Many of our intrepid staff took advantage of their surroundings to embark on a variety of adventures this summer. In June, Scott Peters summitted Scott Peak, a steep, permanently snow-covered 8,800-footer. He and Tiernan Martin also ran a marathon on the Park Road, from Eielson Visitor Center back ‘home’ to Camp Denali, quenched en route by a passing rain shower. In the latter part of summer, fourteen separate staff members made their way to McGonagall Pass, the traditional approach for early climbing attempts on Denali. Over the course of a month, the McGonagall hiking parties saw the pass in myriad moods—rainy, snowy, foggy, and bluebird clear!

Two groups ventured beyond the park boundaries. Seeking new terrain, John Kahle and Ellen Horbett spent three July days trekking from Igloo Creek over the Teklanika and Sanctuary drainages to exit the park via the long and shrubby “Riley Creek meander,” ending up near the park entrance. At the end of the season, while most staff departed by bus, Fiona Galbraith and Julia Smith took the long route by hiking over Anderson Pass and down the West Fork Glacier, ending on the Parks Highway.            

Warm weather encouraged many to explore the creeks, lakes, and rivers of Denali, as well. Martha McPheeters convinced more than a few friends and staff to join her in floating the upper sections of the Nenana River, which forms part of the park’s eastern boundary.

In addition to exploring the far-reaching corners of the park, staff also managed to stretch their legs around the lodges, most prominently in the All-Staff Triathlon on July 24. Many hands helped coordinate the event, which was a huge success with sixteen participants. The course tested strength and endurance with a bike ride up the driveway from North Face Lodge to Camp Denali, a quick ascent and descent of Camp Ridge, and finally, a swim across chilly Nugget Pond. The winning time clocked in at just under 54 minutes!