Denali

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We travelled by van to Talkeetna, the gateway of Denali National Park, passing through spectacular mountain vistas.  By accident, I learned that there were vacancies on a sight-seeing small-plane tour into the park, and on a last-minute realization that the skies were clear and I would not likely be here again any time soon, I booked the flight!  It was an amazing experience.  Here are a few photos and a video sample.

Click a thumbnail, then scroll through.

The cockpit of the tour van, operated by our intrepid driver/tour guide Harrison.
On the road. Our group of 14 fit in this specialized van- big windows, including one in the front that gave us a large view of the high mountains all around us.
The road into Denali Park was not yet open, but we could get as far as the entrance. The mountain in the background is one of the “foothills” to Denali (known as Mt McKinley prior to 2015).
On a clear day one can see Denali. We were fortunate to have such a day.
The Talkeetna airport. How many airport terminals are built from logs?
Our pilot giving the preflight briefing where she reassured us by saying she was a mom, and would take care of us like her children. She also was a climber, having summited Denali seven times!
This plane was equipped to land almost anywhere.
Every passenger had their own window seat.
A bird’s eye view of the terrain around Talkeetna.
Into the park, along a glacial highway.
The view out my window!
A view into the cockpit with the un-named peaks surrounding Denali.
More un-named peaks, with Denali itself in the clouds.
There was a strong illusion that the plane’s wings were just about to scrape the mountainside.
The view as we headed back home.
Thirty seconds of the experience of this wonderful flight.

2 thoughts on “Denali”

  2. We did a similar tour with a small aircraft. Seeing the glaciers from above is unforgettable.

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