Customer Reviews

Ascend Denali

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD is not a comprehensive guide to how to climb this mountain - if that's what you're looking for, you will not find it. The main feature of this DVD is essentially a home movie (of good quality, mind you) taken by some guy named Kevin Flynn on his two separate attempts to reach Denali's summit. Spliced into the home movie are some interesting interview segments with Bradford Washburn, and it includes some beautiful views of the Alaska range from different vantage points along the West Buttress route. The "gear guide" included as an extra feature on this DVD is excellent - very nicely done.

On the down side, videographer Kevin Flynn's comentary is irritatingly asinine at times, making segments of the DVD hard to sit through. Some of his comments, such as claiming to have "never been on a big mountain", and hence figuring that "Denali would be a good place to start", seem almost irresponsible. Too many have died thinking that paying your guide fees and being fit are sufficient to keep you safe on a big mountain. Without Flynn's commentary, I would be inclined to give this DVD 4.5-5 stars (seeing as how I had never expected it to be a climbing guide).

Route-wise, prospective West Buttress climbers should read Colby Coombs' book "Denali's West Buttress: A Climber's Guide to Mount McKinley's Classic Route".

Having watched the DVD and climbed the mountain myself twice, I can say that overall it is useful as a very basic orientation rather than a preparation, with some remarks:
- the main character seems to underestimate the mountain. Fortunately he survives the first attempt in one piece, but it should be stressed that Denali should definitely not 'be your first big mountain'.
- Notable is late Bradford Washburn in some excellent pieces of interview, quoting Scott about the severity of Denali.
- The gear review (more than an hour) starts off with things that a Denali climber should already know and is more suitable for starting climbers (so NOT Denali climbers). But further on in the gear review, you will learn some more Denali specific issues which can be helpful when preparing.
- The info is a bit outdated, for example the Clean Mountain Can (for human waste) is not mentioned.

So, it will help get a good picture of what a Denali expedition is like, including failure on a trip (and success on a next one) so after watching this you can determine if this is something for you to work towards in the coming years or not. If so, do get the Combs & Rucksack Readers pocket guidebooks on Denali as well and only climb when very experienced. Do not count on a guide to mask your inexperience. If you are experienced and planning on Denali, then the gear section should be old news for you, but the route videos and route descriptions will still be very useful as an aid to planning and understanding the mountain.

The producers also have a DVD; Ascend Mt. Rainier, a bit more professionally made DVD about climbing Mt Rainier in Washington state, USA. It might be useful to watch and climb that first, be totally confident on mountains like Rainier before even thinking of Denali.

The flick starts slowly, but eventually gives a good overall view of the West Buttress Route on Denali. A fair look at the climbing skills needed, good details on the campsites used, and hard facts about the weather challenges every team faces on that mountain. I loved the views from high on the mountain.

Ascend Denali is a very well done documentary. The video shows two expeditons as well as a comentary by the first western buttress summiteer.
There is also an informative section about the gear one would need to Ascend Denali.

Good overall veiw at climbing Denali.It really shows some of the possible pit falls in climbing such a mountian.

Ascend Denali from Weekend Climber Productions is an superbly presented interactive DVD guide to Denali, the highest peak in North America and a precipice well known for its extreme and hazardous cold. Ranked among the most dangerous mountains in the world, Ascend Denali presents challenges and hazards which are knowledgeably discussed in depth, along with advice and recommended preparations for experienced climbers seeking to tackle this great summit. Combining an extensive commentary with a spectacular visual tour, and offering a unique and in-depth video gear guide, Ascend Denali is a truly superb resource for both amateur and professional climbers. Also very highly recommended is Ascend Mount Rainier ($24.95), another Weekend Climber Productions interactive DVD guide to several of the most popular routes taken to scale the slopes of Mount Rainier, the fifth highest peak in North America. Following the progress of a guided party tackling the 14,410 foot summit, Ascend Mount Rainier blends informative commentary with breathtaking scenery in a superb resource for dedicated climbers as well as armchair travelers. Special features include 3D and 2D interactive route maps, guide service information, video panoramas, and more.