Denali: Camp 1 to Camp 2

Camp 1...we were fortunate the whole trip to move into camp sites with snow walls already constructed.  A couple of times we added on, but having walls already there saved so much time and energy at the end of a long day. 

Looking up at Ski Hill.  A caved in igloo in the foreground.

Looking back at our camp and several others behind us.  

There were lots of songbirds at this camp.  They migrate over the mountain via the Kahiltna Glacier, so they stop in to camp and feed off crumbs left by climbers.  The day we made our carry to camp 2, we returned to find bird poop on our mugs and bowls that were left in the vestibule of the tent.

Our kitchen set up....we had two stoves, two pots (one for making water only and one for cooking), and one skillet.

Dinner....cheesy rice and bean burritos with hot sauce!  We brought six pounds of cheese (WI colby, pepperjack, and a little cheddar)!  And, five pounds of butter (to keep us warm)!

In the tent with hot cocoa!

Bathroom pit right behind our kitchen wall.  Talk about a room with a view! :)  The park service requires that all climbers use a CMC (clean mountain can) for using the bathroom.  They give you biodegradable bags for the can.  At all camps except 17K and base camp there are crevasses near by that you can toss your bags into for disposal.  And, yes, we all three used the same can!  Fun, fun.

Andrew and I roped up to go to the poop crevasse at camp 1.  The last thing we did before moving camp.

Going up Ski Hill looking back at camp 1.

From camp 1 to camp 2, it is four miles with 3,200 ft. gain.

Break time.

Coming around Kahiltna Pass....a kind of annoying spot because our sleds slid down the hill behind/beside us and pulled and twisted our bodies into an uncomfortable position.

This Kahiltna Pass area is one of the most common areas for whiteout conditions.  It is normally heavily wanded so people don't stray off the path.  It is also known as the "land of the ghost wands" for that reason. there are so many wands placed and left behind from of poor visibility.