There was nothing planned today so we all just did our own thing which wasn't much. Some did laundry, some explored more of the shops, and some just rested. All of us went to a historical museum and listen to a very knowledgeable and informative park ranger talk about the climbers who attempt to climb the summit of Denali. He showed some of the equipment needed and took us through the different steps in preparing and attempting the climb. Only 36% of the 1200 + who were given clearance to do the climb made it to the summit this year, mostly because of the heavy amount of snow they have gotten. There has been 1 fatality this year. There also was a climber and his wife there who climbed to the summit with their 11 year old son, who was the youngest person to reach the summit and he still holds the record today. He is now 24 and continues to climb. Listening to the ranger and watching the film certainly makes me wonder why anyone would put themselves at risk and endure the pain. There was a Spaniard who ascended to the summit in 11 1/2 days and down in 2 days. He was examined when he came down and was said to have extraordinary lungs and I might say a small brain. Of course he did not have the 40 lb. of gear on his back and 80 lb of gear on a sled others have. He also had perfect weather. Most hikers take 2 to 3 weeks to ascend and do it in stages to acclimate to the altitude.
Most Talkeetna businesses have moose replicas
The singers
The audience
outside their establishment that they have decorated. Since we didn't do much of anything else to photograph, I will bore you with some of them.
Last night after supper, we got the guitar out and played and sang. Some of the other campers came to join us. At least we didn't see anyone close their windows and head for the exits. ha
I really don't know why when I put pictures on it splits the typing.
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