Features Reporter
Last summer, the CMU Outdoor Program took a trip to climb Mount Denali, the tallest peak in North America. A month of planning and 18 days of climbing led the group to the summit. Each climber carried about 150 pounds of gear.
The group flew onto the Kahiltna Glacier and hiked across it until they reached the base of the peak. They hauled gear on sleds past an enormous crevasse. Because of varying experience of the group, OP Director Chad Thatcher said that it was crucial that everyone had as much time as they needed to acclimate to the high elevation. Stoney Molina, a CMU student who was a part of the trip, said the climb was pursued “expedition style.” This meant the group climbed the peak as a team. Professionally guided groups pay a guide to take them to the summit, but the OP group met before the trip in a classroom setting to go over the general plan for the trip. They also discussed the use of gear, food and safety procedures.
“The view and the mountain were so vast, and the beauty was so harsh, people and ravens were the only things alive,” Molina said.
Molina described the ascent as “outstanding,” and even though he has climbed a handful of peaks before, this was his first climb anywhere near its caliber.
The group used a method of cashing or burying gear and climbing to a higher altitude, then descending and returning with more gear. This gave their bodies time to adjust to the constantly lowering oxygen levels.
“You might have the energy, but not the physical endurance,” Thatcher said.
The climb went relatively smooth according to Molina, and there were no scary moments, but there were some frustrating ones.
“On summit day, we were behind a lot of people.” Molina said.
Because of restrictions on how many people can climb the peak each year, as well as changing weather patterns, windows for summiting were relatively short. This lead to a rather crowded trip, and what Molina referred to as “tent cities” at base camps.
The path to the top was covered with a mix of recreational groups like the OP’s as well as guided groups.
“We were behind some people who didn’t know how to use crampons and gear so well,” Molina said.
One of the more interesting sights on their climb was a group of Russian mountaineers.
“They were coughing, hacking, and smoking all the way up.” Molina said.
Molina doesn’t have any definite plans for more alpine climbs of this level, such as K2 or Mt. Everest, but it has been in the back of his mind ever since Denali.
The OP continues to plan more trips. The program specializes in teaching participants the skills necessary to complete trips like this without professional guidance or help.
“We didn’t have to pay anyone to get us up there,” Molina said.
To see photos, hear stories, and get more information on the OP’s adventure of Mount Denali, go to this week’s Wednesday Night Wanderings in the Maverick Center, room 155, at 7:30 P.M.
ealinko@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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