Day 5 - Cache at Kahiltna Pass (2,950 mtrs)

Up early again (5am although since I am still jet lagged this is still a lie in for me!) and we walk up the glacier to cache some of our gear, food and fuel. This is only about 3 miles but there are some reasonably steep sections.

We get there in about 5 hours compared to the expected range of 3-6 hours, and dig a deep hole for our stuff - there are heavy fines if this is not done properly and you make a mess on the mountain! 

We stick out sleds in our backpacks on the way down - it looks a little strange but it is actually much easier to walk like this rather than having the sleds slipping about on the slope and tangling your legs. 

On the way back the glorious sunshine we have had since arrival breaks and low cloud and snow arrive. This remains all afternoon and combined with the weather we get something approaching sleet.

We meet a group back at camp who it turns out were the lucky last group to make it onto the glacier as this low cloud has put a stop to flights for the past couple of days and it is not clear when it will lift - some reports say 5 or 6 days - so groups are currently backing up at the Talkeetna airport. Most trips have a few contingency days (usually about 4) so you have to feel sorry for people seeing these being used up before they even start their expedition - and how lucky we are getting out here the day before the weather arose!

The rest of the day is relaxing in the tents before supper. Supper is mountain pizza - cooked in a very interesting way. Bases are heated on a hot plate and then the toppings are placed directly onto the hot plate in reverse order - cheese then salami and then tomato sauce. The base is then put on top of this and the whole lot is flipped a bit like an omelette and served. It tastes pretty good!

Food:
Bacon and cream cheese baps
Pizzas