Denali: Episode 1 [Backcountry Backpacking]

In episode 1 we have sightings of bears and moose, bus nearly 100 miles into the Denali Wilderness, and hike into the night for our first campground. The next day the sky cleared enough to have a breathtaking view of Denali.
Watch the next episode where we get caught in a mountain storm bringing rain, freezing rain and snow and are forced to make tough decisions for our safety.

[@tristramstout8988]

Thank you for creating this. It’s not easy finding videos of backpacking in Denali.

[@GeorgeHolleway]

That's part of why I made these videos! In case it isn't clear from the video, I wouldn't recommend the units we were in, at least the first three units. The terrain was beyond difficult to navigate. South of the McKenley or on the ridgeline to the north would be much better. Check out episode 2 to see a little of the north ridgeline. (I'm sure there's a name for the north ridgelines, but I don't know it haha)

[@baylifemusic2795]

awesome footage

[@GeorgeHolleway]

Thank you!

[@hila4321]

This video is incredible. I've been looking for videos on Denali backcountry and you video is so informative and fun to watch. You seem like a very nice couple :) Hope you'll upload more hiking videos!

[@GeorgeHolleway]

Thank you so much @hilash! I'm glad the video was helpful for you. If you're planning a trip I hope it's amazing. Hopefully there will be more hiking videos soon... The next one (if I can get it done) will be of the Sierra mountains.

[@tristramstout8988]

I think what you are referring to as “social trails”, I would probably call game trails. But most animals are social to some degree, that term is just as good.

[@GeorgeHolleway]

I always knew them as game trails too. The park rangers referred to them as social trails.

[@taylorfawcett7866]

What footwear do you guys recommend? I’ve heard trail runners because of the amount of wet condition, but I’ve also heard that midrise hiking boots are recommended

[@GeorgeHolleway]

Because of how wet it is, I don’t think there’d be much difference between the two. Except the runners would be lighter when wet. We had mid rise boots and it worked just fine for us

[@steely610]

What unit were you in?

[@GeorgeHolleway]

Hey Matt, sorry I missed your comment. At 14:39 I list the units: 15, 42, 43, and 36. I don't personally recommend units 15 and 43. They were extremely difficult. We only stayed there because the glacier was surging and we had to change units from south of the McKinley to north of it.