Our Pacific Northwest: Dupre is Down from Denali, But Not Out

Our Pacific Northwest

 Dupre is Down from Denali, But Not Out

Photo via Anchorage Daily News

The Anchorage Daily News reported yesterday Lonnie Dupre of Minnesota has returned to base camp after his third attempt to become the first human being to conquer Mt. McKinley, North America’s tallest peak at 20,320, in the dead of winter by himself. According to the article, the 51-year-old reached 17,200 feet Thursday before stopping to build a protective snow cave. Dupre intended to use Saturday as a day of scheduled recuperation, but instead spent even more energy fortifying his cave from the -35 degree temperature. Dupre spent 19 days on the mountain before radioing his base camp he would be climbing back down in fear of succumbing to the unforgiving elements. The report went on to state Dupre spent a week at 14,200 before turning back last year, and additional seven days at 17,200 again in 2011 before giving in. Though 16 people have conquered McKinley in between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, a time when daylight is a rare luxury, Dupre is trying to be the first human to accomplish this feat alone. Empirical would like to commend Dupre on his courage to not only attempt this dangerous feat, but also not letting vanity lead him to disaster. We wish him the best of luck and health in any future pursuits of reaching the top the most menacing winter peak in our Pacific Northwest



Photo via Flickr