WEST
BUTTRESS
CHALLENGE

Denali Standard Departure

Looking down a steep fixed rope line on Denali.
A tent camp on Denali, snow walls have been built to protect the camp.
A climber celebrates on the summit of Denali, peaks and cloud behind.

This expedition to North America's highest mountain follows the West Buttress Route, which is technically straightforward but also considered a true 'expedition' ascent and a demanding climb.

The West Buttress route was not pioneered until 1951 but is now the most popular route up the mountain, still demanding a high degree of fitness and a solid base of mountaineering experience. Our standard departures are run on a guide-to-client ratio of 1:3, with a maximum group size of 3:9.

An ascent of Denali is ideal for those wishing to experience high altitude expedition mountaineering. Climbers must have intermediate technical snow and ice climbing experience, glacier travel and winter camping skills, plus be in great shape and able to carry 20kg/50lb+ packs. An ascent of Denali is a physically challenging, yet incredibly rewarding experience.

We fly from Talkeetna to Base Camp on the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier at 2,200m/7,300ft. From there we commence the climb of the West Buttress moving through increasingly higher camps until we are in a position to ascend to the summit.

Our Standard departure ascends the mountain at a 1:3 guide-to-client ratio, with a maximum group size of 3:9. we also offer a separate 1:2 Low Ratio departure, in addition to a Denali Prep Course for those wishing to hone their skills before taking on the expedition.

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  • North America’s highest peak and one of the Seven Summits
  • Veteran Denali guides
  • Excellent high-altitude training in a spectacular environment

Expedition Level

Expedition Level

Advanced

Elevation

Elevation

6,190m/20,308ft

Duration

Duration

21 days

Location

Location

Alaska, USA

DENALI STANDARD ITINERARY
DAY 0
Arrive in Anchorage, 2pm gear check, orientation at the hotel, optional team dinner
DAY 1

Ground shuttle to Talkeetna, check in at ranger station, orientation and slide show, pack for glacier flight

DAY 2

Climb to Camp 1 2,300m/7,800ft 

DAY 3

Carry loads to cache below Camp 2 3,000m/9,800ft, return to Camp 1

DAY 4

Move to Camp 2 3,400m/11,200ft

DAY 5

Retrieve cache, return to Camp 2

Move to Camp 3 (4,350m/14,200ft)

DAY 6

Carry loads to cache 4,150m/13,600ft, return to Camp 2

DAY 7

Move to Camp 3 4,350m/14,200ft

DAY 8

Back carry cache

DAY 9

Rest Day

DAY 10

Carry cache above the top of fixed lines 4,950m/16,200ft, return to Camp 3

DAY 11

Optional Rest Day

DAY 12

Move to Camp 4 5,250m/17,200ft

DAY 13

Optional Rest Day

DAY 14 - 19

Summit Window 14-18hr day 6,190m/20,308ft

DAY 19 - 20

Descend from High Camp to the landing strip

DAY 21

Fly off the glacier (weather permitting), sort gear in Talkeetna, trip ends

3D Map of Denali

Departures and Pricing

Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control
Start/End Pricing Book
8 May - 28 May 2025 $12,450 USD $ Book Now
12 May - 1 Jun 2025 $12,450 USD $
16 May - 5 Jun 2025 $12,450 USD $ Book Now
20 May - 9 Jun 2025 $12,450 USD $
24 May - 13 Jun 2025 $12,450 USD $
28 May - 17 Jun 2025 $12,450 USD $ Book Now
6 Jun - 26 Jun 2025 $12,450 USD $ Book Now

Looking for a specific date? Book a private expedition

PREPARE

Fitness

The need for exceptional physical fitness cannot be over-emphasised. A regular, strenuous programme must be followed for many months to achieve the level of fitness required. We suggest a programme tailored to mountaineering such as those from Uphill Athlete. Keep in mind that Denali requires you to manage about 62 kg/135 lb of personal gear, group equipment, and food, which are all split between your pack and a sled that you will be hauling. There are no porters available on Denali so you must be able to move your own loads up and down the mountain. Training with a heavy pack and sled will be essential to a successful expedition.

Technical Experience

Prospective team members should have spent multiple nights camping in the backcountry under winter conditions. Denali should not be your first multi-day winter climbing experience. Climbers should have experience travelling on a rope team in a glaciated environment, experience with the use of crampons and ice axe on steep snow and ice slopes, and crevasse rescue knowledge. You should also have previous experience on glaciated peaks such as Mt Rainier, Mont Blanc, Mt Aspiring and the Ecuador Volcanoes, and at high altitude eg. 6,000m peaks in Nepal, Aconcagua.

Altitude Experience

Climbers should have previous experience climbing at high altitude, e.g. the Ecuador Volcanoes, 6,000m peaks in Nepal and/or Aconcagua. In our experience, Aconcagua is good preparation for Denali - the expedition duration is similar, and you experience life at close to 7,000m.

Climber on Mt Denali
Why Adventure Consultants?

Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to high altitude expedition climbing. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.

We employ strong and specialised expedition leaders and support staff, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams, the best back-up and support available. This includes nutritious and ample quantities of food, comfortable base camp facilities, reliable communications systems and the necessary medical back up.

Many of our expedition members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.

Row of climbers ascending glacier Denali
Inclusions

The price of your trip includes the following:

  • Mountain guides at a maximum 1:3 ratio
  • All expedition organisational requirements
  • Ski plane flights to and from the Kahiltna Glacier
  • National Park Service Mountaineering "Special Use Fee"
  • Denali National Park entrance fee
  • Group equipment: stoves, tents, ropes etc. and all supplies necessary to make a safe and strong bid for the summit
  • Mechanical ascenders for fixed lines
  • Custom expedition sleds
  • Breakfast and dinner while in the mountains (lunch and snacks not included)
  • A dispatch page following the climb on the www.aai.cc website
  • Group shuttle to/from Talkeetna
Denali from the Kahiltna glacier

Without ambition, we deny ourselves the sense of fulfilment we derive from testing ourselves and discovering who it is we really are.

GALLERY
A climber ascends a steep fixed line on Denali.

If we work real hard... we get to enjoy real rewards. There is no easy path.

Climbers on skis dragging sleds on Denali

To succeed in this game, one must REALLY step up, or we might discover that our ambition is greater than our talents. 

Tent scene at 14k camp on Denali

"Prior to the expedition, all questions however small were answered promptly and communication was always easy, I think this is a strength of AC."

Dominic Warland, Australia
A ski plane lands and offloads climbers and their equipment at Denali Base Camp on the Kalhitna Glacier

"Everything was very smooth throughout the whole process... Thanks again for a great trip!"

Hamish Street, Australia
Climbers snuggle into their sleeping bags on expedition inside their tent.

"The overall operation and guides were simply excellent, very professional and dependable. I would recommend AC and their guides to my friends."

Mousumi Bhat, Singapore
A climber negotiates the tricky Mushroom ridge just below Camp 3 on Ama Dabalm

Hankering for a technical challenge? Check out Ama Dablam, one of the world's most aesthetic climbing routes and a must-do for any committed alpinist!

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