Second of the Seven Summits • Summit Reached
In May 2024, I summited Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at 6,190 m. It was the second peak in my Seven Summits challenge, and one of the most physically demanding climbs I’ve done so far.
The mountain threw everything at us, heavy load carries, altitude sickness, and brutally cold conditions. Denali is remote, wild, and unrelenting. Reaching the summit required multiple days of carrying gear between camps, long acclimatisation rotations, and pushing through high winds and freezing temperatures.
Despite suffering from altitude sickness, I made it to the summit. That experience was a turning point. It forced me to dig deep, listen to my body, and respect the mountain in a new way. Denali didn’t just test my endurance, it sharpened my understanding of what it takes to climb at altitude and survive in polar conditions.
This was more than just another peak. It helped lay the groundwork for everything that came after, especially Everest, and my polar expeditions. Every step on Denali was a lesson in perseverance, self-awareness, and preparation.