 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Calling from the Windy Corner
Monday, May 17, 1999 — 5:18pm (PST)
 Berg | |
 Hear Wally's Call from Denali |
| Click for [RealAudio] [Windows Media] |
| (Requires FREE RealPlayer or Windows Media) |
Hi Mountain Zone, this is Wally Berg. I'm calling you, finally, from a pretty incredible place considering I'm making this phone call. I am calling you from Windy Corner at 13,400 feet; the infamous Windy Corner. I have made a few trips through here over the years and always wondered what it would be like to just set up here in the sun and enjoy the view of the Alaska range and the blue sky and the calm, still air. And, in fact, myself and Basil Skordinski are doing that and we're watching the other guide from Alpine Ascents, Jamie Pierce, and Joe Leroy and Yian Huang come up the final slope to Windy Corner as I speak.
We have... we're on our ninth day now, and if you know the route, you know in a couple of hours we'll be arriving at the 14,000ft camp, which is a big landmark on this expedition. Our carries have been going well; the weather has been remarkably good. Many people who follow climbing on Denali know that one year ago this month it was very different. In fact, the weather we've seen this season so far, we've certainly seen our share of clouds and snow and wind, but it's been conducive to moving, literally, every day and low on the mountain things are going well.
Can't really speak to up high yet, we'll know more as we get to 14 and begin to deal with the upper part of the mountain. But I can tell you it's still very cold in the Alaska range, and high on Denali. Weather reports we get still have winds at 25 to 35 miles an hour on the summit and temperatures 25, negative 25, to negative 35 below. We're hoping for a change in the weather before we continue our trip up higher. Our acclimatization is going well. Our team is in great shape, great spirits, skills are good.
This early season snow and the cover on these big crevasses... we've certainly stepped through a few and had a few scares, but that's what rope travel is all about and we've got a crack team in terms of people being on the ball and knowing what to do when somebody steps through.
I will continue to update you now that we are high enough to get the repeater and get the cell phone out. I apologize for earlier attempts with the Iridium phone that didn't work too well down earlier. If you did pick up on that, Bob Ellis is still in daily contact with us, my friend Bob Ellis, my climbing partner, who is soloing this route. He's the fellow with the Iridium phone that we couldn't get to work so well earlier and we'll certainly keep you updated on Bob's progress as these days continue, as well.
— Alpine Ascents Guide Wally Berg, MountainZone.com Correspondent
| EXPEDITION DISPATCHES | |
   |
Climbing Forum
SEE ALSO
Denali '98
Ed Viesturs
Climbs 8K Peaks
Everest '99
Everest Archives
IMAX Everest
Everest Height