Over the next few weeks, I’ll be recording daily video logs about the fateful expedition to climb Mt McKinley in Alaska. April 30th 2020 will be the 21st anniversary of the adventures start. Using original images, equipment and reading from my mountain diary, I’d like to share my experiences, feelings and emotions from this life changing time in my life…
Hi— Justed watched your survival story on TV. I can’t imagine having the will to continue after those injuries. Not sure why some folks continue while others give up. Not sure what I would have done or reacted. It’s very inspiring that you all survived and seem grateful for it too. Sorry to hear that certain people bash you guys. I’ve always tried to ignore those people in life. I’m reminded by the famous quote..” there are a lot of statues erected throughout the world of people who were criticized, but few if any statues of any critiques.”
All the best.
Proceed on!
Norm
Thank you for your message Norman. We’re all still going with different injuries and lives, but living well. I ignore the nay sayers, as I find they’re the people with issues, rather than those who get on with their lives. Fear not, I have many future expedition plans..!
My uncle was in the Wilcox expedition and was one of the 7!that didn’t make it. Although I never met him I find it fascinating. I share his love for the outdoors and the mountains but not climbing them. :) I am always looking for more information on his group.
I’ve been reading up about the expedition and the weather sounds horrific. I thought we were having a bad time in 60mph winds. Have you spoken to the Ranger Service or any of the climbers from the expedition..?
Hi Rob, it’s almost true. Timothy Dalton and Myself both come from Belper, whilst Nigel Bond comes from Darley Dale. None of us are in the Peak District, although we are very close to it…
Thank you for the additional recording. So sorry to hear about your difficulties but you made it back. Regarding my adventure…I was with a larger expedition through NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). We were successful. We were on Denali about 35 day (June – early July). The weather at times was very nasty…high winds, snow and very low temps…as you experienced. It was a remarkable journey. I still do some mountain scrambling, not too much climbing anymore. Again thank you and be safe during these troubling times.
Jim
And yes it is an interesting name. I was not named after the character. My dad’s family was from England and Bond was fairly common. As for James…from an ancestor.
Thanks for getting in touch James, the mountain really has its way with everyone who climbs it. Like you, I dont climb much now although still I ski and scramble in the mountains. Talking of Bond, have you read Simon McCartneys book – The Bond..?
Having climbed Denali in the past (from Wonder lake) I enjoyed you readings. I am not familiar with your climb and I would like to hear the rest of your story.
Hi— Justed watched your survival story on TV. I can’t imagine having the will to continue after those injuries. Not sure why some folks continue while others give up. Not sure what I would have done or reacted. It’s very inspiring that you all survived and seem grateful for it too. Sorry to hear that certain people bash you guys. I’ve always tried to ignore those people in life. I’m reminded by the famous quote..” there are a lot of statues erected throughout the world of people who were criticized, but few if any statues of any critiques.”
All the best.
Proceed on!
Norm
Thank you for your message Norman. We’re all still going with different injuries and lives, but living well. I ignore the nay sayers, as I find they’re the people with issues, rather than those who get on with their lives. Fear not, I have many future expedition plans..!
My uncle was in the Wilcox expedition and was one of the 7!that didn’t make it. Although I never met him I find it fascinating. I share his love for the outdoors and the mountains but not climbing them. :) I am always looking for more information on his group.
Hi Sandra,
I’ve been reading up about the expedition and the weather sounds horrific. I thought we were having a bad time in 60mph winds. Have you spoken to the Ranger Service or any of the climbers from the expedition..?
Is it true that Nigel Bond (snooker player) and Nigel Vardy and James Bond came from the same town in the Peak District?
Hi Rob, it’s almost true. Timothy Dalton and Myself both come from Belper, whilst Nigel Bond comes from Darley Dale. None of us are in the Peak District, although we are very close to it…
Y’all are crazy! Scares me to look at it. Please be careful!
Perhaps we are Donna, but then again, who wants to be sane..! Were as careful as we can be…
Hi Nigel,
Thank you for the additional recording. So sorry to hear about your difficulties but you made it back. Regarding my adventure…I was with a larger expedition through NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). We were successful. We were on Denali about 35 day (June – early July). The weather at times was very nasty…high winds, snow and very low temps…as you experienced. It was a remarkable journey. I still do some mountain scrambling, not too much climbing anymore. Again thank you and be safe during these troubling times.
Jim
And yes it is an interesting name. I was not named after the character. My dad’s family was from England and Bond was fairly common. As for James…from an ancestor.
Thanks for getting in touch James, the mountain really has its way with everyone who climbs it. Like you, I dont climb much now although still I ski and scramble in the mountains. Talking of Bond, have you read Simon McCartneys book – The Bond..?
Nigel, funny you should ask. I just finished “The Bond”. I had requested it from the AAC library. A good read.
I would like to climb another bigger mountain…perhaps Aconcagua. I do love the mountains.
Take care.
Jim
Having climbed Denali in the past (from Wonder lake) I enjoyed you readings. I am not familiar with your climb and I would like to hear the rest of your story.
The diaries explain all of the climb James. I hope yours was a successful trip..?