This is a preview of a member exclusive premium article.
Learn more

For many of the one thousand registered climbers, Denali’s West Buttress is the ultimate extension of their years of backpacking. But after several seasons on the mountain, I am surprised at how quickly lightweight tactics get kicked to the curb on this grueling 13,000-foot ascent. Most climbers on the route barely move under towering packs supporting crushing loads of seventy-five pounds or more. Sadly, this seems to be the norm, something you just have to endure if you want a shot at the top of North America. In 2007, Agnes and I put together a little experiment to see if that’s the hard truth.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

  • Denali Light 2007 Gallery

# WORDS: 1240
# PHOTOS: 15

--- End of free preview ---
Member Exclusive

A Premium or Unlimited Membership* is required to view the rest of this article.

MembershipLogin

* A Basic Membership is required to view Member Q&A events