The 2025 climbing season on Mount McKinley has officially come to a close, wrapping up a busy year marked by high activity and some tragic events From early May through early July, climbers from around the world tested their skills and endurance on the iconic Alaskan peak, known for its extreme weather and unforgiving terrain.
The main climbing window typically spans from May into early July, with the highest concentration of climbers arriving between mid-May and mid-June. The brief period offers the most favorable conditions, although temperatures can still plummet and storms can roll in with little warning on a mountain that makes its own weather decisions.
This season saw approximately 1,150 climbers registered to attempt Mount McKinley, with 35% reaching the summit, according to early estimates. The National Park Service will publish the final statistics in August. The vast majority of climbers opted for the West Buttress route, regarded as the safest and most popular option for those attempting the 20,310-foot summit that is on the list as one of the coveted “Seven Summits.”
The mountain was the last ascent for two men, both from Washington state.
On June 2, 41-year-old ski mountaineer Alex Chiu of Seattle died after falling 3,000 feet while un-roped on the West Buttress route near Squirrel Point.
On June 10, 29-year-old Nicholas Vizzini of Washington state lost his life in an avalanche at approximately 16,600 feet, also on the West Buttress route.
No climbers remain on the mountain as of July 16. On nearby Mount Foraker, where 24 climbers were registered, all climbers are also now down from the mountain.
The average climb of the mountain lasts 15-18 days. This year, the climbing window closed slightly early due to strong avalanche dangers that came with excessive snow and high winds.
Yay, winter’s coming!
Made it to 19,300 feet (Archdeacon’s Tower) on a COLD and stormy day in early May of 1980, and stepped foot on the tippy-top on a fine day in late May, 1993. Why? Because of an indescribable exhilaration (lack of oxygen, mebbe), and because it feels really good when one can turn around and take steps downward.
God Bless all that have scaled Mount McKinley and those lost souls that lay to rest up there.
I could never figure out why government that demands seat belts, hardhats, draconian smoking rules allows people to do this.
It ‘trashes nature’ (left behind waste) in an iconic National Park, risks lives & kills people.
How does the Nanny State allow this?
Personally i say – Go for it – to each his own – live till you die, but I’d much rather be in a swamp where things live then on a Mt where nothing does (plus I’m WAY too lazy for this ….lol)
The view of McKinley is so much prettier from the Parks Hiway and costs so much less than the $30K to climb it.
Mountaineering is an exhilarating experience. I summited Mt Rainier in the late 80’s on my first ever mountain climb. Amazing site at the summit. On the way down I was leading and had a snow bridge collapse. I thought I was a goner. We were roped up and had practiced so it ended well. Never felt the need to mountain climb again.
I Love winter!!!!
The view of Denali from Wonder Lake is truly…a wonder!
McKinley! Music to my ears!