Contact MargaretCrofton Climber Reports from Denali
June 9th, 2008 Categories: Crofton News
Karen Huseonica tells us that her husband Art is abandoning his summit attempt due to illness (possible pneumonia) of the remaining two guides.
Given the options of joining another team or descending the mountain, Art concluded that the psychological negatives and uncertainties of joining a new team while high on the mountain outweighed the positives. Art is continuing his participation in a study to determine if extended exposure to high altitude (above 12,000’) causes brain damage, however, as he heads back to base camp.
Art must be disappointed, but still… what an amazing experience for him and other members of the team. Crofton residents are excited for them all and proud to see our community represented in the Denali Ice-Agers. I’m hoping we’ll get a first-hand report from Art, and maybe more photos, upon his return to Crofton. Stay safe!
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Hi Margaret,
Thanks for posting the expedition dispatches. It was a tough decision to pull the plug after such a long time on the mountain - a cold and mean mountain; I witnessed more frost bite and rescues than on any other climb. The two guides are slowly recovering at home in Washington state; I hear from them both daily. My MRI scan after the climb was not too much different than the first. However, my memory and coordination test results were much worse.
This is no time for me to relax; I’m training for my next climb with one of the world’s foremost high altitude climbers - Ed Viesturs. We’ll be doing a quick ascent of Mt Rainier in Washington state August 12-14. I’ll be sure to send you photos from that climb.
Cheers, Art Huseonica, Maryland, USA
Art - Many thanks to you and Karen for keeping us in the loop during your adventure. I’ve had a number of people tell me they were watching for updates on my blog, so do keep us informed as you go forward with the Mt. Ranier climb. ‘Glad you’re home safe and sound.