1991, 1st edition, 1st printing, 206 pp, 120 photos. Hardcover with dust jacket. SIGNED on the title page by Bradford and Barbara Washburn, who accompanied Brad on his first ascent of the West Butress.

The book details the amazing history of climbing our highest peak. The definitive book on Mount McKinley.

This book is a heavy, Large-format hardcover with a dust jacket. This is a very rare edition.

North America’s highest peak, Alaska’s Mount McKinley aka Denali rises majestically to a height of 20,310 feet. The book recounts the eventful history of the mountain, which since 1902 has been the site of some of mountaineering’s supreme achievements. Coupled with these tales of adventure from expert climbers are the stunning photographs of Bradford Washburn, who has conqured Denali three times.

At 20,310 feet, Denali, the highest mountain in North America, presents a formidable challenge to climbers and has claimed more than 60 lives. Washburn, retired director of the Boston Museum of Science, noted cartographer and a member of the third party to reach the summit (1942), produced stunning aerial photgraphs and finely detailed maps that opened new routes for climbers.

The book recounts adventures, successes, failures, and tragedies on the slopes of Denali. The years 1904-1913 saw explorers and prospectors rather than experienced climbers. A trio of sourdoughs reached the top of Denali’s North Peak (19,450') in 1910, wearing ordinary winter clothing and carrying only walking sticks and a shovel.

Frederick Cook made a false claim for the summit in 1906, Hershel Parker and Belmore Brown were forced down by a storm in 1912, and Henry Karstens and Charlie McGonagall took summit honors in 1913. The 1930s brought intensive exploration and mapping activities aided by the use of ski planes. In the postwar period, climbers flocked to Denali from all over the world, attempting new routes, going solo, and in winter.

The 1953 National Geographic contains an article by Bradford Washburn on his first ascent of the West Butress Route, today’s standard route. There is another article about the wildlife in Denali National Park.