 |
 |
 |
 |
Welcome to Talkeetna
|
The Alaska Range from a small propeller plane.
|
Low on the mountain, on "Ski Hill," climber/astronaut John Grunsfeld organizes gear in his tent.
|
Cameraman Ned Johnston prepares to film crevasse rescue training at 7,200 feet.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Kahiltna Dome, illuminated by "alpenglow."
|
The team travels by night to avoid the intense heat of the sun and arrives at the 11,000-foot camp at 5:00 a.m.
|
Pete Athans and the NOVA crew hunker down at 11,000 feet.
|
Protected from the wind by the walls they constructed from blocks of ice, the NOVA team sets up camp at 11,000 feet.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Liesl Clark, Caitlin Palmer, Karl Swanson, and Colby Coombs enjoy the view from their 11,000-foot camp. Foraker looms behind, capped by a lenticular cloud.
|
"Eating well is extremely important," explains expedition leader Colby Coombs, seen here making pancakes for the crew.
|
The NOVA team prepares for a carry from 11,000 feet as another team makes their way up the mountain.
|
The NOVA team leaves 11,000-foot camp en route to Fourteen Medical.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Dr. Peter Hackett pauses en route to 14,200 feet Medical Camp, a camp he helped to establish.
|
Guides Karl Swanson and Sassan Mossanen carry loads up the West Buttress route of Denali.
|
Cameraman Ned Johnston films through the haze on Denali.
|
Climbers make their way towards the infamous "Windy Corner."
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Lama, a high-altitude rescue helicopter, sets down at 14,200 feet.
|
Dr. Howard Donner and John Grunsfeld prepare a landing site for a Chinook helicopter, which will soon rescue a climber in need of immediate medical attention.
|
In a rescue effort coordinated by the National Park Service, volunteers carry a fallen climber to an Army Chinook helicopter. The climber injured his ribs, but was soon released from the hospital.
|
As the NOVA crew films, Dr. Peter Hackett takes blood samples of climbers. Dr. Hackett is currently investigating Acute Mountain Sickness on a cellular level.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
A view of Washburn's Thumb Approach, named after Denali legend Bradford Washburn.
|
Guide Karl Swanson surveys the route ahead as the team moves toward 17,000 feet.
|
A climber pushes his way to 17,200 feet.
|
Secured to each other using ropes, the team makes their way to the camp at 17,200 feet.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mount Foraker rises above a thick layer of clouds.
|
Climbers make their way up the ridge to 17,200 feet on Denali.
|
The team arrives at 17,200-foot camp.
|
Guide Johnny Soderstrom uses a saw to cut ice blocks.
|
 |
 |
 |
DV cameraman Kent Harvey packs for a carry high on Denali.
|
Climbers march single file. Mount Foraker in the distance.
|
The NOVA crew breaks to enjoy (and film) the view from a vantage point known as "The Edge of the World."
|