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.
Denali, previously also known as Mount McKinley, means 'The High One' in the local Koyukon language and is situated in the Alaska Range 627km/390 miles from the Arctic Circle.
Our 'Low Ratio' departures offer a low guide-to-client ratio of 1:2, with a maximum group size of 6:3. This optimises your chances of summiting the highest peak in North America with increased efficiency, flexibility and safety.
Denali is a serious undertaking, and our Low Ratio option is suited to those people looking to optimise their chances of summiting by joining a small team committed to achieving their goal. Our North American based guides have extensive guiding experience on Denali and other high peaks around the world, making this an ideal expedition for those wishing to learn the essentials of high altitude mountaineering with the assurance of qualified leadership.
By reducing the guide-to-client ratio to 1:2 (with a maximum team size of 3:6) we create a smaller team, which on the mountain equates to increased efficiency, flexibility and safety and therefore higher chance of summit success. For experienced and adventurous backcountry skiers we are running a Ski Approach option, please contact us for further details on this expedition. We also offer a separate 1:3 'Standard' ratio and a Denali Prep Course for those wishing to hone their skills before taking on the expedition.
- North America’s highest peak and one of the Seven Summits
- 1:2 guide to client ratio
- Enjoy spectacular high-altitude climbing
Expedition Level
Expedition Level
Advanced
Elevation
Elevation
6,190m/20,308ft
Duration
Duration
25 days
Location
Location
Alaska, USA
LOW RATIO ITINERARY
DAY 1
Travel to Anchorage
DAY 2
Team meeting and briefing
DAY 3
Travel to Talkeetna and fly to the glacier, establish Base Camp
DAY 4
Single carry to Camp 1 2,300m/7,800ft
DAY 5
Haul loads up to Kahiltna Pass to cache 3,000m/9,800ft
DAY 6
Move to Camp 2 3,400m/11,200ft
DAY 7
Back-carry day
DAY 8
Haul loads around Windy Corner 4,000m/13,100ft
DAY 9
Move to Camp 3 4,350m/14,200ft
DAY 10
Back-carry day
DAY 11
Climb up the headwall to the ridge
DAY 12
Rest day
DAY 13
Move to High Camp 5,250m/17,200ft
DAY 14
Rest day
DAY 15
Summit day 6,190m/20,308ft
DAY 16
Descent
DAY 17
Descent
DAY 18 - 23
Contingency days
DAY 24
Return to Anchorage
DAY 25
Trip ends – depart for home
Departures and Pricing
Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control
| Start/End | Departing from | Quantity | Pricing | Notes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 May - 27 May 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
| Book Now | |||||
| 7 May - 31 May 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
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| 11 May - 4 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
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| 15 May - 8 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
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| 19 May - 12 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
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| 23 May - 16 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
| Book Now | |||||
| 27 May - 20 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | $12,900 USD $ | |||
| 31 May - 24 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
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| 4 Jun - 28 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | 1 space left | $12,900 USD $ | ||
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| 6 Jun - 25 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $18,850 USD $ | ||
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| 8 Jun - 2 Jul 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | $12,900 USD $ | |||
| 10 Jun - 29 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | $18,850 USD $ | |||
| 14 Jun - 8 Jul 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | $12,900 USD $ | |||
| 16 Jun - 10 Jul 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
| Book Now | |||||
| 17 Jun - 11 Jul 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | $12,900 USD $ | |||
| 18 Jun - 12 Jul 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | ||
| Book Now | |||||
Looking for a specific date? Book a private expedition
PREPARE
Fitness
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, 6000m 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.
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.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
- Mountain guides at maximum 1:2 ratio
- All expedition organisational requirements
- Return transport between Talkeetna from Anchorage
- Round-trip mountain flight
- Group equipment: stoves, tents, ropes etc. and all supplies necessary to make a safe and strong bid for the summit
- A dispatch page following the climb on the Mountain Trip website
- Group food during the climb
- Up to two nights (shared) accommodation at Lakefront Anchorage prior to the climb
- Airport transfers as provided by Lakefront Anchorage
- Uphill Athlete 24-week Mountaineering Training Program.
DISPATCHES
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November 29 2024
Join us for the first of our 2024/25 southern summer expeditions to climb South America's highest peak, Aconcagua (6,962m/22,840ft). Read More
Three Peaks Nepal 2024
November 02 2024
Follow dispatches, news and updates from Adventure Consultants' Three Peaks Nepal Expedition 2024, as the team climbs Lobuche East, Pokalde & Island Peak. Read More
Island Peak & Khumbu Trek #2 2024
October 14 2024
Follow our Island Peak and Khumbu Trek #2 teams as they journey through the spectacular Khumbu Valley to Everest Base Camp and Island Peak... Read More