About Me

My photo
NOMADIC LIFESTYLE, EARTH, United States
After getting my first passport in 2006 and traveling to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania my life changed. I began the process of getting rid of all my possessions and traveling the world. Traveling to over 125 countries and all 7 continents, hostels have been my home. This "new life" has taught me what is important and it was NOT accumulating money or possessions. Traveling is the best education. I hope my blog will encourage others to travel. My World Tattoo was a way for me to express my PASSION FOR TRAVEL.

Search This Blog

Showing posts with label Denali National Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denali National Park. Show all posts

ALASKA, Denali Summit Flight

7/2/11

The weather did not look so good when I got up at 5 am and did not look any better when the driver of Fly Denali picked us up at 9 am. He said we would probably not fly but later said the weather had changed and we would see the summit. There were 8 of us in the twin turbo prop plane which had oxygen for us to use when we reached 12,000 feet. We climbed to an altitude of 20,000 feet to circle the summit of Denali (Mt. McKinley). While the sky was clear mostly and we could see most of the mountain, the summit was obscured by clouds. We got a few shots as we circled and even saw a group of climbers coming down from the summit. Still going over my pictures to determine if I got the summit in any of them. Not GREAT trip for $328 but still a lot of fun. The flight was over 1.5 hrs long. The pilot had requested we get an adjustment on our price but still no word on that and it does not look likely. Think it is just the luck of the draw. Weather changes quickly in Alaska. I am told the winter is the best time to see Denali when its cold and the air is crystal clear. I also hope to go back in the winter and see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) one day.

10 days later after complaining to the hostel, they contacted the airplane flight tour company and they refunded the entire fee.

Best Denali Summit Picture







Climbers coming down from Denali Summit

ALASKA, Denali Park bus to Wonder Lake

6/30/11

Took the 11 hour bus shuttle to Wonder Lake. Saw lots of grizzlies, a bull moose which is rare, few caribou and some sheep. Cloudy day but not cold like the other day. Did not get to see Denali (Mount McKinley) due to cloud cover. Only 3 out of 10 visitors EVER see Denali due to clouds. I may take a summit plane trip tomorrow to due that hopefully. The bus 1 hr before mine saw Denali for about 10 seconds.




















Quilt of Denali


Wonder Lake









ALASKA, Grizzly Bears in Denali National Park

6/30/11






















ALASKA, Denali National Park

6/28/11.

I took the hostel shuttle to the Park to catch the 9 am shuttle through the park. Unfortunately, everything was booked and we had to take the 10 am shuttle to the Eielson Visitor Center. It was an 8 hr bus ride and we saw grizzly bears, caribou, moose and eagles. Great trip but did not see Denali (Mount Whitney). Denali is only visible about 30% of the time so not too disappointed. Considering a summit airplane flight which is expensive but supposedly you can see climbers attempting to summit Denali. Will hope weather is up for it. Nice park but only has 92 miles of accessible road. Hostel is 14 miles outside the park but has a free shuttle to the park and back.





















Dali sheep

Caribou