Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Denali Team 2: May 6 to May 26 - Dispatch #10


Guides: Mike Pond, Dustin Byrne, Alan Rousseau

Climbers: Garry McMahon (UK), Roy Cursley (UK), Kayla Cooper (Washington), Damon Vincent (Missouri), Greg Lamarche (B), Margaret St. Hill (Australia), Vijay Kumar (New Jersey), Christine Burke (Australia)

Mike Pond called May 23rd at 11:00am PST with the following dispatch: Hooray! Our summit team consisting of Chris, Roy, Kayla and Greg guided by Mike and Alan summited yesterday. It took us 11 hours round trip. 

We were very skeptical as the weather wasn't looking very good at all. There were lenticulars everywhere and there was wind and snow so it definitely felt like we might have to turn around at any point if the weather deteriorated. It turned out that as we got higher and higher the weather just kept getting nicer. We felt exceptionally fortunate. The views from the summit were spectacular. There was a cloud layer up to 14,000 feet so everyone lower on the mountain was socked in. 

We were descending with the setting sun over the cloud layer below and peaks in the distance. Truly amazing. 

Thanks for all your messages from home, the team will be really excited to hear these and we will try to call later today and deliver some new messages to all of you out there. 


We're sorry that our dispatches have been so spotty. Our phone has not been performing well in the cold so it's been very hard to make calls. We usually get cut off before we ever really get connected. That said, we've been reporting sparingly to save our battery and keep the phone as warm as possible in case of any emergencies. We are hoping to fly out to talkeetna tomorrow night so you should all be hearing from us soon.


7 comments:

Michael Cursley said...

Roy,
Many Congratulations to you and your colleagues on a fantastic achievement,we are all very proud of you,absolutely brilliant,Happy Birthday for the 29th, from Dad,Amy,Emma,Nadine and all the family.

Lynne Cursley said...

Hi Roy, woz we right - fridge magnet?Seriously well done much love mum and maz.xxxx

Vijay P. Kumar said...

Congratulations to all of you, and best wishes to Chris in her quest to become the first Kiwi woman to do 7 summits!

Vijay

Enduromac said...

Chris - It has been hard to concentrate here in Aus waiting to hear of your progress. Huge congrats to all of you - amazing achievement. Wishing you a safe trip to Elbrus. H x

Enduromac said...

Chris - it has been hard to concentrate here in Aus waiting to hear of your progress. Congrats to all of you - an amazing achievement. Best wishes for Elbrus. H x

Anonymous said...

Gregory we zijn ongelooflijk fier over uw prestatie. Mum & Dad

Anonymous said...

seems like the phones need to be replaced, comments on spotty reception..HMMM.