This is it, the week that we have been waiting for almost 2 years has come. The project has grown while our team of climbers has dwindled.

We were 9, then 8, then 5, then 4 and now 3 after Josh pulled out last week. A bit of panic at first wondering if AMS (Alaska Mountaineering School) would keep our expedition going or simply cancel it and re-allocate us to another expedition around the same dates with people we did not know. No, we are on.

So, as Kai calls it, it is now the final ‘Dream Team’, Xavier (French), Marc (American) and me (Canadian). 3 members and 3 guides: Kai – head Guide, Chelsea – second guide and Eric – trainee guide.

4 May: Hong Kong to Seattle – Seattle to Anchorage

5 May: Anchorage, rest and final gear checks

6 May: Anchorage to Talkeetna

7 May: Expedition meeting at AMS office, gear check, crevasse rescue training

8 May: Fly to base camp on ski plane