Mt. McKinley - Alaska
Mount McKinley is the highest mountain on the North American continent. With a hight of 20,260ft it is a giant in terms of its size. Add to this the fact that it is located just to the south of the Artic Circle and subject to some of the most inhospitable weather on the planet, means this is a mountain to be treated with the utmost respect.
During the short summer climbing season in 1990 I travelled to Alsaka as part of the ‘Anglo Irish’ climbing team to attemp to reach the top of this imposing rock. There were 6 in the team. Andy, Henry, Alex, Dick, my lifelong friend and partner on many other adventures David Beet and myself. Unlike climbs in other parts of the world where ‘Shirpas’ do most of the porterage all the supplies and equipment has to be carried by the climbers, making this a much truer challenge for thoses wanting to reach to top of this mountain.
Although it was summer in Alaska the temperatures during the climb dropped to as low as minus 40°C on occasions. Three people lost their lives whilst we were on the mountain and of the multitude who started out at base camp we were alone on the summit with the exception of two Spanish climbers.
An account of the climb to the summit of Mt. McKinley can be found in the diary I kept whilst on the mountain.
