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phaedrus
Feb 27, 2006, 7:15 AM
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Anchorage, Alaska - North America's tallest mountain is getting too crowded for safety.
Starting next year, the National Park Service will cap the number of climbers allowed on Alaska's Mount McKinley at 1,500 a year - not too many more than the record 1,340 alpinists who attempted to scale the 20,320-foot mountain last year.
McKinley, known locally as Denali or "the High One," is required climbing for many of the world's most serious mountaineers, who attempt to reach the summit of the highest peak on each of the seven continents. About half the climbers who attempt McKinley come from other countries.
It's too late to restrict this year's climbing crowd.
A spokeswoman said all but a handful of climbers are on the mountain during a brief two-month period in May and June, and about 95 percent choose the West Buttress route to reach the top.
"You've got a lot of people homing in on one area of the mountain for a short period of time," she said.
Since 1903, McKinley has been attempted by 30,049 climbers, and just over half have reached the summit. Ninety-five climbers have died trying, including a record 11 in 1992. Two brothers from Ohio died last year.
The mountain also is popular because it's easy to get to compared with some others - just a two-hour car ride from Anchorage and a 45-minute flight from Talkeetna to base camp at 7,200 feet.
Climbers typically spend 14 to 18 days on the mountain, a park ranger said.
Source: Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3550331
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cintune
Feb 27, 2006, 7:52 AM
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Funny title.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! There, that oughta keep those crazy climbers away.
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guanoboy
Feb 27, 2006, 8:45 AM
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30,000 climbers, 16 days each, that makes 480,000 turds up there. Sounds like Aconcagua.
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kricir
Feb 28, 2006, 12:33 AM
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cintune said
In reply to: Funny title. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! There, that oughta keep those crazy climbers away.
hmm, I guess I'll have to add a bullet proof vest to the gear list!
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phaedrus
Feb 28, 2006, 10:31 AM
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In reply to: Funny title. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! There, that oughta keep those crazy climbers away.
Thank the Denver Post for the title... I'm nowhere near that creative early in the morning. 8^)
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dynosore
Feb 28, 2006, 11:19 AM
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Will this limit be for the W. Buttress only? I'd love to do the Cassin someday, I doubt they're be a line at the bottom.
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tim_cro
Mar 3, 2006, 12:16 PM
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In reply to: Will this limit be for the W. Buttress only? I'd love to do the Cassin someday, I doubt they're be a line at the bottom.
I think it limits it for the entire mountain. It's strange how little traffic other classic routes (such as the West Rib) get. I realize that some people want the summit only and don't care much how they get it, but the rib is such a beautiful route...
And yes, I find it highly doubtful that there will be anyone else on the Cassin with you when you go... I plan on beating the crowds too, why not just head for the Ridge of No Return, it seems pretty lonely, haha.
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adnix
Mar 28, 2006, 1:37 AM
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In reply to: McKinley, known locally as Denali or "the High One," is required climbing for many of the world's most serious mountaineers, who attempt to reach the summit of the highest peak on each of the seven continents. |
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