We continue to staff a ranger station in the town of Talkeetna where mountaineers register for their expeditions. The National Park Service conducted four 24-day patrols on Mount McKinley, as well as numerous patrols into other areas of the Alaska Range. This is the lowest number of search and rescue incidents since 1975 when 362 persons registered to climb Mount McKinley. From that medical/rescue camp, the mountaineering rangers contacted mountaineers and coordinated search and rescue activities.ĭespite the near record number of climbers on the mountain, there were only three search and rescue incidents on Mount McKinley in which the National Park Service was involved. In its place, the Park Service mountaineering staff established a camp at the traditional site at 14,300’ on the West Buttress. The Denali Medical Research Project did not operate during the 1990 season. No dropoffs were permitted at this location. In an effort to cope with the number of people still on the mountain, landings to pick up parties were authorized at the 9,500’ level on the Kahiltna Glacier. Late June snows extended the season longer than was expected, nevertheless, flights into the southeast fork stopped after the first several days of July. Concern over a repeat of the 1986 early closures was well publicized and a number of groups planning late expeditions to the Alaska Range either moved their trips ahead or cancelled altogether. This resulted in an early closure of aircraft landing strips on the glaciers. The dark ash layers, once exposed to radiant heat from the sun, caused greatly accelerated melting of the snow pack as well as uneven melting of the snow surface. A similar scenario occurred in 1986 when Mount Augustine erupted. Throughout most of the winter, Mount Redoubt volcano, located approximately 150 miles south of the Alaska Range, repeatedly erupted, lightly dusting the Alaska Range with multiple layers of volcanic ash. No other winter attempts were made on any other major peak within Denali National Park and Preserve. The 14,300’ basin was their highest camp. They encountered extended periods of poor weather and spent nearly 20 days between the 11,000’ and 14,300’ camps. There was one winter attempt made by a Japanese team of four on the West Buttress.

Record snows fell at the lower elevations during the winter of 1989-90. Heavy winter snows, volcanic ash deposits, near record numbers of climbers, few accidents and generally good weather summarizes the 1990 mountaineering season in the Alaska Range.

Grim dawn map mudrow