Objects in this picture may appear closer than they actually are.
Denali (Mt. McKinley to you and me)
Going up! (if you blow this up, you can see people up on the ridge)
I made it to the top!!!!
(Technically, this wasn't the top, but I'm not admiting it)
Yesterday was one of the clearest days since I've been here and so after work, I decided I was going to go climb a mountain. This was the first day that I was able to see Mount McKinley. It was truly Lovecraftian. After not seeing it all summer, and then to have this HUGE snow covered mountain hovering in the distance really brings home the immensity of this thing.
Flat Top Mountain is the most climbed mountain in Alaska. The hike is rated moderate. Moderate means something completely different here, than it does in the lower 48. Obviously I knew it was going to be physically taxing, and it was. There were several points where I seriously considered turning back, when I kept looking up at how far I had to go. The only thing that kept me going was the stream of people coming down, including people older than I and way younger than I (little kids you'd normally see whining, carry meeeeee...). If they can do it, god dammit, then so can I. Which was all well and good... until you near the top, and where the "stairs" (the trail is maintained, but it’s still a bit harry and a lot of work) stop and the rock climbing begins. Nothing serious, mind you, and I would have happily scrambled up 20 years ago, but now, after being completely fatigued, with knees that won't bend and trusting muscles to be sure footed, when a slip will likely end with you sliding a few hundred feet, gets to be more than a little nerve wracking. Again, I reassert my observation that Alaska is not child-proofed. However I did prevail and it was quite spectacular. Now, if I can only get down….
Flat Top Mountain is the most climbed mountain in Alaska. The hike is rated moderate. Moderate means something completely different here, than it does in the lower 48. Obviously I knew it was going to be physically taxing, and it was. There were several points where I seriously considered turning back, when I kept looking up at how far I had to go. The only thing that kept me going was the stream of people coming down, including people older than I and way younger than I (little kids you'd normally see whining, carry meeeeee...). If they can do it, god dammit, then so can I. Which was all well and good... until you near the top, and where the "stairs" (the trail is maintained, but it’s still a bit harry and a lot of work) stop and the rock climbing begins. Nothing serious, mind you, and I would have happily scrambled up 20 years ago, but now, after being completely fatigued, with knees that won't bend and trusting muscles to be sure footed, when a slip will likely end with you sliding a few hundred feet, gets to be more than a little nerve wracking. Again, I reassert my observation that Alaska is not child-proofed. However I did prevail and it was quite spectacular. Now, if I can only get down….
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