Climbing Denali in 21 days, Denali National Park, Alaska
Join the experienced certified guides at Benegas Brothers Expeditions and climb the daunting Denali in Alaska. A must for experienced mountaineers!
Private
Alaska Range
21 Days
May, Jun
Very high
Advanced
Highlights
- Climb to the top of one of the world's seven summits.
- Put your mountaineering skills to test on a challenging climb.
- Join seasoned guides to the top of the awe-inspiring Denali in Alaska.
Description
Would you like to climb to the top of one of the most challenging of the seven summits? Then try your hand at climbing Denali on this exhilarating 21-day expedition in Denali National Park, Alaska.
At 20,308 ft. (6,190 m.), Denali is the highest mountain in North America, and one of the world’s seven summits. This breathtaking giant is located in Alaska and is a remote and difficult peak to climb. On this 21-day program, we will head to the top of this amazing mountain and put our mountaineering skills to test.
We will set off from Talkeetna and fly to Kahiltna Glacier where we will set up base camp. Before starting with the heavy-duty climbing, we will not only go over equipment and have a trip briefing, but we will also go over rope skills and other key aspects to ensure our safety on the climb. Then, we will set off at a steady pace over the following days, taking the time to acclimatize accordingly. We will aim to reach the summit on the 13th day, but climbing Denali is difficult, so we have also scheduled in contingency days. Finally, we will descend and return to Talkeetna. You can find a detailed itinerary below.
Please keep in mind that this is a demanding climb for seasoned mountaineers. You will need to have prior high altitude experience and an excellent fitness level. Contact us to find out the requirements and preparations sequence.
So, are you ready for an exciting ascent of a challenging and beautiful mountain? Then book your place now and join us on this climbing Denali 21-day program!
We also offer a short 3-day ascent of the lovely Mount Baker in Washington!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Mountain guide expenses
- Tents
- Cooking utensils
Price details
- INCLUDES:
- Charter flights;
- All guides’ costs;
- All communal climbing equipment;
- All expedition permits, food, and supplies.
- DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International Air Travel;
- Hotels and Meals in Talkeetna (lunches and dinners);
- Hotels and Meals in Anchorage (lunches and dinners);
- Personal equipment (your equipment list will be sent to you on the receipt of your booking deposit);
- Charges incurred as a result of flight delays / earlier than expected departure from National Park back to Anchorage (including any additional hotels nights);
- Bar bills and laundry;
- Travel, rescue insurance;
- Climbing/trip insurance and any rescue expenses as needed;
- Any cost if the climber abandons the trip;
- Customary guide gratuities;
- Any other expenses incurred beyond the control due of BBE e.g. due to changes in the itinerary or clients personal needs;
- Medical, hospitalization and evacuation costs (by any means);
- Any medications, ground or air evacuations, personal items such as room services, laundry, beverages, phone communications and items of personal nature, insurance liability, hospitalization or medication of any kind, any other service not mentioned.
Itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Kahiltna Glacier
Today we make our registration with the National Park Office, before flying to the Kahiltna Glacier. Here we establish Base Camp and time-permitting can review camp protocols and rope skills.
Day 2: Load Carry to Camp I (2,377m/7,800ft)
Here we establish Camp I, normally reached in around 4 hours. However, we depart early to avoid excessive heat if the weather is clear.
Day 3: Kahiltna Pass Haul to Cache Gear
This is a moderate day where we cache equipment and food at 11,000 feet approx., returning to Camp I to sleep. We now begin employing a climb-high sleep-low strategy for our elevation gains to come.
Day 4: Move to Camp II (3,414m/11,200ft)
Today we take the infrastructure from our Camp I up to Camp II; moving days are tougher than haul days, but we are rewarded by a stunning sunset at Camp II.
Day 5: Cache Pick Up Day
Almost a rest day, today we descend to our gear cache at 11,000 feet and move it up to Camp II.
Day 6: Load Carry Up The Mountain
Today we move gear up to the ‘Windy Corner’ cache at just above 14,000 feet, a four-mile round trip.
Day 7: Move to Camp III (4,328m/14,200ft)
Another moving day, with thinning air to combat. En route, we pass our gear cache at 17,000 feet and take up only our camp and meals for the night. We will have to construct snow walls to protect our camp, hard work for which every bit of stamina counts.
Day 8: Cache Pick Up Day
We descend to our gear cache at 17,000 feet and move it up to Camp III today.
Day 9: Load Carry Up The Mountain
Today we move gear up to almost 17,000 feet, and if possible cache it as high up as our High Camp/Camp IV, passing en route the infamous head-wall which requires the use of ascenders. This is a really tough and technical day and we also feel the altitude.
Day 10: Rest day
Today we factor in a full rest day. Our bodies need rest by now, as well as some time to acclimatize and properly re-hydrate.
Day 11: Move to High Camp (5,243m/17,200ft)
Probably our toughest day, today we move up to Camp IV. The climbing is superb, and a true reward for the hard effort being put in! Again we must save some energy to build snow walls for our camp on arrival.
Day 12: Rest day at High Camp
This is a final rest day before our summit push, normally much appreciated by everyone.
Day 13: Summit Day
Summit Day on Denali is tough and cold and long. Guides’ decisions are always made with safety as our primary concern. The summit ridge is utterly breathtaking, but we enforce a strict turnaround time.
Day 14 to 15: Descent
Our descent normally takes a couple of days, depending on team energy and motivation. We finally return to Base Camp for a well-deserved celebration dinner!
Day 16 to 20: Contingency Days
Day 21: Return to Talkeetna, trip ends
Weather permitting we fly out and catch a shuttle out from Talkeetna, with much to celebrate in Anchorage!
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Benegas Brothers
5.0
(10)
Mountain Guide
Twin brothers Damian and Willie Benegas are two of the most respected climbers and mountaineers that Patagonia has produced. They boast an impressive 20 years' experience climbing and guiding expeditions in the Seven Continents, including tailor-made trips and group tours.
Benegas Brothers Expeditions' track record is proven by its outstanding safety and summit rates and the fact that clients keep coming back year after year.
It was their father's love for mountaineering and the outdoors that inspired Damian and WIllie as children to pursue their own adventures. Aconcagua and the mountains in northern Patagonia became their training ground and the place where they established themselves as world-class alpinists.
BBE was founded in 1992 and over the course of 20 seasons has guided clients from all over the world around the 4 corners of the world. The Benegas Brothers offer personalized adventures by prioritizing small groups in which family values and environmentally-friendly policies are of essence.
Join their expeditions in Patagonia, the Andes, the US and all over the world!
Languages
English
Certificates
AMGA | IFMGA
What people are saying about Benegas Brothers
David
We had an excellent experience with Willie Benegas, he was knowledgeable and inclusive and would by all means join him again.
Jonathan
Willie was hugely experienced and adapted the day according to our inexperience, late middle age and heavy snow fall. It was an exhausting climb and when the weather became even more inclement we bailed out and skied down the way we had come. Willie had already displayed great flexibility with the date, trying hard to negotiate a series of storms coming across the region. In the end we made the best of a bad situation. Be prepared for additional expense. Touring skis, skins, boots and poles plus the backpacks, shovels, search poles and beacons all adds up. With tip that will add another $150 per person. The day was a real adventure and certainly a memorable one. Don't underestimate the level of fitness required. We are pretty fit but it didn't feel like it was enough!
Thomas
We all had a great day out with Willi. He found us some great snow to ski. And even with a few technical issues, he worked round it with ease. He shared alot of knowledge with us all, so we all had a great powder day. We would highly recommend this trip. Tom
alex
My guide Joseph was exceptional. His combination of local knowledge, avalanche expertise, trip/route planning, photography, and his fun, positive attitude made for an unforgettable experience. I’ll be back 100% !
John
Willie Benegas was a superb guide for our first BC ski adventure in the Wasatch. Friendly and highly competent, he accurately assessed the conditions and our ability, and planned a trip that was both challenging and fun. Highly recommended!
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