Berg

Hear Wally's Call from Denali

Click for [RealAudio]  [Windows Media]

(Requires FREE RealPlayer or Windows Media)

As I told you yesterday, I knew Brad was showing up in Talkeetna. He's staying down at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and had excitedly gotten the message, through Parks Service here, to me, to let me know that Charles Corfield and four Sherpas had, in fact, summited Everest. Of course, my heart has been with these guys the entire time. I was preparing [Unintelligible] the West Buttress. Pete [Athans] and Bill Crouse's incredible accomplishment is generating 50 minutes worth of data, from the true snow summit of Everest, a little bit back. And then the real clincher or capper, to me, is Charles Corfield on his fourth, diligent, skilled try, finally rewarded by reaching the summit of Everest. And we're thrilled about this.

It is pretty bizarre standing up here at 18 below, looking out at Foraker and Hunter, and getting ready to go climb up the Headwall. Talking to Brad down at the Talkeetna Alaskan...Judy and Anna Pratt, when I called up here this morning, remembered me well from when we stayed there for the trip and they have been really excited for our climb. Pretty nice digs down there and I miss Brad and Barbara and the entire staff down there. And we're of course...thinking about...[Unintelligible]... the West Buttress route. I'm talking to Brad down there and this is his route; and he is just below us, at Talkeetna, and he knows every feature and step of this route. And as we go up the Headwall today, and hopefully as soon as tomorrow, as we extend along the ridge between 16,000ft, [Unintelligible] climb Washburn's Tower and move on along [Unintelligible]

So, that's my little comment and we will continue to stay in touch. And once again, our team is doing very well--good spirits--a big challenge on this mountain, but I think we are up to it. I'll keep you posted.

— Alpine Ascents Guide Wally Berg, MountainZone.com Correspondent

EXPEDITION DISPATCHES