Expedition Denali

Adventure Activism, Climbing, Cool on Kickstarter, Expedition Denali, featured, Life Out Loud / 01.05.2013

[caption id="attachment_51648" align="alignright" width="225"] Charles Crenchaw (the Mountaineers Books)[/caption] One year after Jim Whittaker and his team became the first Americans to summit Mount Everest another historic climb was achieved in Alaska. In 1964 along with 14 other climbers Charles Crenchaw became the first African-American to reach the top of Mount McKinley, also known as Denali. Achieving a height of 20,328 feet above sea level Crenchaw had climbed higher than any black man in American history. And though we celebrate Whittaker today for his great accomplishment 50 years ago...

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Adventure Activism, Adventure Media Review, Commentary, Cool on Kickstarter, Diversity, Expedition Denali, Film preview / 10.04.2013

In June of 2013 the first team of African-American climbers will attempt to reach the highest peak in the continental United States. The project called Expedition Denali aims not only to demonstrate the long standing presence of black athletes on the adventure scene, but to inspire a new generation of young people to embrace the enduring legacy of minority participation in outdoor recreation and environmental conservation. The face of mountaineering is about to make a dramatic change. Though typically dominated by white men the sport of climbing is taking...

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Adventure Activism, Climbing, Diversity, Expedition Denali, Life Out Loud, Outdoor Recreation / 08.03.2013

I admit some apprehension to being in front of the camera. As a trained observer I've always been more than a little reluctant to be part of the story. But when it comes to Expedition Denali I’m prepared to make an exception. To be part of the first team of African-American climbers to reach the highest summit in North America is an opportunity tough to pass up. And our little cohort of adventurers aims to change the face of mountaineering and the stories that define what it means...

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Adventure Activism, Climbing, Diversity, Expedition Denali / 17.10.2012

(This story is the second installment that details the latest Expedition Denali training mission to the summit of Mount Baker ) My field of vision was restricted to a bright white cone of light. The beam of my headlamp reflected back the blue-grey footprints of the climbers on lead ahead of me. Overnight the summer slush had frozen to a solid mass of ice that threatened with every step to sweep my feet right out from under me. On the Easton Glacier of Mount Baker at 4 o'clock in...

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Adventure Activism, Climbing, Diversity, Expedition Denali / 20.08.2012

[caption id="attachment_7763" align="alignleft" width="402"] photo by Bryan Fabel[/caption] Morning comes early in the mountains. By definition an alpine start rouses climbers from sleep long before sunrise. Gathered on the Easton Glacier the night before, we discussed our departure time at the team meeting. My first thought was probably shared by the others. "Are you friggin' kiddin' me?" But no one said anything. We just agreed to be roped up and ready to go. One by one we shuffled off to bed. At 2 am I lay in my tent wide awake huddled...

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Climbing, Diversity, Environmental Protection, Expedition Denali / 09.08.2012

Just barely recovered from the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City I'm heading back in to field with the National Outdoor Leadership School. As part of training for Expedition Denali in 2013 our team of African-American climbers is getting another opportunity to build skills and camaraderie while traversing the glaciers of Mt. Baker in the state of Washington. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful part of the country. And as we prepare to embark upon another great adventure I can't help but recognize how lucky we are....

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