Denali Diary

In the spring of 1975, 22 year old Tim Verkler joined a group of idealistic and energetic mountain climbers who referred to themselves as the Denali Rehabilitation Expedition. The goals were to clean up garbage from past expeditions, show the climbing world that it was possible to climb a major peak and not leave any evidence of their visit and to also reach the top of North America's highest peak. The route included an 85 mile ski approach through Denali National Park and another 30 miles breaking trail for the dog sleds that delivered their excess supplies to the base of the mountain. Being out in the Alaskan wilderness for 60 days, skiing over crevasses, climbing a knife edged ridge, waiting out storms in snow caves and igloos and the personal dynamics that were sometimes intense are all chronicled in this open and person account of this fascinating adventure.