Alaska Northwest Books, 1990, 1st edition or 3rd printing. 347 pp, photos. Used softcover. Very Good to Near Fine. (No hardcover was published).
This is an account of the historic climbs of Mt McKinley (Denali), from the very 1st attempt (James Wickersham in 1903) up to the season of 1992, often called Denali's deadliest season. Additional chapters deal with the topical issues of climbers' responsibilities, the trash issue, the short history of professional guides on Denali, and the future of climbing there. This would be a good background book for anyone planning to climb Denali.
Aptly nicknamed 'the great one' (Denali) by Alaskan natives, mighty Mt. McKinley and the mountaineers it has inspired are the subjects of this chronicle. A dozen climbs significant in Denali's history are described, as well as one typical of those experienced by average adventure climbers. Sherwonit, an outdoors writer based in Anchorage, presents all sides of the controversies provoked by the climbs and by National Park Service policies on use of Denali. The final chapters on the special problems that affect Denali's future--rescue of incompetent or injured climbers, sanitation and trash, how many and what kind of guide services--discuss topics unfamiliar to conservationists in the lower 48. Recommended.
