The Ascent of Denali: A Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America (Mount Mckinley : a Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America) [Hardcover]

Hudson Stuck (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mount Mckinley : a Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America | Publication Date: February 1, 1989

Though born and raised in England, explorer HUDSON STUCK (1865-1920) epitomized the adventurous New World spirit of the American West at its closing. Drawn by the wide-open spaces, Stuck, an Episcopal priest and champion of a rugged brand of "muscular Christianity," volunteered in 1904 to serve as the archdeacon of the Yukon; his spiritual domain encompassed 250,000 square miles of interior Alaska. Here, he achieved international fame by leading the first successful expedition, in 1913, to scale the highest peak in North America: Mount McKinley, though Stuck, long a defender of native culture, insisted on calling it by its Indian name, Denali. In this 1914 book, Stuck regales us with his dramatic account of the journey, from the dangers posed by sudden storms to the beauty of the glaciers, from the unexpected setbacks-like the fire that swept through their gear-to the "infinite attractiveness" of the challenge. Armchair travelers and lovers of extreme sports alike will thrill to this exciting tale. ALSO AVAILABLE FROM COSIMO: Stuck's Ten Thousand Miles with a Dog Sled

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press (February 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803242050
• ISBN-13: 978-0803242050
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,028,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting account of the time., February 4, 2003

By 

Mongoose (MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ascent of Denali: A Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America (Mount Mckinley : a Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America) (Paperback)

The book is kind of dry at times but it's a very interesting account of the climb. The equipment they had was nothing compared to today. Now a days climbers won't go up without their fancy 400$ leather or plastic boots with clip on crampons, ultralight ice axes.. These guys went up with leather moccasins with 5 layers of wool socks in them and their ice axes and crampons were hand made from existing tools.

All in all a definate read if you are interested in the history of mountaineering.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Ascent of Denali, January 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ascent of Denali: A Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America (Mount Mckinley : a Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America) (Hardcover)

This is a well-written tribute to those who made the trip. Their success is amazing, given the equipment they had at the time. I really felt like I was with them. Any climber/outdoor nut should read this.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hits the heights, January 17, 2011

By 

Kathleen Lambrix (Marshall, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ascent of Denali (Paperback)

Hudson Stuck, first "white" man to climb Denali records his ascent. He describes his intensive year long preparation process of food, tents, supplies, base camps and his team of climbers. He finishes with the difficult ascent. Rev. Stuck reflects on the trials, the beauty, persistance and his wish that the mountain keep it's name Denali given by the people who lived in it's shadow long before "white" men "discovered" it and named it Mt. McKinley. A great outdoor true adventure read.