The big day has come. National park service briefing in the morning, getting serious about how hard this mountain is.

Then skills practice, finalising bags and sleds, personal briefing from Colby Coombs owner of this mountaineering company. Quite intense and deep!

And off to the airport for a 4pm flight to Denali base camp. Tonight setting up camp near the Glacier landing, and some training skills on self arrest, anchors for crevasse rescue etc.

We are all geared and saying our last emotional goodbyes.

Next post in 3 weeks when we are off the mountain. Wish us luck!