Mount McKinley: Icy Crown of North America

In this selective "biography" of Mount McKinley, considered a classic of mountaineering literature, renowned climber and mountain historian, Fred Beckey pays tribute to one of the world's great mountains.

Alaska's Mount McKinley, known as Denali by Native Americans, has captivated legions throughout the centuries. Beckey explores the rich history and almost spiritual power of this great mountain—from the natural forces that shaped it to the people who strove to conquer it.

Beginning with the geologic development of McKinley, Beckey moves on to another shaping force—the people who first lived in the shadows of the mountain: Native Americans, Russian fur traders, and the first American prospectors. From there Beckey offers an in-depth chronology of the mountaineering history and summit achievements, including his own. For those desiring a deeper understanding of the mountain, this book features chapters on serious mountaineering accidents, and the challenges and logistics of climbing McKinley.