Anyone here ever climbed McKinley?

“Just wonderin'.

I'm thinking about going back to Alaska in the next few years, and wouldn't mind bagging that peak.”

“Hey Budman,

Afore ya tackle that beast, might I suggest bagging something more yer speed like Ohio's highpoint Campbell Hill (1,549') near Bellefontaine?



Yee haw!”

“No, but I knew somebody who did.

(Sort of sounds like the "No, but I stayed in Holiday Inn Express" line.)”

“I climbed everest!”

“In 1992 something like 14 people died on the mountain in March alone, many of them Korean or Japanese.”

“Here's some intrepid Ohio highpointers who'll show ya the ropes...

Don't be skeert now!”

“Amazing the amount of crap someone has to go through on this site before a legitimate answer surfaces.”

“Ask a serious question and you may get a serious answer.”

“serious mountain. Many underestimate it because of its high northern latitude.

Since they implemented an orientation program, the death rate plummeted.


start here.

NPS Denali Mountaineering Page”

“Hang on. Someone posted on TT not to long ago who did McKinley. Maybe they are still lurking about.

Tough climb from what I have heard. Unpredictable and potentially severe weather is apparently is a major factor there. Also, you have lots of ice and trouble getting up the starting altitude (e.g., planes fly you up to a glacier). Rescues are not easy.”

“thanks all. Now I have somewhere to start.”

“Ya crazy or something?”

“'or something'....a mountain is a mountain is a mountain. If it's there, it's gotta be climbed. It's a part of the human experience. Join in.”

“Echoing what Phil and others have said, I've heard that some consider McKinley to be more difficult than Everest because of weather, etc. Also, an interesting bit of trivia I heard: McKinley is the highest mountain on earth from base to top because its base is at about 3000 feet (?), so it's a 17000 foot mountain. The Himalayan mountains all "start" much higher (14k?). Other trivia: I've seen it once (not an easy feat!).”

“Budda Bear, I have serious intentions of climbing McKinley/Denali in the next year or two......”

“I just peed myself looking at Pathmans pic. WHAT A CHALLENGE!”

“Although I think as it stands I am opting for a summer ascent. The winters can get -40 degrees often. And the weather is very unpredictable. Making it as dangerous as most Hym peaks and summits. I am not sure I am going to use a guide service at this point.”

“WLD-

An ambitious endeavor. I've got a place in Alaska that looks out at the North Slope of the Alaskan Range. Mt Deborah and Denali are among enormous peaks there. --You seem to have the spirit for it.

Highly recommend this book: "Mount McKinley, Icy Crown of North America." Lots of history in this book. First ascent, hoaxes, routes, and so forth. Anyway, have a close look at chapter 19. There's an outline of there of what risks you're facing. Chapter 19 is a chronological account of those who have been killed or rescued giving Denali a try. The winds are so strong up there, they can lift you up and off that mountain in a hurry.

Have you thought of giving Ranier or sum such first, before Denali? Scott Fisher, the dude who was killed on Everest gave Denali a try and didn't make it due to bad weather. Useless trivia, I know.

And yeah, cold mountain. S'what I've read. What I've heard.”

“Oh, bother. So I post too fast and don't proof read.

That should be, "have you thought of giving Rainier or sum such a try first? " Sheesh.

Seems like it would be fun to cruise around on a glacier with a rope team and learn to ice climb in and out of crevasses.”

“Thanks Tekdude, Yes I plan on climbing A winter ascent of Whitney on the Mountaineers route, then Rainier.
Yesterdays, McKinley/Denali - stats
temp -28 degrees Far
Wind Speed - Over 112 mph”

“Climbing season on Denali typically begins in March. I don't think it lasts into the summer, but I may be wrong. I think it has to do with snow and ice conditions, getting soft during the day in summer. I am sure that NPS website will have that info.”

“oops. Halloween's over. Today is Dia de la Muerte.

Adios!

Psychopath”

“I checked it out. The climbing season is between May and August. June is the most popular month. Although there have been a few winter ascents. One I have read of was a disaster. In 1967 Temps dropped to -148 degrees with wind chill. Art Davidson and two partners were trapped in a snow cave for several days. But somehow survived.”