New York, Abrams, 1991, 1st edition. 206 pp, 120 photos. Large format hardcover with dust jacket. Fine condition.
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Washburn's legendary photos and Roberts' fluent text details the amazing history of climbing our highest peak. The definitive book on Mount McKinley.
North America's highest peak, Alaska's Mount McKinley-also known as Denali-rises majestically to a height of 20,320 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 two expert climbers are the stunning photographs of Bradford Washburn, who has conquered McKinley three times.
At 20,320 feet, Mt. McKinley, 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 photographs and finely detailed maps that opened new routes for climbers. Roberts made his first ascent as a college student in 1963.
Together and alternately, they here recount adventures - successes, failures, tragedies - on the slopes of Mt. McKinley (Denali is its Indian name). The years 1904-1913 saw explorers and prospectors rather than experienced climbers: a trio of sourdoughs reached the top of 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; Henry Karstens and Charlie McGonagall took summit honors the following year. The 1930s brought intensive exploration and mapping activities aided by the use of ski planes. In the postwar period, climbers flocked to McKinley from all over the world, attempting new routes, going solo and in winter.
For more than 100 years Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, has been one of the world's greatest mountaineering challenges. Here is the story of its conquest, of the repeated failures to reach it summit, and one remarkable case of fraud. Matching this exciting saga of courage and determination is an album of 130 photographs, which includes dazzling color and black-and-white aerial shots taken by author Bradford Washburn, the third man in history to successfully climb McKinley. For more than 100 years Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, has been one of the world's greatest mountaineering challenges.
For more than 100 years Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, has been one of the world's greatest mountaineering challenges. Here is the story of its conquest, of the repeated failures to reach it summit, and one remarkable case of fraud. Matching this exciting saga of courage and determination is an album of 130 photographs, which includes dazzling color and black-and-white aerial shots taken by author Bradford Washburn, the third man in history to successfully climb McKinley. For more than 100 years Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, has been one of the world's greatest mountaineering challenges. Here is the story of its conquest, of the repeated failures to reach it summit, and one remarkable case of fraud. Matching this exciting saga of courage and determination is an album of 130 photographs, which includes dazzling color and black-and-white aerial shots taken by author Bradford Washburn, the third man in history to successfully climb McKinley.
This book recounts the eventful history of conquests of the mountain-a story of tragedy and triumph told and pictured by the two men perhaps best qualified in all the world to do so.
David Roberts continues to write award-winning books and articles that are published worldwide. He made several pioneering, significent first ascents in Alaska including the Wickersham Wall on Mt McKinley, Kachatna Spire, East Face of Mt Dickey, etc. He co-authored with Bradford Washburn the magnificent book, Mount McKinley, The Conquest of Denali and is in 2006 ghost writing Ed Viesturs story of his 8000 meter climbs.
