Ptarmigan Tracks Online, 2009
Days Off in Denali: Exploits in the Park
Many of our intrepid staff took advantage of their surroundings to embark on a variety of adventures this summer. In June, Scott Peters summitted Scott Peak, a steep, permanently snow-covered 8,800-footer. He and Tiernan Martin also ran a marathon on the Park Road, from Eielson Visitor Center back ‘home’ to Camp Denali, quenched en route by a passing rain shower. In the latter part of summer, fourteen separate staff members made their way to McGonagall Pass, the traditional approach for early climbing attempts on Denali. Over the course of a month, the McGonagall hiking parties saw the pass in myriad moods—rainy, snowy, foggy, and bluebird clear!
Two groups ventured beyond the park boundaries. Seeking new terrain, John Kahle and Ellen Horbett spent three July days trekking from Igloo Creek over the Teklanika and Sanctuary drainages to exit the park via the long and shrubby “Riley Creek meander,” ending up near the park entrance. At the end of the season, while most staff departed by bus, Fiona Galbraith and Julia Smith took the long route by hiking over Anderson Pass and down the West Fork Glacier, ending on the Parks Highway.
Warm weather encouraged many to explore the creeks, lakes, and rivers of Denali, as well. Martha McPheeters convinced more than a few friends and staff to join her in floating the upper sections of the Nenana River, which forms part of the park’s eastern boundary.
In addition to exploring the far-reaching corners of the park, staff also managed to stretch their legs around the lodges, most prominently in the All-Staff Triathlon on July 24. Many hands helped coordinate the event, which was a huge success with sixteen participants. The course tested strength and endurance with a bike ride up the driveway from North Face Lodge to Camp Denali, a quick ascent and descent of Camp Ridge, and finally, a swim across chilly Nugget Pond. The winning time clocked in at just under 54 minutes!
The Newsletter of
Camp Denali,
North Face Lodge,
& Parkside Guest House
Vol. XXXIV
November 2009
Edited by Ellen Horbett
and Jan Tomsen
Illustrations by William D. Berry and Amanda P. Devine
P.O. Box 67
Denali National Park, AK 99755
(907) 683-2290
info@campdenali.com
www.campdenali.com
Interested in Working in Denali?
The enthusiasm of our staff is often what makes the guest experience at Camp Denali and North Face Lodge so memorable. If you know of someone who would be a good fit for our organization, encourage him or her to view the employment page.
General staff positions are available for the 2010 season, as well as the following professional seasonal positions:
Dinner Chefs, Naturalist Guides
**Registered Nurses are encouraged to apply for any of our seasonal positions.
The Place Where Grayling Are Fished For
Of the thousand ways we know her,
Kantishna assumes the same, safe air of Home.
In the descending night the signs are everywhere.
Things begin, then end, but still are,
as this earth’s latitude retakes its own.
Without suffering or regret
there is no apology here for frailty;
or of fading, or winnowing.
So much about the granting of greatness
is capricious, yet the capacity
for tenderness still exists in Kantishna.
I am aware how good it is to not know;
to care for things I never knew existed;
yes, even to admit matters will continue
without me. Infinite ones, such as
the route of the grizzly lumbering into sunlight.
Infinitesimal too, wreathing Denali
in its own snow mass of wind cloud
while encircling gold bursts the willows.
Creation cannot hide in the bold,
close night of overhead stars.
These hours fall by compass degree,
and days, severe and beautiful,
round to completion, altering all within reach.
Kantishna has assumed the safe, same air of Home.
-Jill Carter, 2009
There is still limited 2010 Availability!
While some sessions have filled, we do still have availability during a selection of dates at Camp Denali and North Face Lodge throughout this upcoming summer. Call or email us; we enjoy corresponding with you personally.
