Gear for Climbing Denali

[Ryan Jordan]

This thread is intended to provide a forum for discussion in combination with the following articles at BackpackingLight.com:

Classic Denali: Climbing America’s Highest Peak (Part 1, Summit Day Narrative)

(M) Classic Denali: Climbing America’s Highest Peak (Part 2, Gear Notes)

Denali’s West Buttress Route is a supreme mountaineering challenge, and more than once has been the pinnacle of one’s backpacking and climbing career.

Packing for a 3-week Denali expedition is no easy task, when you consider that (1) you must provide enough gear to be self-sufficent, and (2) you must plan for conditions that can range from over 90 degrees F on a parabolic glacial bowl at the lower camps to minus 30 degrees F – or colder – with astoundingly high winds above the highest camp en route to the summit.

Hopefully, the articles, and this forum thread, will provide a basis for ongoing discussion of gear and strategies for “going light” on a Denali climb.

– Ryan

[Marcus Monk]

As I approach the age wall I am encouraged by two men my age willing and able to tackle the hard challenges.

[STEVE ANDERSON]

Wow, what a great and inspiring story! I am curious about your food. Did you use store-bought dehydrated food, or homemade dehydrated food, or something else? Also, the pictures are great! What kind of camera was used?

[Richard McDrew]

We used primarily dehydrated food. Our favorite brand, and we have tried most of them, is Mountain House. The camera we used was a one-time use one by Kodak, and the great advantage is that it is light. One must be careful to protect it from the freezing conditions, otherwise it will become useless.

[Brett .]

Great story, and useful tips for any significant summit attempt. Is the gear list posted somewhere? I can not find it. Thanks.

[D L]

I too would love to see a gear list! I just did Rainier and Denali is my next lofty goal (when i get the money and vacation time).

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