Arrival in Alaska

We've arrived in Anchorage after a long journey! Unfortunately our plane was delayed leaving Heathrow so we missed our connection to Houston. However, it all turned out for the best in the end as we got a flight to Seattle yesterday evening, they put us up in a nice hotel for the night (so we got some proper sleep!) and then flew to Anchorage early this morning - in the end we only got here a couple of hours later which wasn't a problem and had some sleep, bonus!! It's really sunny here, apparently Anchorage is having a lovely spring so far, a lot warmer than we had expected We've been 'downtown' to buy some supplies - turns out Alaska is the most expensive American State! Earth B&B where we're staying is lovely and friendly. It's run by two women, one of whom works for the Alaskan Democrats, so it was interesting talking to her about her battle against Sarah Palin last year!

We're here for another two days then head to Talkeetna, where we will have our briefing with the Denali Park Ranger - and our final shower for 5 weeks - before getting the plane to the kahiltna glacier!

Thank you everyone!

Only two days now until our departure date of May 11th. We're feeling about as ready as we can: all the new kit has arrived, we've experimented with packing and weighing all the kit, we've said many goodbyes and just want to get out there now!

Thanks to all of you who have supported us in so many ways; financially, with advice and with encouragement. It really makes a difference.

We will continue to update this blog whilst in Alaska. However, it will of course be virtually impossible from May 17 til June 23 when we're on the glacier......!

Summer's here...valley cragging in the sun

Taking advantage of the recent lovely weather and the snow melt in the valley, there have been some great days of cragging to be had. I've never rock climbed that much around Chamonix or the surrounding valleys and have had my first taste over the past week or two. After a winter spent in big boots and skis it's taken a little longer than last year to start finding my feet again and also to realise that my rock shoes haven't in fact shrunk since last November!! After cragging at several single pitch locations I headed up to Montenvers with Martin yesterday and we dropped down to a four pitch route that started near to the lower part of the Mer de Glace, at Les Mottets. An hour of snow wading (we must have been keen!!) was followed by four abseils and then four long pitches of climbing out again. While the lower two pitches were a little dusty and scrappy in places, the upper two pitches were great and I would like to head back up and have a look at the other two routes that have been bolted here as well as further new route potential. After a short scramble we joined the walking path down from Montenvers and had a lovely walk in the sun back down to Chamonix for a cold pint. Great!

Suffer practice!

Last week saw Emily and I head out for another night of bivvying up high for some sleeping at altitude and general suffering in the name of training! We picked a good night for the latter...unfortunately our first choice of the Aiguille du Midi was shut due to high winds and so we headed to Grand Montets armed with big rucksacks, skis and a very lightweight tent. Unfortunately again, the top Grand Montets lift was shut and so we were left with taking the last chair lift of the day up the Hearse run. From the top of the Hearse we traversed and found a place to set up our 'camp' for the night. The cable car stopping winds were soon apparent when we tried to put up the tent and once up it looked pretty deformed with each gust of wind that buffeted it. There was only one thing for a good nights sleep...wall building. I think Em may have missed her true vocation as a dry stone waller: I was happy cutting out blocks and she arranged them into a very neat, strudy wall. This made for a very nice nights sleep, followed by unearthing the tent from under fresh snow when we crawled out in the morning and a ski down to the bottom to start work.

More altitude training...

Cat and I took the oportunity to shoot straight up the Aiguille du Midi last week after work. We had a couple of hours to practice some ice climbing, and even to try out some of our gym programme at 3700m! As night fell, we headed back up to the lift station to bivi for the night. It seems to be getting a bit easier each time to sleep at altitude, so our plan to sleep high at least once a week is giving us rewards already.

Emily now a fully qualified International Mountain Leader

A Big congratulations to Em for passing the final winter assessment of the International Mountain Leader qualification yesterday. This qualification allows you to lead groups anywhere in the world on non-glaciated terrain. The qualification is split into four parts: summer training in North Wales, summer assessment in the Swiss Alps and then winter training and assessment in the French Alps. The training and assessments cover summer walking (including hut to hut tours along high level mountain paths), snow shoeing, safeguarding groups with the use of a rope both on rock and snow, avalanche awareness and transceiver training. In addition, there is a strong focus on being able to identify and talk about mountain flora, fauna and geology. Well done Em!

For more information on the International Mountain Leader qualification see: http://www.baiml.org/

Girls in Alaska awarded 2009 BMC Grant

We are really happy to announce that the British Mountaineering Council's International Committee have approved our plans for Alaska and agreed to support us with a grant of £400. We are particularly pleased with this award as only 10 trips were awarded grants this year. The BMC works for hillwalkers, climbers and mountaineers in England and Wales and provides invaluable support with access and conservation, climbing walls, clubs and huts, competitions, equipment advice, guidebooks, international and safety and skills. They also provide comprehensive insurance for anyone venturing into the outdoors. Their work is invaluable for all hillwalkers, climbers and mountaineers in the UK so if anyone isn't a member by joining you can show your support for their efforts.