Denali
Alaska Range, Alaska · 20,310 ft
What it asks of you
Total gain
13,000–15,000 ft
Summit day vert
3,000–3,500 ft
Peak weekly vert
10,000–15,000 ft
Skills
- Roped glacier travel and route finding
- Crevasse rescue and self-rescue
- Crampon and ice axe movement
- Fixed-line and exposed-ridge systems
- Heavy pack and sled movement
- Cold-weather expedition camping
- High-altitude pacing and decision making
What these numbers assume
- West Buttress expedition rather than a more technical Denali route
- NPS reports a typical 17–21 day expedition, 40–70 lb packs and 60–80 lb sleds
- The pack range excludes the separate sled load
- Weekly vertical, summit-day, activity and VO2 max ranges are TrekReady editorial planning targets, not NPS prescriptions
- Fitness does not establish acclimatization, technical competence, expedition judgment or safety
Reviewed routes
West Buttress
17–21 days · summit day 10–14 hrs · 3,000–3,500 ft
Season
Primary West Buttress expedition window: May–June
Dates, glacier travel, weather and route conditions vary; verify current NPS registration and expedition information
Sources
Reviewed 2026-08-30. Dates reflect operator review, not current route conditions — check conditions before you go.