where in the world is RAD

Kesugi Ridge - campsite night 1

We got up on the ridge and found this nice little plateau in the Tundra Moss to camp. The whole ridge looks directly over Denali. Not a bad view ever really.

It was so soft, you almost didn't need your sleeping pad. Almost. A nice breeze was blowing and kept all mosquitoes away from us. Then we made some mac n cheese, drank some wine, and passed out!!!!

Luckily Robin was antsy and kept poking her head out of the tent waiting, and waiting, and waiting, for the sunset. Finally around 11 pm, the sun starting going down and took about 45 minutes to disappear.

Kesugi Ridge trail

And the "up" just keeps on, keeping on...

cresting Keugi Ridge Trail

Finally arrived at the "top" of the ridge after 4 long miles. It was officially the first time any of us had put a pack on and hiked this summer. Funny how slow 40 lbs of gear can make you. We crossed the main drainage of the creek we just hiked up. Great place for a break from hiking, and a water refill for the night...

Filling our water up. And also looking out across the trail and realizing we had to cross the scree field at the mountain in back of us, and also keep hiking UP. dang we thought this was the "summit".

Looking down towards Denali hidden in the clouds, and where we got dropped off start the hike.

Kesugi Ridge hike - the start

The hike starts with a steep and steady uphill through the woods, but almost right away the views, er sneak peaks, of Denali start. As you can see from the pics, even though it was blue skies everywhere else, Denali holds its own cloud cover. So yes, it is hidden there in the clouds.

our Denali backpacking adventure begins on Kesugi Ridge hike

The Little Coal Creek Trailhead start.. Big heavy packs complete with mucho vino for every night on the trail :)

We also had 2 canisters of Bear Spray attached to the outside of 2 different packs. And we also bought Heather a noisy bear bell.

The Birthday Girl arrives!!

Heather arrived in Anchorage at midnight a few days after Robin and I adventured around. We drove up to Talkeetna - the setting for Northern Exposure, and also our jump off point for our backpacking adventure in Denali State Park. We had to wait a little while for our taxi/shuttle to arrive, so what better way to pass the time than Denali Brewing Company in Talkeetna!