May 2005 with Jeff Benowitz and Seth Adams
Photos copyright 2005 Jed Brown unless otherwise noted.
We flew to the Gillam Glacier with Paul Roderick of Talkeetna Air Taxi. Jeff broke his leg in October 2003 and after three surgeries, still can barely walk.
When we arrived, the range was incredibly dry. That would soon change as it snowed almost every day including our summit day. Our route followed the right skyline.
We viewed the W Ridge of Geist (left skyline) as an objective to get on when the weather was marginal. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Seth Adams waiting for the weather to come in on the W Ridge of Geist.
The one legged man downclimbs too.
Hiking toward the N Ridge Col on Balchen. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Seth starting up to the N Ridge Col. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Seth nearing the N Ridge Col. Look!!! It's snowing!
Well, I guess we'll get cold if we just sit here.
Below the bergschrund after descending. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Seth and Jeff with the N Ridge Col approach route above. What we could see of the N Ridge indicated that it would have sustained climbing and be impractical to follow one-legged or by jugging.
We went back to hiking on the W Ridge of Geist. Balchen with Hayes poking up above the N Ridge Col. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
The North Ridge of Balchen.
I like this handhold. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
More hiking on the W Ridge of Geist. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Seth near our high point on the W Ridge of Geist.
Contact: Jed Brown jed AT 59A2 DOT org
