Should I Not Return: The most controversial tragedy in the history of North American mountaineering! by Jeffrey Babcock

Author:Jeffrey Babcock [Babcock, Jeffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publication Consultants
Published: 2014-10-27T04:00:00+00:00

88 National Park Service: Denali National Park & Preserve. “Unit 14: McKinley Bar East.” N.p., n.d. Web. April 22, 2011. http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-wonder.htm.

89 Rock Cairn. “What is a Rock Cairn.” N.p., n.d. Web. September 2, 2011. http://www.rockcairn.com/about.php.

CHAPTER 14

A Real Monster in the Fog

Two days later, Johnny and Daniel hiked down a steep embankment at the fork of the two adjoining rivers of Clearwater and Cache Creek. A clear view of Denali, however, still remained blocked by a low cloud ceiling and the seemingly endless drizzling rain and sometimes wet snow.

When the precipitation did stop, however, another of McKinley Park’s annoying realities, hampered the over-all spirit of the team even further, a cloud of a different kind—the infamous McKinley mosquitoes. Add to this, the cold, wet clothing and water soaked hiking boots, the possibility of any sign of relief seemed almost non-existent.

Johnny and Daniel were now returning from a reconnaissance trip, since the team had run into a snag. Johnny, along with everyone else was in doubt as to which valley the team needed to proceed up, in order to find McGonagall Pass, the gateway approach to the Muldrow Glacier. This pass provided an opening through the foothills similar to Anderson Pass, which was now situated nearly nine miles east of McGonagall, if one chose to follow the Muldrow Glacier clear to the end of its snout. This was the route that Hans wanted the team to follow to McGonagall Pass, instead of taking Browne’s route back down into the tundra toward Wonder Lake.

Johnny and Daniel threw down their empty backpacks, as a mosquito landed on Henry’s cheek. The comparatively large insect, which looked more like a small dragonfly, began to draw blood. Henry slapped the pesky insect hard, splattering a large red blotch across his small scar, Henry’s red badge of courage from his glacier mishap. Johnny let the team in on what he and Daniel had discovered.

“Dan and I think we’ve finally gotten us back on track. Right, Daniel?”

“Yeah, Johnny. When I went into McGonagall last summer, this is pretty much the route I remember taking.” Daniel looked up at the sky overhead, which was still blocked by clouds and a light drizzling rain.

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