McKinley Expedition: 100%! Seth Burns & Team all on the Summit!
Posted by: Seth Burns, Ben Thorneycroft, Margo Kerr
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
Thrusday, June 4, 2026 5:53pm PDT
Summited at 4:20 with 100% . Headed down now.
Thursday June 4, 2026 10:12pm PDT
Everyone is back at 17 Camp.
Thursday June 5, 2026 12:24am PDT
We will start with the great news, our entire team went to the top of Denali today! We reached the point where we could go no further at approx. 4:30 pm.
Our day started on the colder side with clear skies and a mild but biting wind. We left 17 camp and began our We broke out into the warming sun at Denali pass and continued steadily up, enjoying decreasing winds and sunshine, climb across the autobahn.
By the time we had reached the Football Field, a broad basin below the final climb to the summit, we were down to only one or two layers. With the summit ridge in sight, we climbed up Pig Hill to Kahiltna Horn, breaking 20,000'. Here we were quickly reminded of our location as freezing winds had us scrambling for more clothes.
The final push to the true summit went slowly but smoothly as we topped out on the highest point in North America. Strong and cold winds made our stay on top short, but lifelong goals and aspirations were fulfilled in those fleeting moments.
We are all now back down to 17,000' camp and tucked into our sleeping bags. Our descent continues tomorrow!
Cheers - RMI Guide Seth Burns & Team
Comments (4)
Congratulations!! So great to hear you made it - has been a joy watching and reading about your adventures. Thank you for sharing and taking care of each other! What an amazing accomplishment!
Posted by: Lisa Dawson on
Congratulations to all and especially that kinda small member of the guide team? Where’d you find that one?
Posted by: Dawson on
Yes team! Awesome news!!!!
Posted by: Hannah Lewis on
Let’s go!! Great job Connor and team!
Posted by: Steven A on