Denali's Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America's Wildest Peak

Description

Denali's Howl is the white-knuckle account of one of the most deadly climbing disasters of all time. In 1967, twelve young men attempted to climb Alaska's Mount McKinley - known to locals as Denali, 'The High One' - one of the most popular and deadly mountaineering destinations in the world. Only five survived. Journalist Andy Hall grew up in the mountain's shadow, the son of the ranger on duty at the time of the tragedy, and has spent years tracking down survivors, lost documents and recordings of radio communications to piece together the chain of events. In Denali's Howl, Hall reveals the full story of an expedition facing conditions conclusively established here for the first time- At an elevation of nearly 20,000 feet, these young men endured an "arctic super blizzard," with howling winds of up to 300 miles an hour and wind chill that freezes flesh solid in minutes. All this without the high-tech gear and equipment climbers use today. As well as the story of the men caught inside the storm, Denali's Howl is the story of those caught outside it trying to save them - Hall's father among them. The book gives readers a detailed look at the culture of climbing then and now and raises uncomfortable questions about each player in this tragedy. Was enough done to rescue the climbers, or were their fates sealed when they ascended into the path of this unprecedented storm?

ANDY HALL grew up in the shadow of Denali. He is the former editor and publisher of Alaska magazine. He lives in Anchorage.

Powerful and profound, Denali's Howl is an extraordinary account of an extraordinary tragedy. With devastating insight and a forensic eye for detail, Andy Hall puts you right there on the mountain, alongside the brave men who risked everything to reach the summit. * Bear Grylls * A white-knuckle story told for the first time in shocking detail. * Daily Mail * Hall's book is often gripping ... its research is meticulous: it feels like a final verdict. -- David Rose * Mail on Sunday * A vivid revisitation of a historic mountain climbing expedition. * Kirkus * Skillfull, heartrending. * Publishers Weekly *