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
Travel to Anchorage
Team meeting and briefing
Travel to Talkeetna and fly to the glacier, establish Base Camp
Single carry to Camp 1 2,300m/7,800ft
Haul loads up to Kahiltna Pass to cache 3,000m/9,800ft
Move to Camp 2 3,400m/11,200ft
Back-carry day
Haul loads around Windy Corner 4,000m/13,100ft
Move to Camp 3 4,350m/14,200ft
Back-carry day
Climb up the headwall to the ridge
Rest day
Move to High Camp 5,250m/17,200ft
Rest day
Summit day 6,190m/20,308ft
Descent
Descent
Contingency days
Return to Anchorage
Trip ends – depart for home
Departures and Pricing
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 $ | Book Now | |
11 May - 4 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | Book Now | |
15 May - 8 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | Book Now | |
19 May - 12 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $12,900 USD $ | Book Now | |
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 $ | Book Now | |
4 Jun - 28 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | 1 space left | $12,900 USD $ | Book Now | |
6 Jun - 25 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $18,850 USD $ | Book Now | |
8 Jun - 2 Jul 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | $12,900 USD $ | |||
10 Jun - 29 Jun 2025 | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | Available | $18,850 USD $ | Book Now | |
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
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.
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.
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.
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.