Sarah Palin's Alaska (2010) s01e01 Episode Script
Mama Grizzly
Wow.
This is what you want to raise your kids on Is wild alaskan seafood.
You always wanted to be a rock climber, sarah.
Rock climber or rock star? People know me from the political stage Or from my book, perhaps.
But I'm the mother of five, and it's important to me That my kids see everything that alaska has to offer.
Don't be scared.
Dad's gonna show you what to do.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this.
Some of my best memories from childhood, They're the road trips that my family and I would take Across the state, looking for adventure.
Willow, that's enough.
This summer, we're setting aside time To spend with family and friends doing what we love to do, And that's exploring alaska Oh, this is so worth it.
Look out.
It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it.
And meet the hard-working alaskans Who call this state their home.
How come we can't ever just be satisfied With tranquility and serenity? Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Oh, yeah! Here we go! Whoo! Yeah! I want all americans to experience the things That make me so proud to be an alaskan.
Welcome to my office.
Your office? This is awesome.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this! Alaska -- america's last frontier.
You can see russia from here.
Almost.
you need a place to be your sanctuary follow me there come on, follow me there where love, like the river, flows ââ¢Âª peace like you've never known ââ¢Âª ââ¢Âª and joy never-ending lives ââ¢Âª won't you follow me there? won't you follow me there? where love, like a river, flows peace like you've never known and joy never-ending lives a place where faith can find hope that will never die follow me there come on, follow me there Do you guys want to hand-mix it, mckinley, Or do you want to use the mixer? My husband, todd, and I live in wasilla, alaska, With our five kids.
Where's the spoon? Piper's doing those.
Sorry.
Don't touch my cupcakes! Piper, 9 years old.
She's been my sidekick since the day that she was born.
I want her to keep enjoying spending time with her mama.
Piper, does that mean that we'll do a mother-daughter day? Yes or no.
Yellow or blue? Piper! Today, we're gonna have a blast.
After I get some of my work done, We're taking the girls, And we're heading into bear country for some salmon fishing.
Okay, what else? What else, sarah? What else? There's four other kids in the house calling me "mom," And the one way that she can kind of put her foot down And get me to turn my head And pay attention to what it is she's saying Is to call me "sarah.
" Did you do another 1/4 cup? Hold on, mckinley.
Use a spoon.
What's 1/4 cup? Piper! Piper! Sarah Ma'am? Your daughter is insane.
Don't lick it and then put it back.
That's disgusting.
She already did it.
Where I like to do a lot of my writing or researching, Especially on a beautiful day, is outside on our cement slab, Where I get to take in the beauty of the lake.
Getting some work done? Yeah.
So, uh Are you ready? Are you comfortable up here? I am, if you want to peek around the corner And see if he's over there.
But our behavior certainly has changed this summer Because of this new neighbor.
He's probably over there.
Do you want me to look? That's okay.
You need to drill out a little, tiny hole there, A peep hole, and let me look through and see where he is.
Our summer fun has been kind of taken away from us Because of a new neighbor next door Who's writing a hit piece on my wife.
I mean, life's about being productive, But these people want to seek and destroy.
He doesn't need to be seeing What I'm writing and reading, right? Yeah.
Todd and his buddies got out there And built a 14-foot fence and was very thankful for that.
By the way, I thought that was a good example, What we just did, others could look at and say, "oh, this is what we need to do to secure our nation's border.
" I want piper to play on the other side of the house, Too, okay? I think it's an intrusion and an invasion of our privacy, And I don't like it.
Some reporters had said I was overreacting, And I wanted to ask them "how would you feel "if some dude whom you knew was out to get you "moved in 15 feet away from your kids? How would you feel?" For the most part, It doesn't get dark in the summer in alaska, So we cram it all in in these months Because it makes up for those long, dark days That we have in the wintertime.
Piper, todd, my niece mckiny and I, We are just so anxious to get out there To the big river lake area.
We will be able to rod and reel sport fish While you're observing bear at the same time.
You girls are gonna have a blast.
It usually gets cold when you're up in the air.
Everybody's got layers on, though? The only way to get there is by floatplane.
There are no roads where we're going.
I think that's ours, piper.
Ho-ho! Piper, say "bye" to trig.
Look at him in the window.
Bye-bye! Bye, baby.
What a beautiful plane.
Thank you.
The local taxi for us is a bush plane, usually.
That's how you get around in alaska.
And there are more private pilots here in alaska per capita Than anywhere else in the United States.
Because alaska is so reliant on floatplanes, unfortunately, We do lead in fatalities in these airplanes, too.
It is pretti cool to know that I can just step out my front yard, And there on the dock is an airplane That we get to hop into.
This is so cool, mckinley.
I know.
Okay, here we go, girls.
Pay attention.
My mom is super busy.
She is addicted to the blackberry.
She's like "hang on, piper.
I'll be there in a second.
" When she doesn't have cellphone service, She doesn't have to answer her e-mail and do all that stuff.
How fast do you think we're going? About 125 miles an hour.
Oh, my.
Alaska is about 600,000 square miles, And if you had 1,000 acres to explore every day in alaska, It would take you more than 900 years.
No internet bars.
We get to put the blackberries away.
Right on.
How you doing, carl? Hey.
Good to see you.
Thanks for having us.
What a beautiful flight.
Oh, good.
Let's go ahead and hop in the boat.
Big river lake area -- It's not a preserve, and it's not a zoo.
There are plenty of salmon here.
It's also known, though, for a real dense population of bears.
Yeah, look on the shoreline.
Keep looking for the bears 'cause they'll wander down when you least expect it.
So I'm really hoping that piper and mckinley Will have that treat of seeing a mama grizzly.
Okay.
All right, todd.
Can I try, daddy? Watch your eyes.
Watch out, mckinley.
You watch out, sister.
Let her fly.
Do you see them jumping right in front of you, pipe? Good, pipe.
There's a brown bear right there.
Look at it.
We have to give him room.
Look at him submarining.
Look at him.
This is so cool! Uh-oh.
That one's in a bad mood.
We're in the bears' environment, and you have to give them space.
Oh.
There's a brown bear right there.
See him? Look at it.
Oh, he looks like a nice juvenile.
That's pretty good.
Can we go a little bit closer? We don't want to get too close, 'cause we want him to have an area to fish.
So we're gonna get a little bit closer, And then we have to give him room.
this is so perfect.
Isn't that cool? This is so cool! Look at him submarining.
Look at him.
Look at him! He keeps his eyes open under there, you guys.
This is spectacular, todd.
Before we know it, you look up, and there's a bear.
And, you know, it keeps you on your heels Because you need to remember what they could do to a person.
You're in their territory, and they're gonna let you know that.
A lot of times, they want you out of their territory If they think that you're stealing their food.
So, girls, when you cast, don't aim towards the bear, okay? Why? 'cause if you hook the bear, he would get ticked off.
Yeah.
What would he do? Come charging after you.
So, who's gonna catch the first fish? There's fish right down here.
Yellow ones, huh? Oh, they're out here.
I thought the only thing more frustrating Than not catching a fish Is sitting there watching everybody else not catch a fish.
But we'll catch a fish.
Yes, we will.
No, we won't.
you children need to eat.
We need to catch our dinner.
We're getting skunked.
This isn't too cool.
I'm never gonna catch a fish in my life.
Well, piper, should I get one? Here, let me get one for you, okay? Oh, todd, you're kidding me.
Todd got one on? That's a keeper, huh? All right.
I found something else more frustrating -- That's watching todd have to catch the fish.
There you go.
Pick him up.
We got a -- Good job, todd.
He was proud, though.
You know, he's, like -- Yeah, he felt like he's bringing home the bacon.
That's the way it should be.
All right.
Good job, todd.
Here's a bear, todd.
Here's a bear.
Okay, let's back up.
And two cubs.
They're little cubs! Oh.
Look how tiny those are.
Cute.
Look at how cute.
I love watching these mama bears.
They've got a nature, yeah, that humankind can learn from.
She's trying to show her cubs.
Nobody's gonna do it for you.
You get out there and do it yourself, guys.
Roar! When the baby bears came, that was really exciting.
Piper, don't scare the cubs.
Piper, don't.
Don't.
Look at his claws, mckinley.
We'll back up, because if he decides to jump in the water, We will say, "let's go.
" There's another one.
Uh-oh.
Oh, he's telling him to get the heck out of his You hear that? That is a growl.
Wow.
Wow.
Wow! It was amazing to watch this mama grizzly -- Brown bear, really -- Protecting her cubs and saying, you know, "nobody's gonna mess with my cubs.
Nobody's gonna mess with the future of the species.
" Uh-oh.
That one's in a bad mood now.
This bear may be telling us shortly to get on out of here.
We're in the bears' environment, and you have to give them space.
And so, when they do approach you close, You want to make sure That you're ready to get out of his way.
Just stand close.
Willow? Come here.
See this gate? It's for no boys.
She'll be downstairs in a minute.
You always wanted to be a rock climber, sarah.
I don't think I can do this, you guys! Todd, piper, my niece mckinley, and I, We are salmon fishing today.
Where there's salmon in alaska, you're gonna find a bear.
Alaska is home To more than 98% of the nation's grizzly population, So, again, you have to remember you're in their territory.
These are hungry and huge animals.
You've got to be on guard.
Todd.
I'm looking around to todd going, "uh, are you feeling what I'm feeling, todd? "are you thinking that we better get the heck out of here 'cause that bear could leap into the boat.
" It could think that we are its lunch Instead of a little tiny salmon underfoot.
I think we made the right decision.
We pulled anchor, and we got out of there.
Heard you saw some bears fighting today.
Yeah.
It was awesome.
Yeah, I wish we had that in wasilla.
That would be cool.
I would be outside 24/7 eating popcorn on a chair.
I know.
You wouldn't even need the movies.
So, after a long day of fishing, but a great day of fishing -- And you know what they say, "a poor day of fishing beats even a great day of work," So had nothing to complain about.
Thank you so much.
You're great, todd.
We appreciate you.
See you.
Nice meeting you.
Thank you.
Thank you, todd.
And piper spies, Right there in the next-door-neighbor's yard, Our new neighbor.
He's an author who's writing a book about us, And piper whispered to me as we're coming up the lawn, "mom, that neighbor's out there.
He's watching us.
He's watching us.
" Where is he? Oh, are you gonna wave to him, or just keep walking? Is he taking pictures? Ooh.
Don't give him the pleasure of taking a picture.
I would think, really, the end of the day, He's gonna be bored to death if that's all he has to do Is observe our normal, kind of boring family And our activities, But it's just none of his flipping business.
He was stuck inside, writing an ugly book.
See, we one-upped him, piper.
We had a good day.
And he's stuck in his house.
This is a balancing act for this morning, yes, Because we've got a few things on the plate today.
I am getting ready to do a couple of fox news hits, And I'm anticipating what, perhaps, they will ask me.
Willow, it would be very valuable If you go over there with todd, And you guys learn a couple of those buttons to push.
Sorry.
No can do.
Please.
That, or you can go find me something to wear real quick.
So, willow's a typical teenager, And she's probably a lot more interested In socialization and hanging out with friends Than she is in doing housework.
Do you want some lunch, andy? Oh, no.
I just ate.
Thank you.
Well, willow could still cook you something for lunch.
I don't think I would trust that.
that's wise of you.
Willow, no -- come -- raah! Raah! Come here! See this gate? It's not just for trig.
It's for -- no boys go upstairs.
She'll be downstairs in a minute.
Mom.
You can text her up there.
Andy? Come here.
Willow.
What? Can you get down here? I'm gonna count to three.
Mom, say "please.
" One Mom, I swear.
Willow.
Mom! Okay, come down.
Landing on a glacier's completely different, Much more dangerous.
Looks like the ceiling's kind of forcing us down.
If you're gonna challenge mother nature, Whether conditions allow it or not, no, you're not gonna land.
You're gonna crash.
Today, we're taking another family adventure, This time up to denali national park.
But before I lace up the hiking boots, I have to put on a power suit for a quick tv interview.
The beauty of the year 2010, with this technology, I can walk 20 feet out of the house, Walk upstairs, and here's a studio.
Todd, this is so much better than the shot against that wall.
I think that looks great.
The background looks great.
Anybody who's around todd and me together And sees our daily routine, they see that he is such a helpmate.
It's some good yin and yang, Because we have different personalities, But we have such common interests And common passions and values.
So, todd, if they rsonal exampl, With all the uncertainty Regarding what new taxes may be hit, That would influence how many guys you would hire, amen? Amen, and it will -- I mean, business is about rolling the dice.
He's very quiet.
It's like still waters run deep.
When he talks, he's talking to say something, you know? He's just not yapping his jaw.
Are you ready? Every time, before I go on the air, I hear the technical guys in the booth back in new york Going, "okay, governor palin.
You're on with bill.
Good luck.
" And that always scares me.
I'm like, "why do I need luck before I talk to bill o'reilly? Bill, it makes me uncomfortable That we're even going down that path so far when -- no, no.
You know, having every word, every action scrutinized And, in some cases, mocked, I can handle it.
You know, I kind of have asked for it, right? We don't reward their continued bad behavior.
Yes.
Yes.
And if I'm tempted to kind of say, "oh, here comes another shot.
Why us?" Todd reminds me all the time, "eh, why not us? We can handle it.
" Thanks.
You, too.
You think that's all they need me for, todd? I believe so.
Okay.
Cool.
The great thing about living in alaska Is that there are adventures everywhere.
Yesterday, we fished with bears, And today, we're gonna get back to an old family tradition -- Hitting the road in the r.
V.
, Hauling it up to denali national park To do some mountain climbing.
So, sarah, it looks pretty good right now from here 'cause you can see mckinley.
Yeah.
It's beautiful.
Denali national park Attracts travelers from all over the world Because they want to take a peek at mount mckinley, This majestic mountain.
It is the highest peak in north america.
You remember the first time we went to denali? This road did not exist.
He had to go over the denali highway.
Oh, I remember that.
I think you were about 5 years old.
I remember that.
We had many, many adventures when my kids were little.
They had no choice, it was just part of growing up -- The outdoors and alaska.
It was this matter-of-fact thing.
They didn't have all the electronic things That kids have now.
I've been coming up to denali all my life, But I've never climbed at the elevation That we want to climb on denali.
So today, we go to the alaskan mountaineering school To figure out how it is that we're gonna do that.
We use a lot of carabiners, all right? So, sarah, why don't you be the first up? We'll get that cinched up.
Just sit into your harness.
You don't even have to hold on.
And pick your feet up.
There it is.
Okay.
Piper, you need one of these.
One of the things that you'll need to be responsible for Is to be able to ascen out of a crevasse If you fall into a crevasse.
That's it.
But it'll be much easier if we just don't fall in a crevasse.
I'm already afraid of heights.
These crevasses are hidden under just a few inches of snow, And with only one wrong step, You can find yourself buried hundreds of feet deep.
Don't want to get too high, 'cause I don't know how to get back down.
So this is the same technique people use to climb, Like, el capÃtan after the first person leaves the route.
Good.
I'm glad I've been doing boy's push-ups.
All right.
I think you need patience in this sport, too, Which is not always a virtue That I have been able to embrace.
Willow, your turn, little girl.
The ascender goes above.
Where? There it is.
All right.
Good, todd.
Come on! See? Todd's like captain america -- He can do it all.
Hurry up.
Dad's beating you.
Come on! Oh! Yeah, willow! You can do -- you can do it! All right, it looks like you're good.
Piper was feeling a little left-out, So we let her try the indoor climbing wall.
You want any help, or? Yes.
Okay.
Only a little bit.
Piper didn't hesitate climbing up that wall.
You'd think she'd done it a hundred times before, And I'm really hoping those climbing skills Run in the family.
There you go.
Where do I putWhere? To your left.
You can do it.
All right.
Now, you see your goal up there.
where is it? Oh, yeah.
Give it a touch.
Whoa! Oh, you got it! Yeah.
That's it.
All right.
I told you could do it.
Okay, okay.
I'm dropping.
All right.
Oh! Nice job.
That was good! That was good, pipe.
Dad, how come you never climbed mckinley? No, I regret not doing it, and I know I'll never do it now.
It's one of those "bucket list" things, though.
Yeah.
For a loskans.
I asked my dad, "you know, "why didn't you ever climb mt.
Mckinley? "that's like a badge of honor for an alaskan "or anybody else who understands "that this is the largest mountain in north america.
Wouldn't you have wanted to climb it?" And how many days does it take? It depends on the weather.
I figure 14 minimum.
I want a little piece of that.
I at least want to be there on mt.
Mckinley, Being able to climb that and say, "okay, tiny, tiny sliver of the mountain, but I did it.
" I want to be able to do that.
So, todd, willow, and I were the brave souls That hopped into a bush plane that'll land on ruth glacier, The starting point of our climb.
Ruth glacier sits near the base of mt.
Mckinley.
Any major climbing here lately, sarah? No.
Alaska.
Yeah, that part of alaska.
That's amazing.
Looks like the ceiling's kind of forcing us down, huh, jeff? Yeah, there is some cloud over deck here.
Having some low ceilings right here.
Been this front system moving in.
Well, this isn't that uncommon For flying around in alaska range, here.
Typical alaska -- The weather dictates what our activities are gonna be.
You know, we can have the best hope That we're gonna be out there climbing a mountain, But if mother nature decides that we're not gonna do it, Well, she's in charge.
No, it's not looking real promising.
You're gonna challenge mother nature and say, for instance, "we're gonna fly through bad weather, and we're gonna land, Whether conditions allow it or not.
" No, you're not gonna land.
You're gonna crash.
solid there.
Hole right there.
Those crevasses, they can just suck you in.
See how dark it is in there? If you're not roped together, You're gonna fall, and you may not stop.
Oh! Having some low ceilings right here.
Been this front system moving in.
We need better ceilings to get up into the mountain.
Of course, your guys' safety Is always the key-most factor here, So we're not gonna be able to drop you off.
Oh, well, shoot.
Since there are more small-aircraft fatalities In alaska per capita than any other state in the lower 48, It's not worth taking a risk.
So we'll give it a go tomorrow.
Are you ready, todd? Would you let sally know That I've signed this hockey jersey For the houston fire department? They're gonna auction it.
Or they'll give that away.
With as busy a schedule as todd and I have, We don't have much of a staff.
We do most everything ourselves.
It's good to be able to get away a little bit from the house.
Are you sure you can't go climbing? My back hurts, and I don't feel good.
Your back hurts? Oh, hello! hello! You always make stuff up.
Today, sarah and I are heading back up to denali.
We're gonna give ruth glacier another shot, And hopefully, the weather permits us to go flying And go climbing today.
I guess I have to leave my blackberry here, huh? Oh, man.
Oh, boo-hoo.
Heading up to ruth glacier To climb on a tiny, tiny sliver of the mountain.
Pilots have to be so extremely careful In landing their bush plane up there on the glacier.
It's not like landing on a gravel strip or a paved strip.
Landing on a glacier's completely different, Much more dangerous.
Okay, sarah, here we are at the ruth glacier.
I was in awe when we landed on that glacier.
Good job.
All right.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this! It's cool out there.
Very cool, todd.
I'm glad we're doing this.
Yeah.
We are right in the middle of denali national park.
It gives me goose bumps To think that we are somewhere that People dream about coming to.
Denali national park is huge.
It's over 6 million acres -- that's 9,400 square miles.
In comparison, the state of new hampshire Is only 9,200 square miles.
Yeah, look how many crevasses are just right over here.
Yeah, see, I don't know if I'd want to be walking over there.
Look at those rocks.
They look like they're on the ice, don't they? Excuse me? What? Huh, grandma? What'd you say? You getting deaf, grandma? You're mumbling.
What, granny? Todd an I have been together almost 30 years now, But physically we've been apart for long periods of time.
We've spent more time together in the last few months Than we have ever in all of our years together Because he was up on the north slope For six, seven months out of the year.
Oh! Oh, brian, this is beautiful! Isn't it cool? Okay, so, now, now that we're starting to get into A little more crevasse country Yeah? If I ever went into a crevasse, I'm gonna yell "falling," and todd's gonna go that way, And you're gonna go that way and hit the deck And try to grab the snow.
Okay.
'cause it'll be two against one to hold me from Right.
Falling in.
Yeah, here's a crevasse right here, for sure.
Oh, great.
Okay.
I can't see the bottom, And it only gets bigger, so just step across.
Okay.
I'm gonna check it out for a second.
Okay, then todd will keep the rope tight from behind.
I'll be from this side.
Okay.
Hold on.
Those crevasses, they can just suck you in 'cause you don't see them coming.
See how dark it is in there? Yeah.
It looks never-ending.
Yes.
We've all heard these horror stories About people who've been lost in glaciers And, shoot, their bodies are still down there In the cracks of the glaciers.
Some of those crevasses can go down hundreds of feet.
Okay.
Oh! All right.
Make a good step.
Yep.
Oh, gosh! That's a new experience.
Okay, we've got a crack right here.
Okay.
I'm gonna have to find out what's going on.
Solid there.
Okay.
Solid there.
Hole right there.
All right.
So we'll keep our ropes nice and tight.
Okay.
I'll wait.
I'll take you -- yeah, just stay there.
You have to rope together Because if somebody falls into a crevasse, If you're not roped together, You're gonna fall, and you may not stop.
Are you straddling it? Yeah.
It's between my feet right now.
Let me know when you get to that crevasse.
Oh, you'll hear me.
See it coming up here? Yeah, I'm gonna straddle it too, then.
Hold on.
Okay.
Wow.
Big, wide step.
Okay.
Real tight, too, todd.
Okay.
oh, good move.
That's aThat's a deep, dark crack down there.
It's pretty wide, todd.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this.
Oh, it's so worth it.
Just putting forth some effort.
You know, you just got to get outside.
Breathe in the air, look what's around us.
This is an escarpment That goes from sea level to 20,000 feet in one shot.
Here we are at 5,000, there's still three miles.
It takes your breath away.
We are so high up, And I can't believe the hardest part of our climb Is yet to come.
We're near the top of the world.
You are gonna love this, sarah.
Okay, I'm freaking out and scared.
Noooo! Holy geez, everything's soft.
What about my legs? Where do I put them? That's what all those gymnastics are good for.
I was not a cheerleader or a gymnast! Okay, we've got a crevasse here.
Todd and I are only halfway through our climb, And it looks like It's only gonna get more difficult from here.
Oh! Is that a crevasse? Yes.
Beginning to crack right here.
Oh, my gosh.
I hate heights all of a sudden.
Okay.
This is the most dangerous move we've done so far.
Yeah, it is.
Oh, god, help me.
Okay, here I go.
Here I go, brian.
Okay, I'm ready for you.
I'm scared.
Just do it.
Okay.
Excellent! Yeah! Oh, okay.
T-that's scarier than I thought.
That's the worst one.
Yeah! Okay.
Holy geez.
Okay.
I didn't realize until we were at the base of the rock, When we finally got off the ice, How steep, how craggily, how dangerous it looked.
And I honestly didn't know if I could do it.
Look at it, todd.
The hardest part of this is the fact that I'm scared of heights.
So, what am I holding on to? The rock.
Todd! What am I gonna do, seriously? Just haul ass.
See, there's a lot of footholds, lot of handholds.
Stay off your knees and just look for the handholds.
Oh, gosh.
I'm so scared.
Oh, my gosh.
I can't even move.
Don't.
Relax.
Don't relax? Oh, just relax.
Oh, god.
Help me, lord.
Let's go, juicy.
You are gonna love this, sarah.
Uh-huh.
You've always wanted to go rock climbing.
Yes.
Here come some rocks.
Must be getting close.
Okay, I'm freaking out and scared.
Walk here.
Walk where? Straight up, baby.
You got it.
This may flipping take me all day.
Just relax, take a deep breath.
You got it.
Just use your legs, look for footholds.
Holy geez.
Everything's soft.
Oh, my gosh! You've always wanted to be a rock climber, sarah.
Was it a rock climber or rock star? Hmm.
Dog good, baby.
You're moving good.
The rope's moving -- that's great.
This is not flipping easy.
I don't know what I'm gonna hold onto here.
Don't be afraid to go way to the left, Like looking out of that -- Yeah, kind of wrapping your hand around it.
Um What about my legs? Where do I put them? Just even take little baby steps.
Just get a little bit higher.
Well, then my legs get stuck underneath this overhang.
Then you got to keep your body away from it a bit.
You're almost there.
Noooo! Okay, my knees are underneath an overhang.
Yes? How do I get them up and over? You're gonna have to do a high step.
Yeah? That's what all those gymnastics are good for.
I was not a cheerleader or a gymnast! Oh, golly! Okay, let's see.
Oh, I just don't like heights.
I was so cocky! I'm being punished for it.
You're already past the hardest part.
You're almost there, honey.
I don't know if I can do this.
Honestly, I don't know How I'm gonna take a couple of steps Up and over this next overhang.
Like, can you reach up left and get on top of that? I can reach up.
It's a matter of getting my knees up About 21/2 feet over the overhang.
About halfway up the rock, I did not know if I was gonna be able to finish the task, But I didn't want to quit.
I didn't want to quit in front of other people.
A couple more inches, and I can have my knee on it.
Good job, sarah.
Oh! Okay, pull! To me, it's -- there aren't the handholds, The footholds that you guys recognize.
I don't know, I guess, what I'm looking for.
I couldn't find anywhere to hold onto.
I was getting tired.
I knew that, you know, I couldn't quit Because there was nobody that was gonna come rescue me Halfway up there.
No, I just Oh, yeah.
You're getting it.
Todd! Just look over your left shoulder.
Hold on.
Oh, there you go! Hold on.
Hold on.
I got to do something with myMy feet.
If you can get your foot where yoururur hand just wa, You're there.
It's that alaska-girl grit.
Hold on.
Let me see.
A little bit more.
Got it.
Keep coming! Yes! Can't keep going.
Pull! Okay.
Hold on.
Keep coming.
Oh, my gosh! All right! That's so much worse than I ever thought it would be.
Good job, sarah! Oh, god.
If I were todd, I would not come up here.
He's, like, chomping at the bit.
He can't wait.
He hates heights as much as I do.
Okay, I'm gonna stand right here the whole time, okay? He loves speed, so that's kind of I know that todd isn't a big fan of heights either, But he's quite physical, he's in great shape, And he climbed that thing Like a mountain goat climbing up some shale And acted like it was no big deal.
Yeah, right.
You never rock climbed.
I knew it.
After making it to the top Holding on tight.
The perception, anyway, I had Was that we were on top of the world.
I couldn't imagine going any higher.
Okay, this is amazing, and it's in our backyard.
Brian, how do you guys do this? This is tough! It's a fun thing to do.
Well, it's fun when you reach the goal, yes, But I don't think that I have been that scared Or that challenged in a long time.
Uh-huh.
Brian, how are we gonna get down? This season on "sarah palin's alaska" Honey, we're home! Come on, baby.
You sweating yet? Oh, yeah! Don't retreat.
Just reload.
This is cool!
This is what you want to raise your kids on Is wild alaskan seafood.
You always wanted to be a rock climber, sarah.
Rock climber or rock star? People know me from the political stage Or from my book, perhaps.
But I'm the mother of five, and it's important to me That my kids see everything that alaska has to offer.
Don't be scared.
Dad's gonna show you what to do.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this.
Some of my best memories from childhood, They're the road trips that my family and I would take Across the state, looking for adventure.
Willow, that's enough.
This summer, we're setting aside time To spend with family and friends doing what we love to do, And that's exploring alaska Oh, this is so worth it.
Look out.
It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it.
And meet the hard-working alaskans Who call this state their home.
How come we can't ever just be satisfied With tranquility and serenity? Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Oh, yeah! Here we go! Whoo! Yeah! I want all americans to experience the things That make me so proud to be an alaskan.
Welcome to my office.
Your office? This is awesome.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this! Alaska -- america's last frontier.
You can see russia from here.
Almost.
you need a place to be your sanctuary follow me there come on, follow me there where love, like the river, flows ââ¢Âª peace like you've never known ââ¢Âª ââ¢Âª and joy never-ending lives ââ¢Âª won't you follow me there? won't you follow me there? where love, like a river, flows peace like you've never known and joy never-ending lives a place where faith can find hope that will never die follow me there come on, follow me there Do you guys want to hand-mix it, mckinley, Or do you want to use the mixer? My husband, todd, and I live in wasilla, alaska, With our five kids.
Where's the spoon? Piper's doing those.
Sorry.
Don't touch my cupcakes! Piper, 9 years old.
She's been my sidekick since the day that she was born.
I want her to keep enjoying spending time with her mama.
Piper, does that mean that we'll do a mother-daughter day? Yes or no.
Yellow or blue? Piper! Today, we're gonna have a blast.
After I get some of my work done, We're taking the girls, And we're heading into bear country for some salmon fishing.
Okay, what else? What else, sarah? What else? There's four other kids in the house calling me "mom," And the one way that she can kind of put her foot down And get me to turn my head And pay attention to what it is she's saying Is to call me "sarah.
" Did you do another 1/4 cup? Hold on, mckinley.
Use a spoon.
What's 1/4 cup? Piper! Piper! Sarah Ma'am? Your daughter is insane.
Don't lick it and then put it back.
That's disgusting.
She already did it.
Where I like to do a lot of my writing or researching, Especially on a beautiful day, is outside on our cement slab, Where I get to take in the beauty of the lake.
Getting some work done? Yeah.
So, uh Are you ready? Are you comfortable up here? I am, if you want to peek around the corner And see if he's over there.
But our behavior certainly has changed this summer Because of this new neighbor.
He's probably over there.
Do you want me to look? That's okay.
You need to drill out a little, tiny hole there, A peep hole, and let me look through and see where he is.
Our summer fun has been kind of taken away from us Because of a new neighbor next door Who's writing a hit piece on my wife.
I mean, life's about being productive, But these people want to seek and destroy.
He doesn't need to be seeing What I'm writing and reading, right? Yeah.
Todd and his buddies got out there And built a 14-foot fence and was very thankful for that.
By the way, I thought that was a good example, What we just did, others could look at and say, "oh, this is what we need to do to secure our nation's border.
" I want piper to play on the other side of the house, Too, okay? I think it's an intrusion and an invasion of our privacy, And I don't like it.
Some reporters had said I was overreacting, And I wanted to ask them "how would you feel "if some dude whom you knew was out to get you "moved in 15 feet away from your kids? How would you feel?" For the most part, It doesn't get dark in the summer in alaska, So we cram it all in in these months Because it makes up for those long, dark days That we have in the wintertime.
Piper, todd, my niece mckiny and I, We are just so anxious to get out there To the big river lake area.
We will be able to rod and reel sport fish While you're observing bear at the same time.
You girls are gonna have a blast.
It usually gets cold when you're up in the air.
Everybody's got layers on, though? The only way to get there is by floatplane.
There are no roads where we're going.
I think that's ours, piper.
Ho-ho! Piper, say "bye" to trig.
Look at him in the window.
Bye-bye! Bye, baby.
What a beautiful plane.
Thank you.
The local taxi for us is a bush plane, usually.
That's how you get around in alaska.
And there are more private pilots here in alaska per capita Than anywhere else in the United States.
Because alaska is so reliant on floatplanes, unfortunately, We do lead in fatalities in these airplanes, too.
It is pretti cool to know that I can just step out my front yard, And there on the dock is an airplane That we get to hop into.
This is so cool, mckinley.
I know.
Okay, here we go, girls.
Pay attention.
My mom is super busy.
She is addicted to the blackberry.
She's like "hang on, piper.
I'll be there in a second.
" When she doesn't have cellphone service, She doesn't have to answer her e-mail and do all that stuff.
How fast do you think we're going? About 125 miles an hour.
Oh, my.
Alaska is about 600,000 square miles, And if you had 1,000 acres to explore every day in alaska, It would take you more than 900 years.
No internet bars.
We get to put the blackberries away.
Right on.
How you doing, carl? Hey.
Good to see you.
Thanks for having us.
What a beautiful flight.
Oh, good.
Let's go ahead and hop in the boat.
Big river lake area -- It's not a preserve, and it's not a zoo.
There are plenty of salmon here.
It's also known, though, for a real dense population of bears.
Yeah, look on the shoreline.
Keep looking for the bears 'cause they'll wander down when you least expect it.
So I'm really hoping that piper and mckinley Will have that treat of seeing a mama grizzly.
Okay.
All right, todd.
Can I try, daddy? Watch your eyes.
Watch out, mckinley.
You watch out, sister.
Let her fly.
Do you see them jumping right in front of you, pipe? Good, pipe.
There's a brown bear right there.
Look at it.
We have to give him room.
Look at him submarining.
Look at him.
This is so cool! Uh-oh.
That one's in a bad mood.
We're in the bears' environment, and you have to give them space.
Oh.
There's a brown bear right there.
See him? Look at it.
Oh, he looks like a nice juvenile.
That's pretty good.
Can we go a little bit closer? We don't want to get too close, 'cause we want him to have an area to fish.
So we're gonna get a little bit closer, And then we have to give him room.
this is so perfect.
Isn't that cool? This is so cool! Look at him submarining.
Look at him.
Look at him! He keeps his eyes open under there, you guys.
This is spectacular, todd.
Before we know it, you look up, and there's a bear.
And, you know, it keeps you on your heels Because you need to remember what they could do to a person.
You're in their territory, and they're gonna let you know that.
A lot of times, they want you out of their territory If they think that you're stealing their food.
So, girls, when you cast, don't aim towards the bear, okay? Why? 'cause if you hook the bear, he would get ticked off.
Yeah.
What would he do? Come charging after you.
So, who's gonna catch the first fish? There's fish right down here.
Yellow ones, huh? Oh, they're out here.
I thought the only thing more frustrating Than not catching a fish Is sitting there watching everybody else not catch a fish.
But we'll catch a fish.
Yes, we will.
No, we won't.
you children need to eat.
We need to catch our dinner.
We're getting skunked.
This isn't too cool.
I'm never gonna catch a fish in my life.
Well, piper, should I get one? Here, let me get one for you, okay? Oh, todd, you're kidding me.
Todd got one on? That's a keeper, huh? All right.
I found something else more frustrating -- That's watching todd have to catch the fish.
There you go.
Pick him up.
We got a -- Good job, todd.
He was proud, though.
You know, he's, like -- Yeah, he felt like he's bringing home the bacon.
That's the way it should be.
All right.
Good job, todd.
Here's a bear, todd.
Here's a bear.
Okay, let's back up.
And two cubs.
They're little cubs! Oh.
Look how tiny those are.
Cute.
Look at how cute.
I love watching these mama bears.
They've got a nature, yeah, that humankind can learn from.
She's trying to show her cubs.
Nobody's gonna do it for you.
You get out there and do it yourself, guys.
Roar! When the baby bears came, that was really exciting.
Piper, don't scare the cubs.
Piper, don't.
Don't.
Look at his claws, mckinley.
We'll back up, because if he decides to jump in the water, We will say, "let's go.
" There's another one.
Uh-oh.
Oh, he's telling him to get the heck out of his You hear that? That is a growl.
Wow.
Wow.
Wow! It was amazing to watch this mama grizzly -- Brown bear, really -- Protecting her cubs and saying, you know, "nobody's gonna mess with my cubs.
Nobody's gonna mess with the future of the species.
" Uh-oh.
That one's in a bad mood now.
This bear may be telling us shortly to get on out of here.
We're in the bears' environment, and you have to give them space.
And so, when they do approach you close, You want to make sure That you're ready to get out of his way.
Just stand close.
Willow? Come here.
See this gate? It's for no boys.
She'll be downstairs in a minute.
You always wanted to be a rock climber, sarah.
I don't think I can do this, you guys! Todd, piper, my niece mckinley, and I, We are salmon fishing today.
Where there's salmon in alaska, you're gonna find a bear.
Alaska is home To more than 98% of the nation's grizzly population, So, again, you have to remember you're in their territory.
These are hungry and huge animals.
You've got to be on guard.
Todd.
I'm looking around to todd going, "uh, are you feeling what I'm feeling, todd? "are you thinking that we better get the heck out of here 'cause that bear could leap into the boat.
" It could think that we are its lunch Instead of a little tiny salmon underfoot.
I think we made the right decision.
We pulled anchor, and we got out of there.
Heard you saw some bears fighting today.
Yeah.
It was awesome.
Yeah, I wish we had that in wasilla.
That would be cool.
I would be outside 24/7 eating popcorn on a chair.
I know.
You wouldn't even need the movies.
So, after a long day of fishing, but a great day of fishing -- And you know what they say, "a poor day of fishing beats even a great day of work," So had nothing to complain about.
Thank you so much.
You're great, todd.
We appreciate you.
See you.
Nice meeting you.
Thank you.
Thank you, todd.
And piper spies, Right there in the next-door-neighbor's yard, Our new neighbor.
He's an author who's writing a book about us, And piper whispered to me as we're coming up the lawn, "mom, that neighbor's out there.
He's watching us.
He's watching us.
" Where is he? Oh, are you gonna wave to him, or just keep walking? Is he taking pictures? Ooh.
Don't give him the pleasure of taking a picture.
I would think, really, the end of the day, He's gonna be bored to death if that's all he has to do Is observe our normal, kind of boring family And our activities, But it's just none of his flipping business.
He was stuck inside, writing an ugly book.
See, we one-upped him, piper.
We had a good day.
And he's stuck in his house.
This is a balancing act for this morning, yes, Because we've got a few things on the plate today.
I am getting ready to do a couple of fox news hits, And I'm anticipating what, perhaps, they will ask me.
Willow, it would be very valuable If you go over there with todd, And you guys learn a couple of those buttons to push.
Sorry.
No can do.
Please.
That, or you can go find me something to wear real quick.
So, willow's a typical teenager, And she's probably a lot more interested In socialization and hanging out with friends Than she is in doing housework.
Do you want some lunch, andy? Oh, no.
I just ate.
Thank you.
Well, willow could still cook you something for lunch.
I don't think I would trust that.
that's wise of you.
Willow, no -- come -- raah! Raah! Come here! See this gate? It's not just for trig.
It's for -- no boys go upstairs.
She'll be downstairs in a minute.
Mom.
You can text her up there.
Andy? Come here.
Willow.
What? Can you get down here? I'm gonna count to three.
Mom, say "please.
" One Mom, I swear.
Willow.
Mom! Okay, come down.
Landing on a glacier's completely different, Much more dangerous.
Looks like the ceiling's kind of forcing us down.
If you're gonna challenge mother nature, Whether conditions allow it or not, no, you're not gonna land.
You're gonna crash.
Today, we're taking another family adventure, This time up to denali national park.
But before I lace up the hiking boots, I have to put on a power suit for a quick tv interview.
The beauty of the year 2010, with this technology, I can walk 20 feet out of the house, Walk upstairs, and here's a studio.
Todd, this is so much better than the shot against that wall.
I think that looks great.
The background looks great.
Anybody who's around todd and me together And sees our daily routine, they see that he is such a helpmate.
It's some good yin and yang, Because we have different personalities, But we have such common interests And common passions and values.
So, todd, if they rsonal exampl, With all the uncertainty Regarding what new taxes may be hit, That would influence how many guys you would hire, amen? Amen, and it will -- I mean, business is about rolling the dice.
He's very quiet.
It's like still waters run deep.
When he talks, he's talking to say something, you know? He's just not yapping his jaw.
Are you ready? Every time, before I go on the air, I hear the technical guys in the booth back in new york Going, "okay, governor palin.
You're on with bill.
Good luck.
" And that always scares me.
I'm like, "why do I need luck before I talk to bill o'reilly? Bill, it makes me uncomfortable That we're even going down that path so far when -- no, no.
You know, having every word, every action scrutinized And, in some cases, mocked, I can handle it.
You know, I kind of have asked for it, right? We don't reward their continued bad behavior.
Yes.
Yes.
And if I'm tempted to kind of say, "oh, here comes another shot.
Why us?" Todd reminds me all the time, "eh, why not us? We can handle it.
" Thanks.
You, too.
You think that's all they need me for, todd? I believe so.
Okay.
Cool.
The great thing about living in alaska Is that there are adventures everywhere.
Yesterday, we fished with bears, And today, we're gonna get back to an old family tradition -- Hitting the road in the r.
V.
, Hauling it up to denali national park To do some mountain climbing.
So, sarah, it looks pretty good right now from here 'cause you can see mckinley.
Yeah.
It's beautiful.
Denali national park Attracts travelers from all over the world Because they want to take a peek at mount mckinley, This majestic mountain.
It is the highest peak in north america.
You remember the first time we went to denali? This road did not exist.
He had to go over the denali highway.
Oh, I remember that.
I think you were about 5 years old.
I remember that.
We had many, many adventures when my kids were little.
They had no choice, it was just part of growing up -- The outdoors and alaska.
It was this matter-of-fact thing.
They didn't have all the electronic things That kids have now.
I've been coming up to denali all my life, But I've never climbed at the elevation That we want to climb on denali.
So today, we go to the alaskan mountaineering school To figure out how it is that we're gonna do that.
We use a lot of carabiners, all right? So, sarah, why don't you be the first up? We'll get that cinched up.
Just sit into your harness.
You don't even have to hold on.
And pick your feet up.
There it is.
Okay.
Piper, you need one of these.
One of the things that you'll need to be responsible for Is to be able to ascen out of a crevasse If you fall into a crevasse.
That's it.
But it'll be much easier if we just don't fall in a crevasse.
I'm already afraid of heights.
These crevasses are hidden under just a few inches of snow, And with only one wrong step, You can find yourself buried hundreds of feet deep.
Don't want to get too high, 'cause I don't know how to get back down.
So this is the same technique people use to climb, Like, el capÃtan after the first person leaves the route.
Good.
I'm glad I've been doing boy's push-ups.
All right.
I think you need patience in this sport, too, Which is not always a virtue That I have been able to embrace.
Willow, your turn, little girl.
The ascender goes above.
Where? There it is.
All right.
Good, todd.
Come on! See? Todd's like captain america -- He can do it all.
Hurry up.
Dad's beating you.
Come on! Oh! Yeah, willow! You can do -- you can do it! All right, it looks like you're good.
Piper was feeling a little left-out, So we let her try the indoor climbing wall.
You want any help, or? Yes.
Okay.
Only a little bit.
Piper didn't hesitate climbing up that wall.
You'd think she'd done it a hundred times before, And I'm really hoping those climbing skills Run in the family.
There you go.
Where do I putWhere? To your left.
You can do it.
All right.
Now, you see your goal up there.
where is it? Oh, yeah.
Give it a touch.
Whoa! Oh, you got it! Yeah.
That's it.
All right.
I told you could do it.
Okay, okay.
I'm dropping.
All right.
Oh! Nice job.
That was good! That was good, pipe.
Dad, how come you never climbed mckinley? No, I regret not doing it, and I know I'll never do it now.
It's one of those "bucket list" things, though.
Yeah.
For a loskans.
I asked my dad, "you know, "why didn't you ever climb mt.
Mckinley? "that's like a badge of honor for an alaskan "or anybody else who understands "that this is the largest mountain in north america.
Wouldn't you have wanted to climb it?" And how many days does it take? It depends on the weather.
I figure 14 minimum.
I want a little piece of that.
I at least want to be there on mt.
Mckinley, Being able to climb that and say, "okay, tiny, tiny sliver of the mountain, but I did it.
" I want to be able to do that.
So, todd, willow, and I were the brave souls That hopped into a bush plane that'll land on ruth glacier, The starting point of our climb.
Ruth glacier sits near the base of mt.
Mckinley.
Any major climbing here lately, sarah? No.
Alaska.
Yeah, that part of alaska.
That's amazing.
Looks like the ceiling's kind of forcing us down, huh, jeff? Yeah, there is some cloud over deck here.
Having some low ceilings right here.
Been this front system moving in.
Well, this isn't that uncommon For flying around in alaska range, here.
Typical alaska -- The weather dictates what our activities are gonna be.
You know, we can have the best hope That we're gonna be out there climbing a mountain, But if mother nature decides that we're not gonna do it, Well, she's in charge.
No, it's not looking real promising.
You're gonna challenge mother nature and say, for instance, "we're gonna fly through bad weather, and we're gonna land, Whether conditions allow it or not.
" No, you're not gonna land.
You're gonna crash.
solid there.
Hole right there.
Those crevasses, they can just suck you in.
See how dark it is in there? If you're not roped together, You're gonna fall, and you may not stop.
Oh! Having some low ceilings right here.
Been this front system moving in.
We need better ceilings to get up into the mountain.
Of course, your guys' safety Is always the key-most factor here, So we're not gonna be able to drop you off.
Oh, well, shoot.
Since there are more small-aircraft fatalities In alaska per capita than any other state in the lower 48, It's not worth taking a risk.
So we'll give it a go tomorrow.
Are you ready, todd? Would you let sally know That I've signed this hockey jersey For the houston fire department? They're gonna auction it.
Or they'll give that away.
With as busy a schedule as todd and I have, We don't have much of a staff.
We do most everything ourselves.
It's good to be able to get away a little bit from the house.
Are you sure you can't go climbing? My back hurts, and I don't feel good.
Your back hurts? Oh, hello! hello! You always make stuff up.
Today, sarah and I are heading back up to denali.
We're gonna give ruth glacier another shot, And hopefully, the weather permits us to go flying And go climbing today.
I guess I have to leave my blackberry here, huh? Oh, man.
Oh, boo-hoo.
Heading up to ruth glacier To climb on a tiny, tiny sliver of the mountain.
Pilots have to be so extremely careful In landing their bush plane up there on the glacier.
It's not like landing on a gravel strip or a paved strip.
Landing on a glacier's completely different, Much more dangerous.
Okay, sarah, here we are at the ruth glacier.
I was in awe when we landed on that glacier.
Good job.
All right.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this! It's cool out there.
Very cool, todd.
I'm glad we're doing this.
Yeah.
We are right in the middle of denali national park.
It gives me goose bumps To think that we are somewhere that People dream about coming to.
Denali national park is huge.
It's over 6 million acres -- that's 9,400 square miles.
In comparison, the state of new hampshire Is only 9,200 square miles.
Yeah, look how many crevasses are just right over here.
Yeah, see, I don't know if I'd want to be walking over there.
Look at those rocks.
They look like they're on the ice, don't they? Excuse me? What? Huh, grandma? What'd you say? You getting deaf, grandma? You're mumbling.
What, granny? Todd an I have been together almost 30 years now, But physically we've been apart for long periods of time.
We've spent more time together in the last few months Than we have ever in all of our years together Because he was up on the north slope For six, seven months out of the year.
Oh! Oh, brian, this is beautiful! Isn't it cool? Okay, so, now, now that we're starting to get into A little more crevasse country Yeah? If I ever went into a crevasse, I'm gonna yell "falling," and todd's gonna go that way, And you're gonna go that way and hit the deck And try to grab the snow.
Okay.
'cause it'll be two against one to hold me from Right.
Falling in.
Yeah, here's a crevasse right here, for sure.
Oh, great.
Okay.
I can't see the bottom, And it only gets bigger, so just step across.
Okay.
I'm gonna check it out for a second.
Okay, then todd will keep the rope tight from behind.
I'll be from this side.
Okay.
Hold on.
Those crevasses, they can just suck you in 'cause you don't see them coming.
See how dark it is in there? Yeah.
It looks never-ending.
Yes.
We've all heard these horror stories About people who've been lost in glaciers And, shoot, their bodies are still down there In the cracks of the glaciers.
Some of those crevasses can go down hundreds of feet.
Okay.
Oh! All right.
Make a good step.
Yep.
Oh, gosh! That's a new experience.
Okay, we've got a crack right here.
Okay.
I'm gonna have to find out what's going on.
Solid there.
Okay.
Solid there.
Hole right there.
All right.
So we'll keep our ropes nice and tight.
Okay.
I'll wait.
I'll take you -- yeah, just stay there.
You have to rope together Because if somebody falls into a crevasse, If you're not roped together, You're gonna fall, and you may not stop.
Are you straddling it? Yeah.
It's between my feet right now.
Let me know when you get to that crevasse.
Oh, you'll hear me.
See it coming up here? Yeah, I'm gonna straddle it too, then.
Hold on.
Okay.
Wow.
Big, wide step.
Okay.
Real tight, too, todd.
Okay.
oh, good move.
That's aThat's a deep, dark crack down there.
It's pretty wide, todd.
Oh, my gosh! Look at this.
Oh, it's so worth it.
Just putting forth some effort.
You know, you just got to get outside.
Breathe in the air, look what's around us.
This is an escarpment That goes from sea level to 20,000 feet in one shot.
Here we are at 5,000, there's still three miles.
It takes your breath away.
We are so high up, And I can't believe the hardest part of our climb Is yet to come.
We're near the top of the world.
You are gonna love this, sarah.
Okay, I'm freaking out and scared.
Noooo! Holy geez, everything's soft.
What about my legs? Where do I put them? That's what all those gymnastics are good for.
I was not a cheerleader or a gymnast! Okay, we've got a crevasse here.
Todd and I are only halfway through our climb, And it looks like It's only gonna get more difficult from here.
Oh! Is that a crevasse? Yes.
Beginning to crack right here.
Oh, my gosh.
I hate heights all of a sudden.
Okay.
This is the most dangerous move we've done so far.
Yeah, it is.
Oh, god, help me.
Okay, here I go.
Here I go, brian.
Okay, I'm ready for you.
I'm scared.
Just do it.
Okay.
Excellent! Yeah! Oh, okay.
T-that's scarier than I thought.
That's the worst one.
Yeah! Okay.
Holy geez.
Okay.
I didn't realize until we were at the base of the rock, When we finally got off the ice, How steep, how craggily, how dangerous it looked.
And I honestly didn't know if I could do it.
Look at it, todd.
The hardest part of this is the fact that I'm scared of heights.
So, what am I holding on to? The rock.
Todd! What am I gonna do, seriously? Just haul ass.
See, there's a lot of footholds, lot of handholds.
Stay off your knees and just look for the handholds.
Oh, gosh.
I'm so scared.
Oh, my gosh.
I can't even move.
Don't.
Relax.
Don't relax? Oh, just relax.
Oh, god.
Help me, lord.
Let's go, juicy.
You are gonna love this, sarah.
Uh-huh.
You've always wanted to go rock climbing.
Yes.
Here come some rocks.
Must be getting close.
Okay, I'm freaking out and scared.
Walk here.
Walk where? Straight up, baby.
You got it.
This may flipping take me all day.
Just relax, take a deep breath.
You got it.
Just use your legs, look for footholds.
Holy geez.
Everything's soft.
Oh, my gosh! You've always wanted to be a rock climber, sarah.
Was it a rock climber or rock star? Hmm.
Dog good, baby.
You're moving good.
The rope's moving -- that's great.
This is not flipping easy.
I don't know what I'm gonna hold onto here.
Don't be afraid to go way to the left, Like looking out of that -- Yeah, kind of wrapping your hand around it.
Um What about my legs? Where do I put them? Just even take little baby steps.
Just get a little bit higher.
Well, then my legs get stuck underneath this overhang.
Then you got to keep your body away from it a bit.
You're almost there.
Noooo! Okay, my knees are underneath an overhang.
Yes? How do I get them up and over? You're gonna have to do a high step.
Yeah? That's what all those gymnastics are good for.
I was not a cheerleader or a gymnast! Oh, golly! Okay, let's see.
Oh, I just don't like heights.
I was so cocky! I'm being punished for it.
You're already past the hardest part.
You're almost there, honey.
I don't know if I can do this.
Honestly, I don't know How I'm gonna take a couple of steps Up and over this next overhang.
Like, can you reach up left and get on top of that? I can reach up.
It's a matter of getting my knees up About 21/2 feet over the overhang.
About halfway up the rock, I did not know if I was gonna be able to finish the task, But I didn't want to quit.
I didn't want to quit in front of other people.
A couple more inches, and I can have my knee on it.
Good job, sarah.
Oh! Okay, pull! To me, it's -- there aren't the handholds, The footholds that you guys recognize.
I don't know, I guess, what I'm looking for.
I couldn't find anywhere to hold onto.
I was getting tired.
I knew that, you know, I couldn't quit Because there was nobody that was gonna come rescue me Halfway up there.
No, I just Oh, yeah.
You're getting it.
Todd! Just look over your left shoulder.
Hold on.
Oh, there you go! Hold on.
Hold on.
I got to do something with myMy feet.
If you can get your foot where yoururur hand just wa, You're there.
It's that alaska-girl grit.
Hold on.
Let me see.
A little bit more.
Got it.
Keep coming! Yes! Can't keep going.
Pull! Okay.
Hold on.
Keep coming.
Oh, my gosh! All right! That's so much worse than I ever thought it would be.
Good job, sarah! Oh, god.
If I were todd, I would not come up here.
He's, like, chomping at the bit.
He can't wait.
He hates heights as much as I do.
Okay, I'm gonna stand right here the whole time, okay? He loves speed, so that's kind of I know that todd isn't a big fan of heights either, But he's quite physical, he's in great shape, And he climbed that thing Like a mountain goat climbing up some shale And acted like it was no big deal.
Yeah, right.
You never rock climbed.
I knew it.
After making it to the top Holding on tight.
The perception, anyway, I had Was that we were on top of the world.
I couldn't imagine going any higher.
Okay, this is amazing, and it's in our backyard.
Brian, how do you guys do this? This is tough! It's a fun thing to do.
Well, it's fun when you reach the goal, yes, But I don't think that I have been that scared Or that challenged in a long time.
Uh-huh.
Brian, how are we gonna get down? This season on "sarah palin's alaska" Honey, we're home! Come on, baby.
You sweating yet? Oh, yeah! Don't retreat.
Just reload.
This is cool!