Plight of the Poutingos

As part of our Denali climb we are trying to raise awareness of the plight of the Poutingo, a rare species of bird that calls the high altitude of the Alaska Range of mountains its home. The name is derived from Poutine, a northern ski community food consisting of cheese curds, fries, and gravy and a close family relative: the flamingo. We found a pair of chicks that were blown in a freak storm all the way from Alaska to the Flathead Valley last fall and Mom raised them into the healthy birds they are now.

Our rather large pile of personal and group gear pre-packing in the den.
We've got to carry all of that up the mountain?!?

Named Curds and Gravy, our mission in going to Denali this summer is to return them to their home on the summit of North America's highest peak and raise awareness to the species' dire situation. They have limited survival skills having developed similar to the halibut with an eye on only one side. Not having the biggest brains in the world they sometimes fall asleep on their bad side up, being vulnerable to predators. To protect themselves they have been driven to the cold and altitude of Denali to escape any predatory threat. Now with the climber traffic on Denali, their habitat is threatened. Please: if you know of anyone attempting to climb Denali, let them know of the Poutingos and to respect this rare bird. Wish us luck as we try to get Curds and Gravy back home.

Me pictured holding the two birds. I have my mask and
goggles on so as to prevent them getting to attached to
human faces.