– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

#SkiTheBig3 — Updated — Kahiltna Base

by Lou Dawson May 5, 2014
written by Lou Dawson May 5, 2014

Update from the WildSnow editors: Looks like they’re moving down the Kahiltna Glacier to get in position for Mount Hunter. The crew is probably working hard, we hope that’s the reason we’ve had very little communication from their satphone system (position info is being received from one of their SPOT units). All ears and eyes here. Wishing them the best!

This from the crew about 48 hours ago: It’s almost midnight and we are dialed into our big circus tent at Kahiltna Basecamp. We didn’t fly out of Talkeetna until almost 5 pm, so moving down glacier isn’t really an option for us as it is actually getting dark now in Alaska. It’s time for sleep but, the one thing we will say is that we are all like kids in a candy store. It’s hard not to let your jaw hang open, even if you have been here before.

Flying into Kahiltna Basecamp.

Flying into Kahiltna Basecamp, this past Saturday.

Our circus tent with Foraker peeking out

Our circus tent at Kahiltna Basecamp, with Mount Foraker peeking out of the clouds.

Denali as viewed from Talkeetna.

The boys sent over this beautiful photo of Denali yesterday, as viewed from Talkeetna, Alaska. Click to enlarge.

Yesterday, the guys flew in from Talkeetna to Kahiltna Base on Denali. I got a phone call from Jordan while they were waiting next to the airstrip. The unique sound of DeHavilland Turbines taking off in the background brought back memories. As far as Alaskan mountaineering is concerned, this is the sound of music.

Anton sent us this report:

It’s finally done. All the preparation. All the planning. All the packing. It’s all done. Climbing and skiing is what awaits us. The reason we came. Tomorrow we will fly in and go for our fist objective: Mt. Hunter.

After finishing the seemingly never ending chore of food preparation we loaded the truck up to well beyond its capacity and happily drove away from Anchorage. Once in Talkeetna we met with Talkeetna Air Taxi to go over our flight. After the meeting we exploded all of our gear at the bunkhouse to put together for the flight into the Kahiltna. We gave up after a short time knowing we had a full day to get everything together and decided to hit the town.

With so many climbers either getting ready to fly into the Alaska Range or getting out, the scene in Talkeetna is quite colorful. The range has had some great weather as of late so the vibe of the climbers coming back off their trips was high. Let’s hope this pattern stays for a while. After a few too many Alaskan brews we stumbled back to the bunkhouse for the night.

1,227 pounds. Our final weight, not including ourselves. Mostly food. The day today consisted of last minute preparations and long calls home to our loved ones. Then all our gear got weighed and left at the air strip. I can finally say with confidence we are ready to go.

The mood of our crew is excellent. We are confident that if we get some luck with weather and route conditions we have a good shot at completing our goal. But we also know how brutal and unforgiving the Alaska Range can be. We will only take what it gives us.

Next stop, the world of snow and ice!

For those of you curious about the exact location of Kahiltna Base, check this Google map. Note locations of Mount Hunter and Denali.


View Larger Map

(Ski the Big 3 is a 2014 Alaskan ski mountaineering expedition attempting to ski Denali, Mount Foraker and Mount Hunter all during one trip.)

5 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Asolo, Italy – A Day of Art, History and Good Pizza
next post
Mt. Elbert, Colorado — Between Wind And Thickets, It Was All Roses

5 comments

Ron Rash May 5, 2014 - 8:23 am

Lou, Thank you for the updates on these 4 gentleman. Their project is super exciting and I have to admit I worry about them. 3 of them work for the same guide service in Aspen and in the interest of not doing product placement advertising that guide service will remain nameless. Those 3 show excellent judgment as guides in the Aspen area, hopefully, that same judgment will show through over the next few weeks. I hope they have great successes no matter how many peaks they climb and ski down. Wow, good luck! Ron

Caleb Wray May 5, 2014 - 10:47 pm

I liked that Ron. We should catch up. I don’t worry about these guys a bit. Okay that was a serious lie. But they have all the requisites. Weather and avy gods, be nice please. Those guys will do well up there. They will need a long nap when they return. I’m so jealous.

Mike Marolt May 6, 2014 - 11:05 am

I feel old. In my trips over there, the DeHavalind Turbines were singing in the form of naturally aspirated engines in stripped down piper cubs with plywood skis with Teflon skid plates. haha. But they got us in and out on numerous occasions so I can relate……

Paul Diamond May 7, 2014 - 4:57 pm

your pictures are breathtaking, literally. keep ’em coming and may the mountain gods be with you.

Sherry Grandinetti May 9, 2014 - 9:08 pm

Aaron, these pictures are so amazing! Andrew said Paulie’s kid is
really living the life! Aaron the adventurer, you wil have to write a book of your travels!

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Joz on Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review
  • Joz on Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review
  • Leadville Longstrider on Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry
  • rob coppolillo on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • Stefan Ucloud on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure

Gear Reviews

  • Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

    January 14, 2021
  • Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves

    January 12, 2021
  • Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

    January 5, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains...

January 7, 2021

Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir...

November 14, 2020

Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

October 6, 2020