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ALASKA RANGE | ALASKA | UNITED STATES
Summary | 80 inches a year
DENALI / MOUNT McKINLEY
Snowpack
Denali is such a big vast mountain that it receives variable snow, weather, and climate all year long. While 80 inches more or less may fall at National Park Headquarters, there's bound to be more snowfall higher on the mountain in spots like Denali Pass or at "11 camp". On the West Buttress you can get hit by storms from any direction, but the Park Service tells you Denali is a maritime snowpack. Generally this means snow is more copious, wetter, and more stable than a continental snowpack.
Mountains
DENALI / MOUNT McKINLEY (1) Elevation: 20,320 ft
Denali is well known as one of the "7 Summits" of the world, the highest mountain on the North American continent. The weather is harsh and that is the greatest characteristic and most prominent identifier for this Peak. It takes most parties between 14-21 days to summit. Fitness, acclimatization, snow camping skills, mountaineering knowledge, and patience are key attributes any successful individual and party must possess in order to have a good, fun, and safe trip. Denali literally means "the Great One" in Native American traditions as it certainly is one of the greatest mountains on earth.
Vert Tracker
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Brennanlagasse: May 18, 2010 Uphill: 600 ft. | Downhill: 7,000 ft.
The happiest and sadest day of the trip, one of my partners and I make the move to head home. The forecast shows inconsistent weather for at least 5 more days, if not a week, and that extends beyond w...[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 17, 2010 Uphill: 1,200 ft. | Downhill: 1,200 ft.
After making a push for the summit, we got turned around at Denali Pass elevation 18,200'. With a poor forecast for the next week we decided to regroup and head back to 14 camp, getting a few turns in...[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 13, 2010 Uphill: 1,200 ft. | Downhill: 1,200 ft.
The plan was to hopefully make it to High Camp at 17,200 feet and cache. The weather was not having it though, so we cut our loses, cached what we had at the base of the fixed lines, and skied back to...[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 12, 2010 Uphill: 1,200 ft. | Downhill: 1,200 ft.
Another day on the fixed lines acclimating and getting some turns in....[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 10, 2010 Uphill: 1,200 ft. | Downhill: 1,200 ft.
The 1200 feet that separates Basin camp at 14,200' and the base of the fixed lines can be some great skiing. More often than not its windblown, but its so fun to be at camp and stare at your turns.Thi...[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 7, 2010 Uphill: 3,200 ft. | Downhill: 3,200 ft.
My first look at the crux of the lower mountain, windy corner, and thankfully it wasn't too windy. Blue ice and a few open crevasses, yes, but windy no.This section of the mountain brings you up motor...[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 6, 2010 Uphill: 1,000 ft. | Downhill: 1,000 ft.
These turns were made on the mellow slope adjacent to camp 2 at 11,000 feet. We were supposed to have a down day but 3 of our 5 decided to go put a cache in at 13,500 which left the other two of us to...[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 4, 2010 Uphill: 3,200 ft. | Downhill: 3,200 ft.
The stoke was at all time high today as every member of the team rejoiced in wiggling down a lot of blower pow. Some variable thrown in there too, but so much fun.From Camp 1 at the base of ski hill w...[view]READ MORE
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Brennanlagasse: May 3, 2010 Uphill: 600 ft. | Downhill: 600 ft.
My first "turns" of the West Buttress Denali trip as a private party. To start the mission from base camp you leave Kahiltna base at elevation 7200', drop about 600 vert, and then slowly regain it ove...[view]Already have a blog about this area? Link to it here.
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