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Previous pictures: To the summit photos

Descent

Pictures by QT Luong

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The North Summit was reached by the Sourdough at the turn of the century in a one-day push, an incredible feat. Unfortunately for them, i t is slightly lower than the true (South) Summit. Denali, Alaska ( color) The treacherous Denali Pass, scene of numerous accidents. The descending traverse is somewhat delicate for tired climbers. Moreover some take only ski poles and therefore cannot self-arrest. Denali, Alaska ( color) The camp 17000, the last camp on West Buttress. Denali, Alaska ( color) The camp 17000 is quite exposed to the winds. Denali, Alaska ( color) Time to repack my summit gear. Denali, Alaska ( color) Yes, it all goes into a Lowe Cerro Torre II. Denali, Alaska ( color) An assortment of gitzmos. Denali, Alaska ( color) Joan Phelps, a blind woman from Anchorage summited a few hours after me, guided by her twin sons Marty and Mike. The most remarkable ascent ofthis year. Denali, Alaska ( color) The West Buttress is easy but very airy. You cannot travel it if there are high winds. Denali, Alaska ( color) Party of three on the West Buttress. Denali, Alaska ( color) Back to the 14300 camp, McKinley City. Denali, Alaska ( color) Evening falls on the 14300 camp. Denali, Alaska ( color) To the 11000 camp, where I retrieved my gear. Denali, Alaska ( color) The deserted 11000 camp. Denali, Alaska ( color) Traveling down with sleds. Denali, Alaska ( color) Traveling down with sleds. Denali, Alaska ( color) At begining June, there is no more night at these latitudes, just a very pure lingering light. Denali, Alaska ( color) My last vision of the mountain (through the East Fork of the Kahilna Glacier). Denali, Alaska ( color) Reaching the base camp right at sunrise, after 18 days. Denali, Alaska ( color)
All the 19 color pictures of Descent are on this page