Visibility has improved and we hear Kai shouting “pack your tent guys focus on your own gear, then on the common gear, we might be flying out soon, they are sending a probe plane to test the visibility and conditions”

We are psyched and rush to gather all our stuff.

Probe plane lands on the Glacier after finding some small openings through the nearby clouds.

The second plane is not for us. The third is, we rush to gather all the gear, we are thrilled, load the plane and glide down base camp’s snowy landing strip.

It is a tricky flight as the clouds and snow are closing in and the pilots are only allowed to fly if there is good visibility. GPS and radar are only used as backup and support. We navigate through mountains, take tight turns to avoid rocky cliffs, fly down some amazing valleys, climb to fly over mountain passes and 1 hour later, we finally reach Talkeetna safe and sound.

All 3 of us are acting differently, Xavier is reflecting on this amazing trip and is quiet in his seat, looking out the window and admiring the last big mountains before the scenery changes to tundra style backcountry. Pat is celebrating with a beer that we have managed to get from the Korean team stuck at base camp and cheers with Kai. I am in the middle, happy but sad, but knowing I will finally be able to communicate with Sarah makes this  2-days early exit from base camp so worth it!

After landing, we pack all the gear in the local van, AMS debrief, hot coffee for the first time in 3 weeks, we gulp cups and cups of it, the sight of fresh fruits that we have not had for weeks is exciting, we quickly bite into an apple each.

After checking in at the roadhouse, showering, cleaning up, and most importantly a long update call with Sarah, we meet the guides for dinner at the Denali brewing company.

Dinner is followed by drinks at the Fairview inn until 1am. We crash after that for a first night in real beds. The luxuries of our modern world are priceless: mattresses, hot running water, shelter, all these common things take a different meaning now.