Tailboarding.com: Denali Blog Posts

Pictures and Video Posted!

Scott Waller

I just posted the video I have been working for some time now. Go to the Denali Expedition page to see the video.

Also, check the phot0 album for pictures.

http://www.tailboarding.com/PhotoAlbum.aspx?album=Denali_mtn

Coming Home

Scott Waller

Well, my climb is done and the past few days in Anchorage with the family were great. However I guess I have to come back to reality sometime soon. Heather, Rebecca and I fly home this afternoon. What an experience this trip has been. Thanks to everyone for their continued support and helping out with Heather and Rebecca while I was climbing. This will be my last post on my expedition blog. Check back soon for more pictures. I should have them posted this weekend.

~Scott

Pictures now in our Photo Album

Scott Waller

Just posted a few pictures from my Denali Expedition. More to come as soon as we get back home.

Picture from the top!

Scott Waller

Thanks for everyone's support on my adventure to the top. Here are a couple of pictures from last Saturday's summit. Happy Father's Day! See you all when I return next week.

~Scott

Back in Talkeetna safely

Scott Waller

We had our successful summit on saturday, headed down to 14k camp on sunday, and all the way I base camp on monday. Due to the weather, only Phillip and Lisa flew out monday evening. The rest of the team were able to fly out Tuesday evening. Back in Talkeetna, we had beers and burgers followed by much needed showers and a shave at the Fireweed Inn. Today we are taking the train to Anchorage for some tuorist relaxation followed by some possible fishing tomorrow. Thanks for everyones support. We had a great team and I will miss them all dearly. See everyone soon. ~Scott

Summit Day!

Heather Waller

(12:00 pm) HE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Scott called and told me the fantastic news that he and his team made it to the summit yesterday! It took over 6 hours for the climb, and he's exhausted but deservably very very happy. :) I admit to getting teary eyed when he told me the good news! I'm so proud of him! The weather has been good and he said the plan is start heading down today and maybe be off the mountain as early as Tuesday!! What will he do if he's down early?? Take a hot shower and go fishing, of course! :) We are all very happy and excited to see him soon. I told him he's only halfway through this, and going down counts as much as going up. He sends his love to everyone!

Scott at High Camp!

Heather Waller

(2:11 pm) Hello All! Scott called this afternoon from the vantage point of 17,000 or High Camp! He left the PDA down at 14' so I'm updating the blog. :) They did great geting up the fixed lines last night and got into camp tired but happy with beautiful views. The bummer is there are lots of people right now at high camp, so there were no pre-made spots with snow walls, etc. So after their tiring climb, they went to work to build the snow walls and posh to make camp. Today is a true rest day, no practicing, or drills. They will be relaxing, listening to music, reading books, or watching movies on their MP3 players. If the weather holds, the summit attempt could be as early as Saturday, however Scott guessed it would be more like Sunday or Monday. He's really in great spirits and happy to be there. I reminded him this is the highest he's ever been (Rainier was the previous high), and he told me he's feeling great, and no AMS. Keep your fingers crossed that the weather will continue to hold for the team!

Rest day at 14,000ft camp 3

Scott Waller

Hello friends and family from 14,200ft camp 3. Yesterday we back-carried to our 13,500 cache and today just resting and preparing for our carry to 16,500 tomorrow. Everyone is doing well and excited to be moving to high camp in the next few days. We hope to be moved up to high camp by thursday. The weather isn't the best but a little snow doesn't hurt us. We are all aclimaizing well and in good spirits. Everyone sends their love and hopes for good weather .

Rest Day at 14k Camp

Heather Waller

(2:00pm) Hello! I just heard from Scotty. He’s doing really well, they are at 14.2k' on a schedule rest day. Tomorrow they will leap frog some gear and plan to go to 17k' Thursday if the weather holds. Everyone is in good spirits and he said his team is well matched. If you are reading the Alpine Ascents blog, his team name is "Local Cooling 62". He says hello to all and hugs to Roo.

Moving to 14k camp today

Scott Waller

It has been a few days since we have posted from the mountain. The solar charger and the Pda haven't been liking the cold.On wednesday we made a carry to our 10,000ft cache then moved to 11,200ft camp 2 on Thursday. On friday we back-carried to our 10k cache.Yesterday was the toughest day yet, carrying to 13,500 ft. Today is our move to 14,000ft camp 3 where we will finally be able to take a rest day. We are all feeling great, eating well and having a great time.

At Camp III

Heather Waller

(8:00am) Hello All, Scott called yesterday afternoon from Camp III (11,500'). I was surprised because it sounded like he skipped a camp, but he explained that they were doing their leap frog moves of the gear. He said he was a little sore but still feeling great. The weather there was good as their camp is a little sheltered.

Made it to camp 1

Scott Waller

On tuesday we spent the afternoon praticing rescue techniques. We got a little afternoon rest to avoid the sun and then left for camp 1 at about 730 pm. It was a long night, geting into camp at about midnight and to bed by 3am. So we are sleeping in today and wil make a carry to 11k camp.

At Base Camp and Heading Out

Heather Waller

(11:30 AM) Scott called this morning to check in and say hello. He really likes his team and his tentmate is Phillip. The weather is beautiful and the team is working well enough that they hope to head to Camp I (7,900') later today.

please note, my login has a bug w/ time & date stamp, so I will try to put the time I'm posting in the message.

Safe at base camp

Scott Waller

We are all here safe. We set up camp, ate a great meal and are now all getting settled for a good nights rest.

We fly onto the glacier today

Scott Waller

The team is all assembled and ready to go this morning. We are grabbing our last big breakfast and off to the airport. A beautiful sunny day for us to fly. Hopefully the next post will be from base camp. ~Scott

In Talkeetna getting ready with our team

Scott Waller

Most of the team is all here now at the Fireweed Inn. We spent the day in the town of Talkeetna checking out the sights and having a bite to eat. Back at the lodge we are resting, going through our gear, sharing stories, and getting ready for dinner. The rest of the team will be here this evening for dinner. In the morning we meet up with the guides and begin our full day of preparations to fly onto the Kahiltna glacier. We are hoping for clear skies and a good window to fly tomorrow out tomorrow afternoon. I will update from basecamp soon.

~Scott

Safe in Anchorage

Scott Waller

Well, I made is safely to Anchorage where, like Seattle, it is raining and 50 degrees . All my gear has arrived and now I can finally relax and take in the local sights. I head for Talkeetna Sunday morning where I'll be staying in the historic Fireweed Station Inn. Let's hope this weather clears up soon.

~Scott

Countdown to departure

Heather Waller

The clock is ticking and Scott's trying to finish packing. In 12 hours he will be boarding his plane to follow his dream.

My Denali Expedition Cybercast

Scott Waller

Welcome Friends,
I will be updating this site as much as I can from my Satellite phone while on the mountain. For those interested, I will have a HP iPAQ 2495 Windows Mobile Pocket PC connected to a Motorola Iridium Satellite Phone so we can post to this blog in realtime. Hopefully we will be able to post live pictures as well. Heather will also be updating this blog when she can after speaking to me by sat-phone. So, check here often for updates on the expedition progress.

You can also check the Alpine Ascents Cybercast at http://www.alpineascents.com/denali-cybercast.asp
We will be part of Team #6 departing Talkeetna, AK on May 26th.

~Scott