#100 Climbing Denali: Tactics And Best Practices With Sam Hennessey

Join Evoke coach Mark Postle for a discussion with Sam Hennessey about all things Denali. Sam is a professional guide with extensive experience guiding and climbing on Denali, and in the Alaska Range.

Learn more about Sam Hennessey here:
www.sunwolfadventures.com

0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:20 Sam’s experience in the Alaska Range
0:04:41 The remoteness of the Alaska Range and existing there
0:08:44 Factors that create uncertainty during an expedition
0:10:49 Alaska Range has unreliable weather forecasting
0:15:39 Being flexible with day-to-day planning
0:20:24 Summit attempts from 14k ft vs. 17k ft
0:22:58 Underestimating cold and altitude
0:24:36 Greater levels of energy expenditure unique to climbing in the Alaska Range
0:26:11 Common scenarios resulting in failure to summit
0:36:23 The necessity of training and practice on technical terrain
0:41:03 A multi-year approach for success on Denali
0:42:07 Limited bandwidth for skill instruction while on the mountain
0:50:45 Logistical challenges on Denali
0:52:45 Ways to reduce weight on Denali
0:59:41 Heat exposure on Denali
1:02:13 Best practices for descending after summiting
1:04:17 Observations of unguided parties on Denali
1:09:07 Efficient strategies for meal prep
1:14:01 Thoughts on decision-making high on Denali
1:23:48 Sam’s final thoughts about climbing Denali

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:20 Sam’s experience in the Alaska Range
• 4:41 The remoteness of the Alaska Range and existing there
• 8:44 Factors that create uncertainty during an expedition
• 10:49 Alaska Range has unreliable weather forecasting
• 15:39 Being flexible with day-to-day planning
• 20:24 Summit attempts from 14k ft vs. 17k ft
• 22:58 Underestimating cold and altitude
• 24:36 Greater levels of energy expenditure unique to climbing in the Alaska Range
• 26:11 Common scenarios resulting in failure to summit
• 36:23 The necessity of training and practice on technical terrain
• 41:03 A multi-year approach for success on Denali
• 42:07 Limited bandwidth for skill instruction while on the mountain
• 50:45 Logistical challenges on Denali
• 52:45 Ways to reduce weight on Denali
• 59:41 Heat exposure on Denali
• 1:02:13 Best practices for descending after summiting
• 1:04:17 Observations of unguided parties on Denali
• 1:09:07 Efficient strategies for meal prep
• 1:14:01 Thoughts on decision-making high on Denali
• 1:23:48 Sam’s final thoughts about climbing Denali