Ragged-top Mountain Climbing Expedition 2008

Though the video quality is marginal, this epic mountain climbing adventure to 5200 foot Ragged-top summit in Girdwood, Alaska is the experience of a lifetime. All we had with us was a still camera, but we shot some video with it. Then it froze up before we reached the summit. I invite any and all who see this to consider embarking someday upon this grand expedition. Though it is only 5200 feet which does not seem like much, the mountain rises from nearly sea-level to over a mile high in a short distance. Once above treeline it feels like being on top of the world with extraordinary vistas in every direction. And it is so accessible. The adventure begins right off the road in Girdwood and what little path there is follows a portion of the historic Iditarod Trail. Then its a short jaunt through the enchanted temperate rainforest we call Shangralaska. After crossing a glacier stream and picking blueberries frozen on the bush from an early winter we began our steep climb. Then we camped at tree-line, made a bonfire, ate dinner and went to sleep. The next morning was white-out. We weren't able to see far enough to make our way up the narrow ridge toward the summit. Fortunately we went exploring the night before under the bright starlight reflecting off the new snow. So we had our tracks to follow far enough until the rest of the route was more obvious. Then something amazing happened. We broke through the clouds and were treated to one of the most beautiful vistas I have ever seen. The camera captured part of it, but it was the feeling that is so remarkable and literally beyond description. If I was to try I'll say it was euphoric... that effortless sense of wonder, awe, majesty, grandeur, excitement, amazement, fulfillment... and other state of perception that go beyond my vocabulary. Being able to bring even one picture back made it all the more worthwhile. So, even though you may never see Ragged-top Mountain or Shangralask Forest, I am going to continue making videos and tellin' stories about it so you can experience it vicariously. The next adventure will be the remote wilderness areas of Hawaii, both Kauai and the Big Island. Aloha.


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