Mount McKinley: The Conquest of Denali [Hardcover]

Bradford Washburn (Author), David Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1991

North America's highest peak, Alaska's Mount McKinley -- also known as Denah -- rises majestically to a height of 20,320 feet. This book recounts the eventful history of the mountain, which since 1902 has been the site of some of mountaineering's supreme achievements. Coupled with these tales of adventure from two expert climbers are the stunning photographs of Bradford Washburn, who has conquered McKinley three times.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At 20,320 feet, Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, presents a formidable challenge to climbers and has claimed more than 60 lives. Washburn, retired director of the Boston Museum of Science, noted cartographer and a member of the third party to reach the summit (1942), produced stunning aerial photographs and finely detailed maps that opened new routes for climbers. Roberts made his first ascent as a college student in 1963. Together and alternately, they here recount adventures--successes, failures, tragedies--on the slopes of Mt. McKinley (Denali is its Indian name). The years 1904-1913 saw explorers and prospectors rather than experienced climbers: a trio of sourdoughs reached the top of North Peak (19,450) in 1910, wearing ordinary winter clothing and carrying only walking sticks and a shovel. Frederick Cook made a false claim for the summit in 1906; Hershel Parker and Belmore Brown were forced down by a storm in 1912; Henry Karstens and Charlie McGonagall took summit honors the following year. The 1930s brought intensive exploration and mapping activities aided by the use of ski planes. In the postwar period, climbers flocked to McKinley from all over the world, attempting new routes, going solo and in winter. During the summer of 1990, 600 climbers crowded up to the summit. Dramatic photographs and lively tales make this volume a rare momento of the mountain.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams; First Edition edition (August 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810936119
• ISBN-13: 978-0810936119
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,176,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Ansel Adams!, October 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Mount McKinley: The Conquest of Denali (Hardcover)

This book is an absolute must for mountain and photography enthusiasts. Washburns photographs of Mt. Mckinley are beyond word description. This is the perfect coffee table book that you will look at hundreds of times. When people look at my copy they can't put it down. The mountain is viewed from every angle from high altitude to on the peak itself. Even though these photos were taken many years ago mountain climbers still use this book to get details for new routes. Washburn squeezes in the climbing history of Mckinley (Of which he and his wife are a big part of), between the incredible full page photos. I love this book. I tell friends that they can look at but don't ask to borrow it!

3 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous and full of information, October 20, 1999

By 

K. Freeman (Apple Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mount McKinley: The Conquest of Denali (Hardcover)

Well written and encyclopedic in its range, this book is also full of amazing photographs.