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Photograph of Mount McKinley also known as Denali.

Climbing Allocation for Mount McKinley

Denali National Park and Preserve » Climbing Allocation for Mount McKinley » Document List

**Comment period has just been extended to October 31, 2011.**

Denali National Park and Preserve has prepared an Environmental Assessment regarding the allocation of climbing permits between commercially guided climbing operators and independent climbers on Mount McKinley. The 2006 Backcountry Management Plan established a seasonal (April 1 to August 1) limit of 1500 permitted climbers for Mount McKinley. The Backcountry Management Plan allocated 25% of the permits for commercially guided groups. This planning effort has reviewed the current allocation and determined its relevance to the current demand. The limit of 1500 permitted climbers has not been reviewed during this planning effort.

Concessioner guided climbs are a longstanding tradition in Denali. Interest in guided climbing is increasing and the National Park Service (NPS) is working to determine how to accommodate this demand, while assuring that wilderness resources values, visitor experience, and other park resources are protected. A reasonable range of alternatives has been developed for consideration.

• Alternative 1 is a no action alternative which would enforce the annual limit of 25% of 1500 (375 climbers) for commercially guided climbing set by the Backcountry Management Plan.

• Alternative 2 guarantees commercially guided climbing of 25% of 1500 (375 climbers), and also allows commercially guided climbing to utilize any remaining unused permits up to 50% of 1500 (750 climbers) providing no independent climbers are displaced.

• Alternative 3 guarantees commercially guided climbing of 25% of 1500 (375 climbers), and also allows commercially guided climbing to utilize any remaining unused permits providing no independent climbers are displaced.

Comments will be accepted through October 31 and can be submitted through this website, mail, or fax.

Superintendent
Denali National Park and Preserve
ATTN: Climbing EA
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
FAX: 907-638-9612

*****NOTE: To comment, click on the OPEN FOR COMMENT link to the left of the page. Then select Draft Climbing Allocation EA.*****

Contact Information

Martha Armington, Project Lead
907-683-9529

Paula Homan, Project Planning Lead
907-683-6223