 Contact Us:
moseley@alaskapacific.edu 907.564.8314 4101 University Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 Advanced Search Site Map Log In |
 Moseley Sports CenterFitness Challenge - ProgressTalkeetna to Kahiltna Base Camp Congratulations, your team has successfully completed the first stage of your journey up Denali. After several weeks of packing and preparation you've left Talkeetna by air taxi with around a hundred pounds of gear and food each. You've landed safely 60 miles from Talkeetna on the Kahiltna glacier at 7,200 feet. You'll spend a day acclimating here and practicing your rope/crevasse rescue techniques. Be sure to check in with the park service base camp manager and pick up your fuel! Kahiltna Base Camp to 7,800 feet  You've finally packed up your gear, roped up and started moving. You left Kahiltna base camp with your sleds and packs and headed down Heartbreak hill. Your route led you across the Kahiltna Glacier gaining about 600 feet in elevation over 5.5 miles to the base of ski hill at 7,800 feet. Here you'll get a few hours rest. 7,800 feet to 9,700 feet After breaking camp at 7,800 feet your team begins the long haul up Ski Hill towards Kahiltna pass. You gain almost a thousand feet in 2.5 miles to reach 9,700 feet. Be sure to build sturdy wall around the tents to ensure a good night's rest as the upper Kahiltna is known for bad weather. 9,700 feet to 11,000 feet The next leg of your journey is a 1,300 foot elevation gain and 1.5 mile distance to 11,000 feet and the base of Motorcycle Hill. Be careful, this camp is known for its many hidden crevasses. Be sure to pick out a place to cache your skis and snowshoes, travel from here up will be on crampons. 11,000 to 13,500
13,500-14,200 Basin Camp
Carry from 14,200 to 16,200  Out of Basin Camp the real climbing begins. With your load of food and fuel, your team will begin up the Headwall. This is the steepest climbing of the entire route, 800 feet of 40-55 degree snow and ice. Fixed lines are used here, be sure to stay on the right hand (eastern) one as you ascend. Ridge Camp at 16,200 feet is exposed to winds and located on a steep and icy slope. You and your team are feeling fit and you won't camp here. Instead you'll climb the ridge that leads to High Camp at 17,200 feet. 16,200 to 17,200 High Camp
Summit Day
Descent from 17,200-11,000
Descent from 11,000 to Base Camp
Congratulations, you've completed the fitness challenge and returned safely to Talkeetna. Take a moment to reflect on how far you've been.
|
|
 |
||
| Copyright © Alaska Pacific University website-related comments | disclaimer | ||
The ridge between 16,200 and 17,200 is possibly the most interesting and spectacular section of the climb. The route follows the ridge line pictured above weaving through the rocks. Several sections of steep and exposed climbing may require protection. After about .75 mile of this travel, you reach the barren windswept plateau at 17,200 feet. Here from High Camp you can look directly down on Basin Camp at 14,200 feet. After a difficult and exhausting several hours constructing your camp you turn in. Tomorrow you'll rest up in preparation for your summit attempt.
Summit day is the longest and hardest day on the mountain. The usual return time from the summit is 8 to 12 hours. In that time your team has covered 2.5 miles with a total elevation gain and loss of 3,100 feet. The first portion of the ascent is the notorious Denali Pass which is reached with a long traverse, be careful it may not look that steep but it has a long and frightful history of serious falls. Next your team will follow the ridgeline along the southwest face, here there is an ongoing Japanese project to maintain weather collecting instruments. After the ridge you reach the large plateau known as the Football Field, then ascend the summit headwall and take the summit ridge to the top. Conserve your energy, don't forget once you summit you'll have to turn around and make it back down to high camp.
After a night's rest you begin your descent. Down the ridge to 16,200 then down the headwall to Basin Camp at 14,200. After picking up your 14,200 foot cache and taking a rest you continue down past Windy corner, around Squirrel Point, down Motorcycle Hill and to your skis and second cache at 11,000.
After a rest at 11,000 your team heads to Kahiltna pass and turns the corner there to drop down Ski Hill to the lower glacier. Then it's 5½ miles to base camp but before you get there you'll discover just how Heartbreak Hill got it's name. When you can see the latrine you're almost there. Sit down and take a load off, next step is by plane.
