Denali - Mt. Mc Kinley

Climb Denali   -   The West Buttress

The West Buttress of Denali is the classic mountaineering route for most climbers looking to climb Denali. First pioneered in 1950 by Bradford Washburn, it has become the main route of choice for most Denali ascents today due to its relative ease of access and flights into the national park. We work with guides approved for Denali National Park guiding making sure your safety is number one.

The West Buttress route begins at 7,200 feet on the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. It follows the Kahiltna north before ascending up onto the West Buttress proper.  This route is technically not difficult, climbers will use a variety of mountaineering techniques to make their way around crevasses and up moderately steep terrain. The route culminates on summit day by following an incredible knife edged ridge to the highest point inNorth America.

Carrying a heavy pack in the thin air of altitude at such high latitudes can make the West Buttress a very physically challenging climb. Extreme winds, heavy snowfall and arctic cold make it a serious undertaking. Aspiring West Buttress climbers need to be in top physical shape and prepared to suffer with a smile. We advice previous experience at 6,000m, winter skills courses and Alpine climbing. Having used fixed line climbing like on Island peak will give a mental confidence needed to succeed on Denali, once the weather and conditions play their part.

Denali is serious mountain and not to be underestimated. Our itinerary is set out below which gives a basic outline of what we hope will unfold each day during the course of your Denali expedition. Many factors can, and probably will, contribute to cause the following schedule to change. Our guides know the mountain and may elect to stray from this itinerary in order to give you the best possible shot at getting to the summit and keeping you safe. We only work with the best and we will provide you with that. Our guides will have summitted numerous times and will have your safety at the fore front of your climb.

Denali Itinerary