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Climbing the “Cassin” on Denali | a solitary journey

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Climbing the “Cassin” on Denali – Photo Galery Here

It’s been snowing for days and I am going bonkers at the Ski Hill (NE Fork) camp (cca 2400 m alt.). Tent bound since the 13th of June I start doubting I’d be able to get on the “Cassin” on this trip and I’m getting sure my acclimatization is wearing out by the hour now… I’ve listened to my music, I’ve read my books, I’ve weighted my options all the while the snow was incessantly falling…

Then it’s 20th morning and the sun is shining and the skies are clear. Mark, back at KIA, mentioned something about a break in the weather for the weekend and I guess this must be it. I am weighting my options: go light – no tent, no sleeping bag just the stove, my Sirius down jacket and compressor pants and some bars and gels. Or plan for a three days ascent and go heavy: tent, sleeping bag, food, haul line in case I need to pull my bag, some cams and screws in case I need an anchor… It’s all about weight and weighting my options.

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Sperante / Hopes

RO: Ieri (18) dupamasa ninsoarea s-a domolit apoi s-a oprit. Azi (19) a nins in reprize insa foarte usor. Sunt ceva sperante… Daca vremea ramane macar asa maine (20) pornesc spre Cassin si sper sa intru in traseu pana pe 21 iunie.

Pentru deplasare prin “Valley of Death” depind de altii care au drum spre “West Rib” sau “Cassin” (in cazul asta Marius si Teo). Daca mai trec inca cateva zile si nu ne pornim, Marius va trebui sa se intoarca si cum planul lor pentru “West Rib” se dizolva, asa si sansele mele de a ajunge la baza traseului… Asta daca nu gasesc alt grup de care sa ma lipesc pentru a naviga printre crevase… Din pacate, dupa saracii belgieni, de 10 zile nimeni nu s-a prezentat a fi doritor pentru traseele astea…

Dupa expeditia incep sa-mi fac planuri pentru un concediu de recuperare, la soare, in….. Patagonia :):):):)

EN: Yesterday (18th) afternoon the snowfall slowed down then stopped. Today (19th) snowed in light showers. There is still some hope… If weather stays at least as it is now, tomorrow (20th) I’m off to the Cassin and hopefully get on the route by the 21st of June.

To go through the “Valley of Death” I depend on hitching a ride with others with the destination “West Rib” or “Cassin” – in this case Marius and Teo. However, if this drags on any longer Marius will have to leave and with their plans for the “Rib” vanishing, so it vanishes my ride. That unless I can find another group I could join to travel through the maze of crevasses.. Unfortunately, after the poor Belgians, for the last 10 days there have been no suitors for either of these routes.

After this expedition I’m planning on a R&R holiday in the sun in….. Patagonia :):):):)

RASPUNSURI LA SMS-uri:

@ Alex: ceva soare de reancarcat bateria este dar nu prea mult :D Ceata e suficient de groasa ca sa am probleme cu receptia satelitului la telefon. :) Multumeesc pentru urari!

@ Dana: Merci! :) Mai mare nevoie de senin decat de caldura darr primim orice cu bucurie ;) o bere URSUS ar fi de mare ajutor acum – mai bine o lada :) )))))))