazards with every step but worth it for views of the spectacular range. We're already falling comfortably into 'expedition mode' and soaking up every moment of the steady rhythm of life in the mountains.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE COMPLETE OUR FIRST 'CARRY' UP TO OUR CACHE AT 9700ft.

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Day 3: 13 June 2018

Blue skies & ☀️ . Officially in mountain-mode - I've lost track of what day of the week it is. All I know is that we're moving some food-supplies and gear up to a 'cache' today at 9,700ft just below Camp 2 at 11,200ft. .

What's a cache you ask (don't worry, I didn't know either). Well, it involves digging a 6 ft deep hole & burying supplies under the snow. The advantage is that it helps manage the size of the loads we're carrying up high - rather than carry 1 gargantuan road, we carry 2 smaller loads and will double-back to unbury it after reaching Camp 2 at 11,200ft. Simples.

We're getting better at rigging up to the sled (hurrah) although I’m not calling it love yet. About 10-minutes into the slog up “Ski Hill”' realised that my ipod was on repeat of the “Flight of the Bumblebee” - FML. 1.5 hours later I'm happy for a break to reset the ipod, rehydrate and refuel. I keep going on about the views but they are simply breathtaking... .

With our cache buried and upon our return to Camp 1 after our 8h round-trip we wait patiently for our daily 8pm weather forecast. All’s 🙌🤟 until the last 20 seconds of the forecast... 

SOOO apparently there's a MAJOR STORM WARNING in effect as a cyclone is building and the weather for the next 4 - 5 days is predicted to be ROUGH. Well, that's certainly thrown a spanner into our plans!! Something tells me that I'm not going to be drinking margaritas in Talkeetna in the next 10 days and that Denali is going to start throwing her weight around. Brace, brace...

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE MOVE TO CAMP 2 at 11,200ft - and brace for the tail end of a CYCLONE.
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Day 4: 14 June 2018

A 6am wake up & slow start packing up Camp at 7000ft to head up to 11,200ft. Last nights weather forecast courtesy of the Denali National Park Service has us on edge. I wish I had Google to confirm what “major storm warning in effect” actually means on a notoriously weather-fickle mountain like Denali. Our ballpark range is 50 - 70kph gusts and HEAVY snow. As a farmers daughter I know all too well there’s little one can do about the weather... rather than worry about it, you prepare best you can and get on with it. And so we do. 😳

We slowly head up the mountain in variable conditions (fog) with our forever faithful loaded sleds in tow. I moved well today & loved the pace - today finding it easier to get into my groove. It was AMAZING to see Camp 2 ⛰ after about 5h as we crest over the final hill. Bright yellow tents dot a landscape of white with flags marking caches and crevasses. And the views...!! 😊

Teamwork is key on a mountain. We’re a great team but haven’t fully mastered tent-platform building - it’s early days. There’s something about the size, shape, degree of flatness, location, and snow levelling technique that throws us into disarray with various personal “time-outs” being self enforced. But we get the job done 🙌 & our tent is AWESOME. We’ve included a 4-ft perimeter around the tent as a precautionary measure against the predicted storm.🤔 . Let’s hope it’s enough.

Spirits high we collapse into our new home away from home (for at least 2 nights) and anticipate what adventures tomorrow will bring... Will the storm materialise....??

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS WE RETURN TO THE CACHE TO COLLECT SUPPLIES & BRACE FOR THE CYCLONE at 11,200ft.

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Day 5: 15 June 2018

The weather - it's on everyone's mind this morning as we 'pop down' to the cache we buried two days ago at 10,000ft. Retrieving the cache is high priority as it has some of the food, gas and kit that we'll potentially need to wait out the impending storm. It's clear that the weather has already started to change with the wind picking up to 'breezy gusts', snow starting to fall and visibility becoming increasingly poor.

Digging out the cache feels a bit like unwrapping presents at Christmas. Only it's not... Perhaps a better analogy is that we're like squirrels unburying our food after a long winter. Anyway, we make the regrettable decision NOT to use our sleds and I realise that I've vastly underestimated the amount of stuff we've buried in the cache. My pack feels like it weighs a tonne and as we slowly plod our way back to Camp at 11,000ft the wind picks up and my face gets a good sandblasting.

The afternoon brings our first true taste of shoveling. The 4-foot perimeter we've carefully manicured is quickly eroded and we struggle to maintain it. Despite prayers to the weather gods it seems that we are definitely going to be hit by this storm. As we settle in for the night we're all on edge. The long daylight hours has us all staring up at the ceiling of the tent as it's buffeted by wind 🌬 and the snow-shadows creep up on the flanks.

We begin shoveling rotations and bunker down for the night... We're all in good spirits and remain optimistic that the storm will be over in 2 days, allowing us to move higher up the mountain.😳

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS THE SHOVELING FRENZY CONTINUES AND THE STORM STARTS TO DAMPEN OUR SPIRITS...

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Day 6: 16 June 2018

Despite our advanced proficiency in shovelling and fortification techniques, the novelty of shovelling our way out of the cyclone is rapidly wearing off. And, the storm isn’t showing any early indications of abating. We pass the time shovelling, shaking snow off the tent & managing an ever increasing condensation problem inside the tent. The Denali River seems to have appeared between my sleeping bag and Porters. Grace has escaped to high ground...

Shovelling is an excellent opportunity for an “au natural” facial, courtesy of Mother Nature. The wind gusts are so intense there’s little you can do to protect extremities from the wrath of the storm. Every time you think it’s over another gust sends you bracing against the elements.

We’re on hourly shovelling rotation now until the storm dies down. Somehow we’re still finding plenty of ways to keep ourselves occupied- through reading, analysing @mountainclimbgrace ‘s dream about @justinpjtrudeau , hanging laundry in the tent, taking selfies and playing with phone filters...

We’re all hoping tonight’s weather forecast brings good news & sanity to our tent.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS THE SHOVELING FRENZY CONTINUES AND HEATHER SUFFERS A WARDROBE MALFUNCTION ...

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Day 7: 17 June 2018

During my 5am shovelling shift this morning reality strikes. We've been on expedition for a week now and have done much more shovelling than climbing. In fact, there's a distinct possibility that we'll never leave Camp 11,000ft and that this just might be our summit. I can't lament on this too long as the wind gusts are FIERCE today. Hard, vicious gusts every 10 - 15 seconds and about 60 kph with pelting snow that actually makes you wince in pain.

Accumulation on the tent forces us all to our battlestations - spending the day digging out our tent as well as Wes'. As we dig the walled perimeter around our tent gets higher and higher. It's starting to look like we camped in the Alaskan version of the colosseum.

Despite our potential fate at 11,000 ft we remain optimistic. We all find ways of dealing with the monotony of shovelling. @prddraper is an expert wall-builder, @mountainclimbgrace has an efficient and consistent snow clearing technique and I contribute to the early morning shifts which I am finding strangely therapeutic. To be honest, it feels good just to get out of the damp, wet, and increasingly smelly tent. .

In the mid-afternoon Grace sees the sun. Our spirits are lifted for one brief moment and then get back to our shovelling as we brace for the next soul-destroying stormy gust. Tonight's forecast says there *might* be a very small high pressure window in 2 days time. We aren't able to get more details as our radio cuts out.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW AS THE SHOVELING FRENZY CONTINUES AND HEATHER SUFFERS A WARDROBE MALFUNCTION ...

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Jun 10, 2018

Destination Denali: "You're off to great places, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so get on your way!"

You're off to great places,
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting, 
So... get on your way..!
-Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go

A few final thoughts as I drag a heavy bag out the door and onto Anchorage, Alaska and then 90 miles north to the town of Talkeetna and the flanks of Denali! I've put project management skills into overdrive and my bags are parked at the front door waiting to whisked away on this adventure..! 
There are plenty of emotions going around in my head ranging from – “OMG what did I get myself into?” to the adrenaline rush you get when you stand on the cusp of the unknown and prepare to leap... 

Soon this journey will 'formally' begin... and I can't wait..! 
The biggest challenge on this expedition has been making the decision to ‘go for it’. Stepping out of your comfort zone, finding your purpose, and following it through – this is often more daunting than the mountains we find ourselves on. But the glory is in the journey – the lessons learned and the people you meet along the way - and the place that we leave in the world as a result. 
Climbing a mountain like Denali is no different to many of the challenges we aim to overcome in our lives. Whether starting a new job, mending a broken relationship, fighting an illness or stepping outside of our comfort zones, we’re all climbing mountains of sorts. These experiences require us to be stronger than we think we are, endure more than we think we can, and become more than we dreamed possible. 

It’s always my hope when setting out on these slightly mad adventures that I can make a small difference in the world. And I have all of YOU to thank for helping me to do this..!


Before leaving a few "Thank You's"…

A huge thank you to my friends:

Thank you to my friends - for your kindness and patience. You're the best and I really, really can't wait to have a very large margarita with you all on a very sunny, hot patio this summer.

Thank you to the Reaching New Heights for Women's Health expedition Partners:

A huge thank you to Women's College Hospital Foundation and Wellbeing of Women: 

Thank you Shannon and the entire team at Women's College Hospital Foundation. We spent a lot of time talking about the importance of 'purpose' earlier this year - which has been incredibly helpful in my journey to 'settling' here in Toronto. Learning about the research and ambulatory care provided through the hospital has been eye-opening and I can't wait to continue working with you and your team to provide continued research into the health and wellbeing of women.
Thank you Asha and the entire team at Wellbeing of Women. We've been on these crazy adventures for a while now and I am so grateful for your continued motivation...! 

A huge thank you to my family:

Thank you to my family - for the spirit of adventure that I'm certain I inherited from you.... although there is some disagreement about which side of the family it actually comes from..! I know how much you worry about me but, in the same breath, totally stand behind and support everything that I do. And for that I’ll be forever grateful.

A tremendous thank you to YOU!

A final thank you to everyone who has kindly and generously donated to Women’s College Hospital and Wellbeing of Women. On behalf of the charities, Thank You.

If you haven't donated but wish to support these charities it's not too late..! The links are below: 

Next stop - Denali!

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” 
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

** I will not have access to communications whilst on the mountain so all updates from 11 June will be provided via: http://www.alaskamountaineeringschool.blogspot.com **
The team name is “10 June Expedition with Wes” 

Please wish us luck and see you in July!!