Some days you get lucky

DENALI PARK, AK - - Some days you get lucky. Lydia scored a free seat on a FlightSeeing plane, called me so I could call our Rec. Dept. and I got a seat on the plane also. This was step one in the process. Step two involved hoping we didn't get bumped by paying customers. We didn't. The ride was bumpy, swoopy and the plane danced around a bit at lower altitude due to winds and the fact we had to follow a valley southbound directly into headwinds before gaining altitude.
TOP PIC is of the South Face of Denali. At 19, 470' the peak is 850' lower than the North Face (20,320') which is obscured by clouds.
MIDDLE PIC is of the saddle between the South and North Face. Note the sweeping light clouds above the mountain. This is caused by the 60-plus mph winds at the summit. Not the best weather for an assault on the top. The temp. is -20 below zero.
BOTTOM PIC is of a "river of ice". The name of the glacier - - seen in the lower right of the pic with the 'crinkled ice' - - escapes me. Lydia is asleep...and I know better than to wake her just to ask a question.

MORE info and pics tomorrow on our adventure with Air Talkeetna.