Landing at the foot of The Great One

Since we moved over to the new campground as hosts, we knew we needed to get away on our days off or we might as well not have a day off.  The “Off Duty” sign is perceived as only a suggestion to visitors.  So, on our days off we try to leave the campground and go adventuring.  And there are many opportunities for adventuring in The Last Frontier. 

Last week we experienced something truly amazing.  Flying to and landing on the Kahiltna Glacier at the base of The Great One, Denali.  Every year from late spring to early summer hundreds of adventure junkies gather at this very spot for their attempt to climb Denali’s 20,320 foot south summit (the taller of Denali’s two summits).

We booked our tour, the Mountain Voyager, with Talkeetna Air Taxi.  We arrived early to get fitted for our glacier boots and as we waited we watched planes take off and land.  That’s when the anxiety hit Luke.  He said there was no way he was getting on the plane and there was tangible fear and dread enveloping him.  I basically had to drag him on the plane. As we began to taxi along the runway, Ireland grabbed Luke’s hand letting him know it would all be okay (they don’t like each other 99% of the time).  It worked!  A few minutes after we were in the air Luke, with a big smile on his face, turned back to me and exclaimed: “I want to get my pilot’s license!”

We continued our journey across the Suisitna and Chulitna river into Denali National Park and the Alaska Range with awe-inspiring views of the  “The Southside Seven Glaciers” including the Ruth, Tokositna, Eldridge, Kanikula, Buckskin and Coffee glacier as well as the 45 mile long Kahiltna Glacier.  We skirted along the edge of the 17,402 ft Mt. Foraker and the 14,500 ft Mt. Hunter Glacier before making our approach and landing on the Kahiltna Glacier (the plane is outfitted with tires and skis that the pilot selects as the landing mechanism depending on if we were landing on the asphalt runway or the icy snow of the glacier).  We spent 15 to 20 minutes in total amazement at the wild beauty that surrounded us. The kids enjoyed running, rolling, eating, and throwing (snow) on the glacier before it was time to take off.   The pilot made several circles, tipping the plane so passengers on each side would have a view and photo op of Denali. 

We glided over jagged peaks and ice fields before following 3,800 ft thick Ruth Glacier and eventually the Tokositna River east.  We passed by “our campground”, banked to the north and landed on asphalt in Talkeetna where chicken wings and ice cream awaited us. 

We’ve been fortunate to have many amazing experiences, but this was undoubtedly one of the most amazing yet!