Denali (/dɪˈnɑːli/) is the tallest land-based mountain on Earth—with a vertical rise of about 18,000 feet (5,500 m), as well as the highest mountain peak in North America—with a summit of 20,310 feet (6,190 m) above MSL. With a topographic prominence of 20,156 feet (6,144 m) and a topographic isolation of 4,629 miles (7,450 km), Denali is the third most prominent and third most isolated peak, after Mount Everest and Aconcagua. Located in the Alaska Range in the interior of the of Alaska, Denali is the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve.
Yesterday’s flight (4-14-2018) was a 385.2 mile flight to Denali. Lasting 2.9 hours.
Maximum altitude for the flight was 17,500 feet MSL. Passing through 8,500 feet I turned my oxygen tank valve on. Since this flight was above 15,000’ had to use an oxygen mask instead of cannula.
The temp was a balmy 48.2 deg F on the ground when I left. Near Denali it was –14.8 deg F. My RV-6 does not have a cabin heater. I froze! To make matters worse-removed the electric heated seat covers last weekend.
Running shoes did not keep my feet warm. In the RV’s cargo, part of my survival gear, there was a really nice pair of military style mukluks-Really Warm Mukluks, did I mention they are lined with incredibly warm felt liners?
I did place a polar fleece pull-over around my legs, a jacket was available, but like an idiot, was not wearing it, so draped it over me as best as possible. I did have my winter flying gloves for my hands. Geez-you’d think I knew better than take-off wearing running shoes and a t-shirt…..
It was warm under the canopy with the sun streaming through-have a slight sunburn on the top of my bald head to prove it!
I will be installing wing root aileron boots this summer!!!! Talk about breezy.
When I started taking pictures near the peak, lost over 1500’ before I was able to get it leveled off. Close-up it was a very beautiful sight to see. Taking photos and gawking-who wants to pay attention to the Altitude?
Oh, that’s right – lots of pointy mountains below….
Had at my disposal two cameras and a video camcorder. My main Nikon has a 18-270mm “super-zoom” lens. Did not bring my spare battery-you guessed it, in the cold the battery died quick when trying to use the auto-zoom with the Vibration Reduction turned on.
Second camera is my little pocket sized Nikon. Most of the following photos were taken with it. A total of 326-photos were snapped. It is very hard to decide which to use for this thread. Have the first nine figured out for the first post, other posting will show up as I figure which to use. There will be a lot to see!
Movies will be awhile before they are uploaded-just don’t have the internet connection to do so.
Time to show some photos:
Flying past Anchorage. This photo shows Cook Inlet beneath, Turnagin Arm to the South of Anchorage, and my oxygen hose. Approx. at 6500' MSL.
Destination:
One last look at Anchorage-Turnagin Arm to the South, most commercial flights from Seattle descend down this arm to land in Anchorage. The water that snakes around to the North of Anchorage is called Knik Arm, it is considered the Northern most point of the Pacific ocean.
Here are the Tordrillo Mountains, Mt Spur volcano at the South end. Did a photo trip/thread of these mountains earlier here at VansAirForce:
These clouds (base) are at 8500', notice they are well below my 12,000 and still climbing level?:
Taking a break during my climb-level at 16,500' MSL destination in the distance:
Getting closer, notice how soft and fluffy the clouds look?
What the clouds are hiding, rough terrain, this is the Kahiltna Glacier, longest one of Denali, you can see part of this in the previous photo-notice the small mountain to the left of the ice river-you can see it in this photo as well:
More to follow.
Best regards,
Mike Bauer
Yesterday’s flight (4-14-2018) was a 385.2 mile flight to Denali. Lasting 2.9 hours.
Maximum altitude for the flight was 17,500 feet MSL. Passing through 8,500 feet I turned my oxygen tank valve on. Since this flight was above 15,000’ had to use an oxygen mask instead of cannula.
The temp was a balmy 48.2 deg F on the ground when I left. Near Denali it was –14.8 deg F. My RV-6 does not have a cabin heater. I froze! To make matters worse-removed the electric heated seat covers last weekend.
Running shoes did not keep my feet warm. In the RV’s cargo, part of my survival gear, there was a really nice pair of military style mukluks-Really Warm Mukluks, did I mention they are lined with incredibly warm felt liners?
I did place a polar fleece pull-over around my legs, a jacket was available, but like an idiot, was not wearing it, so draped it over me as best as possible. I did have my winter flying gloves for my hands. Geez-you’d think I knew better than take-off wearing running shoes and a t-shirt…..
It was warm under the canopy with the sun streaming through-have a slight sunburn on the top of my bald head to prove it!
I will be installing wing root aileron boots this summer!!!! Talk about breezy.
When I started taking pictures near the peak, lost over 1500’ before I was able to get it leveled off. Close-up it was a very beautiful sight to see. Taking photos and gawking-who wants to pay attention to the Altitude?
Oh, that’s right – lots of pointy mountains below….
Had at my disposal two cameras and a video camcorder. My main Nikon has a 18-270mm “super-zoom” lens. Did not bring my spare battery-you guessed it, in the cold the battery died quick when trying to use the auto-zoom with the Vibration Reduction turned on.
Second camera is my little pocket sized Nikon. Most of the following photos were taken with it. A total of 326-photos were snapped. It is very hard to decide which to use for this thread. Have the first nine figured out for the first post, other posting will show up as I figure which to use. There will be a lot to see!
Movies will be awhile before they are uploaded-just don’t have the internet connection to do so.
Time to show some photos:
Flying past Anchorage. This photo shows Cook Inlet beneath, Turnagin Arm to the South of Anchorage, and my oxygen hose. Approx. at 6500' MSL.
Destination:
One last look at Anchorage-Turnagin Arm to the South, most commercial flights from Seattle descend down this arm to land in Anchorage. The water that snakes around to the North of Anchorage is called Knik Arm, it is considered the Northern most point of the Pacific ocean.
Here are the Tordrillo Mountains, Mt Spur volcano at the South end. Did a photo trip/thread of these mountains earlier here at VansAirForce:
These clouds (base) are at 8500', notice they are well below my 12,000 and still climbing level?:
Taking a break during my climb-level at 16,500' MSL destination in the distance:
Getting closer, notice how soft and fluffy the clouds look?
What the clouds are hiding, rough terrain, this is the Kahiltna Glacier, longest one of Denali, you can see part of this in the previous photo-notice the small mountain to the left of the ice river-you can see it in this photo as well:
More to follow.
Best regards,
Mike Bauer
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