Denali Summit Day Photos — Father Son Team Ski from the Top

by Lou Dawson
written by Lou Dawson
A big thanks to Onx backcountry for making these post happen. Check out the Onx mapping app for your next backcountry adventure and click here to use the app to support your local avalanche forecasters


Lou and Louie on the top! It was incredibly cold on the Denali Summit, at least 10 below zero with a stiff breeze. We did all we could to keep the camera working and get photos, but being as tired as we were, we only got a few. The other guys got quite a bit more, but they've raced off down the mountain ahead of us today and I don't have their camera cards, so here are the Lou and Louie shots for now, other guys later.

Father Lou and son Lou 2 on the Denali summit, what an experience! Thanks everyone for your help and support with making this happen, and thank God we've had a safe and successful trip so far! It was incredibly cold on the Denali Summit, at least 10 below zero with a stiff breeze. We did all we could to keep the camera working and get photos, but being as tired as we were, we messed up a bit and only got a few. The other guys got more images, but they've raced off down the mountain ahead of us today and I don't have their camera cards, so here are the Lou and Louie shots for now, other guys later.



Lou on the summit ridge -- at 14,000 feet it would have taken 10 minutes, instead it took a half hour. Parts are knife edged with something like a 10,000 vertical foot cliff dropping off to your right.

Lou on the summit ridge -- at 14,000 feet it would have taken 10 minutes, instead it took a half hour. Parts are knife edged with something like a 10,000 vertical foot cliff dropping off to your right.


Louie skiing from the Summit of Denali, at about 20,300 feet above the sea.

Louie skiing from the Summit of Denali, at about 20,300 feet above the sea.


Lou with his planks on the summit tip. Louie did the same thing but the camera malfed for his hero shot. Shucks. But the memory will live. The snow off the summit and down to 17,000 feet was incredibly variable, everything from powder to super hard white-ice. Difficult in our wasted state, but doable -- and a lot faster than walking.

Lou with his planks on the summit tip. Louie did the same thing but the camera malfed for his hero shot. Shucks. But the memory will live. The snow off the summit and down to 17,000 feet was incredibly variable, everything from powder to super hard white-ice. Difficult in our wasted state, but doable -- and a lot faster than walking.

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20 comments

Mark June 15, 2010 - 9:41 pm

Congratulations! Have a safe return.

Mark W June 15, 2010 - 10:03 pm

Truly inspiring! Guys, what goggles/glacier glasses did you use?

Randonnee June 15, 2010 - 10:29 pm

Great, those photos make me grin. Congratulations again! :biggrin:

Jack15T June 16, 2010 - 3:46 am

Fantastic guys!!! Congratulations!

Murray Chapman June 16, 2010 - 7:22 am

Well done guys – great achievement and all the better to do it as father and son.

johndoyle June 16, 2010 - 7:52 am

Nicely done Lou and crew. I have really enjoyed following your posts; Can’t wait to see more photos. Congratulations!

Craig B June 16, 2010 - 8:02 am

way to gitsum, safe travels…..

RB June 16, 2010 - 8:11 am

Lou, you inspire me.

Tuck June 16, 2010 - 8:36 am

Congrats. Happy to hear it’s been so uneventful so far!

Nick June 16, 2010 - 10:40 am

Lou – awesome work and congrats! Be safe on the remainder.

What ski descent route did you guys use? Sounds like you were able to ski all the way back to 17K (so I assume the summit snow fields/ridge, rather than Messner/Orient). Did you ski from 17K to 14K (where the fixed lines are)?

Hamish Gowans June 16, 2010 - 11:56 am

Absolutely Tip-Top!
Nice work everyone: Lou for plugging on and everyone for holding together.
Onward to Everest!

Tap Dawson June 16, 2010 - 12:31 pm

Hey Bro, you 2 are truly awesome. The Cali Dawsons are all proud of you and your tenacious achievement. Great hero shot on the summit! Have a safe trip back to our world…

Marie McHale Drake June 16, 2010 - 1:30 pm

Congratulations Lou! You likely don’t remember me but my brother Mike and your brother Tom were good friends in Crested Butte. I’ve been following your Denali adventure thanks to Tapley’s posting of it on FaceBook. It’s very inspiring. Have a safe trip back down. Best, Marie

graham June 16, 2010 - 5:27 pm

swank!

dave depo June 16, 2010 - 6:55 pm

Aweinspiring trip! Looks close to skiing on the clouds if one could. Love all the gear and flavorful blogs. You guys make the mass transit commute home fr NYC bearable and the pull of my own trip to the Daks end Sept.palpable.
Tx for the hard work. Major team effort! Major Congrats,
From a die hard ski\ outdoor family.

Lindy and Geoff June 16, 2010 - 8:00 pm

dave depo
at least 2 of the Wild Snow Denali team members cut their teeth climbing some of the 46ers – see what that can lead to?

Raine Hall June 16, 2010 - 8:30 pm

Congratulations Bro! I was there about 25 years ago and all because you introduced me to climbing when we were kids in Aspen. Take it easy on the down climb and watch out for the crevasses on the Kahiltna.
All the love,
Raine

Zach Taylor June 17, 2010 - 8:53 am

Awesome pictures and a great accomplishment! This is an inspiration to many of us that would like to follow in your tracks off that summit someday….

Franklin Pillsbury June 18, 2010 - 5:37 am

Great stuff….would be cool to have you on our Lets Go Outdoors Texas radio show from the top of North Amercia!!
Blessings,
Franklin IV

Jordan June 21, 2010 - 12:55 am

Mark–
Everyone in our crew used some form of Julbo Glacier Glasses. Not sponsored gear by any means, but they seem to have it dialed. Minimal fogging, and lots of protection. Goggles seemed to be smith all around save for Louie and his Poc goggles.

Nick–
In our opinion on summit day it was best to return and ski the fixed lines. Rescue sure would have been nice, but I think when Denali gives you a safer alternative it may be a good option.

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