May 20, 2019

14,000′ Camp on Denali (Jason Edwards)

Progress is getting made up on Denali. Team 1, with Ed and Kevin, made their carry from 11,000’ to 13,500’ two days ago and then moved into their new 14,000’ camp yesterday.  Big move day but folks did well.  Today is a ‘back carry’ day.  Team will take their time getting ready this morning as the walk down to their cache is QUICK and the walk back with the load just isn’t that far.  Kind of an ‘active rest’ day.  They’ve earned it. Big thing will be to make sure they clear out the cache completely so they won’t have to worry about it on their way home.

Down in Talkeetna, Andy Polloczek and crew have a meeting scheduled with the NPS and bunches of packing/sorting to wrap up. Busy day but pretty exciting. Game day could easily be tomorrow morning, weather permitting. Need good weather to fly so fingers are crossed.

Phil Ershler

May 17, 2019

Hauling sleds (Jason Edwards)

Great progress on Denali. No issues for the team as they have now moved to Camp 3 at 11,000’ and are taking a deserved rest day there. So, they’re done with the bulk of the sled pulling, at this point. They’ll use the sleds above, into 14,000’, but the weight in the sled decreases as the terrain begins to get steeper and a bit more ‘technical’.

Ed reports all members doing well with everyone strong and not hesitating to pitch in with all aspects of the expedition. Can’t ask for more.

Phil Ershler

May 14, 2019

I‘m excited to write the first IMG blog post for the season. IMG Senior guide and long time Denali veteran, Jason Edwards, went to Talkeetna ahead of our first team to make sure all was in order. Thanks, Jason. Team arrived with guides Ed Leas and Kevin Kayl on 12 May. Gear checks, packing, last sorting of food and then a briefing with the NPS took the better part of a day and a half. T’s crossed and I’s dotted, and the team was ready to fly. They did so this morning, exactly on schedule with our capable partners Talkeetna Air Taxi doing the flying. A nice cache was established at base camp, and the team is hopeful of reaching the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier tonight.

More posts to follow as the team is able to check in either via the inReach system we use or via the satellite phone the team carries. No news is always good news, but we’ll post when the team has time to report.

They’re off.

Phil Ershler